Welcome to elderberry design; a collection of work by crafts designer Jim Williams that features textile arts for the home and family. Each technique, with a strong history in American country crafts is brought lovingly into the 21st century with a fresh eye and sensibility, whether it be needlepoint, patchwork, sewing or simple woven and crocheted rugs.

Jim Williams grew up in upstate New York near Syracuse, where he attended Syracuse University and studied art. While teaching high school art he began doing freelance crafts design for magazines. Soon he was invited to join the staff of Meredith Corporation in Des Moines, Iowa, where he designed and edited in books, then for 100’s of Needlework Ideas, Holiday Crafts, Christmas Ideas and finally as crafts editor for their flagship publication Better Homes & Gardens with a circulation of over 8 million. There he oversaw all crafts, Christmas and tabletop editorial story production, photo shoots and styling.

After moving to New York City to become a creative director for a small lifestyle magazine, Jim revisited his freelance design work for various publications.

Arnie Miller grew up in upstate New York as well, near Troy and the rural Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts. After years of commercial managerial work, he brings to Elderberry an extensive business background, including catering and event coordination for the state of New York. In fact, he participated in the arrangements for the wedding of Governor Cuomo’s daughter.

In addition to event planning and production, Arnie is responsible for much of the look of the Elderberry compound, from the renovation of the house and shop to building the floral cottage, white dove aviary, decks and woodland board walks and designing the gardens. His eye, too, is evident in his photographs and his attention to detail.

Seven years ago Jim moved to Woodstock, NY from New York City where he opened Elderberry Studio as a showcase for his original crafts designs, antiques, accessories. In 2002, with his partner Arnie, Jim moved the shop to a quaint chalet style log and stone cabin on the outskirts of the village. After a loving renovation into shop and home, it now boasts an appealing coziness and warm country atmosphere where original patchwork, home accessories, apparel, needlepoint and crochet, fabric collage, photography, and now, floral design fill the space.

Elderberry has been featured nationally in Country Home and Cottage Style magazines, as well as in several local publications, and the flower gardens they’ve created were recently featured on the annual Woodstock Garden Tour.

Media
Country Home magazine March, 2004
Cottage Style magazine 2006

Hudson Valley Inside Out magazine May/June 2006

Hudson Valley Home Autumn 2007