Oakland Press – 4.17.06

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Owner fulfills hobby by ‘catching fireflies’

Arts, crafts business opens second store in Rochester

After graduating with a teaching degree from college, April Sytsma took a year off before getting a job.

She paid the bills by selling arts and crafts at shows around Michigan. Little did she know her hobby would become a full-time career. She never even interviewed for a teaching job.

"I would never have dreamed that I would be where I am today," said Sytsma, 31, of Beverly Hills.

The business, catching fireflies, just opened its second store in Rochester. The other store in Berkley was opened in 2002.

Sytsma and her husband, Stephen McCrumb, named the store after a favorite piece of artwork.

The business was started in her home with handmade photo albums and picture frames she decorated with ribbon and charms. After going to some trade shows, her products were picked up by retailers, and Sytsma could afford to hire employees, she said. They worked in a store in Berkley, adding merchandise to offset the rent. Local artists commissioned their work in the shop.

"Our store started gaining popularity through word-of-mouth," Sytsma said.

Eventually, the staff moved into a bigger shop and began adding other goods.

Sytsma extended her line of products, called a.i. paper design, and added gifts for men, women, children and pets. "I basically buy things that are clever and fun, and things that I like," she said.

Men can choose from gag items such as unputtable golf balls and self-esteem cereal bowls. Children can pick whimsical toys such as Slinkys and mood rings. The shop also carries handmade soaps and lotions, garden and kitchen accessories. Local artists still sell products there such as jewelry, hand-painted furniture and glass vases. In March, catching fireflies opened the second store in an old train depot. The 1876 building has crooked floors and drafty doors, she said, fitting with the uniqueness of the shop.

Many of her customers come from the Rochester area, so opening the store there was a natural.

Besides handmade albums and picture frames, Sytsma extended her product line to include intricate gadgets like jewelry holders and door hangers.

The products are sold through the company Web site and 600 stores across the United States. Eventually, she would like to open more stores.

Prices range from $7 to $70.

Sytsma earned her bachelor’s degree in special education from Eastern Michigan University.

But she always loved art, she said. "When you love what you do, there’s just no better way to go through life," she said.

-Lara Mossa of the Oakland Press

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