Woodworking, iron works, yard art and more

By David Beers
Photo by Bruce Frisch

Jesse Morey wanted to experiment in the world of retail after 20 years of self-employment in construction. He opened a pop-up shop across the street from Stop & Shop in Canaan this past December to sell a variety of items made locally by Morey and his friends. Much to his amazement, they sold out of everything in the shop between Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

With that resounding start, he decided to give it a go full time starting on March 1. All the independent artisans provide merchandise for the retail shop and do custom work for shoppers on commission. Morey himself does woodworking in the spacious workshop behind the retail space, with a focus on small furniture pieces. He particularly enjoys making unique tables from distinctive pieces of character wood that he mills himself. Some of these tables have natural gaps filled with clear epoxy into which Morey inserts various nature items (shells, flowers, plants, moss etc.). If it is a custom table, the customer might provide personal items to insert into the epoxy.

The artisans currently include several talented people. Will Trollbridge of Sharon is a traditional blacksmith, making art with iron. James Hackett of Salisbury works with steel for furniture and yard art – often in collaboration with Morey. Richard Forman of Canaan is a copper and silversmith, creating leaves, vines and jewelry, including copper leaves. Morozuck of Canaan draws elegant calligraphy on wood signs, some of which are on the displays of other artisans. Celeste Conlogue of Canaan sells her watercolor prints. Allesandra Carrenza of Canaan sells natural soaps. Allison Forman displays her elaborate terrariums and potted plants. Tucker Shearer of Canaan sells his hand forged knives. Katie Shanley of Millerton sells organic personal care products.

There is much more to the background stories of these artisans and their work. Morey loves telling these tales to any customer willing to listen. Morey hopes to add a few more artisans to enhance his collection of gifts under $50. He would like to add some pottery and table linens to soften the look of the shop, along with opening an outdoor display area for outdoor art and furniture. He also plans on having the artisans teach some outside classes when the weather warms up.

Morey emphasizes that, while he facilitates the magic of the shop, it is the entire artisan community that makes this shop special. Morey summed it up by stating, “Without all the various artisans it is just a room of wooden tables.”

The Artisan Shop is open Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 6 East Main Street, Canaan (across from Stop & Shop). The website is TheArtisanShopCT.com and the phone number is 860-671-9946.