BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—For Barb Rigdon, crafting has always been more than just a hobby, it’s something she has loved doing for most of her life.

Now that passion has turned into a small business right here in Bucyrus. Rigdon recently opened Barb’s Craft Shack, a cozy shop located at her home where visitors can browse handmade items, repurposed décor, and a variety of creative pieces.

Rigdon said her love for crafting started when she was young.

“I’ve always been a crafty person,” she said. “When I was younger, my dad and I used to do paint-by-numbers together. I loved it, and I’ve been creating things ever since.”

Over the years, Rigdon continued crafting from home, often making items to give away to friends and family. Eventually, she began selling some of her creations online and through Facebook Live videos.

That’s when the idea of opening a shop started to take shape.

“My husband and I were talking one day, and I said if I’m already making these things, why not see if we could turn it into a business?” Rigdon said.

The idea grew from there, and after more than two years of planning and hard work, Barb’s Craft Shack became a reality.

Rigdon said the shop truly became a family project. Her husband, Tim, handled much of the work to get the building ready, including installing electricity, air conditioning, and propane heat. Her son, Timmy, also helped with the project, and her daughter, Mylah, has supported the business along the way.

“We all worked really hard on it,” Rigdon said. “There was a lot of work and a lot of love put into it.”

The shop itself may be small, but that’s part of what makes it special. The 10-by-16 space has been turned into a warm and welcoming place where visitors can browse comfortably and chat with Rigdon while looking around.

“It’s cozy,” she said. “I want people to feel comfortable when they come in, like they’re just stopping by to visit.”

Inside the shop, customers will find a variety of handmade items. Rigdon creates loom-knitted hats and scarves, scrubbies that can be used for bathing or washing dishes, stenciled décor pieces, refurbished items she finds at thrift stores, and seasonal decorations throughout the year.

She also carries jewelry and other gift items, including décor geared toward men such as fishing, motorcycle, and truck-themed pieces.

One style Rigdon especially enjoys creating is Americana décor featuring red, white, and blue designs. With summer events approaching, she expects those items to be especially popular.

Although she has sold her crafts at flea markets in the past, Rigdon said having a permanent shop has been a better fit.

“When you take things to flea markets, people want you to make deals,” she said. “But when something is handmade, there’s a lot of time and effort that goes into it.”

Having her own space allows people to stop in, take their time looking around, and see the full variety of items she offers.

Rigdon has also started connecting with the local community through the Bucyrus Area Chamber of Commerce, where the business recently celebrated a ribbon cutting.

Looking ahead, she hopes to participate in Bucyrus First Friday events to help introduce more people to the shop.

She also plans to offer fun promotions, including shopper punch cards that give customers 10 percent off after 10 visits, along with occasional giveaways and mystery bags.

For Rigdon, the shop is about more than selling crafts. It’s also about meeting people and sharing something she truly enjoys.

“I just want people to come in and have a good experience,” she said. “Even if they don’t buy anything, that’s okay. I’m just happy they stopped in.”

Barb’s Craft Shack is located at 150 Penn Ave. in Bucyrus. The shop is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the second and fourth Saturdays of the month from 1 to 5 p.m.

For more information, visitors can stop by the shop or call 419-569-4306.

Rigdon hopes people in the community will stop by, look around, and see the small shop she and her family worked hard to create.

“It’s my own little getaway,” she said. “I just want people to feel welcome and come back anytime.”