For those looking for the unusual and wanting to help our economy as well as helping those living in developing regions worldwide, you are invited to visit Simply Divine! This new gallery in Bethel Park , right at the entrance of South Park , is offering exquisite one-of-a-kind gifts from U.S. artisans as well as farmers and artisans belonging to A Greater Gift, a nonprofit program of the almost 60-year-old SERRV International, which works in trade and development in 35 countries as well as the U.S.
Owners Kathy Burch and daughter Amberly Hensler wanted to create a unique shopping experience and help give back to our struggling economy by supporting talented U.S. artisans from Alaska to Florida . Many of the items featured in their gallery are made from recycled materials such as nightlights and jewelry made of Skyy Vodka and Bombay Gin bottles, metal sculpture animals and people made of scrap metal (even a dog whose body is made from part of the St. Louis Arch cable), and clocks with vintage record faces. One artist has created beautiful wooden vases, candle holders and clocks made from American Chestnut split rail fences, a wood that was wiped out by a blight in the early 1900's. Currently there are over 150 U.S. artists representing all 50 states.
Interesting story cards throughout the store tell of each artist's unique talent and where they are from. The gallery offers designer jewelry (Harry Mason of San Francisco is featured), Raku and horsehair pottery, home accents, gourmet cookies, soup and cookie mixes from the Women's Bean Project, Divine Chocolates, gift baskets, and much more. Anyone shopping at Simply Divine! can know that they are not only getting a unique gift but that the proceeds from their SERRV purchases improve working conditions, education and healthcare for the artisans and their families throughout the world. And their purchases of U.S. artists' work will help support our economy.
Kathy brings over 30 year's experience to the business having run Grandpa's Whiskers Antiques in Bethel Park and now Tri-State Antique Center in Canonsburg. Her daughter, Amberly, has always dreamt of having a business like this and when she found the quaint yellow building at the entrance of South Park , she knew this was her “dream location.” Owners of the building, Bill Murdoch and Molly Finnell of South Park Shops, had envisioned this type of business when they initially bought the property which was formerly DeMar's Coffee Shop. The building was completely renovated from the ground up and offers a charm befitting the delightful gifts one finds upon entering the shop.
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to help the U.S. economy by offering hand made items by American artisans from coast to coast. We are proud to say that we currently have artists representing all 50 states including Alaska and Hawaii!
These artists are selected individually by us based on their quality of design and attention to detail as well as their commitment to providing unique items. Many of them create their pieces from recycled materials which also goes in line with our goal to help in the Going Green movement.
We also offer Fair Trade gifts - doing our part to help eradicate poverty around the world. These include articles from SERRV, a worldwide non-profit organization sponsoring over 90 countries; Divine Chocolates, one of the first cocoa farmers able to participate in Fair Trade; Women's Bean Project, a Denver-based nonprofit organization teaching job readiness and life skills through employment in gourmet food production; Escama Studio, Novica and Artesanas Campesinas, selling Fair Trade purses from Brazil and Mexico. Our goal is to provide one-of-a-kind unique gifts for yourself or someone special in your life at affordable prices to fit every budget. You can not only enjoy the gift you purchase but also know you are helping the economy of our country as well as third world countries around the globe.
PRESENTATIONS AND TALKS
From time to time we have been requested to give presentations to church groups, women's groups, or clubs, particularly regarding the SERRV Fair Trade organization and our commitment to promotion of U.S. artists. If your group would like to schedule a presentation, please contact us directly at 412-833-0170 to discuss your needs.
