By Lisa Carolin
The economic effects of Covid 19 are being felt hard by businesses in Chelsea. Chelsea Update is talking to individual business owners in the area to see how they are coping. How can we help your business or non-profit with a story? Please email [email protected] and let us know. We’re here to assist you.
This month, Laura Scriven is celebrating the one-year anniversary of her store Culture Creations, located at 105 S. Main St. Although it’s been a difficult year because of the pandemic, Scriven says Culture Creations got off to a good start.
“I had a wonderful reception from local business owners and the public,” said Scriven. “I was able to go on a buying trip in late January and early February to Ecuador and brought back some amazing items.”
Culture Creations sells crafts from all over the world, many in the form of puzzles, wooden games, and stingray wallets. Scriven enjoys finding items to sell that reflect the culture they come from and wants to support artists and craftspeople from around the world.
She closed the store from March 15 until June 12, and now limits the number of hours the store is open.
“While closed, with the help of #shopchelseamich, we had four virtual shopping events with a very positive reception,” said Scriven. “Upon the response from the online community, a few of us created ChelseaMichLive through Facebook with the goal of bringing live content from local businesses, organizations, and groups. We have several businesses each Wednesday starting at 7 p.m. that go live to give information about their store, and now have over 500 followers.”
Beginning Aug. 8 and running the whole month of August, Scriven is inviting parents to bring their children to Culture Creations to get a free balancing dragonfly, while supplies last. She says the handmade creatures, which include dragonflies, butterflies, and birds, are made in Vietnam and are her top seller.
“The children are invited to paint their dragonfly with supplied materials,” said Scriven. “I will carefully number each dragonfly and record contact information and then the dragonflies will be hung in my window for the remainder of the month so the whole town can enjoy their handiwork.”
Scriven will use plenty of hand sanitizer from Ugly Dog Distillery as well as Clorox wipes to wipe down markers between uses and to space out children.
She encourages anyone who wants to learn the origin of the dragonfly village to watch this short video from Vietnam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLR97YFvewc
Since Aug. 14 was Culture Creations official opening day, the store will be offering sales, activities, and specials for the weekend of Aug. 14, 15, and 16.
How do we make an appointment for our children to come in and make their dragonfly? I think this sounds like a lovely idea!
Hi Kelly,
As of right now, I’m not taking appointments, just come on in! I’m planning on having the ability to have people sign up in front of the store if it becomes necessary. Stop in and hopefully you will be able to walk right in!
Very ingenious Laura. You are a very talented Niece, if I do say so! Love Aunt Pat
Thank you, Aunt Pat.