Artisan Gift Shop

The Craft Club meets monthly on the third Thursday of the month at the Ocean Pines Community Center on 235 Ocean Parkway in Ocean Pines. All meetings are open to the public.

Join the club for refreshments at 9:45 a.m. A business meeting starts promptly at 10 a.m. After the meeting, the club offers a craft project for those who wish to participate. Preregistration is required, so the club can have enough supplies. A small fee is charged to cover the cost of supplies.

Current information regarding the next meeting and craft project are on display in the shop window. To preregister and for more information, call Program Chair Candy Foreman at 410-641-6082.

The Pine’eer Craft Club is proud to announce club member Erna Benjamin as the first Crafter of the Month for 2024. This is the 50th anniversary of the club, and it will be hosting special events all year long.

Benjamin was raised and married in Pennsylvania. Following her husband’s graduation from medical school, the Benjamins moved to the Bethesda, Maryland area.

“Our sons were born at Bethesda Naval Hospital in 1977 and 1979,” she said. “We have four grandchildren. My granddaughters have sat with me to knit, crochet and sew just like I did with my mother. I hope they find pleasure in crafting throughout their lives.”

While Benjamin joined the Craft Club in late summer last year, she has lived in Ocean Pines part-time since 2005 when she and her husband purchased a home in The Parke. Although she spends most of her time with her husband in Rockville, she loves coming to Ocean Pines to relax and unwind. It was a visit to the Farmer’s Market where she spotted the shop, stopped in and learned more about the Pine’eer Craft Club.

While Benjamin only joined the club last year, she has been a long-time crafter. She specializes in needlework including sewing, cross stitch, quilting, crocheting and knitting. Her colorful rope bowls are very popular in the craft shop.

Benjamin learned how to sew and crochet from her mother. Knitting came along during eighth grade home economics class, and quilting a bit later than that. While there have been pauses in crafting time because of work and family, it has remained a creative outlet for nearly her entire life.

“I do purchase plenty of yarns and fabrics, but I also repurpose clothing into memory keepsakes,” Benjamin said. “I learned how to repurpose scraps after finding the idea online. Now I make Scottie dogs, pillows, quilts, rope bowls, trivets and ornaments that are recycled yet meaningful.”

In her spare time, Benjamin enjoys reading, playing bridge and taking leisurely walks. She also knits hats, sweaters, and preemie baby blankets for charity. Her latest request is “fidget-sensory” mats.

To shop Erna’s rope bowls, Scottie dogs, crocheted shawls and more, the Pine’eer Artisan Gift Shop is open every Saturday from 9 to 3 and Sunday from 10 to 3, except holidays. The Pine’eer Craft Club is always seeking new crafters and meetings are open to the public. They are held the third Thursday of the month in the community center. The club is celebrating their golden anniversary of hand crafting in Ocean Pines since 1974.

To see Benjamin's works and more creations, stop by the Pine’eer Artisan Gift Shop, open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., except holidays.

The club is always seeking new crafters, and club meetings are open to the public.

Artisans interested in selling their creations at the shop should contact Debbie Jiwa or Barbara Herzog, shop managers, or email [email protected] for more information.

Since its inception, the Craft Club has donated nearly $200,000 back to Ocean Pines. The club has been proudly handcrafting in Ocean Pines for 50 years.

For more information, visit www.oceanpines/web/pages/artisan-gift-shop.

The Craft Club hosts two Craft Fairs each year. The Arts and Crafts Festival is held outdoors and indoors on the first Saturday in August from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. in White Horse Park and the Ocean Pines Community Center. Local vendors and additional vendors from surrounding states provide many crafted items for sale. Food and music offered during the event makes for a fun day out. To participate in the festival, contact Jane Wolnik at [email protected] for a vendor application. For additional information or questions, contact Linda Sirianni at 410-641-8449. 

The Winter Wonderland Holiday Craft Fair is held indoors in the Ocean Pines Community Center on the first Saturday in November, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. A large number of crafters attend, making the event perfect for those seeking holiday gifts. Vendors interested in participating may call Debbie Jiwa at 410-430-7855.

At both events, the Craft Club offers its famous homemade bake sale.

Contact President Sharon Puser at 410-208-3032 or [email protected] for information on displaying and selling handcrafted merchandise at the Artisan Gift Shop in Ocean Pines.

*Profits from the sale of merchandise in this shop and from annual craft fairs are given back to the community in the form of donations, each year. Since the shop's inception in 1974, more than $175,000 has been given back to Ocean Pines.

Volunteers are essential to every aspect of the Artisan Gift Shop. They provide support and manpower to allow the club and the shop to operate to its full potential.

Becoming a member of the club is only $15 yearly. Members may put items in the shop and take advantage of the benefits of the club.