Henniker artisan 'jumps in with both feet'

The unit which the newly opened Henniker Riverside Artisans shop inhabits, at 58 Main Street in Henniker,Ruth Garrison Funk has been on Ruth Garrison Funk’s walking route for years.
“We always looked at this one particular unit and said—‘What if?’” Funk commented. “When the opportunity came I just jumped in with both feet without really ever thinking about it.”
The shop, which sells homemade and locally made goods, opened on August 1, during Old Home Days weekend. Funk, who has lived in Henniker for 20 years, knew the event was going to be big, and she knew her shop had to be opened by then.
“The shop was pretty empty, it didn’t look anything like what it does today but we just said we had to get open. It’s really evolved since then,” Funk said of the shop’s development. “It’s been a lot of fun.”
Since opening, the shop has grown to include handicrafts made by at least 25 consigned artists from all over the Contoocook Valley. Although it’s a small space, Funk’s shop is filled with everything from stained glass art, jewelry, pottery, paintings, gourd bird houses, and canned goods like pickles, jams and jellies.
However, Funk is always looking for more unique pieces to put in her shop.
“I think Henniker is a little artistic enclave. I’m still tapping the tip of the iceberg; there’s a lot of talented people around here,” she explained.
“Look everywhere…for there may be treasures awaiting you in the most unexpected places,” reads a sign as you walk into the shop.
It’s true—it takes several trips around the room to see everything Funk has blended in. Even then, you miss things.
Funk says that since opening she’s received a lot of encouragement and support.
“A lot of people have told me that first of all, they want to buy local, and second of all they want to buy handmade items."
People have also told Funk they didn’t even know the shop was there, which she thinks is because the building has been empty for so long. However, she feels people are beginning to rediscover that end of Henniker.
“A lot of things have changed in this part of town,” Funk said, referencing the opening of the quilt shop and the development of the community center and park. “It’s nice to see this end of town active again.”
While the front of the space displays crafts, Funk has set up her own workspace in the bag where she works on her “Funky Creations.” In her studio, which overlooks the Contoocook River, Funk creates sterling silver jewelry, stained glass art and baskets.
“As long as I can remember I’ve always made something out of something,” said Funk, who credits her grandmother for much of it.
One thing her grandmother can’t lay claim for is Funk’s jewelry because she learned the properties of wire bending in orthodontics.
Funk still works in orthodontics, which limits the hours for the Riverside Artisans shop to Thursday-Saturday, or Wednesday and Sunday by chance or appointment.
For more information on the Henniker Riverside Artisans, visit www.hennikerriversideartisans.com, or just stop by.