 Officially opening in the summer of 2018, The Craft Hive, located at 120 Wellington Street in St. Thomas, is one of the city's many hidden gems. Owned and operated by mother and daughter duo Isabelle and Sparrow Nethercott, The Craft Hive is the newest chapter in this family's long crafting lineage. Not only have Isabelle and Sparrow been crafters their whole lives, but Isabelle’s mother and grandmother owned and operated craft stores as well. Isabelle’s grandmother was a tailor in pre-war Germany, and she owned and operated a lace and embroidery shop, specializing in unique, smocking-like embroidery. Isabelle’s mother, Elisabeth, grew up with sewing and needlework, as noted in a 1978 St. Thomas Times Journal article. Elisabeth herself then owned and operated The Hobby Horse out of 589 Talbot Street here in St. Thomas, alongside her husband and children. The Hobby Horse contained ‘craft supplies, stitchery kits, a number of “how to” books on leather, woodworking, beads, macrame and chenille, and much, much more’ noted the St. Thomas Times Journal. “I grew up going to craft shows with her [Elisabeth] and stuff before she opened that business,” Isabelle said with a smile. “For me, it’s [crafting] a whole life thing”. With some encouragement from her husband, Isabelle decided to take the leap and open The Craft Hive. Now, Isabelle is continuing the family legacy alongside her daughter Sparrow - making them third generation craft store owners. The Craft Hive first opened on Talbot Street during the summer of 2018, but moved to their new location at 120 Wellington Street in May of 2025 – just a short walk from their previous location. They carry a range of art and craft supplies, host classes and workshops, and have a gift shop area featuring local artisans, which their new location provides ample room for. They’ve become known for their embroidery supplies in particular, as well as their art supplies. “We wanted to be a little bit of everything for everybody,” Isabelle explained. “And that’s kind of what we are – a general craft store.” Growing up in Elgin County, Isabelle saw the need for a local craft store in her community. Then, when Curry’s Artists’ Materials in London closed down, they decided to also carry art supplies. “Crafts have more of a practical purpose, whereas arts are more aesthetic,” Isabelle explained. “They’re all creative, and it all overlaps because people who craft also incorporate a lot of art supplies into their stuff.” From stickers, paper, and sewing supplies to watercolours, brushes, and more – The Craft Hive has quickly become a wonderful and accessible local spot for crafters and artists alike.  Isabelle (L) and Sparrow (R) “Sewing is my first love,” Isabelle said with a big smile. “Then embroidery, and now I do a lot of paper crafts. Sparrow is currently heavily into origami – she's very well known for it actually. But she also enjoys cross-stitch and card making.” Their busy nature is what gave them the idea for the business name itself, alongside the desire to create a crafting maker space where people could come in and do things, like communal crafting hours, classes, and more. The Craft Hive has always been a dream for Isabelle – her day job is in real estate. Sparrow has helped make that dream come alive by embracing the idea and running the store. “My husband said, you always wanted a store, why don’t you do it?” She said. “And I’m going, well, how would I do that and work? Luckily, I have a crafty kid. I have three kids, but she’s the one that ran with it.” As for owning and operating a third-generation craft store, Isabelle feels a unique connection to her mother and grandmother. “It’s super cool,” she said with a smile. “It just feels like that’s what we are supposed to do. Kind of feels like a little bit of a connection to them that way. My mom’s been gone for 30 odd years, but I’m thinking about her all the time when I’m here. I kind of wish I could just show her the stuff I’m doing.” One of the highlights of small businesses like The Craft Hive is that they are often owned and operated by people who are experienced in their craft (no pun intended). They see the gaps for services and products in their local communities, and they fill them not only with tangible supplies, but also with knowledge, care, and passion – all of which can be felt as soon as you step foot into their spaces. Businesses like The Craft Hive, run by real people in our community like Isabelle and Sparrow, make St. Thomas and Elgin County the gem that it truly is. Their dedication, work ethic, and true love for what they do is unique, and deserves recognition and support.  “We’ve had a really great reaction and just fantastic, fantastic customers,” Isabelle smiled. “I’ve made a lot of friends, and we’ve been very welcomed by people. People often say how glad they are that we’re here, so that makes me feel good.” The Craft Hive also has a full online store with shipping available for most items within Canada, but they’ve had customers come from London, Windsor, and more. If you are looking for certain art supplies as well, just reach out! “We will order in anything for people,” Isabelle explained. “If I can get it, we’ll order it – and we frequently do.” The next time you are looking for some craft or art supplies to start or complete a project, or even just to add to your collection, pop by The Craft Hive and see what they have to offer! To stay up to date on class offerings, communal crafting times, and more, make sure to follow their Facebook page for ongoing updates. If you go
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