About the Gallery
The story behind this eclectic gallery located in the small mountain town of Creede, Colorado
Travel back to the 1972 fringe of Dallas, to Olla Padrida (old airplane hangars turned artists’ haven) where Jennifer Inge has opened Rare Things, a tiny 8’x 12’ shop with a little work bench and one small showcase. She is making custom jewelry and crafts as customers look on and selling jewelry faster than she can work. Two years and a 1000 miles later, this very young entrepreneur followed a calling to the western mountains, landed in Creede, and established Rare Things Gallery. Against all odds and 35 years later, the Gallery has become a destination business and a cornerstone for Creede. What was once a small storefront and studio combination is now one of the finest retail galleries in the Southwest…a treasure trove of jewelry, antiques, decorative arts, photography, paintings, stained glass, pottery, woodwork, furniture, rocks, minerals, and wonderments of nature.
Imagine living a life of passionate collecting, designing and building in the magical mountains of Mineral County. Jenny believes “though Creede seems an impossible place to grow a business, I feel a direct line to the Creative Source here - I could not lead a richer life.” Best known for the Inge Horsehair Jewelry Collection, Jennifer is also a skilled metal worker, multi-media artist and savvy business proprietor.
The mystique and lure of Rare Things make the trek to Creede worthwhile. As customers observe almost daily, Jenny has an amazing eye. You will often “See it First” at Rare Things even years before it hits the general market. Intriguing displays of unusual jewelry and collectibles invite lingering for hours. Energetic and knowledgeable personal shopping assistants bring life to the stories behind this global collection. A visit to the Gallery is always an adventure in treasure hunting! |
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| THEN |
NOW |
| Gallery = 300 sf |
Gallery = 3000+ sf |
| Jenny ran all sales transactions out of a cigar box and kept inventory figures in her head |
Sales, inventory and bookkeeping computerized |
| No employees |
4 full time and up to 10 part time employees during peak season |
| Six week selling season |
Year-round selling season |
| Local |
Global @ www.rarethingsgallery.com |
| Rotary phones and local calls made by dialing last 4 digits |
Wireless, cell phones and internet |
| House - 500 sq ft miner’s shack |
2800 sq ft "Stone-Inge" living sculpture |
| Jenny 23 years old |
You do the math |
| 10 Artists represented |
100+ Artists represented |
| Silver $4.71/Troy oz |
Silver $17.50/Troy oz |
  
Rare Things Gallery Staff
Nanci Beazley has been managing Rare Things Gallery with tireless and positive enthusiasm for 13 years. After all these years, she still considers her move to Creede from Waco, Texas, to manage the gallery to be one of her most life enhancing experiences. Believing that “change is the very most natural thing…life is mostly attitude and timing” sure comes in handy for keeping pace with the jackrabbit darting of Trailboss’ creative fervor. Artfully balancing commitments to family and business, Nanci is the queen of computer operations, inventory management, shipping and staff supervision. Dedicated to advancing business through team building, she keeps Rare Things a joyful place to work.
Still “groovin’ when the sun goes down,” Shelley Riggs lives the line from one of her favorite country songs. Her energy rarely wanes and she just never seems to shut down. Coming in early to paint or prepare for a semi-load of new merchandise, she is still moving furniture, refurbishing antiques and tweaking displays at closing time. After 15 years managing the Amethyst Emporium (which all of Creede was sad to lose), Shelley hit the ground running at Rare Things in March 2008.
"What a Team! How fortunate I am to leave my sacred space of treasures in such caring and capable hands. Knowing that the gallery “runs itself,” frees me up to design and create in the working retreat of my basement studio, get on a horse once in awhile and ‘treasure hunt’ for weeks when buying for the gallery each spring. With all my heart, Thank You Ladies!" - Head Trail Boss, Jennifer Inge
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