Handcrafts Unlimited

In its 30 years of business in Georgetown, Handcrafts Unlimited has been entirely staffed by volunteers. Each day the store is run by a different staff with a manager and several salespeople. Executive Director Marie Brown said the nonprofit is always looking for volunteers, and although there is an age requirement for artisans, there is not an age restriction for volunteers.

On the first and third Sundays of each month, Handcrafts Unlimited offers classes on a variety of crafting techniques from knitting and crocheting to quilt-making. Those interested can call the store to get more information about when classes meet. Each class is $10 for a three-hour session. A group of quilters also meets in the shop from 1–4 p.m. on Thursdays to work on handmade quilts.

"Over the years, we've probably had over 500 different artisans," she said.

Although the shop is often known for its quilts, there are a variety of handcrafted items available, from doll clothes and baby gifts to pottery and woodcrafts.

"We are a great place to [shop for gifts] because it's one-of-a-kind things," Millie said. "I tell people to go look in Salado and then buy at Handcrafts because our prices are really good."

Everything sold in the store is new and handmade by an artisan who is age 50 or older and living in Williamson or an adjacent county.

"It's the most undiscovered store in Georgetown," said Millie's husband, Ed Pastor, who serves as the nonprofit's board president. "Nobody knows it's even here. And then they come in, and they love it."

Each year, the nonprofit hosts a quilt show and raffles off two handmade quilts.

In 2009, Marie Brown, who had been volunteering and selling her quilts at the shop since its beginning, took the helm as the nonprofit's executive director.

"[I got involved] because it was worthwhile doing so. It was helping people who need help financially," Brown said. "I thought I would volunteer, and at the same time it gave me an outlet for my craft."

Brown said along with providing a place for local artisans to sell their goods, Handcrafts Unlimited is also working to promote handcrafts such as knitting, crocheting, quilting and tatting.

"Very few people know [how to do tatting] anymore," Brown said, adding that the nonprofit offers classes on a variety of crafts on the first and third Sundays of each month. "[We want to pass those skills along] so the old crafts don't get lost."

Handcrafts Unlimited, 104 W. Eighth St., 512-869-1812, www.handcraftsunlimited.org, Hours: Mon.–Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.