Today we’d like to introduce you to Pamela Hubbard.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started by being an organizer for Craft Shows in Cloquet about 8 years ago. I met some wonderful artists and crafters who joined my shows. When I saw this building available, I contacted my faithful vendors and asked if they would like to be in a shop. And so it goes. We took the lease in June 2023 and opened on July 1st 2023! It moved very quickly. I think I started with 45 vendors, we’ve grown to 73! The talent and variety that is in Shop on the Corner is phenomenal! All vendors are local to our area, which alone is amazing. Who knew there was so many talented people within 25 miles of Cloquet?! Products include: antiques, vintage, candles, jewelry, home decor, paintings, sublimation, coffee cups, pottery, 3D printing, crochet, purses, greeting cards, mittens, sweaters, flannel shirts, t-shirts, vintage clothing, jean jackets, hats, photographic art, laser cut items, welded metal art, junk journals & kits and so much more! Nearly 4,000 different products! Customers come in, are in awe of the smells of the candles, soaps and lotions and then surprised by the amount & variety of products in the Shop.
We also hold classes in the Shop: Paint like Bob Ross, Watercolor, Jewelry, Reverse Glass Painting, Cookie Decorating, Crocheting, DIY Paint products and Iron Orchid Design products.
We are open Tuesday – Friday 10am-5pm and Saturday 9am-4pm.
If you haven’t been in, you really need to see what we have to offer!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s been a fairly smooth road. The challenges have been getting the word out so customers find us. Having a really tight budget means that conventional advertising is rare and only for special occasions.
We’ve been open 2 1/2 years and every day someone comes in who either didn’t know what we were, had never been in or heard about us and came in for the first time.
The other challenge is fighting theft. I interviewed with the Cloquet PD, asking what I could do and couldn’t do. I was disappointed that there is not much I can do until the perp walks out of the door. Then I can call 911, would they catch the person? Maybe, maybe not. The officer I chatted with suggested lockers, which means everyone coming with with a bag or purse can lock it up and carry the key while they shop. This ensures their property is safe and eases my mind that I’m doing everything I can to protect my vendors. Of course some people may feel offended at first, but usually when I explain it, they are fine with locking up their purses, bags or backpacks. Most appreciate the fact that they don’t have to carry their purse while shopping.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
When I started doing craft shows I tried many art mediums. What I’ve discovered about myself is I love showing people how to do something. My favorite art mediums at the moment are Reverse Glass Painting, Burning & Painting on Hats, Resin Art, or making knick knacks like salt & pepper Snowmen or Gnomes that light up.
I teach classes in Reverse Glass Painting, Jewelry Making, Modeling Paste Painting which is a 3D style of painting. I also demonstrate how to use products that I sell in the Shop: DIY Paint and Iron Orchid Designs products.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I have taken classes, years ago… Currently I actually watch a lot of creators on YouTube. They are inspirational as well as instructional. I have a TV in the Shop with a certain YouTube creator’s videos running all day. She shows how to use products that I sell in the Shop. I hope people can get ideas for creating at home or in a class here.
Pricing:
- My vendors are very fair in pricing their products. You can find gifts as low as $5!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shoponthecorner.rocks
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/skipper_shop_dog
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/shoponthecorner.mn
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/pamela0475
