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Date: 12/9/2020
CHICOPEE – A husband and wife duo from Chicopee are working hard to create custom crafts in time for the holiday season.
Anthony and Rachel Garfi are the owners of Crowns and Capes Custom Creations, an online Facebook shop that specializes in personalized T-shirts, farmhouse signs, yard signs, masks, koozies, memorial lanterns and more.
Rachel makes most of the crafts by hand, while her husband helps with the sign making and wooden items. The personalized craft business was started about a year ago. This is a part-time business for Rachel, who works full-time as the director of nursing at Gandara. At Gandara, Rachel oversees eight adolescent group homes. Crowns and Capes Custom Creations works as a great way for her to unwind and relax between work days.
“I’m just the type of person that likes to stay busy. Part of it is it just helps me debrief at the end of the day after dealing with all the COVID stuff at work and everything like that. It’s just a way to disconnect and do mindless stuff that makes people happy,” she said.
Crowns and Capes Custom Creations takes personalized requests from customers while also posting pre-made items to sell. Although the Garfi’s reside in Chicopee, they are able to ship nationwide to customers. According to Rachel, those looking to purchase items in time for Christmas should order within the next week or two. Anyone interested in purchasing can message Rachel directly through the Crowns and Capes Custom Creations Facebook page.
Prices for items can range, but they usually fall anywhere from $5 to $40, said Rachel. Right now, Crowns and Capes Custom Creations are offering many holiday deals and personalized items such as Christmas ornaments, elves, moose with the year and name printed on them, oversized Santa sacks and more.
Rachel said that her business has actually seen an increase in sales during the pandemic. Given that it is online and they ship nationwide, they acquired many new customers back in March.
“I saw sales really pick up around Easter time, especially when all the stores were shut down,” said Rachel.
During that time, they created a variety of customized Easter baskets and stuffed animals.
In the future, The Garfi’s hope to create a website for Crowns and Capes Custom Creations. Right now, their store is located only on Facebook.
Those interested in learning more or ordering from Crowns and Capes Custom Creations are encouraged to visit their page at https://www.facebook.com/crownsandcapes.