This was the catalyst for my impending desire to walk into this darling little antique store in downtown Whitehall, Montana.
I knew I had seen this style pillow before.
And then it dawned on me.
A few summers ago, there was a gal with a booth at the Bozeman Farmer’s Market who sold hand-made woolen pillows. They were unique and colorful and some had buttons in the design. This reminded me of those pillows!!
In fact, my super-fussy, high-end designer pal from Healdsburg, California had a woolen pillow custom-made for her mother. It was a big chicken with lots of buttons. And it was incredible.
I walked into the store and saw this…
I hit the woolen chicken pillow with buttons jackpot! {And as my Petaluma peeps know, chickens are near and dear to my heart after growing up in the Chicken Capital of the World!}
There was a sales lady in the store. I walked up to her and said, “There used to be a gal who sold woolen pillows at the Bozeman Farmer’s market, who made a custom pillow for a friend of mine.”
The sales lady smiled and said, “That was me.”
I knew I knew those pillows!!
Immediately, we began chatting. The sales lady/pillow maker was Karen Banta. This wasn’t her shoppe, but rather owned by her close friend Ann, who was also in the store, and came over to join our conversation.
Then I noticed this…
Woolen pins! I asked Karen about her latest collection.
This is the most endearing part of the story {and the part Karen was hestitant for me to share. But, after hearing it, I insisted she let me share with my gentle readers. Karen agreed.}
It’s a powerful story about hope, pride and inspiration.
Karen told me that over the summer she injured her shoulder and was unable to use the sewing machine to create her custom, one-of-a-kind pillows.
Instead of pillows, Karen began making woolen flower pins.
Also, she needed to earn an income to pay for her medical insurance to cover her recent injury.
Guess what?
Karen’s woolen flower pins have been so popular, and so unique, she has made enough money to pay for health insurance.
Ann helping Karen with one of her unique woolie flower pins
Of course, I did not leave that store without making a purchase of my own.
As you may recall, we are trying not to acquire any more “stuff,” but out of sheer love of Karen’s craft, I bought a few woolie pins as Christmas gifts.
Next time you find yourself in Whitehall, Montana, make sure you stop by Ann’s shoppe. Tell her your favorite blogger sent you!
I love the pillows and the woolie flower pins are amazing!! Thank you for giving me yet another day-trip destination (probably not until next spring or summer though.) Do you know if this is the only shop that sells Karen’s woolie pins?
Dee dee, I am not sure? When I return to MT I will contact her and let you know…
Those pins are all the rage right now! Love them! Especially the woolen ones:) Beautiful!
Oh Nancy, I am glad to know Whitehall, Montana is on-board with the current trend!!
Hi – want to see Part I of the Small Town story…… where is it located on your website…..
Thank you so much for the lovely story about Karen. She really is a wonderful, talented woman, and I am proud to say I have known her my whole life… for you see, Karen is my Mom. I know she has been having a tough time since hurting her shoulder, not just because of the pain and worrying about the surgery, but because she can’t do the hand stitching or even the machine work that she loves and uses to create her art with. Your blog was just the boost she needed to keep her spirits up.
Heather,
I truly believe it was fate that brought me to the door of that shoppe.
And if I could have, I would have purchased every single “Karen Banta” woolen pin inside.
Your mom is a very kind person, and above all did not want me to focus on her, even though her story was meant to be shared.
Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas.
KT
Hi KT – I would like to see “PART I” of your story about Whitehall……couldn’t locate it on your blog site…………..thanks -
Thanks so much for featuring Ann’s shop and Karen’s work on your blog. Whitehall has many small shops like this one, and all have something unique to offer. Karen is a very talented and creative woman, and I am proud to call her friend. She is always eager to share her knowledge of the craft, and is very patient with us amateurs! Her pillows and pins will always be in style! Maybe she didn’t tell you, but she also does amazing things with acrylics!
Thanks Marcia for visiting me at An Authentic Life.
I know Karen paints, is that what you mean by acrylics?
I wish I had a pinky-fingernail sized amount of creativity that she has!
She is amazing!
KT
hi, wow, i’m at my neighbors watching her make cinnamon rolls, she is a chef and has been feeding us fabulous gormet meals for three months as i have been livong with this painful shoulder. igo in next week to have surgery and then i will get back to sewing and painting. my mind is going full speed, but the body feels awful. thank uyou for your positive kind words about my work. i don’t have a computer, i know, i know, so only see this stuff occassionally. who knows maybe i will sell enough stuff to someday buy one with only one button, (to turn it on) as i am not a computer person, TOO right brained. any wa come back to the shop in the spring for new and exciting things! ths colleg grad can’t spell on the computer either.
Karen,
So glad to finally have you at An Authentic Life!!
The posts I wrote about you inspired quite the comments! {P.S – I gave my mom that one button with the holiday bells…she absolutely loved it!!}
Yep, I’ll be back over to the store. In fact, anytime I’m nearby I’ll stop in to say hello!
Happy New Year to you!
KT