For
years and years I, Richard Ellison dreamed of having
my own place to create what ever I wanted. My favorite
is building small boats, with a interest in High Tech
Multihull sailboats. I like so many others dream of
doing something and wait for the right time or opportunity
to do it. Well life goes by and you never have the thousands
of dollars to get a place or can find one that will
let you build in it. I’ve wanted to do my thing since
school, now I'm 48 and still just being a contractor
by day remodeling and repairing peoples houses wishing
to do my thing. For the last ten years I thought how
cool would a large shop be that anyone could come use
for what ever they want to create.
Three years ago I
met Rebekah Dreske. This woman was just incredible.
I fell in love with her right away. She’s like a breath
of fresh air. I knew that with her we could do anything.
She makes jewelry and had lost her shop to work in.
She works by day as an esthetician in her own salon.
After taking her diving in the Galapagos Islands and
asking her to marry me while swimming with a pair of
the only warm water penguins we found, circling us.
When we got back we started working on the shop concept.
The more we worked on it the more things just started
happening to make it happen. It was like it was meant
to be. We couldn't wait any longer for the red tape
and used everything, including selling my house and
truck to get it started. We felt it was very important
and beyond us. Through many hard times and working nonstop
for the last two years, we’ve had our shop.
First we
leased 8,000 sq. ft. then a few months later a need
for 9,000 more. Then a need for our new gallery and
coffee shop another 1500 sq. ft. Oh and did I say that
the building was a total disaster. It had to be cleaned
out, and up every inch of the way. We work till 2 am
every day on some part of the shop. But with my fiancé
beside me we built it. I have to say it has been the
most rewarding experience in my life besides my future
wife.
The shop has this great big happy feeling in it
all the time. People love it here and the creativity
is amazing. I have to say artists are the strangest
people and the best people I’ve ever met. Their love
of the arts and creativity brings out this friendship
that is very rare and nice these days. We all feel like
a big family in this shop for the people by the people.
Now
its almost two years and we are growing strong. Every
member is treated equally and special. Most people end
up with more opportunity's when coming here and are
very busy creating. To some its a life saver, to some
a new way of life. But to everybody its a very important
part of their life. To us we thank god for the inspiration,
and blessings to help build it and feel rich having
all our new friends and watching them. We hope you too
can benefit from our SHOP and its PEOPLE.
One of the aims of Shop People LLC is to provide instruction
in the many craft areas we have available as well as
in the use of individual equipment. Visit the classes
section of our site for a full listing of available
classes and schedules.
View our class offerings
So many people dream of having a place to create. Whatever
your craft the space and tools to perform it are sometimes
hard to come by.
At Shop People we provide a workspace, basic tools,
storage, and guidance at a reasonable price for everyone
who dreams of having their own shop.
Catering to the creative person in each of us.
Seen
on AMNW
We have been featured in the AM Northwest show.
Click
here to watch the movie.
First we
leased 8,000 sq. ft. then a few months later a need
for 9,000 more. Then a need for our new gallery and
coffee shop another 1500 sq. ft. Oh and did I say that
the building was a total disaster. It had to be cleaned
out, and up every inch of the way. We work till 2 am
every day on some part of the shop. But with my fiancé
beside me we built it. I have to say it has been the
most rewarding experience in my life besides my future
wife.