As a mother and daughter team, Becky and Samantha Frontera wanted to use their art smarts to create a warm artisan community and sell their creations.
They’ve met some roadblocks along the way, but this summer opened the Holly House Shop along 143rd Street, a welcoming space featuring crafts, paintings, jewelry and clothing in Orland Park. They moved from their original store in Old Orland because of road construction, and that site now is being used to host their events and classes. They also have a shop in Lincoln Park, where Nicki Frontera, their daughter and sister, has a bead bar.
At their main Orland Park shop, 8104 W. 143rd St., shoppers this month are met with a cornucopia of Halloween crafts along with clothing, paintings, blankets, doggie items, leather ware and beaded bracelets. There’s a brightness and coziness to the atmosphere.
“We were interested in doing something that would be great for the community and world,” said Becky Frontera, as she sat beading together bracelets. “We’re working together to make a great artisan community.”
It all started with the two wanting to find a place for the homemade christening and baptism gowns, baby bibs, teddy bears and blankets Becky loves to sew. Some items are made from wedding gowns customers are looking to repurpose or upcycle.
“I wanted to give mom a home for her items because there was no place to sell them,” said Samantha, explaining online marketplaces were expensive. “My mom was always just making items as I grew up,” she said.
Samantha got the business up and running after her mother suffered a stroke while driving two years ago and crashed into a brick wall. She returned to work about four months ago.
“I think what helped is having all these different vendors,” said Samantha. “They just became my inspiration to keep the shop going.”
The mother and daughter had met some crafters at fairs, others through networking. Samantha also owns a public relations agency, Exclusive Public Relations and Marketing in Chicago. Becky Frontera formerly taught preschool.
Both pour their hearts into their own sewing or crafts.
“I really enjoy working with fabric that is close to 100 years old,” said Becky. “People bring it to me and it can be their legend about their family. … It makes it a treasure.”
Samantha began making beaded bracelets during her pregnancy to help with anxiety.
“I bought a couple of kits at an art store and found it was really fun to start a strand,” she said.
They have two partners, as well: Arrow Permanent Jewelry and Cisneros Leather and Company.
Nancy Cisneros and husband, Mario Cisneros, began selling their leather items at craft shows in 2018. That’s where Samantha met them and invited them on board to show and sell their ware, which includes wallets, notebook covers and other items, some that can be custom-made. Mario does the leather work but Nancy has become a regular fixture at the store.
There will be a Halloween at Holly House event from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 29 featuring vendor trick or treat, scavenger hunt, a kids’ craft station and some giveaways.
Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.