Published: July 04, 2009 06:09 pm         

Quilt, metal art shop is trying to stay afloat

HUNTER — Quilting stores are becoming few and far between across the nation, especially in northwest Oklahoma, but one Hunter family is trying to keep its shop, Quilt Nuts and Bolts, open for business.

Mel and Damaris Hett and Damaris’ mother, Della Raye Dowell, all co-own the quilt shop in Hunter.

The Quilt Nuts and Bolts shop has been open for about two years and also is online.

“We got to talking and I wanted to learn to do this (quilting). It outlives you. You are making memories for someone,” Damaris said. “When this property came up, we decided to do it.”

The shop isn’t open on a regular schedule, but the owners try to have it open when people need it.

“We aren’t here and open every day, but we are open 24-7 online. We say we are open whenever we are home,” Damaris said. “We live across the street, so how hard is it to come across and unlock it for someone? When I was working, I couldn’t go to a regular quilt store. They closed at 5.”

Quilt Nuts and Bolts is open by appointment.

“By appointment sounds so formal. We are real casual here,” Damaris said. “People will call and say they are on the way from Pond Creek. Some come by and knock on the door.”

The owners of the store try to help people who wish to get into quilting or need some help.

“We help people learn to quilt and sew,” Damaris said. “We don’t have organized class we just try to help people.”

Quilt Nuts and Bolts also has quilting equipment customers are allowed to use.

While the shop holds quilting supplies, it also holds Mel’s contributions, including his metal art from Mel’s Metals, his renovations to the property and all the shelving in the store.

Mel has been doing metal art for more than 25 years.

“I learned in Kansas from my uncle,” he said. “I went up there and learned the basics, and he said just go home and practice. It took me over a year to get the heat right and get comfortable with it. Now I rarely ruin one.”

Much of Mel’s work is inspired by rustic rural life growing up on a Kansas farm and later in northwest Oklahoma. Wheat, cattails, trees and windmills are examples of the rustic side. He also creates abstract pieces inspired by retro works of the 1960s and ’70s by Eames, Bertoia, Jere and others. Abstract wall and free-standing pieces in steel, copper, brass and paint show his wide range of talent.

Mel works in a small garage next to his home. He is trying to move some of his operation across the street to a building next to the quilt shop.

Mel has gotten offers to do more metal work, but he doesn’t want to get too busy.

“I do custom orders and some regular things. I’m not interested in doing it full time. I want it to stay a hobby,” he said.

Information about Quilt Nuts and Bolts and Mel’s Metals is available online at www.quilt nutsandbolts.com and www.melsmetals.com.