Crafty fun abounds at Big Box alternative, Wood Items & More

Note: Wood Items & More is currently celebrating their 22 years in business by offering 20% off store wide and 30% off all floral and ribbon, through April 11. Offer excludes Scouts and classes.

Many people find themselves making the “big” trip to Smithfield (:15 from Providence) for apple picking season but continue heading West on Route 44 any time of year, past the A&W and Newport Creamery, and you’ll come to big-as-a-minute Greenville Common which boasts its own landmarks including Wood Items & More, a full service, independently owned craft shop. Built in 1924, the brick building with green awnings that houses the store is currently undergoing a bit of a facelift, evidenced by the scaffolding which surrounds the exterior.

Owner Maureen Van Herpe got her start in the craft business doing shows and teaching classes; when her venture outgrew operating from the garage, she opened a shop which eventually lead her to the current location. With her business celebrating its 22nd birthday, Maureen reflects that the craft industry is ever-changing and has witnessed fads coming and going. “We can only keep up by changing,” she says explaining how Wood Items & More is among the last of its kind as a brick-and-mortal craft shop. “Businesses like mine retired when the big box stores came along,” begins Maureen. “Although the chain stores have more coupons, I have better pricing all the time.”

What I like best about Wood Items & More is that it’s the kind of craft store I remember from childhood where unique assortments of things like colorful artificial birds or small packets of beads can inspire creative projects.  My favorite items to dig through – and there are two floors loaded with stuff – are the plastic cupcake toppers, miniature supplies and millinery flowers, now deemed “vintage” and generally sold for double or triple the price online.

Wood Items & More boasts a large assortment of woodturnings, brushes, craft paints, stencils, baskets and magazines; custom kits can be produced for school groups and organizations. The shop also hosts after school activities like Scouts where Maureen can be found assisting boys in building pinewood derby cars and girls with earning their Society Of Decorative Painters patch, which she created herself. Additionally, the shop offers after-school and weekend classes for children ages 8 and above, and birthday parties. “Our classes are affordable and kids get to work on projects at their own pace” says Maureen.

For details on classes, online shopping, or very fun crafty hunting and gathering visit Wood Items & More.

Wood Items & More
576 Putnam Pike
Greenville, RI 02828
401-949-3550
Tues-Sat 10:00-5:00; Tuesday & Thursday eve 6:30-9:00
www.wooditemsandmore.com