New Store Wants to Bring Out the Artist in All of Us

Two veterans of Petaluma’s craft scene have opened a new downtown store to promote local artists and stoke the creative fires of others through arts and crafts workshops at the location.

Patti Looper and Jenny Paisley have spent years making stuff, Looper as the owner of Patty Lou Designs, specializing in stationery, greeting cards and unique gifts, and Paisley as the owner of Blockhead Press, a linocut printmaker whose items sell at ILeoni and Knitterly.

The two friends also organized Holiday Crafterino, a popular craft show that takes place every Christmas season at the Petaluma Veterans’ Hall. Now they are fusing their talents to open B Street Mercantile, at the corner of B and Fourth streets, which they see as an extension of their artistic mission.

“We attend different art events and saw the that there were a lot of artists out there that we wanted to let people know about it,’ Looper said.

In addition to promoting Petaluma and Bay Area artists and products—everything from interesting jewelry, toys, pillows to Petaluma T-shirts— the owners have set aside one corner of the store for arts and crafts classes, such as paper crafts, glass etching or anything else customers may be interested in.

“We want people to feel they can come in and tap into their creative side through products, conversation, or workshops,” said Jenny Paisley.

Have a news tip? Drop us a line by emaling karina@patch.com