Transforming the space into a whimsical gift gallery, August 2000

 
After we started to wholesale a.i. paper design products, we needed to move the business out of our house and find a commercial building to lease. We ended up finding an old 2200 sq. ft. building in downtown Berkley that used to house a pharmacy. With lots of hard work we transformed the space with bright colored paint, plywood and flea market finds. A line of old hinged doors separated the design studio from the store front.

I planned on filling most of the store with a.i. paper design products and some purchased items that I found at gift trade shows. I also called up a few of my artist friends and asked them if they'd be interested in placing some of their items in our store on consignment. This helped me keep my investment costs low and the variety of products unique.
 

 
Ready to open on the inside and out, October 2000

We opened our doors in October. I didn't really have the time, money or energy to heavily advertise because I was still very consumed with running a.i. paper design. In fact, our original goal for the store front was just to help pay the rent for our design studio. When customers stopped in we would simply pop our head out from behind the studio, greet them, then let them shop in peace while we continued with our work. I guess you could call Tuesday and Piper, our shop cats, the silent store managers as they kept the customers company.

As time went on, the "buzz" about catching fireflies began to spread through word of mouth and some free press. Steve and I also handed out newsletters about the store at the nearby art fairs we participated in. Pretty soon catching fireflies was not only paying the rent but turning a decent profit. This allowed me to purchase a larger variety of interesting items to fill the store. The popularity continued to grow.
 

Tuesday and Piper rule the roost

We represent a lot of local tile artists

Inspired by the success of our Berkley location, we decided to open a second store in Grand Rapids. Steve and I both grew up in West Michigan and visited our families there often. We opened our doors in the spring of 2002 and showcased our whimsical wares to all our new firefly fans.
 

Our check-out area is still
elevated like the old pharmacy

Even the front of the store got a facelift with a new awning

Wholesale accounts continued to increase for a.i. paper design while catching fireflies customers kept multiplying. I was using every possible idea to maximize display space in our tiny store... things hanging off upside down umbrellas attached to the ceiling, bracelets resting on the necks of old bottles, handmade soaps piled in three tier shelves sitting on an ironing board wedged in a corner. Needless to say, it was time to expand.

We decided to move the design studio to a non-retail location a mile away from the store, then renovate the current design studio into an expanded catching fireflies. After a couple of months of light construction, flea market hunting and a lot of paint, we surprised our customers with the renovation at our two year birthday sale in October. It was a huge success and the store continues to thrive.

We finally got bit by the website bug during the summer of 2004 and launched our virtual store that fall. catchingfireflies.com showcased some of our most popular gifts as well as the full a.i. paper design line. We also started sending out our popular monthly e-news that features artists, quotes, recipes, sales and specials.

After selling our fanciful goods in Grand Rapids for almost four years we made the difficult decision to close our doors and move our quirky collection of gifts closer to home. When we first spotted the "for lease" sign on the old train depot in downtown Rochester we knew it was meant to be. So with lots of paint and TLC we worked our magic and transformed it into the eccentric little gift gallery that catching fireflies is. We opened our doors in the spring of 2006 and received rave reviews from the local press and new customers.
 

It's amazing what colorful paint, old doors and flea market finds will do!
 

I always have to smile when a catching fireflies customer gets excited when they find that perfect gift to brighten someone's day. I love that feeling of making somebody happy. I think that's why I enjoy picking out all the interesting and unusual things we offer at catching fireflies. Even though I buy a lot of the products the gallery offers, I am still committed to featuring local artists in the store. They were the first ones who supported this little place and they continue to add unique flavor to it everyday.

In addition to handmade items, I love to pepper the various sections of catching fireflies with quirky, fun and retro products in all price ranges. From general store candy to extendable forks to animal toothbrush holders to stylish sink strainers... you'll be able to find something that'll make your heart smile.

The name catching fireflies was inspired by one of our favorite art works, but it is also a lot more... It's that nostalgic feeling you get inside when you think back to those carefree days as a child. It's finding delight in the simple pleasures that you encounter everyday. It reminds you to slow down and appreciate the blessings that surround you. It inspires you to create joy in your life and in others.

At catching fireflies, we always hope to light up your day and help put a smile on your face.

Tammy Crenshaw's
Happy House collection

Customers find lot of
special goodies for gifts