"Spark Craft" is catching on: Creative workshops provide relief from the grind
by Stephanie Horton

Spark Craft Studios in Davis Square is the place for women who are suckers for style and crazy about crafting.
   The studio at 50 Grove Street began as a business plan project at the MBA program at Boston University, and became a business about one year later, this past January.
   Jan Stephenson, who co-founded Spark Craft Studios with Amy Appleyard, said that Spark Craft Studios is an inspirational place where people can feel comfortable and try to infuse style into crafting.
   Appleyard, who is hooked on bead crochet, said that many students at Spark Craft Studios "get hooked on a technique."  The studio is a place for women to relax and unleash their creativity through crafting stylish and unique items.  The studio offers retail, classes and workshops in everything from beadweaving to photo mosaics to flower arranging, making seaglass jewelry, wine tasting and slouchy beach bag sewing.
   The studio allows professional women who work long days to exercise the creative part of their minds.  Stephenson said that these women can go to Spark Craft Studios and "unplug from the computer for a few hours."  The bright atmosphere, with bold colored walls and decorative furniture, serves as an inspirational setting for those who care to craft. 
   Kate Casolaro, a Spark Craft Studios instructor and creativity consultant, teaches a very popular class called "Crocheting with Wire."  Casolaro went to Spark Craft Studios' grand opening on Jan. 22 during a blizzard.  That week, she was asked to work there and has since been an important part of Spark Craft Studios.  "Spark Craft Studios has definitely become an indispensable part of my life," said Casolaro.  "There aren't a whole lot of places like this where you can be creative and constructive and produce something, and also be able to share in a social setting."
  In only six months of being in business, Spark Craft Studios has already developed a strong reputation, and as Casolaro puts it, "a lot of people claim that they are craft-aholics."  But Appleyard and Stephenson do not plan to stop now.  "Growth has always been an interest to us," said Appleyard.  They want to expand in large cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco."

For more information on how to get involved with Spark Craft Studios in Davis Square, visit the Web site at www.sparkcrafts.com.