Cooper Crafts started as a small ceramic shop in 1973 under the ownership of Edward L. and Sandra M. Westfall. They poured most of their own green-ware for the shop and held painting classes during the week. They started pouring green-ware for other shops, also selling flowerpots to floral shops and other ceramic pieces for gift shops. Cooper Crafts quickly grew into a wholesale outlet for the eastern half of North Dakota.

During the Bicentennial of the United States in 1976 they started decorating plates with the names of the towns printed in gold on the front. They received many requests to do custom designed plates for the anniversaries of churches and towns. The orders grew in number as people talked about their work and by word of mouth they grew to the point where they discontinued all ceramic operations and devoted all their time to decorating plates, bells, mugs, and ashtrays.

The decorating they do is all custom designed. The artwork is drawn by local artists and the screen-printing is done by Mr. Westfall. The design is printed in china paints and then fired to over 1300 degrees Fahrenheit to make the work permanent.

The business is located in the brick Syverson Block building at Tenth Street and Burrell Avenue.

Sandra is the daughter of Dr. R.A. Allen, and the granddaughter of the late I.D. Allen, who had a jewelry store here for many years.

Source: Cooperstown, North Dakota 1882-1982 Centennial Page 208