When paper scraps, fabric swatches, and baskets of reeds began spilling into every corner of their Westminster home, Jack and Joyce Parker knew something had to give. After more than 53 years of marriage, they decided on a solution that would keep Joyce’s creativity thriving without overtaking their home.  

“Jack looked at me and said, ‘This has got to go.’” Joyce recalls. “And I told him, ‘Then you’ve got to find someplace for me to put it.’”  

That simple challenge led to a big idea: Jack built Joyce her very own she shed. He started with a simple building and added insulation, heating, air conditioning, and clever storage, turning it into a true crafting haven. But as Joyce soon discovered, a space designed for creativity outside the home needed something else – connection.   

A Crafting Space Made Complete  

Since retiring in 2007, Joyce has filled her days – and her she shed – with quilting, paper crafting, embroidery, and basket weaving. The space is alive with color and texture, from delicate Nantucket baskets woven with reeds to embroidery designs stitched on her sewing machines.  

One of those machines, however, has a modern twist: it requires WiFi to download patterns. At first, Joyce tried connecting to the internet signal from her house, but it wasn’t quite strong enough to reach her building. Downloads lagged, and her shed didn’t feel as functional as she hoped.  

That changed after she attended one of Upcountry Fiber’s educational classes. There, Joyce asked about her service issues, and a technician quickly spotted the solution – an outdoor extender to strengthen her connection. Within days, it was installed, and her she shed was transformed.  

“Upcountry Fiber has been a blessing for us because we are in the middle of nowhere,” Joyce says. “I never have any interruptions or hiccups when I’m working here.” 

With reliable fiber internet, Joyce’s shed became more than a cozy retreat. It’s now a fully equipped creative studio – where timeless handcrafts meet modern technology, and inspiration is always within reach.  

A Shared Journey, Powered by Connection  

For Jack and Joyce, the she shed represents more than just extra space. It’s a symbol of their partnership, their passions, and the future they continue to build together.  

“We joke and tell people, if you’re getting married and you’re going to build a shop, build the shop first,” Joyce says with a laugh. “You’ve got to plan for the future, but also enjoy the journey.”  

With the support of her husband – and the reliability of Upcountry Fiber – Joyce’s she shed has become more than just a room for crafts; it’s a place where imagination thrives because connection makes it possible.