New Gift Shop in the Heart of Middletown

Posted on Oct 16

Monarch Designs: A Small Shop for Crafts & Community

What started as a simple crafting business has quickly grown into something much more for Kelsey Singer. Monarch Designs began in 2019 out of a spare bedroom of her apartment, specializing in hand crafted porch leaners, dog bandanas, t-shirts, and custom wedding gifts. Over the years, Kelsey outgrew multiple spaces for her small business and has now opened the doors to her new brick and mortar on Central Avenue in Middletown.

Humble Beginnings

By the end of 2019, Kelsey had begun showcasing her creations at craft shows to start building a customer base. In 2022, however, she had outgrown the spare room of her apartment and had the opportunity to move her business inside the Pendleton Art Center in Downtown Middletown.

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Within a year of moving into the Pendleton Art Center, Kelsey quickly outgrew her space and relocated to a larger studio across the hall. Before long, she expanded into two studios within the center. Eventually, both studios became too small for her growing business, but fate stepped in when a brick-and-mortar space on Central Avenue became available, allowing her to create her dream art boutique.

Kelsey's Creations

About 90% of the products inside Monarch Designs are handcrafted by Kelsey, with her focus being on home decor and paintings. She started with hand crafted porch leaners and dog bandanas, and has since branched out to laser engraving. Her current favorite item to create are stud earrings, created with laser engraving and hand painting each one!

Kelsey loves to express herself through her artwork, pouring herself into whatever she is really into at that moment. In addition to her own creations, Kelsey has three vendors with products ranging from apothecary, laser wood decor, and wax melts!

Painting Parties

In 2020, after everything shut down during the pandemic, Kelsey wanted to find a way to bring joy to the world, so she began hosting small paint parties in her apartment. The paint parties started with just family members, and then expanded to close friends. Today, Kelsey hosts paint parties and other workshops in the back of her shop. Be on the lookout for upcoming crafting events here!

_{^{Photo Credit : Monarch Designs}}

Shop Unique Gifts & Decor

In the five years since Monarch Designs' beginning, Kelsey has expanded her product range to include items such as seasonal decor (including laser wood ornaments), laser wood earrings, and key chains, perfect for a unique gift for birthdays, holidays, or just because!