News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Barbara Herlocker is selling consignment quilts at Emerald Quilts.
Sisters is a quilting mecca, thanks to the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show. But until now, there's never really been a place where quilt lovers could browse a large selection of quilts for sale.
Barbara Herlocker decided to change that with Emerald Quilts, located - appropriately enough - right next to Stitchin' Post.
"I've been saying for years, 'why is there no place in Sisters to buy quilts except on the day of the show?'" Herlocker said.
The quilt show brought Herlocker and her husband Don Chelew to Sisters in 2001. He owns the horseback riding facility Emerald Ranch, which inspired the name for Herlocker's quilt shop.
"I never thought I'd work again," Herlocker said. "But this was something that was needed in Sisters. I was very fortunate that this space opened up next to Stitchin' Post."
Emerald Quilts accepts quilts, wall hangings, completed quilt tops, table runners, and quilted goods (except clothing), on most days from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The quilter and Herlocker work out an acceptable price including her commission.
"This is like selling art," Herlocker said.
With proper descriptions and fair prices, even the novice buyer can appreciate the work.
"There are special collections for quilt artists and for the vintage and higher priced quilts," Herlocker said. "For example, June Jaeger, well-recognized quilt and pattern maker from Prineville, will display 19 pieces of her remarkable Western work in the store before and during quilt show. Barbara won the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show Theme Contest in 2006 and 2008, and the block contest in 2004."
The store is a boon to quilters who want to sell their work.
"A lot of them want to sell their quilts, recover their costs, so they can keep on quilting," Herlocker said.
Herlocker works with quilters from across the Central Oregon region. Sometimes quilts come from farther afield. She recently took a large consignment of vintage quilts from Louisiana and East Texas that are 60 to 100 years old.
The shop appeals to everyone from collectors to casual browsers.
"Some of the customers don't know a thing - they just love 'em," Herlocker said. "I think there's a few collectors who know a good value. Most are looking for a nice quilt, a souvenir of Sisters."
Emerald Quilts is located at 341 W. Cascade Ave. For more information call 549-6588 or visit [email protected]
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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