For years, Janet Stellmach of Pittsville has searched shops in central Wisconsin for unique and natural fiber yarns for knitting projects.

"There just isn't a lot of variety around here," she said.

It was often a futile search, until Stellmach opened her own yarn shop, Janet's Yarn & Crafts, 401 S. Central Ave., Marshfield.

"I believe in shopping locally. Being a crafter, too, there's not enough resources in the area. Yarn is what I found lacking, and the other crafts are hit and miss. I wanted a store for yarn and for crafts that appeal to kids and some of the ones popular with adults," Stellmach said about her shop, which opened Oct. 12.

Since its opening, Stellmach said there has been a steady stream of customers mainly attracted by the selection of natural fiber yarn and yarn designed for baby clothes. But the craft sales also are growing, she said.

"I'm hoping more kids start doing crafts instead of sitting in front of the TV or computer," Stellmach said. "If you can get children interested in crafts, then they'll start exploring other crafts, and there's a lot of fun things to do."

Paint-by-number kits are popular, she said, adding that she tries to stock craft kits and supplies without duplicating what is found in other area stores.

"What's nice is if Janet doesn't have it stocked, she'll order whatever someone wants," said Ashley Usarek of Marshfield, who periodically helps in the shop and is a customer. Usarek said her favorite crafts are scrapbooking and decorative wood painting. All the supplies she needs are found in the shop, she said.

The area has a lot of talented crafters, Stellmach said.

"I have the space to be able to have a featured artist of the week," she said. "I will gladly display it and sell it for them. This is a way for people to show other people what they do and what they could make. This is the way creativity starts."