Crafty This and That: Crivitz’s new creative corner

CRIVITZ – Despite the recent loss of JOANN Fabric to the artists and crafty people living in Marinette County, their creativity has proven resilient and continues to grow. This is best seen through the introduction of Crafty This and That to the Crivitz business and artistry scene.

For Penny Aguilar, creating art has been an important part of her life long before becoming a co-owner of Crafty This and That.

After graduating from Wausaukee High School, Aguilar served in the United States Marine Corps for about 15 years. During this time she spent a year stationed in Japan and worked as an instructor for non-commissioned officers at Camp Del Mar of Camp Pendleton. After her service she remained in California before returning home to Wisconsin in 2000.

Aguilar explained that as a disabled vet she experienced health issues that impacted her ability to create and sell art.

“My sister Tammy [Fullerton] and I used to do flea markets and tried to do craft fairs. However, I had to have two lower back surgeries because of my disability. I couldn’t really help my sister put up the tent, the canopies and the tables, and that’s just too much to put on one person. So, when I saw this building with the sale sign in the window, I thought, ‘Well, why don’t we give it a shot?’”

Since opening, Crafty This and That has grown into a true family business. Aguilar co-owns the shop with her sister and mother, Joan Quarzenski, and also receives help from her brother David Quarzenski. Each member of the family brings something different to the table.

“My mom sells the cards that she makes. They’re for birthdays, sympathy, baby showers, weddings and all other occasions. My sister, she makes a lot of the hard scrubbies for the kitchen that everybody looks for. She also has dish towels and runners for your table,” Aguilar explained.

She also said that Fullerton makes quilts, which are often purchased soon after being completed.

“The one quilt we had displayed was bought up right away. It was red, white and blue, and the guy was just thrilled that he had seen it first right away,” she said.

Also making quilted products is David, who sells reversible bags in addition to the purse collection that Joan sells there.

Aguilar works with the colorful diamond art sets, selling both finished pieces and small kits. She also sells homemade goods, such as jam, jelly, pistachio bread, zucchini bread and more.

Having such a wide variety of products was always the plan, Aguilar said.

“That’s the reason we named it Crafty This and That. We have stuff in here that we did not make…but that we acquired along the way. So, it’s a little bit of this and a little bit of that.”

Crafty This and That is located at 604 Main St., Crivitz. The business is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call Crafty This and That at (715) 927-6047.