meet the shopkeepers...
Jesse Beardslee and Jennie Scarbrough are two best friends with big dreams and an even bigger desire to turn their dreams into reality. When they opened Hector Handmade in June of 2017 the duo did just that. As artists themselves, they believe that promoting the art created within a community thereby advocates the community as a whole. And to them, community is everything. As Seneca Lake natives the two have a shared passion for all that is unique to the region and are proud to have added to the diverse culture with the Finger Lakes gift shop and gallery.
Themis and Thread
Jesse is no stranger to a creative career as she started her own environmentally responsible clothing line Themis and Thread in 2013. Her justifiable fashion line consists of organic cotton or up-cycled materials, American made components, and natural eco-friendly dyes. In 2016 Themis and Thread was the winner of Green America's People and Planet Award. There are several pieces of the line available in the shop and you can schedule a fitting or custom design consultation with her in the studio. Look for Jesse at her family's Winery Rasta Ranch Vineyards where she hosts several events like her husband's weekly show Monday Night Blues or Hector Hector Handmade's sponsored event Sip and Shop every third Sunday of the month.
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J. Scarbrough Designs
Although Jennie has always enjoyed creating herself, she did so mostly for fun in her free time until she and Jesse opened up shop.
She creates one of a kind watercolor earrings, gemstone beaded jewelry, and several styles of greeting cards. You may have seen some of her work for sale at Hector Wine Company where Jennie works part time as club manager and curated their small artisanal fresh market right there in the tasting room. If you are looking for a place to stay in the area, consider staying right next door to the shop at she and her husband's vacation rental (and their home) Creekside Retreat.
She creates one of a kind watercolor earrings, gemstone beaded jewelry, and several styles of greeting cards. You may have seen some of her work for sale at Hector Wine Company where Jennie works part time as club manager and curated their small artisanal fresh market right there in the tasting room. If you are looking for a place to stay in the area, consider staying right next door to the shop at she and her husband's vacation rental (and their home) Creekside Retreat.
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What about that cute little building?
We can't tell the story of Hector Handmade without talking about the sweet little barn we get to call "home." Built in the 1930's the quaint space was originally a gas station. Over the years it was used as a farmstand to the 100 acre farm in which it is located. Like many locals, Jesse and Jennie coveted the empty building for years so when the farm came under new ownership they jumped at the chance to get inside and quickly contacted the new owner. Amazingly, he thought they had a great idea and fully renovated the dilapidated gem. Since it was empty for over thirty years, the two put some serious elbow grease into scrubbing the place clean and sparkly! They are simply in love with the dreamy and rustic atmosphere that seemed to come with the place! Often you can spot them working happily in the studio space (one full side of the shop) or walking back and forth from their neighboring homes.
