Page 12 - Ft. Irwin High Desert Warrior May 5 2017

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Local Treasures
High Desert Warrior April 7, 2017
www.aerotechnews.com/ntcfortirwin
Military spouses showcase their handmade creations
and grow a community of entrepreneurs By Loretta Sponsler
Much as the name suggests, Kaleidoscope Crafts and Cre- ations (KCC) is filled with a variety of handmade items from sewing to woodwork, crochet to etched glass. All the items are made by members of the community, mostly military spouses. The store has been thriving since its establishment in 2015, when it was opened by a small group showcasing only eight consignors’ work.
Today the store has more than 30 consignors, which is a dip in number due in large part to people moving from the area. “We are currently seeking crafters to join our community,” said KCC owner Sara McNeil, “and we hope that our shop will provide an avenue for people of the Fort Irwin community to showcase their talents and have a small business of their own.”
McNeil went on to explain that she hears all the time how becoming a consignor has changed people’s experience at this remote desert post. “Becoming a consignor allows people to create and sell their work. They can have their own business, something independent of their family and military commit- ments.” Consignors also become a part of the community of other consignors, united by creativity and friendship.
“Honestly, I hated it here when I first got here,” said Casey Fisher, who makes candies and gourmet cupcakes for KCC. “The shop and the people in it changed all that. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be a part of Kaleidoscope.” Fisher’s cupcakes are a very popular item in the shop, selling out most days. Single soldiers and soldiers here on rotation are some of the biggest customers of the home-baked treats.
KCC has proven to be a launching point for many people’s small businesses. “I started selling in Kaleidoscope, saw what worked. It gave me the confidence to apply for my vendor license and grow my business,” said Fisher, who now has a successful baking business, in addition to the items she sells in the store.
Kelley Santos, who makes soaps and bath items, has been a consignor since KCC opened. “The store has allowed me to branch out into other interests, learning from other consign- ors,” Santos said. She went on to explain that over the years, she has seen success for everyone who put in the effort to sell items in the shop.
“Kaleidoscope is a great place to test the market,” said McNeil. “It’s a way to start your own business without the risk.” The shop is run entirely on volunteer hours, with the consignors themselves volunteering their time. Each consignor is required to work four hours per month in the shop. The shop takes a 30-percent commission of the sale price, which goes to cover the cost of running the shop. If a consignor is able to volunteer more hours, the commission percentage is reduced.
“The store exists to bolster the community, not to turn a profit,” Santos said. The store also provides another shopping option for the public, with many items featuring unit insignia and local flavor, such as donkeys and coyotes.
KCC is a not-for-profit shop that exists to empower new and already established small home-based crafting businesses in the Fort Irwin community. It is located inside the main Exchange and sells wood crafts, jewelry, home decor items, paintings, clothing, sculptors, baked goods and more. Custom orders are also accepted. Hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
No endorsement implied, or actual by the DOD, U.S. Army, National Training Center and Fort Irwin.
Kaleidoscope Crafts and Creations owner Sara McNeil showcases some of the shop’s hand-made creations.
For more information go to www.irwin.army.mil
Casey Fisher, who makes candies and gourmet cupcakes for KCC, puts out her latest batch of treats.