Last modified: Sunday, July 29, 2007 12:19 AM PDT ‘Crafty Lady’ prepares to take on Weiser By Jennifer Colton - Argus Observer Weiser - With more than 20 years as a ceramacist, Pat Stamler is a very crafty lady. Although she works full-time in Boise, Stamler said crafts, especially ceramics, have always been a part of her life. Stamler travels to festivals and fairs across the Treasure Valley with a “make-and-take” booth of ceramic magnets, and a recent journey to Weiser led her to pursue a dream — opening her own craft store. “In Boise, there’s all kinds of mom and pop ceramic stores, and there’s also Michaels and the national stores,” she said. “But I was out here for the bluegrass festival this year, and everyone kept asking me if I was local. Then I drove past that space available sign and though, ‘this would be a good place for a shop.’ There is nothing like this here.” Situated in the Weiser Business Center on U.S. Highway 95 behind Zions Bank, Crafty Lady will hold a grand opening starting at 10 a.m. Aug. 4, with hot dogs, soft drinks, water and door prizes, Stamler said. “Now is a good time for people to get their holiday projects going. I figure it’s a good time to open up,” she said. “On my opening day, I’m going to have a questionnaire for people to fill out. Once I know what people want, I’ll know how to expand my business.” When Crafty Lady opens, the store will carry ceramics, scrapbooking materials and kits for bottled sand, soap, candles and tie-dye T-shirts. “I’m going to have lessons so they can either come in and sit and work on the projects here or they can take them home if they want,” Stamler said. “I want this to be a place where people have fun. I want people to look forward to coming here.” About half of the store will be devoted to ceramics, Stamler said. “I can pour it, clean it up and fire it myself, or I can do greenware too,” she said, adding that she has her own kiln in Caldwell. After the grand opening, Crafty Lady, 270 E. Seventh St., Weiser, will be open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. For more information, contact Stamler at (208) 695-9217. “I want to know what people want to do, so I’m open for suggestions,” Stamler said. “This is really exciting for me. It’s something I’ve dreamed of for a long time.”