Kathy and Marvin Wilson, owners of Beary Crafty in their new shop.

She’s the Beary and he’s the Crafty. For 17 years, Kathy and Marvin Wilson, brother to Larry Wilson of Wilson’s Graphics, have been building a cottage business, Beary Crafty. They both work full-time jobs, but Kathy saw a need and a vision to create a business, and Marvin had the talent to add to it. “Kathy just wanted to start a business,” says Marvin. 

With their doors closed since May, Beary Crafty will reopen this Friday in a renovated house from 1923 located just a few hundred feet where they had been on Jefferson Davis Hwy.

Beary Crafty has earned a reputation over the years of offering primitive décor and accessories with whatever was in style.  The plus side of the business was Marvin, who utilized his talent with a saw and making simple furniture out of pine for folks who loved the primitive look.

Kathy’s input was finding products that complemented her creations and Marvin’s crafts.  Since the time they started, the décor/accessory industry attached to the primitive/folk art look has gone from geese to roosters and everything in between.  Today, the style is the star, which takes center stage. Kathy surrounds them with wooden flags, fruits, and tiny flowers in bulk, and a whole room full of great antiques, including signs, accents for every room in the house, and gifts for special friends.  She has taken what is present and built around what is past. Her strong decorating and merchandising skills are immediately evident to anyone who visits the store.  “Kathy’s friends say she can find a stick and hang it on the wall and it would look great,” says Marvin.

Their new location has been totally renovated with a vaulted ceiling, wood walls, and floors, and acclimated to county code.  It was a seven-year project, and Marvin and Kathy did most of the work. The house was completely gutted and a whole new look was added to the outside. Marvin’s craftsmanship shows in the completion of the new store.  He took every pain in making sure everything was done the best he could do, which is a showcase of workmanship.  Marvin says he was grateful for his architect (Island Architects), the enterprise zone, and the patience the county had with him over the years.  “I had to renew my permit four times.  Only failed one inspection and that was for a door handle on the bathroom,” he says. 
They almost gave up on it, but are glad they didn’t. Kathy says, “It is our dream come true.”

Beary Crafty began in a 10-by-10 foot space in the former cottage spaces, The Shops at Ivey, owned by Ivey Memorial Methodist Church. The 100-square-foot space served well as a beginning,  and bears and floral were the styles of the time.  Their new 800-square-foot location allows Kathy to incorporate more retail items from distributors as well as showcase Marvin’s furniture pieces.  Their new little building really brings out the gifts and décor accessories that make you want to linger.  

Beary Crafty is only open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and is located at 17024 Jefferson Davis Hwy. just north of The Shops at Ivey.  

lfausz@villagepublishing.com | 751-0421

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