A geode in the Allentown community since '77 Art gallery celebrates three decades of success in the old mill BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer MIGUEL JUAREZ staff Allentown's Karen Deets, owner of Off The Wall Craft Gallery, explains what it's been like doing business in downtown Allentown for the last 30 years. It's been an "Off The Wall" experience for Karen Deets in downtown Allentown for the past 30 years. The Allentown resident and artist first began working in the historic old mill on South Main Street, which formerly housed the Allentown Feed Co., in 1977. At that time, she and other area artists rented some of the low-cost space in the building as studios and places to sell their work. The mill was built in 1855 and operated as a grist mill for more than 250 years but was later converted to house a restaurant and several shops by its 19th owner, Corky Danch. It has operated continuously as such ever since 1976. "It was a place where artists and craftspeople could do their work and sell it," Deets recalled, adding that at first the mill was set up like a flea market, with open floors. She worked in leather back then and shared space with a local weaver in the mill. They initially had a "small spot upstairs," but Danch convinced Deets to open up shop downstairs when he heard her say that she had started working in stained glass. PHOTOS BY MIGUEL JUAREZ staff Above, the ever-changing window display at the Off The Wall Craft Gallery in Allentown has been successful in grabbing the attention of passers-by for nearly three decades. Below, a stained-glass lamp created by artist Jim Thomas awaits purchase on one of the gallery's shelves. Deets, who earned a degree in art education from The College of New Jersey in Ewing, taught elementary school art for Southampton Township Schools and was a professional leather crafter. "At that time I was an experienced leather craftsman and a beginner at stained glass, selling only my own work," she said. "I left an art teaching job to do a full-time crafts business." Although selling handmade leather goods helped her make money throughout her college years, Deets said she did not like to see the paintwork she did on some of the pieces her friends, family and clients kept for decades start wearing away. "I wasn't satisfied with the organic nature of the material I was working with," Deets said. "It didn't stand up to the test of time." Deets said the medium of stained glass always fascinated her, particularly because of its permanence. "I have stained glass from the Dark Ages and Roman times," she said. Just as she started working in a longer-lasting medium, she decided to establish herself more permanently in the old mill. She reopened the Off The Wall Craft Gallery in 2001 in the mill's annex, which is a large gallery made from recycled World War II Army barracks on street level. The gallery first sold stained glass, leather and weaved goods, but when a jeweler who worked in the mill asked Deets to display some jewelry in the store, she soon realized it would be beneficial for her to start buying and selling jewelry from local craftspeople. "This business built on itself," Deets said. "I started the business on a $2 bag of leather scarps, which I made into a leather pouch that I sold to buy more leather to make belts and handbags. I kept reinvesting the money I made." She continued, "Thirty years later, I have grown to become an impressive gallery, nationally known, representing hundreds of American craft artists [and] specializing in jewelry, art glass and more," she said. Deets said she mainly showcases the work of American artists. Some of the artists she discovers at trade shows or through trade magazines. Others contact her after hearing about her store either online or by walking into her shop. Jim Thomas, of the Cream Ridge section of Upper Freehold, is a stained-glass artist whose work is showcased in the gallery. Having his artwork around has inspired Deets to pursue new horizons with her own work. While showing off one of Thomas' pieces - a retro-looking, neon-green and orange-polka dotted lamp - Deets explains, "He's very innovative in his work. We have a real cooperative relationship, and we encourage each other." Perry Stemetsky, of Bordentown, is another local artist whose work is on display in the gallery. Stemetsky hand-builds one-of-a-kind fine jewelry that can dangle like a diamond-dotted DNA spiral or hang like an outer space chandelier complete with pink and other brilliant stones. Yet another gem and jewel enthusiast is Michael Connor, who travels the world to find stones to place in his jewelry. While searching the jewelry cases to see if any of Connor's pieces were left, Deets soon pointed out a chunky bracelet made of rainbow moon stones. Although she's gleeful about the jewelers, Deets is quick to point out that some of the best glassblowers in the world live in the United States and she's fortunate enough to have them featured in her shop. On the shelves along the windows glisten tiny self-contained worlds in handblown glass orbs. Some of the work takes on the characteristics of real planets such as Venus and Uranus as seen from above, while other pieces are heavenly formations that arrive on Earth from the minds of their creators. Sometimes worlds that would never meet, such as an underseascape of fish, coral and seaweed and a windswept scene of a autumn tree losing its leaves, sit adjacent to one another illuminated by sunlight. Other shelves are dotted with glass kitty cats that are sleeping, kaleidoscopes, leaf-inspired leather bags of Coach quality, intricate beadwork and cancer survivor Marge Lombard's sterling-silver jewelry decked with inspirational messages such as "Shoot for the moon." "They all have stories," Deets said, looking over some individual pieces of art. "That's what's wonderful about it, and that's what makes us excited about what we sell." Over the years, Deets has dealt with hundreds of craftspeople and artists from around the country. "It's mind-blowing," she said. When asked what it feels like to be able to help aspiring artists, Deets said, "I don't think about it too much. We all support each other on different levels. I'm supportive of them, and customers are supportive of me." Unlike a large chain store, Deets said she has control over what she sells and only offers products of the highest quality. "We have hands-on people that work here and know about the products," she said. "Some people might open two to three stores and lose their fuel. Primarily, I'm an artist first as opposed to a retailer. I work retail to support my art habit." Deets called the gallery "a beautiful place that's both peaceful and exciting simultaneously" where "customers feel happy about what they purchase." Each piece of art contributes to the good feeling people get when they walk in, according to Deets. "There's an energy that's put off by each individual who has made a creation here," she said. After 30 years, Deets said, her business just keeps getting better. "I feel the mill with its creative business has been a unique and stable part of the town. The shops here have encouraged other business to come here." Deets, who has been president of the Allentown Business Community Association for four years, said most of the business downtown offers unusual and unique products. Being a member of the association has taught her some good lessons about being a business owner. She said a previous owner of the Candy Kitchen once told her, "When I do well, you do well," and that Pete Sensi, of Sensi Market, said, "There's a lot to be said about healthy competition." Those mottos have played nicely into the atmosphere of downtown business, according to Deets. "We have a nice combination of businesses for locals and out-of-towners," Deets said. "Allentown has never become a town where out-of-towners spoil it for the those who live here." Along with business such as the hardware store and the pharmacy, Deets considers her gallery "a rock" in the community. "I have been a rock in Allentown, paving the way for a healthy and interesting business district, drawing visitors from all over," she said. "I am very proud of what the store has become. I never dreamed I would have this quality of work here when I started out. I take it one day at a time." Off The Wall will celebrate its 30th anniversary on Jan. 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information about the gallery or its anniversary celebration, call (609) 259-0725 or visit www.offthewallcraftgallery.com.