By Rod Lee

Quite a few people must be surprised to see what has taken place at 7 Sutton Ave. in Oxford Center in recent months.

Formerly the home of Jefferson’s Cleaners, and before that a local tavern, the storefront is now occupied by Elsie G’s Creations & More, owned and operated by Heather A. Budano.

“We moved here from Auburn in December,” Shelly Savicki, a salesperson, said on March 24th. “We opened on December 4th.”

Ms. Savicki, who lives in Wales, Massachusetts, has been with Elsie G’s “from the beginning” and describes the venture as “a year-round indoor craft fair.” She works the counter at Elsie G’s on Thursdays, covering the shop’s activity for Ms. Budano.

The tagline Ms. Savicki offered for what Elsie G’s is all about certainly fits. Immediately after announcing this, she began grabbing business cards of the crafters whose work is represented in the building by way of further identifying who’s who. Some of them, including Ms. Budano, run more than one enterprise. Ms. Budano, for instance, also owns “Tish’s Craft Corner” and is a consultant with Avon, Chalk Couture and Tupperware.

A host of different crafters have taken up residence at Elsie G’s.

Wayne Learned of Webster, for instance, is the owner of Learned Custom Leather with a concentration in “hand-tooled art and personal goods.”

Mr. Learned has been collecting cowboy boots since 1996 and now crafts them in collaboration with Jim Covington of Covington Boots. Mr. Learned also teaches line dancing. In an effort to “stand out” at the front of the class, he says, he began making belts. “The fashion world does not live on black and brown belts alone,” he points out on his website. “I love vibrant colors.”

Mr. Learned has branched out into all sort of leather products including bookmarks, bracelets, coasters, coin purses, handbags and flasks

In well-appointed space, Elsie G’s has made room for a variety of crafters whose creative instincts run the gamut.

Handcrafted country-style wood items in the shop including copper top birdhouses are displayed by Rich Cowden of Auburn, owner of The Birds Inn. Mr. Cowden notes “I support the military, police and first responders.”

Tammy Itse of Harrisville, Rhode Island, creates “resin clocks, soap dishes, soaps, bath products and crochet items”—among other things.

Christine Janes is “Cj’s Jewelry, Cards & More.”

Noticing her visitor thumbing through the business cards, Ms. Savicki said “on Thursdays, we offer free jewelry cleaning while you browse. We have arts and crafts on Saturdays.”

Virtually every craft imaginable, it appears, is part of the lineup at Elsie G’s.

Maria Bradshaw and Jaimie Yancey are owners of M&J Crafts, “from our hearts to your hands.”

Barbara Mattson bills herself as “the Pampered Chef” and “Java Momma” (an “independent barista”).

“Mandatory Me Time” specializes in “all-natural skincare,” featuring products handcrafted in New England.

“Chappy’s Crafting” (Scott and Melissa) and “DeZynes by Leah” are part of the mix, as is “Tish’s Craft Corner,” gift baskets made to order by Tish Taylor (“making people smile with the love of homemade”).

  Elsie G’s Creations & More is continuing evidence that the town Oxford is a fertile breeding ground for those with entrepreneurial ambitions and a place to turn to for the products and services these business people offer: vintage baseball cards, homemade cupcakes, wash, dry and fold laundry assistance, gifts for the home and workplace and flower arrangements—for instance.

Contact Rod Lee at [email protected] or 774-232-2999.