Boston - February 01, 2006

The Craft

Dedham Women’s Exchange

You’ve never been the bootie-knitting type. In fact, the last hat you tried to crochet came out looking like a bird feeder.

But neither are you one for giving mass-made, dime-a-dozen gifts.

The happy medium? It’s at The Dedham Women’s Exchange, a little-known, 92-year-old gem peddling goods and home-cooked foods from independent local and international artists.

Think gifts perfect for housewarmings (color-saturated, hand-woven rugs by Dedham’s Anne Robb; one-of-a-kind wood carvings of quirky animals made by a craftster in Oaxaca), birthdays (painted ceramic Kazuri necklaces polished to a high shine), and baby showers (hand-knit owl sweaters and old-fashioned smocked dresses).

And then there’s the feel-good bonus: The nonprofit store is run by an all-volunteer staff, and proceeds benefit local college scholarships, summer camps, programs for the developmentally disabled, and youth arts and crafts classes.

The last of which should significantly cut down the number of bird feeder hats produced by future generations.

Dedham Women’s Exchange, 445 Washington Street, Dedham (781-326-0627).