Mantua – The Village of Mantua is experiencing resurgence as storefronts are renovated and new tenants bring their wares and new life to the historic small town. Soon, another new shop will hang a shingle, offering yet another option in shopping local, in a natural new way.
Forage + Feather: an Artisan Collective will be coming to the historic Mantua Grain Building on East Prospect Street in Mantua later this summer. The shop is the inspiration of Chagrin Falls artisans Hedy Laverdiere and Tracy Fana who, not surprisingly, met at a craft show where Laverdiere offered handmade soaps and body products (3 Bees in a Hive) and childrens’ clothing & quilting fabrics (Little O fabrics) and Fana offered hand-painted upcycled furniture and furnishings (Blah to Ahhh/Fana Five Furniture). In addition to their mutual creative endeavors, these two moms have other things in common, including each having three children and both having another career — Laverdiere as a kindergarten teacher and Fana as a visual display and make-up artist.
“I am the ‘forage’ in the Forage + Feather,” explained Laverdiere. “My interest in foraging began as a child, as my mom regularly took us on foraging excursions to make natural remedies handed down by my grandmother.” Laverdiere’s desire to use natural ingredients for her family lead to the birth of 3 Bees in a Hive, through which she and her two daughters (college grad Kayla and 9-year-old Olivia) formulate soaps, lotions, balms, salves, shampoo & conditioner bars, and specialty tea blends. “Olivia is our head ‘sprinkler,’ topping our lovely soaps with dried botanicals and our head forager of dandelions, mint, and other herbs grown in our gardens,” Laverdiere explained. She’s also the inspiration behind the clothing, accessories, and fabrics available through Little O Fabrics.
Co-owner Fana is the feather in Forage + Feather. With a background in visual display for retailers including Banana Republic and 20+ years as a professional make-up artist for M.A.C. cosmetics, Fana has a gift of enhancing beauty (‘feather’ing nests). Her artistry is expressed through reviving old and unwanted pieces, giving them new life. She began hand-painting furniture as a hobby when her 2nd child (now 13) began kindergarten, and hopes to share this love of upcycling with all three of her children. In addition to the hand-painted furnishings she creates using Dixie Belle chalk paints, Fana will also provide Forage + Feather with a natural cosmetic line, Honeybee Gardens. Eventually, she’ll offer make-up services as well.
In addition to their own products, they’ll also feature more than a dozen other artisans, including Donna Marie jewelry, The Mostar Honey Company, and many other talented artisans. When the shop opens next month, they’ll feature locally made jewelry, honey, maple syrup, pottery, candles, signs, landscape photography, and fair trade products courtesy of a friend from Tanzania. Eventually, Forage + Feather will offer workshops and events as well.
While Laverdiere and Fana set a tentative date of August 5th to open the shop, to keep apprised of the latest information and to learn more about the artisans they’ll feature, like and follow them on Facebook at Forage and Feather and on Instagram at Forage and Feather Shop.
