Heirloom Emporium offers personalized wooden crafts | News | valleybreeze.com

GLOCESTER – Woodworkers and artists Julia and Kevin Anderson have opened a new location of their unique gift store, Heirloom Emporium, where the couple sells their unique wooden wares as well as other pieces from local artists.

Heirloom Emporium, located at 1195 Putnam Pike, features handmade woodwork, fine crafts, and art by independent artists. Opened July 1, Julia said the couple recently moved to Pascoag, and said they like to work in the area where they live. This is the second iteration of their store, which was previously located in Manchaug Mills in Sutton, Mass.

“The business community in this village is spectacular, and we can’t wait to become involved,” said Julia.

The husband and wife duo emphasize the importance of meaningful, independent work, Julia said. While the pair are the primary crafters of the work in the store, Julia said Heirloom Emporium also features a few independent artists and makers.

“It’s important to us that we know where and how the pieces we sell are made, so that we can stand by those products and offer the kind of customer service that helps a shopper make an informed decision, as well as helping them care for the products they purchase,” Julia said.

“We’re proud to say that our products are made by small businesses in the U.S.A.,” she added

During a tour of the store’s products, Julia pointed to a piece Kevin built: a walnut light box with locally sourced stained glass. There were other favorites created by her husband, including intricate clocks and a mirror repurposed from a piece of furniture that no longer had any use.

Kevin and Julia met in college, and after starting their careers, reconnected over Facebook in the 2010s. Kevin worked as a woodworker for more than 30 years, while Julia worked in the hospitality industry. When Kevin finally convinced her to attend woodworking events, she said she was not interested until she saw work being made with lathe.

“I always said I don’t like to make cuts and glue,” Julia said.

Now, she also works with wood to create “mindfully crafted” pens and seam rippers. Julia said she can make a seam ripper based on a person’s hand, which helps with crafting. She said her favorite pen is carved in turquoise stone with an intricate clip and fixtures.

Julia also gives tours of the items in store, explaining who the artist is and why each piece is special. There are live-edge chess boards, intricately built cutting boards, Chinese checkerboards, and more.

“I want people to come into our store and feel relaxed, valued and most importantly, that we’re listening to them,” she said.

The couple also make frames, quilt holders, and carved and gilded horns for drinking. Heirloom has a variety of hand-crafted board games that can be personalized. Julia said the store also does engraving work, as well as cutting and carving.

Heirloom Emporium is open Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 508-476-5336 or email Julia at [email protected] for more.

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