Crafts Culture

Crafts Culture

When the Mormons arrived in the Salt Lake Valley, the Church's women formed a group called the Relief Society. They gathered regularly to discuss religion and family, and their hands were never idle during these meetings. Many a quilt or other piece of handwork was created while chatting.

Through the decades, the faces in Relief Society have changed but their focus on family and handicrafts has not. The Mormon Church encourages mothers to stay home, so producing and selling crafts is a great way for them to make extra cash. For more than 60 years a store called Mormon Handicraft, at 15 West South Temple, has provided crafts supplies and served as an outlet for finished work.

There are so many area craftspeople that the store's buyers have room for only the best quilts, porcelain dolls, baby clothes, wooden objects, and other crafts. You'll also find honey (the state's symbol is a beehive) and saltwater taffy (in honor of the Great Salt Lake).

Although the Church no longer owns or operates the store, it retains a Mormon feel. You can see a re-created upscale Mormon pioneer home—all hardwoods and antiques—with a picture of Brigham Young over the mantel. Rolls, bread, and cookies made fresh daily at the Lion House, Young's historic home, are also for sale. Such baked goods go well with a traditional root beer or sarsaparilla.