Craft & Create: Business owners creating inclusivity at new DIY spot in Solvang

SOLVANG, Calif. - Grace Hicks is making a claw clip at Craft & Create in Solvang.

"i’m gonna put my name on it. I was gonna do these letters, but then I saw these ones and they’re more ‘rainbowy’ hahaha," said Hicks.

Rainbowy, along with anything shiny and colorful is what kids are aiming for at the new walk-in studio in Solvang.

But owner Christi Belle didn’t want to open just any kind of business.

"Because there’s well it’s not a tasting room and it’s not a restaurant. it’s not a shop so really we really thought that solving was lacking activities like things for kids and adults to do when they’re not eating or drinking," said owner Belle of Craft & Create.

Belle not only wanted to make the craft studio a safe place for kids and adults, she’s hoping her business will inspire a sense of inclusivity in a community that has experienced turmoil in recent years.

"Honestly any time Solvang USA … like the visitor account or whatever … post anything about pride or anything like that … there’s so many hateful comments like nonstop, hateful comments so yeah … we need to do as much as we can to counteract that," said Belle.

“That makes me feel like this is a safe place for everybody including me and my sister," said Hicks.

Using tools and supplies provided by the business, customers are bringing their creative visions to life.

Belle says there are dozens of activities available from decorating sunglasses to hats.

“It’s nice to actually know that like we’re creating some safe spaces and there’s actually a lot of safe spaces around here that we can point to as well," said Belle

While Craft & Create has only been open for a couple of weeks, Belle is already seeing customers coming back for more.

Owners of a new craft studio just opened in Solvang with the hope to foster creativity in the community and more.

Craft & Create is a walk-in crafting studio where customers can choose from a variety of projects.

These projects includes decorating wooden and paper mache items, acrylic painting, and more.

Craft & Create is located at 446 Alisal Road.

It is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday.