Newly opened MI Creator’s Cove at Birchwood Mall to add art classes & hands-on activities

Marlo Ellis, owner of MI Creator’s Cove at Birchwood Mall in Fort Gratiot says she spent her spare time during college making dreamcatchers. After a divorce and becoming a stay-at-home mom 10 years ago, she returned to that hobby as a means of self-care, and after producing a collection of over 100 dreamcatchers, friends encouraged her to enter them into craft stores and art fairs, which proved successful.

Ellis secured a space in Birchwood Mall and the soft opening of MI Creator’s Cove took place on October 1, 2024.

“The timing of this is so good. I’ll be an empty nester soon, and this is good for me to pour myself into” Ellis says. She believes MI Creator’s Cove is more than a place to create and sell art, but also a way to support her local community, allowing artists to sell their crafts at a reasonable price.
Pumpkin painted by Marlo Ellis, hat created by artist Gal Lee Olson.
The store currently showcases 18 artists, the majority of whom are St. Clair County residents with talent including authors, candles, jewelry, crocheted art, and award-winning photographers. There are Michigan-specific pieces made from Petoskey stones, driftwood, beach glass, and a custom purse maker. On-demand T-shirts and hoodies are available with 3D printing artists, and customers can design custom puzzles, coffee mugs, coasters, and more. Ellis has a goal of adding 30 more artists to her store.

An open classroom setting seating 20 is available for artists to teach a variety of classes including diamond and canvas art. A once-monthly Cricut club holds free classes from 6:30-8 pm on the first Thursday of each month.

“With most people shopping online these days, we want the mall to have fun activities to make coming to the mall more than just a shopping experience, and Birchwood Mall is doing a good job at this,” Ellis says. Customers can also stop in to make jewelry or t-shirts, with coloring books and crayons to entertain the children.
 
The store’s grand opening is on Saturday, November 16 at 1 pm. All items will be 10% off. Light hors d'oeuvres will be served, and the artists behind each creative art piece will be in the store from 1-3 pm. In addition, Birchwood Mall will be providing free carousel rides at that time.

Find MI Creator’s Cove on Facebook to learn more.