MARSHALL RETAILERS OFFER SPRING BREAK ACTIVITIES

Marshall, Michigan  (March 26, 2018) For the fifth straight year, several Marshall retailers will be offering kids creative activities around town during the spring break week.  The activities will run Tuesday, April 3, Wednesday, April 4, and Thursday, April 5, from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. each day.  “We started these activities to give kids something fun to do locally during the break.  We wanted to keep it inexpensive, so families with multiple kids could afford to do projects at all the stores.  The first year, we put together the event very quickly the week before break.  It was such a hit, we have continued it every year since,” shared event co-founder Caryn Drenth, owner of Handle and Hinge.

This year, there are five stores offering various activities.  Handle and Hinge, located at 148 West Michigan Avenue in downtown Marshall, has two options.  Kids can paint a board, add hanging hardware and add two hooks in their choice of colors – silver, gold or dark brown – for just $3.00.  They can also create a necklace or keychain using alcohol inks on washers for $3.00.  “The alcohol inks create a watercolor effect that is very fun to experiment with.  We have offered activities in the past with the inks, such as our tie-dye knobs, and adults and kids alike have ended up doing more than one because it is rather addicting!” commented Drenth.

The Green Scene of Marshall, located at 142 West Michigan Avenue in downtown Marshall, also has two options.  The first is the opportunity to repurpose magazines into unique, colorful magazine beads to put on a bracelet for $2.00.  Kids also have the option to paint several rocks for the very popular “Marshall Rocks” community project for $2.00.  Gretchen Peters, a staff member at OERTHER’S, started this community project where individuals paint rocks and hide them around town.  When a rock is found, its finder has the option to re-hide the rock in Marshall or another community and is encouraged to post pictures of it on the “Marshall Rocks” Facebook page.  “Be a part of the Marshall Rocks craze by painting rocks with us.  You never know how far they will go.  We saw some in Germany!” remarked Claudia Murch, owner of The Green Scene.

Also participating for the fifth straight year is paper and i, located at 102 East Michigan Avenue in downtown Marshall, with three fun projects.  “We are excited to have three projects this year,” shared Audrey Hoffman, owner of paper and i.  Participants can decorate a flowerpot and fill it with colorful paper flowers for $2.50.  Another project is a cheerful, candy filled bonnet for $3.00.  Lastly, geared toward the youngest of the participants, there is a cute bumblebee paper craft for $2.00.  “paper and i is all about creating beautiful, paper-based crafts and carries so many unique lines!  They always come up with cute projects for this event,” observed Drenth.

Another founding member of the event is OERTHER’S, located at 311 West Spruce Street in Marshall, and kids will have three different projects to choose from at this favorite stop.  First, participants can put together a bird nesting kit. “Spring is a time when birds are building their nests and this kit contains all the fluffy stuff to help our furry friends get started.  Kids will be able to see nests around the yard filled with material they shared with the birds,” stated Kathleen Oerther, owner of OERTHER’S.  The second option at OERTHER’S is a fairy-style house decorated with birdseed to give birds a little springtime snack.  The third option is a terrarium plant with a seed or two to start off for the summer.  Each project is $3.00

EastEnd Studio and Gallery, located at 143 West Michigan Avenue in downtown Marshall, has also been a five-time participant.  EastEnd has a flower theme for all their projects this year.  The first project option is flower prints.  “We are going to be printing and making art with real flowers from our friends at Rose’ Florist and Wine, which I think the participants are really going to enjoy,” shared Kat Whaley, co-manager of EastEnd Studio and Gallery.  The second option is “splatter paint flowers” which leaves beautiful decorative dots on the paper flower craft.  In addition, participants can make cut paper bouquets in an array of colors which will be a beautiful addition to any vase.  These projects are $2.00 each.

“The Marshall Retailers’ Spring Break Crafts event is a good way to see Marshall and have a fun day outside the house,” commented Hoffman.  The crafts are offered during spring break with kids in mind, but adults are welcome to participate as well!