By Marshel Couso
Welcome to our weekly feature dedicated to covering Susanville and Lassen County’s business scene! Grand openings, new employees, renovations, new hours… each week we’ll keep you up to date with important information about the businesses you rely on.
Katie Cuypers Interiors
There is a new business in town specializing in residential design, and offering everything from paint color selection to home interior project management.
Katie Cuypers Interiors has a range of services for the home owner; finishes, fixture and furniture selection, room refreshes with new decor, paint color and furniture placement all the way up to full home remodeling.
“I have a long list of options to fit any budget,” explains Cuypers, “and if there’s something not listed, you can contact me and I can see what I can offer.”
“My focus is residential design,” said Cuypers, who offers services to Lassen and Plumas counties, “I also offer E-design services for people outside of our area or who want to do the work on their own.”
Cuypers will also do home styling and staging for people selling their homes.
“I graduated from the Interior Design Institute and have certificates in home staging and SketchUp for Interior Designers. I am excited to start my business in Susanville and can’t wait to help people design their perfect space.”
Cuypers and her husband have lived in Susanville for the last 23 years.
“I volunteer at the Lassen County Animal Shelter in my free time with three other amazing volunteers. I love the lakes and the forests around this area. My husband and I love kayaking, camping and just being outdoors.”
She says that, with three dogs, she understands how pets play into a home design.
You can visit Katie Cuypers Interiors online, email [email protected]
or call 1.530.715.5324.
Jen Wood and Wonder Art
There is a new business in town bringing creativity to our community’s youngest artists. Wonder Art is sparking creativity, offering kids ages 3 to 10 an exciting way to explore their imaginations through a variety of engaging art activities.
Founded by local mom and former teacher Jen Wood, Wonder Art aims to make high-quality, hands-on art experiences accessible to children here in our rural community.
With monthly themed kits and a big plan for workshops, Wonder Art is all about bringing joy and creativity to children’s lives while helping parents and educators provide enriching activities for young minds.
Jen, a mother of three and a rancher’s wife, has drawn from her years of experience as both a teacher and mom to bring this dream to life.
“I am excited to share my dream with our community, and I can’t wait to see where it goes!”
Passionate about building a welcoming creative outlet for local children, Jen has big plans for Wonder Art, envisioning future expansion into more services and possibly a permanent art studio. Her vision is to build a space where kids feel free to express themselves artistically, while parents can feel confident they’re fostering a love of creativity and learning in their children.
Currently, Wonder Art offers themed art kits that can be purchased individually or as part of future subscription plans. The art kits – priced at just $20 – are carefully designed to make creativity easy and fun.
To stay connected with Wonder Art or learn about upcoming workshops and product launches, follow them on Instagram, visit their Facebook page, or look for their flyers around town and at community craft fairs.
With Wonder Art, Jen is not just offering art classes but fostering a community of young creatives and future artists.
Gemstone Genie
Looking for some beautiful wire-wrapped jewelry? Meet Kelly Harlow, the owner and artisan behind Gemstone Genie in Susanville. Harlow turned tragedy into inspiration, finding a passion for her new craft.
Here is her story:
“My journey with wire-wrapped gemstone jewelry started about three years ago with the onset of two tragedies. My brother and sister-in-law died within a year of one another and left our family completely grief stricken.”
Harlow explained that part of the nightmare involved the family getting together
to clean out their Long Beach apartment.
“It was more than heart wrenching going through all the things that had once been their life.
One of the things Harlow inherited was some jewelry making materials. Her sister-in-law had liked to wire wrap rings on the beach and had a small ‘hustle’ selling them.
“I always thought it was cool, but never gave it a second thought until I decided to watch some jewelry making videos and try my hand at it. It wasn’t too long after that, that things just ‘clicked into place’ and now I couldn’t be more passionate about creating beautiful, everyday jewelry, at affordable prices.”
“I especially love turning those special stones and crystals that people keep into one-of-a-kind pieces that exponentially bolster whatever sentiment is attached to it. Crazy as it might sound, I have totally felt my sister-in-law’s guiding presence from the Great Beyond. It’s as if she’s been assisting me in a multitude of ‘Oh so subtle’ spiritual ways.”
Now, Harlow says, she is crazy for crystals, with a focused desire to transform them into amazing eye-catching dazzlers that can’t be missed.
Here in town she has jewelry for sale at Hair Hunters, Back Country Boutique and at Lilith’s Place.
“I also set up my booth at local craft and artisan shows throughout the year where I have my latest creations available to purchase as well and I will advertise through my social media accounts when and where they will be.”
“Please feel free to contact me if you have a special crystal, shell, rock or any item that you’d like me to turn into a wearable piece or if you want to create something special for someone and want a truly one-of-a-kind gift.”
Harlow has lived in the Susanville area for seventeen years and has raised three boys here.
Is something noteworthy happening with your business? Let us know about it! Each Thursday morning, we present a round-up of interesting news from the Lassen County business scene and we want to hear from you. E-mail your business news to Marshel at [email protected].
