The Artisan’s Bench: Be Original. Buy Original

Walk through the door of The Artisan’s Bench and be inspired by the broad selection of unique and visually arresting handcrafted items that are displayed all around.

Originally Heirloom Oriental Rugs, the store has been transitioning into The Artisan's Bench for the last six months. The signs still reflect the old store name, but should be changed by the end of March, according to Colin Miller, co-owner of the shop.

Located downtown at 307 W. Main St., The Artisan's Bench offers interior design services along with oil paintings, artwork by local artisans and original handmade Oriental rugs.

The new Artisan's Bench concept came after much thought and planning by Colin Miller and his mother Mondi Miller.

Mondi Miller opened Heirlooms Oriental Rugs in 1993, specializing in handmade loomed oriental rugs. In 2005 son Colin joined the company, bringing with him a different perspective.

When 2009 brought economic issues to Michigan, Colin Miller, 30, began looking ahead to further diversify the business as well as offset any economic downturns.

Miller came up with the "Be Original. Buy Original" strategy.

First, Miller felt a name change was necessary to reflect the new direction the store was going to take.

“People’s connotation of what “heirlooms” are is antiques, and it implies a level of cost that we want to stay away from,” he said.

Miller began looking at local Michigan artists and bringing in a variety of items that were not only unique but functional as well, at affordable prices. Glassware, pottery, jewelry and mugs from local artists began appearing in displays throughout the store.

“The smaller pieces give people a variety of price points,” Miller said. “Everything so far has been made within Michigan, with the exception of the rugs.”

Miller himself came up with the new name of The Artisan’s Bench.

“I personally like the word  ‘bench’ because artists produce their work on a bench,” Miller said.

Phire Branding, out of Ann Arbor, designed the new logo, while W4Signs of Brighton handled changing over the store signage.

The City of Brighton approved a 3-foot-wide sign by woodworker Ryan Kush, so by the end of the month most of the changes should be in effect, according to Miller.

Colin Miller is passionate about creativity and wants to share that enthusiasm with his customers, despite the flagging economy.

“I want a shop that has a cool atmosphere with really cool stuff that is unique – there’s nothing else in the world exactly like this. I don’t think that handmade items are a lost art form,” he said.

The interior of Artisan's Bench is warm, casual and inviting, with family dog Sig greeting customers in the back of the shop.

According to Miller most people don’t understand art, and are intimidated by it. “We spend a lot of time educating people,” he said. “Our hope is to make art more accessible as well as supporting local artists.”

Miller points out that both he and his mother Mondi share a love of art and enjoy working with people.

Miller loves the challenges of running the store.

“I get to be creative every day, no matter what I am doing, whether it is arranging a window display, working with someone decorating their house or coming up with creative solutions to problems that small businesses encounter daily,” he said.

The new transition is proving to be a good strategy.

“The past year has been pretty good to us, a lot better than 2009. We are definitely keeping very, very busy,” Miller said.

Editor's note: This article was changed to reflect that Colin Miller began working at Heirlooms Oriental Rugs in 2005.