VENTURA, Calif. — In the heart of downtown Ventura, the Seniors Craft Shoppe is more than just a retail space—it’s a creative hub where older adults turn passion into purpose.
Inside the shop, local seniors display and sell a wide range of handcrafted goods, from paintings and home décor to jewelry and knitted items. Each piece reflects not only skill, but years of experience and personal expression.
For Oxnard resident Tina Gomez, crafting has become a calming daily ritual.
“My passion right now is diamond art—it’s very calming and relaxing,” Gomez said. “In the evening after dinner, after everything is done, I sit in my craft room and I make beautiful cards.”
The shop brings together artists like Barbara “Bobbie” Hellard, an 87-year-old from Port Hueneme who has been sewing since her school days.
“They taught hand sewing in sixth grade, and machine sewing in seventh grade,” Hellard said. “So I think I’ve been doing it since then.”
Hellard says crafting keeps her both mentally and physically active.
“Instead of just sitting down watching TV all by myself all day, I can create whatever I feel like creating,” she said.
The nonprofit shop allows seniors to earn money from their creations, while taking only a small percentage of sales to cover operational costs. The entire model is sustained through volunteer efforts, with participants working a few shifts each month.
“That’s what keeps me busy and active,” Hellard said. “So three or four times a month, not a week, but a month, I work in the shop.”
While tradition plays a central role, many seniors are also embracing modern tools and technology.
Some are experimenting with artificial intelligence and 3D printing to expand their creative possibilities.
Camarillo artist David Bloxberg uses AI to produce intricate artwork inspired by Ventura County landscapes.
“This one was a 1,400-word prompt that detailed everything from style to brushwork to coloring,” Bloxberg said. “Then I divide it up into 20 cells across and 30 cells down, and describe exactly what’s in my mind’s eye.”
Others, like Shannon Evans of Oxnard, are diving into 3D printing.
“I have to do a slicing program so the 3D printer knows how to print the frog,” Evans said.
After purchasing a printer, Evans taught herself how to use it—and now sells her creations at the shop.
“It’s really fun to be able to sell something that you’ve actually made,” she said.
Open seven days a week, the Seniors Craft Shoppe continues to welcome new members from across Ventura County—proving creativity doesn’t have an age limit.
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