History of Country Lane Crafts
Wonder who we are and how Country Lane Crafts got started? Well, I had been showing my handmade crafts at local craft shows on and off for several years. My husband George and I had kicked around the idea of opening a storefront, but we really didn't think we would ever find a building we could afford.
Then one day when we weren't looking, a building sort of fell in our laps. It was affordable, probably because it was in such terrible shape! Definition of terrible shape: Rainwater going through the roof, into the upstairs apartments, then through the floor into the storefront below. We had the city building inspector tour the building with us, he pointed out problem after problem after problem after …… you get the idea. But the building was in the main business district, so we took a deep breath and dove in!
With A LOT of hard work, including MUCH help from our teenage son and daughter, and occasional help from some family and friends, we renovated the building and opened our craft shop on October 8, 2000.
We Began with Handmade Crafts and Vintage Items
When we first opened, the only crafts we carried were handmade items. We added a few vintage items that helped “set the mood” — some for sale, others just for display purposes. The centerpiece of our store for about three years was a full size antique hay rake! It quickly became obvious that our customers loved the antiques, so we started attending more local auctions.
My husband and I had always enjoyed auctions, but hadn't gone much since the early days of our marriage, because we didn't want to be tempted by all those treasures just waiting for the highest bidder. Now, we had an excuse to go again! (We have been very good — 95% of the treasures we buy go to the shop, but every once in a while temptation takes over, and a little something or other gets lost and ends up in our home!)
Expansion of Crafts to Include Imports
In the Christmas season of 2006, we decided to start carrying imports along with our handmade crafts. As the business expanded, we could no longer keep up with the demand on our time that handmade crafts required. Also, we found that we needed to start carrying a bigger variety than we were capable of making by hand. So we are gradually adding country and primitive imports to complement the rest of our ever growing inventory. They have been well received by our customers.
Be assured that we will never try to pass off an import as something made in America. 
Crafts that we make have a tag that says I am a handmade item. Crafts that are imported may have indeed been made by hand in another country, but they still have the mass produced look. Our handmade crafts are made one by one, with great care, and you may find yourself buying something that is truly one of a kind. We have found a market for both the handmade items and the imported country decor, and on each, we strive for quality.
Where We Stand Today
Today we are known as much for our antique and vintage items as we are for crafts. We are always on the lookout for new crafts and country decor items, and when we go “antiquing,” we never know what we will find. Stop in often to see what is new!
We Couldn't Do This without Help!
I guess I haven't introduced myself. My name is Barb Howard, and my biggest supporter is my best friend — my husband George. He has poured so much time and effort into this building, and he is my “antiquing” partner. We have two great kids, (well, technically, they aren't kids anymore!). Both are in college, and help out when they can. Jessica runs the store a day or so a week, and Kevin helps out behind the scenes. They have inherited their parents' love of antiques and primitive decorating style, and have many good ideas they share with us. They both help out with the inventory. And, I can't thank them enough for the many, many hours of “sweat equity” they have poured into the building itself! God has truly blessed me with a wonderful husband and children.
My sister Jo has been a true godsend! She is the webmaster for this site, and has spent countless hours developing and maintaining it. She also runs the store occasionally, and goes to auctions with me when she gets a chance. She has done all this without asking for anything, though sometimes an auction treasure gets lost and ends up in her house too!
My father owns the woodshop tools we use to make many of our items. He lets us use any of his equipment we need, whenever we need it. There was even an occasion or two when he ran the shop! My mother died in 2005 from Alzheimer's Disease, after many years of the illness. She was never able to see the shop, but she would have absolutely loved it — I have no doubt of that. All my life, she was a great inspiration to me, and even though she is no longer with us, I feel her presence every day.
We have a few local crafters who help us with inventory; and we appreciate their talent more than we can say.
And then there are our customers. We have many loyal customers who have helped us more than they will ever know. Their kind words and encouragement mean so much. We have enjoyed getting to know so many people that we would have never known if not for the shop.
And we certainly don't want to forget the kindness of the surrounding business community. We are fortunate to live in Small Town America – Moundsville, WV. The business community here works together for the good of the town, and we happily refer our customers back and forth among the many shops.
Come visit anytime, we would love to meet you!
Country Lane Crafts
318 Jefferson Avenue
Moundsville, WV 26041
(304) 845-0304