ASHLAND, Maine — Local artist Lindsey Cyr could not pass up an opportunity to open an arts and crafts store in her hometown when rental space on Main Street became available.
LC Small Town Creations opened on Nov. 8 at 31A Main Street, providing area crafters and artists a local craft shop for their hobbies without having to travel 30 minutes to Presque Isle.
“I have wanted to open an art supply store since high school, it is something I have always wanted to do,” Cyr said.
Cyr originally planned to open her store in Presque Isle but couldn’t afford the rent. The location on Main St. is where her mother used to own a business called Jeanne’s Ceramic Shop. Cyr painted her first ceramic at her mother’s shop and developed a love for crafts. Cyr said she plans on changing the store’s name to The Craft Box 207.
The shop has a variety of arts and crafts supplies such as canvases, paints, and diamond artwork. Cyr started out with a limited inventory and has been updating the store based on what the community in Ashland has requested, including assorted drawing and craft kits for both kids and adults. Some of the craft kits include rock painting, resin art, and ceramics.
“I wanted to bring in something that was a little more variety [in arts and crafts] from cheap stuff to more high priced stuff, so that way it reaches a lot [of] different people,” Cyr said.
Eight local artists have their artwork available for sale in LC Small Town Creations that Cyr will rotate out monthly. Some of the artists featured in Cyr’s store are Tammy O’Clair, who makes handmade toy trucks and gnomes, and Susan White, who makes sea glass jewelry.
Local artists can sell their original works through LC Small Town Creations with the craft shop keeping 20 percent of the sale, Cyr said.
The shop hosts crafting events like Ceramic Saturdays and offers an open door studio for artists to rent for an hour. There is also bi-weekly knitting and crocheting. The crochet class is taught by Ashland resident Heidi Campbell.
Cyr plans on adding other art events like painting mosaic jars that can be turned into lights or storage containers.
Some local businesses have been chipping in to help Cyr, including the IGA and Exxonmobil service center which have donated shelves for the shop.
