Crafters Wanted For Village Kountry Krafts

By Susan Bush
12:00AM / Friday, May 05, 2006

The Village Kountry Krafts shop offers hand-crafted "Pooh" characters for sale.

Williamstown - Village Kountry Krafts business owner Vincent Zoito is displaying the wares of 31 crafters at the Colonial Shopping Plaza store but he's on the lookout for more.

"I want to have 50 crafters here," he said. "I'm hoping to bring them in out of the woodwork."

And yes, the pun was intended, he added with a smile.

Shop owner Vincent Zoito is able to customize and personalize wood-crafted items.

Slate-painters and those who design quality pottery pieces are included on Zoito's list of must-have artisans, he said.

Inside the store, shoppers are likely to notice the pleasant aroma wafting from electric candle burners. Walls, shelves, cabinets, and even the floor host an abundance of items including knitted and crocheted baby items, a child-sized, hand-carved, bead-adorned carousel horse, hand-sewn little girls' and American Girl doll dresses, fleece jackets and capes for toddlers, hand-made wooden furniture, grapevine stars, soy and gel candles, hand-designed jewelry - some made with semi-precious stones, sterling silver, and Swarvoski or freshwater pearls - engraved and etched glass, stained-glass mirrors, and an almost endless array of signs that may be customized.

Hand-painted plaques

Zoito is a skilled woodworker whose handcrafted furniture and wooden items have been sought after at previous shopping venues. His special talent is designing shadowboxes for military veterans, he said.

"That is my forte," he said.

He is able to build large or small pieces of furniture upon request.

Adirondack furniture, some Amish items, gourmet chocolates, and goodies for dogs are also part of the store's stock.

Kountry Krafts crafters hail from Vermont, New York, and Massachusetts, Zoito said.

The artisans are a diverse group from many walks of life.

Faux handmade, hand-painted "windows" are mirrored.

"I have some crafters who are in their 70s," he said. "What's nice about the crafters here is that if I ask for a special item, something customized, 90 percent of them will do it."

He is especially pleased to have a convenient venue for talented crafters and their products, he said.

"There's so much talent in the region," he said. "I am glad that I can showcase the talents and skills of these talented people. And I think that people are looking for things like this, and I believe, with the price of gas, people will get tired of driving to malls and are looking for nice local shopping options."

Free, handicapped accessible parking is located throughout the paved plaza parking lot.

These wooden "houses" are among the items crafted by Zoito.

Village Kountry Krafts is situated at the western end of the plaza and is open six days a week. Store hours are Tues., Wed., Fri., and Sat. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., Thurs. 11 a.m.- 6 p.m., and Sun., 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.. The store is closed on Monday.

Those interested in securing a booth at the store or those seeking additional information about the store may call 413-458-8050.

Susan Bush may be reached via e-mail at suebush@iberkshires.com or at 802-823-9367.