New craft store opens

Sugar Loaf —In the village of Sugar Loaf, the opening of a new craft store may stir more curiosity than excitement. However, when one enters the front door of Six Hands Gallery, one steps into a garden of jewelry delights that is capable of satisfying any woman’s desire to be adorned and noticed. Six Hands refers to two men and a woman, Jacques Hemsi, Paul Philippe Desrochers and Julie Hammet-Cone. They met while Jacques and Philippe’s wives were teachers in the same school and Hammet-Cone’s children had both teachers. All three have been thriving jewelry makers for over 25 years. “We are genuine craftsmen in that we do our products from A to Z. We design, we produce, and we sell.” From her college days to her worldly travels, Hammet-Cone learned that what is old can still look modern. Her love of making jewelry chains morphs into necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings. Though spending a month in France cutting out coins for a silversmith may not prepare one to be a jeweler, 1960s New York City was overflowing with hippies who were delighted to buy the unique, roughly finished products of Hemsi. With this initial success came the confidence to explore, experiment and refine the subtle craft of jewelry making. As a young man modeling at art school in Quebec City, Desrochers absorbed what was taught in the classes and soon became a sculptor. Using metal, wood or stone, his sculptures bring to life sensory impressions of scenes from everyday life, mythology and nature. Six Hands Gallery, located at 1361 Kings Highway, is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 12 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Customers will be pleased to find items in all price ranges.