Current Issue Articles

Story and photos
by Sherrie Petersen

In this uncertain economy, people are looking for ways to stretch their buying power, especially when it comes to holiday gift giving. Homemade gifts are a great way to show you care without overextending your budget. And if you’re stumped for ideas of what you can make, there’s no better place to start than The Creation Station in Buellton.
  Dawn Farrier started selling fabric in her living room in1999, mostly as a resource for quilting buddies and as a way to connect with people in the area. As an event specialist, costume designer and avid quilter, she knew first hand about the lack of places to buy good quality fabric in the area. What she didn’t realize was just how popular her concept would become.
  Take for example the Brown Bag Retreats. Unlike other quilting retreats that feature someone teaching a particular skill, Brown Bag Retreats give participants a chance to work on unfinished projects and learn from each other.

  “We moved here and I didn’t know anyone,” says Dawn. “So I basically asked people if they would come into my house and be my friend and sit on my couch and bring me cookies and talk to me.”
  Establishing that personal connection with customers is something she and Patrick still manage to do, even as their business continues to grow. “I definitely think that what makes us US, is us,” Dawn says with a smile. “People ask us all the time to open up more locations or to franchise, but what makes us successful is this.” She points to Patrick and herself. “We’re a team. We’re quirky. We’re definitely not your average fabric store personalities.”

“It’s no frills,” says Patrick. “We do the retreats at cost so that people can afford to go.” (Note: Even though it’s called “no frills,” Patrick’s Soup and Salad Supper on Saturday night is included in the price and attendees always look forward to it!)
  The retreats have become so popular that they sell out months, sometimes more than a year, in advance. The Creation Station hosts about 10 each year for the general public.

Bright bolts of assorted colored fabric line the walls of Creation Station. Above also shows the 'cutting board' station where fabric is measured and then cut to size for individual projects.

They also offer retreats for private groups. “Whatever it is we’re doing, it’s working and we’re grateful!” says Dawn.
  Although they don’t currently have a lot of workshops outside of the retreats, that’s something the Farriers hope to change. “I would love to have us be a full service quilt shop where we have sewing classes and kids classes,” says Dawn. “My goal is actually January. We should have a real class schedule in January with real classes and real teachers and a real timeline.”
  In addition to selling huge quantities of fabric, The Creation Station carries felt, beads, patterns (for quilts and clothes), seam rippers, ribbons, needle threaders and plenty of other notions to spark your creativity. Still not inspired? You could always buy one of the planters Dawn designs from old tires.
  “My brain works very differently than other people. I’ve only recently come to embrace that,” she says, laughing. “I mean, I see a tire and I think, hmm, planter! Where most people are like debris, you know, junk yard.” The unique designs are just one example of the creative force behind this business that has so many loyal customers.
  Since coming to work with his wife in 2002, Patrick has learned to trust her creative ideas, and Dawn has learned to accept his merchandising advice. “I have a lot of retail experience because I used to work grocery and I used to work for Target,” he says. For the Farriers, this blending of talent has turned into a winning combination.
  “We get to eat, sleep, live and breathe in this beautiful town, this tiny little paradise that we get to be a part of,” says Dawn. “ I think what I really enjoy is that we’re now a community resource. I never would have imagined that in the beginning. I really think that we’re growing and our goal is to continue to be more of a community resource.”
  The Creation Station is open Wednesday–Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm. If you can’t go in person, get your dose of inspiration from the Creation Station website: www.thecreationstation.com.