What began as a small crochet business in Valerie Stone’s home has grown into something much bigger for the Middle Keys. Stone created Hooked in the Keys, an arts and crafts store, gallery and classroom that’s quickly becoming a gathering place for local artists, students and curious beginners.
“My living room was practically overflowing with yarn and supplies, and I realized the demand was just too big to keep inside four walls,” Stone said. “Opening this storefront wasn’t just about getting my house back, though; it was about finally giving the Middle Keys a dedicated space where people can walk in and find exactly what they need to create.”
When Stone moved to the area 13 years ago, she felt a gap in the local market. Following the closing of Ben Franklin Island Crafts at the time, residents were left wondering where to find reliable supplies without making a massive trek. Driven by a rising local demand, Stone decided it was time to transition into a full-scale retail storefront.
Located centrally in Marathon, Hooked in the Keys is a true one‑stop shop. The retail side carries everything a creator needs, from student-grade Liquitex acrylics to Golden’s professional lines, covering oil, acrylic and watercolor media. The shop also features jewelry-making kits, children’s art supplies and a dedicated fiber arts section dubbed the “Yarn Barn.”
“We’re first and foremost an arts and crafts store where you can pick up all paint mediums, but we also wanted to make sure we put our local artists front and center,” Stone explained. “We sell local art on consignment, giving our neighborhood creators the time and space they need to sell their work. We only take local artists, of course, because we want to promote them and help them succeed right here at home.”
The rotating collection reflects the spirit of the Keys, ranging from traditional watercolors to macramé, marine‑themed fiber creatures, shell art, hand-painted tiles and unique basketry.
The heartbeat of the business, however, lies in its classroom space, which hosts 10 to 15 people. In a seamless twist, the very same local artists who display their work in the gallery step into the role of instructors. Newly approved by the fire department, the classroom is already rolling out weekly Friday “sip and paint” sessions starting at 4 p.m. For $60, attendees can paint wine glasses or create ocean wave designs on cutting boards.
“We have a couple of home-school groups that come in now, and we are really looking forward to getting the local school kids inspired by art down here,” Stone said. “It’s a wonderful way for people to learn directly from a professional artist while having a great time with their neighbors.”
While tourists are always welcome to drop in, Stone’s priority remains firmly rooted in making life easier for residents. She eventually plans to roll out a local delivery system so a painter who runs out of Mars black mid‑project won’t have to drive to Key West.
“We want to make it easier for locals, and genuinely be the foundation for inspiration here,” Stone said. “If you get stuck in the middle of a project, the goal is that you can just call us up and we’ll deliver whatever canvas or paint you need directly to you.”
For local artists, students and anyone who has ever struggled to find a decent paintbrush in the area, that foundation just got a little stronger.
Whether a guest is an experienced collector looking for an original statement piece, a local hobbyist looking to learn a new technique, or a family celebrating a milestone birthday, Hooked in the Keys is quickly embedding itself in the local arts scene. By keeping dollars in the pockets of regional creators and putting paintbrushes and fiber arts into the hands of neighbors, Stone is proving that art is at its best when it is shared, shaped and celebrated together as a community.
Visit Hooked in the Keys at 9585 Overseas Highway in Marathon, call 305-989-5451 or visit shop.hookedinthekeysllc.com.
Photos by JEN ALEXANDER/Keys Weekly
