Every month The CARON Collection features one of the outstanding shops who so ably provide stitchers with not only supplies but guidance, technical expertise, and inspiration. We hope you'll support your local shops and browse through our extensive SHOP LISTINGS to find a shop near you. This month we take you to discover...
The Sampler in Plymouth, MA
The Sampler, located on the main street of historic Plymouth, opened in 1983 with the goal of presenting the very best in needlework. In making that goal a reality, Elizabeth Creeden has never flagged. The shop stands apart with respect to the quality and variety of work presented, the staff's intimate knowledge of embroidery techniques of all kinds and familiarity with all aspects of the needlework market, which have earned them the respect and loyalty of customers who span the globe. This clientele encompasses the gamut in experience and talent, from the neophyte just looking for a pleasurable hobby to the most dedicated, advanced stitchers and professional designers. All are justifiably impressed with both the shop and the sales personnel, consisting of Elizabeth Creeden (owner), Alice Taylor (tiny in stature, but the real "Boss!") and Beverly Wickson (invaluable part timer, who makes it possible for Elizabeth and Alice to have some semblance of a real life!) Elizabeth readily admits that Alice is the true the lynchpin in the day-to-day mechanics of the business, without whom it would be impossible for her to continue designing. She also points out, "There are many other invisible people whose contributions are necessary for the existence of the business from bookkeepers and stitchers, to the treasured friends who show up with ice cream on a bad day!"
Elizabeth Creeden was born in Boston and learned her first stitching and sewing skills in 4th grade. An avid reader and natural artistic talent, she attended the Massachusetts College of Art where she refined her drawing, painting and design skills, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. Immediately after college, Elizabeth worked at Remick's of Quincy (a unique department store) in the display department. Her job consisted of creating the store's window displays, which were changed on a regular basis year round, always featuring a particular theme. The highlight of the year was the extravagant Christmas windows, sophisticated automated scenes - quite high tech for the times! Elizabeth would toil in a frenzy from September to November, fashioning the figures by shaping, painting, dressing and arranging them, as well as building the background sets for each tableaux. When she was not thus occupied, Elizabeth filled in as an illustrator in the advertising department.
------
When Elizabeth married John Creeden in 1963, she continued her free lance artwork - illustrating a book, doing architectural renderings and working with museums. The couple moved to Plymouth, where Elizabeth developed a love of history and crewel through volunteer work at local museums, while raising her family. As the cradle of the new nation and repository for many of America's early artifacts and materials, Elizabeth was intrigued and fascinated by what she saw and learned there. She exhorts, "Plymouth is where America began...Since everything in Plymouth is related to history, it is natural to think in an historical context whether painting or embroidering - plus there is the other advantage of having 17th, 18th & 19th century materials available." At The Pilgrim Society, Elizabeth devoted time to organizing fund raising events. She also set up and managed a gift shop in 1976 for the show, "Remember the Ladies," a landmark Bicentennial show featuring women's historical achievements, which later toured nationally. The name of the show derived from an admonition given to President John Adams by his wife, Abigail, to enlighten him about a woman's precarious position in the society of the day. Elizabeth also served on the Board of Directors for the Richard Sparrow House, a 17th century House Museum and the Plymouth Antiquarian Society, again initiating and supervising fund raising events. She was a dedicated member of the Black and White Society in Plymouth, which originated in the late 1800's as an outgrowth of the Arts and Crafts movement in the U.S. Elizabeth's first formal encounter with needlework was studying with Mary Davidson, a designer, teacher and fellow member in the Black and White Society. She later continued her education at Pine Manor College in Chestnut Hill.
Her design career began when she was commissioned to recreate some period crewelwork for Constance Carol, a national curtain manufacturer and catalog retailer. Constance contracted Elizabeth to implement two needlework stores for her, which became successful ventures until the recession of the early 1980's, when Constance decided to downsize her operations. Daunted but determined, when Constance offered Elizabeth the existing store files, she decided to take the plunge into retail needlework. With a partner, Catherine Delano, Elizabeth opened modestly in a tiny space on a side street to an audience of needlework novices. With characteristic fortitude and patience, coupled with Elizabeth's stitching, teaching and business expertise, they were able within three years to move the shop to their present location in 1000 sq. ft. on the main thoroughfare. An added feature attraction is the sloping brick walkway leading to the shop and the invigorating view of the ocean afforded by these premises.
Click Here for Page 2 of this Shop Feature
STORE FOCUS ARCHIVES
(For previous month's features)Abecedarius in Marietta, Georgia Witchery Stitchery of Mt. Horeb Wisconsin City Stitcher of Chicago, IL L'Aguja Loca in Mexico City Ruth's Stitchery, in Colorado Springs, CO
Mrs. Titchett's Eye, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Pocket Full of Stitches, in Lubbock, TXSophisticated Stitchery, in Carteret, New Jersey
Hardanger House, Stettler, Alberta, Canada
Nordic Needle, Fargo, NDNeedlemania, in Cranston, Rhode Island The Country Cross-Stitcher, Woburn, Bedfordshire, UK Amy's Golden Strand, Memphis, TN Needle in a Haystack in Alameda, California
Tri Thy Needlecraft Centre, in North Wales, UK
Fils Du Temps in Strasbourg, France
Stitchery Source International / Rainbow Picture Framing in Miami, Florida
Nettie's Needlecraft in glamorous Beverly Hills, California...
Island Needlework, Key West, Florida...
The Summer House Needleworks, Oley Valley of Pennsylvania
Evening Star Designs, mail order specializing in Quilting supplies
Ginger's Needlearts and Framing, Austin, Texas
The Needlewoman East in Falls Church, Virginia
Hook-n-Needle in Fairfield County, CT
The Needlepointer, Everett, Washington
Haus Tirol in Williamsburg, Virginia
Crafty Lady in Macomb, Michigan
It's A Crewel World in Salem, Massachusetts
Exclamation Point!in Saratoga Village, California
Thistle Needleworks in Glastonbury, Connecticut
