Downhome Creek was born in March of 2008 after we put our heads together and figured out just how much time we spent making crafts to give and sell to family, friends and friends of friends. We created soy candles, bath & body products, soap, floral designs, and home/garden decor. After getting many requests for the different things we were creating and being asked why we didn’t have a shop, we decided why not? And here we are! And as thrilled as ever I might add!
Heidi is our candle maker/resident artist. She has more artistic talent in her little pinky than most of us do in our whole body. She works with several different techniques (including the patience technique which she uses to teach me how to do all this). She creates garden and home decor with a unique flair that is guaranteed to raise a smile. She has been creating and selling her crafts locally for over 16 years. She started creating candles as a hobby to help me get rid of some of my craft supplies, again a patience issue. I said, "I'm not making candles, do you want this stuff?”. And the next thing we know, she's knee deep in smelly good stuff and is a wonderful candle maker. Her candle sales from home were really the motivating force behind opening our retail store.
Melissa, (that's me) is the soap maker/apprentice painter. I have been crafting in several different areas for a very long time. I'm great with detailing and faux finishes. I began crafting soap about 7 years ago as an alternative to my incessant baking (you can't eat soap!) and to help with my skin issues. I began making soap for neighbors, friends, and family. Soon I had a small web store and began to sell my bath and body products in craft shows and craft mall settings.
In November of 2008, we opened our 1st retail location in La Crosse, WI. What began as two people creating separate crafts has now turned into Downhome Creek Candles, Soaps & Such! We make all of the products together and what one of us doesn’t think of, the other will. If you are a crafter of any type, you know this can be dangerous! However, we keep each other on our toes and continue to have the same interest. Making people happy!
Since opening our store, we have met with great success and hope to continue on this path. We strive to create the most natural, high quality bath and body products, candles and home fragrance products available. We produce in small quantities to maintain quality and the "home made" feeling. We are in complete control of our product and vow to always be. We started this business because we love what we do and always will! Most of all we value or customers, their opinions, suggestions and satisfaction!
