Meet the Founder

A look into the story of Erin McFarland and the WHY behind Cozy Mercantile Co.

Welcome to my little corner of the internet! My name is Erin and I’m the shop-owner behind Cozy Merc., creating art and curating products that are handcrafted, USA-Made and sometimes a little vintage.

Hosting at our house

The initial goal for Cozy Merc. was to create a space where I could share my art. But when my husband and I purchased our first home in 2021, it grew into something more. A place that I wanted to feel collected, unique and cozy. I love all things cozy; big blankets, soft yellow lamp lights, good smelling candles, fresh flowers, great playlists, wood burning fire. The list goes on. But I also love quirky, unique things and history. Things that tell a story, things that make you wonder where they came from. Things you can pass down. I also love to travel (more on my goals there at a later date!) And thus Cozy Mercantile Co. was born. I chose to have mercantile in the name because I didn't want to be pigeon-held to just selling my art. The ultimate goal is to be a shop where other artists and craftsmen can have a space to show their amazing work. A place where people can buy goods of all kinds for their homes and lives and support local craftsmen and businesses in the process. To me, art makes the world a better place. It's kinda like dessert, which brings no real nutritional value but it brings joy. Same with art, wares, and goods. They aren't always a necessity but they make life sweeter.

Our first wedding anniversary trip to Georgia, May 2022

About Me: I grew up in small town (my 8th grade class had 8 kids!) in NJ in a home from the 1800's filled with unique objects that told stories and held memories. I've always loved color. My room growing up had purple carpet and I painted my teenage room lime green. Thankfully I moved onto to better colors. I went on to get a degree in Visual Arts and actually got into Mason Gross, the art school at Rutgers. Ultimately, I decided on a different path; thinking art was a silly profession. How little I knew at 18. I eventually moved to the next state over and got a job teaching and managing local fitness studios. But when an expected surgery last year required six weeks of recovery at home, I dove into Cozy Mercantile, craving that coziness and warmth in my healing. 

My husband and I got married in the spring of 2021 and have been slowly doing cosmetic upgrades to our 1980 Colonial that we bought in Lehigh Valley, PA, which also fueled the start of this little shop. It's been such a fun adventure making our house a home, a place that feels like us. Not what we see on social media. BUT my dream home is an old craftsman style with a deep front porch.

Ultimately, I hope that Cozy Mercantile is a space where you can treasure hunt (one of my favorite past times), and find things you love and that are unique to you. A place where maybe you find something a little nostalgic. Not a place to judge or compare each others spaces and lives but to celebrate. Let's start romanticizing our homes exactly as they are in whatever season of life we're in!