Since April 2024, Christina Cutright has run The Urban Artisan Studio on Hanover Street. Cutright started her business in 2009 selling candles at craft shows, then expanded to an online shop with a wider selection of items. Originally, her business model focused on Christmas candles, and customers enjoyed them so much that Cutright started vending at craft shows and added soaps made out of all natural ingredients. When Cutright and her husband, Larry, opened the brick and mortar store, their business evolved, adding lotions, lip balms and crystals to their stock. This product expansion builds on the original craft show model of unique items for creative people.
The duo is passionate about providing high quality materials with high quality artistic influence. Larry says “everything that is created here is created with love and care. We attempt to do something with lower prices than our competitors, and we are trying to help artists that are here. They get a very good deal with us as well.”
A word that would summarize Cutright’s values is “positivity,” as this is what she attempts to create at her store. Positivity thrives in this colorful place with beautiful, high quality products arranged with love and care.
Neverthless, running a buisness is challenging, whether it’s setting competitive prices or separating personal time and work time. Even so, Cutright explains that the store is mostly a source of good and memorable experiences, exclaiming that “We could be here 24/7.” Cutright said she mostly has great interactions with customers, since people that come to their store are nice. Cutright says, “It’s overall positive.”
Cutright and her husband also organize candle making parties, which they particularly enjoy seeing their customers’ reactions to their creations. Among these moments, a party they organized for younger kids stands out as something particularly special. One of the little girls started dancing, proud of her creation. With Taylor Swift blasting, all of the other kids jumped up to dance too . Cutright said “the parties tend to be very positive, and we try to teach people while they are creating something and let them know what the process is itself.”
Combining positivity and quality, The Urban Artisan Studio at 101 N Hanover Street, is run with passion and love, and is delighted to meet and welcome new customers.
