LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — With the holidays upon us, people all over the county are looking for the perfect gift that perfectly embodies their affection toward their loved ones. 

 

What better way to do that than to shop at local businesses that possess handcrafted goods.

 

Inspired Creations, located at 495 North Main St., is one such place, showcasing quality handcrafted goods created by Berkshire County artisans.

 

"Shopping local is key and I'm huge on that. Now, I would rather come to a place like this than a big-box store," owner Paula Messana said.

 

"I would rather purchase something that is made in Berkshire County and not made in China. And I provide quality products. They're screened before I bring them in."

 

The aromatic and cozy atmosphere offers a relaxing place to browse the eclectic collection of locally  produced goods. 

 

"I want people to be able to come in and feel homey and comfortable in being able to walk around and poke. And even if you don't buy anything, it doesn't matter. Because you enjoy looking and that's what makes me feel good," Messana said. 

 

"I'm just happy that the name is getting out and people are coming. And when you look from the outside, you don't even imagine it's as big as it is on the inside."

 

The shop showcases handcrafted goods from 55 vendors, each with their own specialty including modern works of art, crafts, jewelry, and more. 

 

"I don't duplicate anything … there's a lot of people that do the same thing but we're a family here," she said.

 

"So I don't want them to be competing with each other. I want everybody to have a fair shot at sales and be able to advocate for themselves and what they make and be proud of it."

 

The shop provides a place for creative people to make some extra money from what is considered to them a hobby. Many of the vendors either have a job or are retired, Messana said.

 

"There are so many creative people in Berkshire County. It just blows my mind and I'm happy to bring on new people who have unique items," she said. "I mean, we have everything from jewelry to loom-woven shawls and scarves and candles and wood carvings. You name it, we have a little bit of something literally for everyone."

 

The inspiration behind this shop stemmed from Messana needing to adapt to the effects of COVID-19. She was working from home and had to find a way to keep her stepdaughter, who has special needs, engaged. 

 

Soon Messana's garage was filled with her daughter's crafts and inspiration struck. She decided to turn their recently renovated space, that they were going to use for offices, into an artisan shop. 

 

She posted to Facebook to discern if anyone shared in this interest and had eight people reach out hoping to have their work included in an artisan shop.

 

"It was funny with eight people, when we opened our doors, it was pretty empty in here. And then they just kept coming to me and coming to me," Messana said. 

 

"Today, one year and seven months later, I have 55 vendors in here and 99 percent of it is handmade, or upcycled, or modified in some way, shape or form."

 

Graves, who now resides at Riverbrook Residence, continues to have her work showcased at the shop. 

 

The women's home provides a variety of opportunities for women with intellectual disabilities so they can lead exceptional lives. Earlier this year, Messana held a Riverbrook Residence art show that showcased approximately 40 pieces of work made by the residents during their art class. Of those pieces, all but one sold. 

 

"There were so many people in here you couldn't move. It was fabulous. It was really wonderful," she said. She plans to have another event next year.

 

Messana also hosts "Make and Take" nights that gives participants a chance to make their own pieces of work that they can take home. 

 

Since opening, the store's popularity has grown with patrons coming in from as far as Albany, N.Y., and Cape Cod, and have expressed their desire for the store to start shipping. 

 

Messana plans to create a website in the near future so her patrons can order online.

 

For more information on Inspired Creations and to stay up to date on future events visit the Facebook page.