Love Stories: Forage Workshop — Asbury Park Bazaar

By Kate Devine

Love fills the air in the weeks leading up to Valentine's Day and our Valentine's Market!

Did you know that many of our shops and vendors work in pairs? Friends, siblings, and couples of all kinds make up much of our creative community. To celebrate romance, collaboration, and partnership we're posting these shops' love stories. When you see them at the Valentine's Market February 11th and 12th, be sure to say hello and peruse their selection of handmade goods!

Forage Workshop offers handcrafted decor made from natural and repurposed materials. We caught up with Amy DiPalma about her work, the personalized gifts she's most excited to offer at the Valentine's Market, and running a shop with her husband Lou.

When did you two meet and how did you get together?
Lou and I met while we were both working at a photography studio in HoHoKus. The first time I saw him I thought "what a cute guy!" We ended up working together and becoming good friends before realizing we were in love!

What was it like deciding to start your business together?
I decided to start Forage almost four years ago when I was laid off from my job, but I couldn't do it without Lou. We bounce ideas around, go on foraging hikes, and work in the wood shop together, not to mention all of the shows. We have a history of working well together. We have always been a great team.

What is your favorite part about working with your partner?
My favorite thing about working with Lou is that we are truly best friends. We have so much fun together that it really doesn't feel much like "work" at all.

What will you be offering at the Valentine's Market?
We are super excited to be back at the Valentine's Bazaar! We will have a whole new inventory of wood burned magnets, ornaments, jewelry, and a great selection of log and block air planters. We offer personalized romantic wood burnings of trees with a heart and your initials "carved" into it. You can order them on our Etsy site beforehand so they will be ready for you to pick up at the Valentine's Bazaar. Use code CANTBUYMELOVE at Etsy checkout to avoid shipping charges if you are attending. Orders must be placed buy February 8th in order to have them ready for you to pick up at the February 12th market.