SOMERS, CT – Five years ago, registered nurse and mother Lori Duncan launched her own business, Crafty Mom, where she makes floral decorations, customized signs, wreaths and centerpieces.

“I make anything that’s floral,” Duncan said. “I can decorate anything that you give me, any type of pot, candlestick or lantern. If I see it, and I like the container and I know I can do something with it then I tackle it. I’ve always been pretty crafty and I’ve done a lot of scrapbooking and things in the past that have required imagination.”

Duncan does craft fairs mostly in the fall because she makes a lot of holiday decorations. Recently she started making farmhouse signs. She noted her favorite item to make is Christmas sleds. Duncan said she’s always on the hunt for the old-fashioned runner sleds, then she cleans them, restores them and decorates them.

“I’ve always been successful selling my sleds,” Duncan said. “I enjoy making those; bringing something old back to life and making it beautiful again.”

Duncan told Reminder Publishing she was sick and out of work for a while and made wreaths for friends to keep busy. She had numerous people tell her that she should start making them for sale. Since she had time on her hands, Duncan signed up for her first craft fair and only did one that year because she was very unsure of herself and ended up doing very well. She said she received many compliments on her designs and crafts that she made, and Crafty Mom has evolved from there.

"Craft fairs last year were pretty much nonexistent because of COVID[–19], so I did put a few of my items online,” responded Duncan. “I sell only locally. I don’t offer shipping, but I do a lot of local advertising. I also have had some home parties where friends and neighbors came and look.”

She continued, “Last year was a different year and I know that everyone can say that, so craft fairs were pretty much nonexistent. Usually, every year I sign up for five or six craft fairs at local churches and any schools that are having fundraisers. Anything that falls in line with my schedule I try to sign up for.”

Due to her full-time job as a registered nurse, Duncan said she does crafting whenever she has the time and sign up for craft fairs that interest her. This year, Duncan signed up for a few craft fairs in the spring to make some spring florals and designs. On April 24 to 25, she will be at the North Central Connecticut Chamber of Commerce’s Home & Product Show at the Enfield Square Mall from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“I do crafting for the pure enjoyment,” Duncan concluded. “People look forward to seeing beautiful things that are hand-made and they like having that one-of-a-kind thing that nobody else has. I get pleasure out of it because I don’t overextend myself. Every year I seem to do a few more fairs, so my little side gig has only grown and I love all the positive feedback.”

Residents can reach out to Duncan at facebook.com/CRAFTYMOM9 or call at 860-763-5796.