NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Artist Cheryl Coppens long had a dream of opening a jewelry store.

 

That dream came true last November when she opened The Artful Jewelers in the space on Ashland Street that had housed the former DiLego Jewelry, which ceased operations after nearly a century in business. Following in DiLego's footsteps has helped business.

 

"We jumped on taking advantage of having a space where the local community already knew there was a jewelry store," Coppens said.

 

The Artful Jewelers offers local and fine jewelry as well as jewelry repair and gifts.

 

Coppens pursued a corporate business career and had owned a children's resale shop and a printing and graphics business. But she always knew she wanted to get back into art. 

 

Her partner, who is a master jeweler, kept suggesting she open up a place of her own and he would help her and expand his business.

 

"I'm an artist at heart," she said. "Getting back into art after I finished the career path has absolutely always been in my plans and this allows me to be in the art community and get back into my own art."

 

Coppens is a jewelry artist herself but doesn't have any of her own pieces in the store  yet. Instead, one of her main goals is to shine a light on the work of other local artists.

 

"The whole concept here is I wanted to bring in artisan jewelers to help them get established, not just be a purchaser from a supplier-type business," Coppens said.

 

She said it's been somewhat of a soft opening but wants customers to feel comfortable coming in and asking her questions. She also encourages them to recommend merchandise they would love to see in the store so that she can get it for them.

 

"So far it's been an exploration and see what people want," she said.

 

She says it's been great hearing stories from patrons about when it was DiLego's. A couple recently told her about the engagement ring they got at there a long time ago.

 

"I've enjoyed tremendously meeting the people and hearing the stories," Coppens said.

 

She is a member of Eagle Street Alive, a group of merchants mostly on historic Eagle Street trying to figure out how to bring more foot traffic to the area. 

 

"We’re just really trying to fit what the community wants and needs," she said.

 

Coppens said she plans to host events for family and friends where they can clean, polish, remake items and more. For instance, people could bring in old jewelry they may not be able to wear anymore and turn that into something new to wear while keeping the significance of the item.

 

"We're in such a society of throw away this gives you an opportunity to retrofit your jewelry that's important to you and put it in some form or fashion that you would enjoy wearing again," she said.

 

Coppens describes the jewelry store as her "retirement" business and wants to run it for as long as she can. She said her mother was one of her inspirations for in opening the store and pointed the stained glass pieces she made. 

 

"My long-term goals really are to just see how long I can make this business go," she said.

 

The Artful Jewelers is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m., and Thursday 1 to 7 p.m. On Saturday from 4 to 7, people are welcome to come in and meet the master jeweler. More information: 413-652-8130 or artfuljewelers@gmail.com.