Chic Spotlight: Circle of Hope Artisans
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| Circle of Hope Artisans is based in Bellevue, Kentucky. |
Cincy Chic: What is Circle of Hope Artisans?
Deedee Butcher, Owner of Circle of Hope Artisans: Circle of Hope Artisans is a group of local artisans who are not only very talented, but willing and able to get involved and give back to the community.
Cincy Chic: When did Circle of Hope Artisans open?
Butcher: Circle of Hope opened June 6, 2014.
Cincy Chic: What was your inspiration for opening your own business?
Butcher: Seven years ago I was diagnosed with Progressive MS. I was able to get into a study out of the Cleveland Clinic and I did very well. Then, four years ago I was diagnosed with lymphoma – one of the side affects of the medication I was taking for the MS. Four years, eight months and three days later I received my first “all clear.”
On June 6, 2014, I was 39 days “all clear” when I opened the doors of Circle of Hope. My second week of being open Ryan Salzman of the Bellevue Alliance posted on Facebook that the Bellevue City School Board had obtained the funds to provide free lunch for the entire district. I asked the 18 artisans that I had in the shop with me at that time if we could adjust our mission and make the Bellevue Local School System the recipient of our giving – and I received a 100 percent absolutely. So, our mission has become Bellevue City Schools & Holy Trinity School.
Cincy Chic: Who’s behind Circle of Hope Artisans?
Butcher: Myself and my family as well as Chris Jones, Parrish Monk, Cat Greene, Dana Crawford, Tiffany Hornback, Patti Hannika, Duane Spence, Jessica McKlveen, Brenda Thomas, Lisa Wenneman, Megan Minton, Lisa M. Caldwell-Reiss, Julie Rembacz, Nancy Perkins, V. Jaffe, Helen Papazyan, Wendi Durso, Beth Kindle, Venita Allen, Carole Bartels, Linda McClellan, John & Katherine Aldrich, Rob Kiefer, Gabriel Clemons, Tonia & Kevin Graves, Tina West, Monica Bartholomew, Kim Bowman, Nancy Caine, Francheska and Bonnie Bowman. We’re also adding new artisans weekly.
Cincy Chic: Where is Circle of Hope Artisans located?
Butcher:We are located in the Historical Community of Bellevue Kentucky at 223 Fairfield Avenue.
Cincy Chic: What types of items do you sell at Circle of Hope Artisans?
Butcher: We sell a number of items:
Wine racks made from reclaimed wood from a farm house in Kentucky
Fair trade items from Ghana and Nicaragua
Hand-built and hand-thrown pottery
Original cards
Multimedia and photo art
Hand-carved wooden flowers
Planters from up-cycled tires
Dog treats and toys
Jewelry (vintage, up-cycled and new)
Vintage clothes
Hand-painted glass wares
Up-cycled and new fiber art
Soy candles
Hand-built furniture from up-cycled pallets of wood
Stained glass
Reversible sling bags, infinity scarves and kindle covers
Cincy Chic: What are some of the organizations you benefit and how much have you helped raise through fundraising efforts?
Butcher: We’ve helped Bellevue High School, Grandview Elementary School and Holy Trinity Elementary. Each school received a check for $83.33 on day one of the school year. Sandi Slusser (owner of Gents, an up-scale consignment shop also located on Fairfield Avenue) and myself have spearheaded a Farmers Market on Saturday mornings from 8:00am to 1:00pm and have been able to raise $250 for to the schools. I also started a giving tree in my shop where customers can select a ticket with an “item needed” label, purchase said item and return it to the shop. Some of the things I’ve collected include 21,000 sheets of copy paper, Clorox wipes, colored pencils, glue sticks, Kleenex, crayons, theme books, spiral notebooks, rulers and scissors to total $473.73.
Cincy Chic: Is there anything new on the horizon for Circle of Hope Artisans?
Butcher: We will begin our first art class on Wednesday, September 10. It will run for four weeks from 6 to 9 p.m. Each participant will receive an unfinished end table made from up-cycled palettes and all of the materials to finish the table to their preferences. They’ll also receive guidance on different finishing touches. The cost to attend this class is $75.
Circle of Hope is the new home of Bellevue’s Daisy Troop, which will meet on Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
I have partnered with Nancy Pohlman, the owner of Marcos Pizza located on Fairfield Avenue to start a “Student of the Month” for each grade in the local schools. This award will go to the student who does a good deed, works hard in the class room or is just a good kid. Each student will receive a small one-topping pizza from Marco’s and their picture will be displayed in my front window.
Sandi Slusser and I are also keeping our eyes out for a home to house the winter market we hope to have.
Cincy Chic: Where can readers go to learn more about Circle of Hope Artisans?
Butcher: Our website is www.circleofhopeartisans.com. You can also reach out by sending an email to circleofhopeartisans@gmail.com, liking us on Facebook or called the store at 859-414-1428.
