Jason Flesher and Michelle Garcia are owners of LitWood and Artisan Friends. Flesher’s use of high voltage electricity, 2200 volts, to be exact, adds a unique design to the furniture, kitchenware, and home decor.
Since LitWood’s inception, Flesher dreamed of opening a store specializing in fractal burnings. He shares, “I was given a great opportunity to make that happen! It would be hard to keep a full store of only my work and still find time to create.”
With an abundance of artisans crossing his path, he invited them and many others to have booths inside the store. “Everyone here supports one another, and we have a wide variety of items!”
People generally find LitWood via Facebook or other social media platforms, where he finds many of his artists. Emails are exchanged and Flesher determines what he will welcome into his shop, confessing, “So far I haven’t seen much that I do not like. Everyone’s creations are unique!”
As long as the shop has room and the craft is unique from others on display, Flesher sets a meeting with the artist so they can bring in their art, named, priced, and ready to sell. If all is satisfactory to all parties, an agreement is determined.
New artists also have the option to participate in a 10% off discount for military and first responders. “We then find a spot in the store for them and welcome them with a shout-out on Facebook,” shares Flesher.
The goal at LitWood is to “have a huge variety of arts and crafts and that every artisan in our shop would make a decent amount of sales each month. We also hope to outgrow our building someday! We are on our way to reaching these goals,” according to Flesher.
Flesher also hopes that the shop and all the artisan creations will draw people from the community and outside the community who enjoy local handmade crafts into the shop. Flesher confesses to being an early riser, taking advantage of the hours to work on his fractal-burning art, including on Tuesdays when the shop is closed.
“I started what I have now by pulling 2x4s out of the dumpster and turning them into fractal-burned picture frames. I fell in love with the craft. I worked hard and stayed dedicated to making this dream come true. I have had a lot of help from friends along the way and a lot of encouragement that helped me get where I am!” says Flesher with gratitude.
Aside from Flesher’s fractal-burned items, another 23 artists are on display. “We have rompers and dresses, aprons, chain maille, flannels, soaps, candles, crocheted items, paintings both acrylic and oil, jewelry, plants, gnomes, purses, stained glass, farmhouse signs, epoxies cutting boards, changing tapestries and fractal burned items,” shares Flesher.
During The Mountain-Ear’s Peak to Peak Studio Tour LitWood will offer a 10% discount on everything in the store.
Litwood and Artisan Friends is located at 221 Gregory Street, Unit D, Black Hawk. You can find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/litwoodcreations or you can give them a call at 720-756-0465.
Sign up as a sponsor for The Mountain-Ear’s Studio Tour September 22-24, 2023, at www.themtnear.com/peak-to-peak-studio-tour-2023/.
