Born from a love for artistry and crafting, Homestead Artisans was founded by Duane and Loyola Gaida in May 2023. “This is a dream that came to life in a truly special place, a beautiful, historical barn. As we entered early retirement, we wanted a way to stay active and creative, and this venture was the perfect fit.”
Their business is unique, nestled inside their 104-year-old barn that radiates a warm, welcoming atmosphere. They operate as a pop-up shop, open roughly once a month from spring through the major holiday season at the end of the year. Each pop-up features a unique theme, bringing fresh and exciting experiences every time. During these events, talented artisans offer live demos and hands-on make-and-take activities, making every visit interactive and memorable.
“We’re both from Central Minnesota and chose to stay here because of our strong ties to family and friends. Homestead Artisans is our part-time project, now that we’re both retired. When we started, there weren’t many places dedicated solely to selling local handmade artwork. We don’t include anything mass-produced; every item in our barn is crafted by hand with creativity and care. We’re always on the lookout for new and unique pieces to showcase, ensuring our customers discover something fresh and inspiring with every visit.”
“From handmade greeting cards to live-edge furniture, we enjoy creating and sharing our work. Because we have such a unique building, we also wanted to give other Central Minnesota artisans a space to display and sell their creations. Some of these talented individuals rely on their crafts as their main source of income, while others treat it as a part-time passion or side business. Our inspiration came from the barn’s past life as a used bookstore, and we wanted to reimagine it as a home for local art. We began by asking family and friends who were makers if they’d like to sell their work, and as word spread through the community, that small circle grew into a network of more than 50 artisans from across Central Minnesota.”
Collaboration is at the heart of Homestead Artisans, providing makers and crafters with a platform to share their goods and crafts with the community. “Each year, we host at least one fundraiser to support a local non-profit during a pop-up event. Last year, our fundraiser was for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central MN. We also host a fun and lively fall festival each September, featuring live music, food trucks, games, hands-on make-and-take activities, demos, and giveaways. Throughout the year, we also organize community art projects and other special events for the public to be a part of and enjoy.”
“We were pleasantly surprised by how well our grand opening went; it turned into one big celebration! Among all the people in our community who discovered our event, we also had the chance to reconnect with many family and friends we hadn’t seen in some time. The joy of planning the event and sharing it with everyone was so special that we decided to make it an annual tradition, which has now become our Fall Festival!”
“The most exciting part of our business is meeting and becoming friends with the amazing people in our community, both the talented artists with endless creative ideas and the customers who share a love for crafts and unique gifts. We especially love hearing how a piece makes someone feel, whether it lifts their spirits, comforts a loved one, or simply brings them joy.”
“From the very beginning, our journey has been supported by incredible community partners, talented artisans, and our family and friends. Their help, whether it be in big or small ways, has played a crucial role in getting our name recognized and helping our business grow. We are truly grateful to everyone who continues to partner with us year after year. The St. Cloud and Central Minnesota community supports us by spreading the word about our hours, visiting our website and signing up for our newsletter, and following us on Facebook and Instagram. As mentioned, we hold at least one fundraising event each year, and details about our next fundraiser will be announced soon.”
“We want to give a heartfelt thank you to our incredible community. Your support makes it possible for us to keep the art scene alive and thriving in Central Minnesota! We’re always exploring fresh ideas, discovering new artisans, and bringing creative art experiences to our pop-ups. At the same time, we love hearing from you; your suggestions inspire us and help us shape our events. Thank you for being such an important part of this journey and for helping us keep our pop-ups full of creativity, connection, and inspiration.”
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