By Kate Edenborg
What began as a display in the corner of her husband’s workshop now fills a retail space with jewelry, glassware, scarves, and many more handcrafted items. Sue Quilling, a longtime Menomonie resident, opened the She Shed in 2017. The store is just a bit southeast of Menomonie.
“I had been casually selling some of my creations from my home, but I quickly outgrew that space,” Sue said.
She had been working in the dental field for many years, but her creative drive led her to change her path. Sue said her need to create is inspired by many sources.
“Upcycled products from glass bottles is a big one,” she said. “Along with nature and trying to use natural stones in my jewelry making, soy products in my candles and goats’ milk-based soaps.”
The products she sells in the She Shed have evolved over the years. Sue said her first creative process was jewelry making, then some woodworking. She then learned to do glass engraving and how to upcycle glass bottles.
“I am mainly self-taught after watching many hours of YouTube videos, doing lots of research along with some trial and error and weekend classes,” she said.
Sue then started knitting and crocheting hats and scarves and making candles and soap. Her most recent creative endeavor is painting.
“My best sellers are engraved glass windchimes and custom glassware. The goat’s milk and donkey milk soaps have been popular as well,” Sue said.
The She Shed’s hours are typically Thursdays and Fridays from 1-4 p.m. and most Saturdays 10-4 p.m. That said, Sue recommends you call or message ahead if you plan to stop by.
“We are a ‘one-woman-show’ so to speak and I need to be gone at varying times during the year,” she said.
Many of the She Shed customers are from the Menomonie area and while she has a following, her location is a challenge for some. “Getting new shoppers to come out in my rural area seems to be an issue. I am sure it would be a lot busier if we had a downtown location, but then again— I’m not sure I’d be able to keep up with demand.”
The She Shed is located at N4448 730th St. Menomonie.
See more of Sue's creations on the She Shed Facebook page. She can be reached at (715) 308-2240 or smqlng60@gmail.com.
Kate Edenborg is a Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Stout.
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