The Beehive is an up-and-coming craft store and event space as well as the brainchild of Emilie Vest and Caitlin Shoemaker.

Vest currently works remotely in the medical field and volunteers to organize the Magnolia Farmer’s Market and Third Thursday.

Shoemaker started The Bobbin Weave in 2018 where she makes custom items including backpacks, bags and notepad covers and sells them at conventions.

“Caitlin was one of my vendors at the farmers market. We’ve known each other since we’re in high school and she was talking about opening a yarn store. I said, ‘I really want to open a craft store. Why don’t we merge the ideas?’ We sat on it for a couple of weeks and decided to do it,” said Vest.

Despite only signing the lease for their storefront around two weeks ago, the renovation has begun and at least 16 events not including the ribbon cutting and grand opening will take place in October.

Vest said that they have goals to work with local artists and the local art scene including the Magnolia Art Center by adding gallery space, selling local art and bringing in local artists to teach craft courses.

They hired local artist Jaci Tucker to paint the store windows in a bee hive theme.

“I want all kinds of stuff here. If somebody makes crochet plushies I think that’s that’s a version of art. I really respect quilting as an art form,” said Vest.

The shop will have gallery space for artists to show and sell their art Vest said.

Vest said they also plan to have areas for customers to test products like pens, stationery and journals to help discover what they love.

“We’re going to be a little slow on the inventory initially, but we will eventually have inventory for crafts and high-end art supplies. Also, we’ll have a tool rental area where people can use them when they come in during workshop hours, in addition to the craft classes and then the art classes,” said Vest.

Shoemaker said, ” I think the events are going to be my favorite since they will be laid back and creative. I think the classes are gonna be fun.”

Vest agreed saying that they hope to have skilled artisans and craftspeople to teach classes.

“We’re really hoping there’s a bladesmith who can come and do a knife workshop,” said Vest. “I think that being able to give people the skills that a lot of us don’t learn anymore is really cool.

The ribbon cutting for The Beehive will be on Oct. 13 with the grand opening on Oct. 14.

Vest said they plan to have a bookstore pop-up shop by women-run store Paper Hearts during the grand opening event.

“I’m hoping we have like an adult scholastic book, fair vibe,” said Vest.

The Beehive’s Facebook page has a full list of events along with the links to sign up.

Vest said that any artists and artisans who would like to take advantage of the available gallery space or teach a class can contact her through The Beehive’s Facebook page.