What to expect during creative classes at the Studio in West Branch

I’m so excited you are thinking about joining us for a creative class in West Branch! Anytime I try something new, I get a little nervous and want more information to prepare. If you are like me, this post is to help give you additional details about what to expect!

All creative classes have an online registration, which will close at midnight before the event. This helps procure and prep the correct amount of supplies, and get the space set for the number of participants. The space in West Branch is intimate, we can fit up to 20 people during a creative class. When you register, you’ll get an automated email to confirm the spot(s) you registered for. If you register in advance, you’ll also receive a reminder email the day before the event. Due to the limited space in the studio, I ask that if you are attending the creative class you have purchased your own individual ticket and are an active participant.

The day of the class, we recommend you plan on coming about 5-10 minutes early so you can find parking and get settled in. There is free parking on the street in West Branch, you can park on Main Street, on Downey Street, or any of the side streets in the downtown area (just look at the signage on the street to ensure you can park). Our address is 109 N Downey, Suite 3 and Tura Lura Co. will pop up on Google maps. When you arrive, you can hang up your coats and bags, and find a spot to sit. Depending on the size of our class, I re-arrange the furniture to accommodate the group. We have people come solo, and others come in groups. I always have folks introduce themselves and we all wear nametags so we can socialize. If coming up with small talk is challenging for you, I will lead us through an icebreaker so we get more comfortable with each other (I’m a leadership educator at Iowa - so I love a good teambuilder). I do believe that creating together can foster connection, and I always look forward to the conversations that we will have.

You are welcome to bring in snacks and non alcoholic drinks to sip on during class if you’d like. If you need to purchase anything, I can help recommend a few local eateries and local places to grab things from. If you are looking to celebrate with a cocktail in West Branch, I recommend visiting Herb & Lous or the Down Under before or after class to toast!

The space in West Branch is a historic building, and does have a restroom for guests to use during the class. I do like to inform people that the restroom in this building is not ADA complaint, and the building entrance door can be challenging if you are using a mobility aid. If you require accommodations to participate in the class at the historic building in West Branch, I’d love to chat with you by email before class. Please reach out to me at erika@turaluraco.com.

Class will begin at the time listed - I do give it a few minutes if I notice folks are missing, because life and traffic happens. I will keep us in the flow of class so we finish on time, and like to encourage people to give themselves a few minutes of buffer time to say their goodbyes and take pictures. Folks are welcome to stay and talk some more, shop our retail area, and explore the downtown area. On sunny days, I like to walk two blocks over to the Hoover Historic Site to take in the park trails. Some of my favorite local boutiques are on Main Street West Branch, and I am happy to share those recommendations with you.

At this time, all Tura Lura Co. creative classes are lead by me! I love to see folks return and try another class, or come back and make their special candle formula again and again. Opening this space in West Branch has been a dream. This community is a gem, and I can’t wait to welcome you to a class here! If you still have questions as you think about signing up for a class at the studio in West Branch, please feel free to reach out to me.

The tenth Friday four of 2024

Happy Friday! Oh my goodness, what a week it’s been. I got to celebrate my birthday and Tura Lura’s birthday, and am feeling so much gratitude on this International Women’s Day! Here’s a few of the highlights from the week:

1. The West Branch Times published a really beautiful article of the story of Tura Lura Co. since we just opened in town. Thank you to Greg who took the time and care to talk with me! This story highlighted the story of the company name and the connection to the women who have shaped me and supported me. Growing this idea over the last two year has taken so much support, and I really appreciate how welcoming West Branch has been. I am looking forward to sharing more about the community, connections, and some of my favorite spots in town!

2. Melissa from Fabulous Iowa reached out and I was thrilled to share more about my journey with Tura Lura Co. This online article is focused a little more on me as a human, so if we don’t know each other yet - you can learn more about me here! Thanks Fabulous Iowa for cheering me on with Candle Pour Bar this summer and again as I open the studio.

3. This week I’ve been getting so many request for private parties! And my response is, let’s do it! I want to help you create the most wonderful gathering rooted in your community, connection, and of course the creativity of your choice. I compiled a page to answer some common questions if you are thinking you want to create a private event, you can find that resource page here. And I’m always happy to chat by email, so reach out and let’s talk if you want to create a private party.

4. And finally, Tura Lura Co. officially had it’s 2nd birthday this weekend!! I shared this last week, and wanted to share again - the birthday code CHEERS2U for $4 off your next creative class experience at the West Branch studio location. The class for this weekend is almost full, so I added another Candle Pour Bar on Wednesday, April 3 at 5:30pm in West Branch (on the night where all the businesses stay open late for food and shopping) so you can experience the fun in the cutest historic town (seriously, the Hallmark Channel should be alerted). But if you want to book a class, the code is only valid until today 3/8 at midnight. The code is not for past purchases/registrations and cannot be redeemed for cash. It’s simply to celebrate 2 years and hopefully to see you at another studio class soon!

Sending you love and light, and a very happy Friday!

Erika

So you want to host a Private Party!

I love to help people celebrate occasions, and this studio is the perfect spot to host a private gathering!

In spring 2024 you may choose from hosting a private party with Candle Pour Bar, Dried Floral Bar, or Reed Diffuser Bar. We can accommodate parties of 6-18 comfortably in the space. Parties are allowed to decorate for occasions, and bring in snacks or things to sip on. Private parties will have access to a washroom during the event. There are a few local bars we love to recommend for celebrating if you’d like to have drinks during your day out in West Branch, and there are many boutiques and eateries to enjoy. Feel free to reach out and let us know what you are thinking and how we can support your vision for creating an event in West Branch!

Events take approximately one to two hours, depending on the experience. Minimum requirement for private party is $250 and is broken down by cost per person, depending on the experience. We kindly ask that payment is due in full to secure the date and time for your private event. You will be given a private link (where separate transactions can occur) paid in full as a group within a week of receiving link.

Candle Pour Bar is our flagship experience and the workshop takes about two hours. During the first hour, we work as a large group to create our candles - with lots of social time. Each guest is invited to pick out their color jar, blend their own unique fragrance from a selection of over 30 scents, then they are supplied with the knowledge and equipment to create a 9oz candle. While candles are drying, guests typically mingle and have fun! Hosts may choose to bring in food, opt for team builder activities, celebrate an occasion with party games, or relax and chat. We can also coordinate with local boutiques to set up private shopping experiences, or coordinate with local eateries to cater food. Before bringing home their custom creation, guests will add their final touch. We supply a typewriter for guests to name their candle, everyone learns the art of trimming their wicks, and we end our time by taking group photos. Cost of Candle Pour Bar is $45/person including tax.

Dried Floral Bar is run as a workshop style experience. Events take approximately one hour. During the hour, we work as a large group to create arrangements - with lots of social time. We learn the basics of dried floral arrangement, and are supplied with the knowledge and tools to construct a showstopping piece. Dried florals are considered everlasting, meaning they are very durable and can be displayed for years with proper care. And when guests are done, just compost the florals to be sustainable with your decor. Cost of Dried Floral Bar varies on host’s selection, and begins at $24/person including tax. Please chat more with Erika about your budget range and what type of arrangement like you’d like to make.

Reed Diffuser Bar is a spin on Candle Pour Bar, where we construct a custom fragrance in a reed diffuser! Run in an hour long workshop, each guest gets to smell the fragrances and blends their unique custom scent. During the session you’ll learn more about the science of making a reed diffuser and how to care for your reed diffuser. Before bringing home their custom creation, guests will add their final touch with a typewriter to create a label. We end our time by taking group photos. Cost of Reed Diffuser Bar is $24/person including tax.

What did a client say about their recent experience?

We worked with Erika at Tura Lura Co. to organize a private social event for work colleagues. The communication and focus on detail from Erika as we finalized plans for our event was amazing. Erika worked with us on a date/time that fit our group and set up the private link for sign-ups and payment through her website. As the organizer of the event, all I had to do was share the details and the link with my colleagues, which made it so simple. Erika sent me weekly updates on sign-ups, etc. too! Our group LOVED the event. It was such a good way to get out of the office and do something fun together that also allowed for socializing and good conversation. Everyone is still raving about what a fun experience it was and about how much they love their candles. I cannot recommend a private event with Tura Lura Co. enough!

Some important details for you to consider:

• If you would like to start a conversation about a private party, please email erika@turaluraco.com letting me know what workshop you are interested in, estimated number of attendees, and preferred dates and times you’d like to host a private party. Any additional information you want to provide is great!

• At this time, Erika runs all the workshops at Tura Lura Co. If you’d like to combine and do a longer workshop with two of the workshops, we can definitely accommodate what you’d like to do! Let me know in your email your ideas how you want to make your event special.

• Due to the limited space in the studio, and the experiential nature of the workshops, we ask that each person attending the private party register for a spot and participate.

• At this time, we do not rent out the studio to outside workshops or rent out the studio just as a party room.

• You or guests may choose to cancel your registration for a private event, however we are unable to offer refunds.

• Accommodations are welcome, please email to discuss.

• Guests ages 8 - 15 are welcome to join and do require a paying adult per child to be present with them during all classes. Guests ages 16 -18 will require a parental waiver to be signed prior to attending class. We have all our guests read and sign a waiver prior to the workshop.