Shoppers are encouraged to find their own ‘SpiritSpace’
Soft, warm, spiritual, and earth friendly could all be used to describe the collection of items on sale at SpiritSpace.
The gift shop, located at the St. Francis Spirituality Center on St. Francis Avenue is to celebrate their grand opening today with an open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Featured throughout the day will be demonstrations from craftsmen and artisans including woodcarving, basketmaking and pottery.
Sister Jane Francis Omlor, manager of the shop and an established pottery artisan, will offer the opportunity for guests to have a vase of greenware to paint themselves, have glazed and fired for $10.
Omlor, the manager of the shop, said there had always been a small shop at the convent. When she returned after spending 26 years working and learning to create pottery in West Virginia, she wished for a place to sell the items that she made.
“I wished for a nice space to sell my pottery,” she said. “I had sold it in some good places in West Virginia. I asked if I could re-do the gift shop. And I was also motivated by the talented sisters we have here.”
She walked around the shop, pointing out the articles made by her fellow sisters: Sister Emily Fox is a woodcarver; carved and burnished angels, as well as more whimsical doors and outhouses are available for sale. Sister Laurene crochets crib blankets, and Sister Charlotte hand crochets around dishclothes. Sister Veronica mixes her own potpourri provided from her herb garden.
