MAKER MOVEMENT IS MAKING STRIDES IN THE FOX VALLEY
The Fine Fox Marks One Year in Business in Neenah with 50 Wisconsin Artisan Consignors
(Neenah, Wisconsin)—It was one year ago this month that California native Jenny Theuerkauf and her Wisconsin-born husband Garrett established The Fine Fox, a Wisconsin artisan’s showcase and retail shop at 214 W. Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Neenah. The retail consignment shop partners with Wisconsin artists who craft by hand a myriad of handmade clothing, prints, paintings, jewelry, soap, dolls, scarves, leather goods and pottery. Since its inception in May 2014, the shop has grown from 12 to 50 partner-artists.
“As a little girl, I was always artistic. My grandma taught me to do charcoal drawings and water color paintings when I was just 8. I made jewelry and designed clothing. But I never saw it as a career option back then. People just didn’t look at it that way. Now, people have a real appreciation for the artisans, or makers, who create beautiful handmade work. My dream was to create a shop that not only sold local art work, but supported artists following their dreams, too. I have the skills to help support them administratively, logistically, and that’s the inspiration behind The Fine Fox,” Theuerkauf said.
Artisans have the option of a pure consignment arrangement, or supporting the store thorough staffing or behind-the scenes work like building retail displays.
The maker movement is defined broadly as a national phenomenon of people taking big risks to start their own small businesses dedicated to creating and selling self-made products via modern technology and passionate advocacy. Theuerkauf is such an advocate. She credits the explosion in her shop’s contributing artists to the trust factor. “Creative people talk to each other, and they seek out advocates and retailers that they know they can trust. I am most proud of the fact that The Fine Fox has an ethical reputation among artists in Wisconsin.”
Theuerkauf believes the increasing success of her shop is rooted in the renewed consumer interest in local sourcing and shopping. “Not only are purchases directly reinvested in our own community, makers tend to source their materials locally, and that’s even more staying power. People have learned to gravitate toward quality work, and it can’t get much better than handmade in Wisconsin.”
The Fine Fox is deeply involved in the community beyond the walls of the shop. They sell their wares at the Future Neenah Farmer’s Market that starts in June. Last summer, Theuerkauf started the Creative Saturday Stroll, a self-guided tour of local art, music and handmade works every second Saturday, and successfully handed off its management to Future Neenah for 2015. Theuerkauf also advocates for downtown Neenah as a member of the Business Improvement District (BID) Board’s Marketing Committee and supports Arts Wisconsin and Shop Local Neenah/Menasha
What does the future hold for The Fine Fox? Classes in soapmaking, glassworks and sewing are coming this summer to the workshop on site, currently under construction. “My dream is to uplift The Fine Fox and other shops that support makers across the Fox Valley and the state,” Theuerkauf said.
For the editor:
The Fine Fox is a retail consignment shop at 214 W. Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Neenah, Wisconsin, that features handmade art by 50 Wisconsin makers. Established in May 2014 by Jenny and Garrett Theuerkauf, the shop’s hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 10am-5pm and Thursday 11am-7pm. For more information, please like us on Facebook or go to www.finefoxneenah.com. For more information, contact Jenny Theuerkauf at (920) 659-0833 (shop) or (608) 520-3283 (cell).
Photo Captions:
- Jenny Theuerkauf, founder, The Fine Fox Artisan Collective
- The Fine Fox in Neenah sells the works of 50 Wisconsin artisans at its retail store at 214 W. Wisconsin Avenue in Neenah.
For Immediate Release For More Information:
May 15, 2015 Jenny Theuerkauf
(920) 659-0833 (shop)
(608) 520-3283 (cell)