Kylee, Evaly, Robin, and Jeff Huelsman at the U R Crafty shop located in Gardnerville.
Photo by Sarah Drinkwine.
One of the first comments Robin Huelsman received during her grand opening of U R Crafty on Saturday was “just wait until it snows.”
“Could you imagine, sitting here creating a candle or soap, or painting and just watching the snow fall outside?”
Family owned and operated, Huelsman opened the craft shop just under 20 years ago in Truckee and after moving to the Valley five years ago to be closer to her mother, decided it was time to relocate the shop, too.
“We fell in love with the area and wanted to bring the store down here,” said Kehler Huelsman.
Huelsman said the timing just seemed right and when the location became available, she jumped on the opportunity.
“Everything is really starting to come together,” she said. “It’s such a quirky little place and has a special charm to it.”
U R Crafty offers a haven for creative minds of all ages located in Gardnerville. Crafters can create and paint pottery, make their own candles and soap, and stuff a friend.
Huelsman has a degree in the arts and has always been crafty with her kids, which grew into a business. She is a mother of five children and has two adopted daughters.
“They all grew up with the shop, and loved coming in to help and still do,” she said.
Not only did her own children grow up crafting in the shop, but many families in Truckee did too.
“People grew up in our shop and would come back and bring their kids, so we will be missed there, but we are excited to bring that community here,” said Huelsman.
Huelsman plans to look into the history of the building and pay homage in whatever way she can, while becoming involved in the community. She said she is also looking forward to being right in the middle of town and participating in the Wine Walk, Parade of Lights, and the Carson Valley Days parade.
“We really want to be a part of the community,” said Huelsman.
At U R Crafty birthday parties, date nights, and gathering opportunities are available.
“The date night idea has received the most amount of interest,” said Huelsman. “Couples can come in, bring some food and music and just enjoy each others’ company while making something fun.”
Huelsman said bringing opportunities like that is what she hopes to achieve by U R Crafty. She said she wants to provide that space for creativity and a place for people of all ages and demographics to enjoy.
“That’s one of the biggest comments we have gotten, is there isn’t anything like this in the community,” said Huelsman.
U R Crafty is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Date Nights are Friday and Saturday with a later closure at 8 p.m. U R Crafty is located at 1506 Highway 395 in Gardnerville.
