White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. (WVDN) — New life has moved into a familiar downtown location.
In March 2024, Freda Zicafoose and her sister-in-law, Laurie Traxler, opened Woven Stems Studio on Main Street, transforming their shop into a creative design studio where customers can stop in, relax, and make something special together.
According to Freda, the idea started long before opening day.
“I started making wreaths and bows during Covid,” she said. “I do custom designs.”
Laurie’s story, like Freda’s, is rooted in years of hands-on creativity and real-world experience. She grew up in Michigan and spent much of her adult life in Maui, working in the sailmaking industry after her mother— “a professional seamstress”—inspired her early interest in crafting.
Freda shared how she ended up in West Virginia and ultimately chose White Sulphur Springs.
“After retiring in 2023, I sold my property in Asbury and moved to White Sulphur Springs,” she said. “Laurie and I both decided we needed to keep busy and keep in contact with people in the community.”
The couple chose their storefront location for both convenience and purpose.
“We opened in March of 2024 within walking distance of our apartments,” Freda explained. “White Sulphur is making a comeback as far as new businesses opening, so we wanted to have our space there as well.”
A Shop Built Around Custom Work:
At Woven Stems Studio, the focus is personal creations—made to fit the customer’s needs, preferences, and ideas. Freda described what customers can find in the shop.
“We offer florals and ribbons if you want to make your own wreath or centerpiece,” she said. “We found a mill in North Carolina that does cotton woven throws from photographs. You can send me a photograph, and I work with the mill to turn it into a beautiful throw for your home.”
She added that the shop’s embroidery and design options help customers turn everyday moments into lasting keepsakes.
“We bought an embroidery machine,” Freda said, “and Laurie is making pillows and tote bags.”
The studio’s crafting extends beyond fabric and florals. “Laurie has started making embroidered greeting cards,” Freda noted. “We have those at Mountain Laurel Treasures in Lewisburg, and we shortly will have a display at Fein’s deli here in White Sulphur.”
Freda also uses two Cricut cutting machines to create a variety of decorative paper items.
“I make cards created with Cricut at Appalachian Handmade in White Sulphur,” she said. “I can make cupcake toppers for birthdays or anniversaries, too.”
More than a store, Woven Stems Studio is designed to feel like a place to slow down and connect.
“We strive to make our shop a welcoming, comfy spot where you can come in, have a cup of tea or coffee, and sit for a while to just chat about life,” Freda said.
The studio also plans to support local makers. “We will also be offering local artisans a space to sell their products as well,” Freda shared.
What stands out most, according to the owners, is their shared creative mindset.
“We both have a lot of creative ideas to bring to life,” Freda said. “Most everything that we do is geared to making custom products for our customers. We can work with people to bring their idea to life.”
Freda and Laurie hope the community will visit and see how the space has been transformed into a creative design studio.
“We would like more local people to stop in and see how we have transformed this space on Main Street into a creative design studio,” she said.
For residents and visitors alike, Woven Stems Studio located at 630 Main Street in White Sulphur Springs offers more than handcrafted items—it offers a reason to gather, create, and shop local, one custom piece at a time.
