In shades of gray and green and wisps of pink sunlit clouds, resides Rebecca M. Fullerton’s gift for capturing the moment.

As an archivist for the Appalachian Mountain Club, Rebecca spends her days preserving the past and discovering untold stories of regional significance. As an artist, she leaves gallery goers swooning over meticulously painted summits and secret, forested places. Looking at these two careers side-by-side, a common theme emerges: Rebecca’s appreciation for one-of-a-kind communities.

As a WREN member, Rebecca is part of a community like no other.

While Rebecca is a New Hampshire native, she didn’t connect with WREN until 2018, when she and her husband began house hunting for the chance to swap a bustling Boston life with one centered around nature and the North Country. Rebecca relates that “[o]n one such trip, we stopped in to WREN to see what it was all about,” and happily, “the very friendly person in the shop that day gave use the grand tour, told us all about the organization, and [shared with us] the latest newsletter showing how much was going on (answer: A LOT).” Rebecca’s connection with WREN and its mission was immediate.

After her relocation to Bethlehem was complete, Rebecca became a WREN Retail Vendor member. Along the way, she held her first solo show in the Gallery at WREN. While she only had a month to prepare, Rebecca looks back on this time with fondness. “It was a wild ride and an intense hustle, but the Gallery made it happen, and the show was incredible.” With a touch of humor, she adds “I hope any solo shows in the future won’t be such a trial by fire, but I wouldn’t trade that learning experience or the resulting show for anything.”

Today, Rebecca is one of our most prominent Retail Vendor members. Whether she’s at the helm of an exhibit in the Gallery at WREN, hosting a table at one of our holiday pop up events, or teaching an online class for other WREN members and artists in the community, Rebecca’s reach is remarkable.

When she reflects on her time here at WREN, she acknowledges that “the most important benefit of being part of WREN is the feeling of being invited.” In Rebecca’s experience, “[w]ith a lot of membership organizations you just pay your dues and maybe take advantage of the member benefits– or not. With WREN you’re invited in.” As a small nonprofit built on the power of community and the passion of its members and staff, WREN succeeds because of this warm, inviting spirit.

For Rebecca, WREN’s openness is demonstrated in many ways. It could mean “to be part of a show because your work came to mind in fitting perfectly with the theme, to hear about a class or learning opportunity right away because they know it would fit your needs, or to sell in the shop but also be pushed to excel in making your product look its best.” Each time, WREN extends an invitation to grow a little more, and connect a little more.

As Rebecca sums up her time as a Retail Vendor member at WREN, her gratitude is as evident as the artistry in her paintings. “I always get the feeling WREN wants you to grow and help build this community as a partner, not just a member.”

Today, we invite to join our community. Become a member and a partner, and join WREN’s history, every day in the making.

Shop the art of Rebecca M. Fullerton in Local Works Marketplace and our online store.

Farmer’s Breakfast. MacIntosh & Birch. Mexican Hot Chocolate. Ever since The Kitschy Wick made its debut in Local Works Marketplace, one-time shoppers have become repeat customers, arms full with their favorite, playful soy candles.

Amanda Burrows is the face behind The Kitschy Wick. She’s a busy mom, budding entrepreneur, and a proud member of WREN. From her home base in North Woodstock, NH, Amanda churns out stacks of soy candles infused with subtle, astounding scents, and trust us — WREN’s community has taken notice.

Amanda first connected with WREN in the winter of 2018, when she attended an exhibit opening in the Gallery. Reflecting on this first experience at WREN, Amanda notes that she was “impressed and intrigued by not only the artists and the work itself, but the supportive and encouraging environment that WREN has created for female ‘makers’ to thrive.”

As a 501(c)(3) dedicated to supporting better lives and livelihoods, that encouragement is a part of everything we do here at WREN. Whether it’s our online classes designed to help entrepreneurs, our monthly events to foster community connections, or the opportunity to sustain local livelihoods through the store and gallery, we know that our strength lies in strong, empowered members.

When it came time for Amanda to start pursuing her own small business dream of candle making, she looked to WREN for guidance. As an income-eligible small business owner with big goals, Amanda was a perfect candidate for WREN’s CDBG Microenterprise Grant Program. One of the benefits of this program? A free WREN membership!

A few months into 2019, Amanda joined the ranks of WREN as both a Business Member and a CDBG grant recipient. Her first memory as a WREN member is one of her favorites. As April reached its end, Amanda took advantage of her member benefits and attended one of the organization’s in-person classes, “Fundamentals for Starting or Growing Your Business or Gig.”

For Amanda, she was “feeling intimidated and nervous to show up, not knowing what to expect.” Fortunately, she quickly “felt at ease with all the women in the room, casually asking and answering questions, sharing stories, admitting failures and insecurities, and encouraging one another.” Amanda left class “relieved, inspired, and incredibly motivated.”

This motivation has carried Amanda throughout her journey with WREN.

Thanks to the free classes and 1:1 technical assistance available to her as both a WREN Business Member and CDBG grant recipient, Amanda has learned the ins and out of pricing and packaging her work for market success, resulting in a Kitschy Wick that has met the challenges of the pandemic head on and exceeded expectations.

Amanda acknowledges that “if it wasn’t for WREN offering the CDBG program, I don’t think that I would have pursued my candle making business to this level.” WREN gave Amanda the “tools and encouragement” to accomplish great things, and the “confidence to pursue further success.”

Through it all, WREN’s community has remained a pillar of support. In Amanda’s own words, being a WREN member means having “the reassurance that I’m not alone through the overwhelming process of figuring out my small, yet growing, business. This network reminds me that I am capable, even at times when I am unsure of how to proceed, and it gives me the confidence I need to pursue more and set my goals higher.”

Amanda’s story is one that inspires, that invites optimism and opportunity with open arms. If you have been looking for a way forward with WREN, consider becoming a member. Our community is a powerful, passionate one. Let’s make a difference, and grow some small businesses together! 

Do you qualify for the CDBG Microenterprise Grant Program? Find out today! Visit the “Grants” page on our website.

Show your support for all of Amanda’s hard work, and shop The Kitschy Wick 

in Local Works Marketplace and our online store.