Brady's Craft Mart Allows Residents To Tap into Their Creative Side

For 20 years, Orland Park has been home to a craft store whose products are made by the community. Brady’s Craft Mart is a store that showcases the talents of the community and gives residents the opportunity to turn their crafts into profit. One hundred booths, rented by individual artists make the store a haven for hand-crafted decorations and gifts.

An array of wreaths in rich warm colors adorned with a variety of bulbs and fruit are placed near the door. It may be summer outside, but autumn has begun for Brady’s Craft Mart’s customers. Ornaments and knickknacks that beg for the brisk air and crisp leaves of fall sit alongside each other waiting to be seen.

Each artist has the liberty to price their own goods and arrange their booth display to reflect their personal style.  You begin to notice this as you walk down the aisles of the store. Some booths sparkle with pizazz while others are comfortable and like home.   

The store started as an outlet for crafters to sell their goods but throughout the years it has turned into a network of mostly women using their love for crafts to make ends meet.The artist takes home a 93 percent profit on each item sold. The remaining seven percent goes towards the store's upkeep.

“This store has put more kids through college, paid for family vacations and has allowed women and their families to spend time together and create," owner Marge Tofanelli said. "We have employed and kept a lot of women in business.”

Because the majority of items are handmade, custom ordering is available and is one of the store’s specialties. The shop also has a brightly colored party room decorated with fun for kids' parties and special events.

A new feature to the store is build-a-buddy teddy bears. Added just three years ago, children can choose from 45 different bears that they can stuff and dress to their liking. While the children’s options may be plentiful parents will be happy to know that no matter what choice the child, makes the price will be the same.

On Saturday, the store will be holding a special event in honor of their 20 years between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Things You Should Know About Brady’s Craft Mart:

• Winner of 2010 Chicago Southland Award
• Seasonal, Country, Primitive and Americana crafts available
• All products made in the USA
• 80 percent of products are hand made
• Party Room available for parties or special occasions for $35
• 45 Stuff-A-Buddy options
• $15.95 per Buddy
• All Buddy outfits are $9
• Each Buddy comes with a birth certificate

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