Welcome To A Pleasant Shoppe, LLC
Meet Our Founder, Gretchen DesAutels
Gretchen has always said she has two great passions in life, animals and arts. When Gretchen began her career as a veterinary technician in 1995, she never imagined she would own her own company representing the very best artists in her area.
Working in the veterinary industry, Gretchen rose to the top of her career path. Specifically trained and certified in, animal critical care, ICU, surgery, dentistry, pain management and proper anesthesia protocol, Gretchen was well on her way to becoming a leader in her industry. Believing that women could and should strive for greatness in their chosen career paths, Gretchen worked up the ladder of success, achieving every goal she set for herself. In 2009 she had an article published on the importance of proper anesthesia induction, anesthesia maintenance and monitoring of compromised geriatric patients.
In 2014 Gretchen was diagnosed with several autoimmune diseases. Realizing her career as a veterinary technician was going to be cut short due to this diagnosis, she decided to focus on her second love, the arts.
For several years following her exit from the veterinary industry, Gretchen focused on being a working artist. Crocheting since the age of five, she worked on becoming a professional crocheter. After winning numerous awards, Gretchen started designing her own patterns and was even contacted by the buyer for Love Shack Fancy, who asked her to be a crocheter for their company, a challenge she was more than happy to accept.
Working as a “working artist” taught Gretchen one very valuable lesson, artists don’t have it easy. In the summer months they are setting up tents in 90 degree weather with 100% humidity. They have to worry about storms and pop up thundershowers and protecting their artwork. In the fall they freeze standing outside and in the winter they are crammed into small spaces, only able to show a fraction of what they make. And then there is the constant ‘ is this the best price you can give me.’
In 2020 Gretchen founded A Pleasant Shoppe LLC. Building her company on the belief that talented local artists deserve to be showcased properly, treated kindly, promoted well and above all, valued.
The process in which Gretchen determines who will become members of the community is based not just on the quality of artwork, which has to meet a high standard, but also on the personality of the artists. It is important for people to understand that not only are they purchasing artwork from the best local artists in the area, but the artists they are purchasing from are amazing individuals.
A Pleasant Shoppe is a place where the best artists from each medium come together under one roof. With a price range to fit everyone’s budget, it is a place where people can come with their families to shop for local art. When walking through the door for the first time, Gretchen wants people to be impressed by what they see, and then be impressed by their experience. There is a lot to take in when you visit either location, so please take your time and enjoy. It is after all Gretchen’s desire that everyone have a very pleasant experience when coming to A Pleasant Shoppe.