WELLS — To say one Wells business had a humble beginning might be an understatement. The building space rented for her crafting venture was paid for with all owner Kristi Feist had left.

“I started the shop after being on unemployment, during the recession and I got the key for the door literally with my last unemployment check,” Feist said. “That was all the money I had to go on.”

She didn’t do it alone though, Feist and her business, The Humble Heart, have been able to grow over the last seven years thanks to her 20-plus years of crafting experience, loyal customers and a large number of crafters who allow her to sell their products in her store on a consignment basis.

“It’s blossomed from that because I have amazing crafters and artisans who make the products I’m lucky enough to sell,” Feist said.

Feist has 45 local vendors all within a 50-mile radius of Wells, who provide her with the merchandise for her store. This is in addition to her own work, which includes crafting soy candles, creating flower arrangements, making alterations and providing long-arm quilting services.

The Humble Heart carries a variety of home decor items, quilting supplies and sewing and embroidery products, including material. The store also carries Herbal Beauty products, formerly known as Naked Beauty, clothes made for 18-inch dolls including American Dolls, homemade cards and personalized memory plates, among many other items.

“I tell people if there’s something you need or something you are looking for and you can’t find it, just ask,” Feist said. “If I can’t make it, I probably know someone who can.”

In honor of the business’ seven-year anniversary, Feist will offer many specials, especially during Wells’ annual Wells Does It Bright celebration, which takes place later this month. She’s started a reward program for those who utilize her quilting services. Customers who bring in six quilts to be worked on will receive their seventh for free. The value of this service could be as high as $300. The amount of the reward on the seventh quilt will be dependent on the average cost of the quilting services rendered on the customer’s first six quilts.

The promotion is one way Feist has found to thank the customers who have supported her venture, which has been a dream come true for her.

The Humble Heart is at 14 S. Broadway in Wells. The business is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.