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Tura Lura Co.
The 21st Friday four of 2024
Welcome in to the studio! This space is for all of us.
We are days away from June! The sun is shining, the plants are growing, so let’s get into the Friday Four! This is simply a weekly highlight from behind the scenes at Tura Lura Co.
Tura Lura Co. has officially been open 90 days in our little space! That’s three whole months! And I’ve learned so much. I posted on social media this week that one of the things I am grateful for is being able to test my assumptions in my own spot, then pivot when needed. One of those things I am so glad I tried was walk in hours. And with a grateful heart, I am cutting back those hours to make more space for the private parties. But have no fear, I’ll still be open as part of West Branch Wednesdays, and as part of all our West Branch events! You can always check the upcoming studio hours and events on the website!
The heart of what Tura Lura Co. does is hosting events and gatherings! The June schedule has a few opportunities to gather in community with others, and I’ve been planning some special parties for people! I am obsessed with the new sign in the space, that we can customize and change out to say things like “happy birthday” with your person’s name or even a favorite quote. Our creative classes aim to sparkle and delight your guests, and adding some more personalized details have been so wonderful. The July schedule releases next weekend and can’t wait to share more about the summer happenings :)
One of my growth areas is what you are reading today, sharing more about the business - and in essence myself. It’s really hard to get in front of a camera, to sit down to write weekly emails, to plan out what I want to put on social media, or say to a room when asked to speak on a topic. My hands shake. My heart races. These are a practice of resiliency. I know I’ll have some errors in what I say, or in my grammar. There is vulnerability. And there is always growth. This week I was fortunate enough to practice and share more about Tura Lura Co. through a guest blog conversation with my friend Jess. She’s a fellow mom, entrepreneur, and volunteers at the school where our kids go together. Plus her work is absolutely beautiful if you are looking for a family photographer!
This week I got to do a “refill presentation” with 1 Million Cups (1MC), an organization I was connected to for entrepreneurs. It was really fun to talk and connect with the organizers, learning more about what they are doing in the community. I get a lot of folks curious about starting their own business asking me where to begin, and I always point to our local community resources like 1MC to get started. No path is the same, but the folks with Greater Iowa City (and all the entrepreneurship programs) have been and continue to be, such a huge help for me.
That’s all for this Friday! I hope it’s a great one!
Erika
The 20th Friday four of 2024
Welcome in to the studio! This space is for all of us.
We hit the big two zero this week! The 20th Friday of the year…. Is 2024 going by way too fast for you too?
The Friday Four is a weekly highlight from behind the scenes at Tura Lura Co. Let’s get into it!
I am spending time today in the studio for two things! First, moving furniture. If you have talked to me about opening the space in West Branch, you know I made everything modular and moveable. Why? I move things a lot for the environment, no class or situation ever really looks the same. And after almost 90 days of the original set up, I needed to try a little different flow. If this is unusual to you, you can commeserate with my husband Matt and former work colleagues. I have been known to flip a room on a gut feeling to get better juju. It’s quirk I have, but often when this strikes I know that I need to follow the feeling. I can’t wait to show you!
The second thing I’ll be doing in the studio today before open hours is adding a very special addition to one of my walls. I have this spot that needed a little zhuzhing and am installing the most perfect sign. It’s like a marquee to announce whose party we are celebrating, or what quote is most inspiring for the season. I am super excited to use this for all the upcoming private parties, like the one I get to host this weekend!
My seedlings are doing well this week, I’ve actually managed to keep most alive! I did however off my planters outside the studio, we think a frost nipped them right after they got planted and they slowly withered away. But now that’s it’s mid-May, we can plant our hearts out! I’ve been sharing a secret with folks stopping by the studio at the dried flower bar. Since a majority of my flowers come from a Iowa flower farm that were harvested in the fall, I’ve been using some of the dropped seeds to germinate. So if you notice any seeds shedding (they are usually quite tiny) from your dried floral arrangement, go ahead and see if you can grow those cuties.
I am in full prep mode for Kick off to Summer in West Branch on June 7/8. I just picked up my canned mimosas for you try taste during the seltzer stroll! My 6 year old and I got a little summer fun craft activity ready (kid and adult friendly). And the studio will be open both days 11am to 6pm to make your own candle, reed diffuser, or dried florals. The June schedule is when we flip to summer hours, and I can’t wait for longer and relaxed Wednesday evenings creating downtown in Historic West Branch. It’ll be great!
That’s all for this Friday! Come visit me at the studio soon!
Sending you love and light,
Erika
The 19th Friday four of 2024
Welcome in to the studio! This space is for all of us.
The Friday Four is a weekly highlight from behind the scenes at Tura Lura Co. Let’s get into it!
On Wednesday evening this week, I got the chance to lead a Candle Pour Bar class with the Iowa City Downtown District! We had a full room, and lots of fun. I love helping people create purposeful events, and this one was absolutely fabulous. If you have been thinking about hosting a gathering, let’s chat soon!
The June studio schedule went live last week! The Green House event in Iowa City on June 2 is starting to get sign ups, and I am so excited to try a Friday night event at the studio in West Branch! Summer scents and more Iowa grown flowers are on my mind. And some special ideas for Kick off to Summer in West Branch on June 7/8… I am thinking of doing a little kid and adult friendly craft and a snack to get out of the summer heat and into the air conditioning for 15-20 minutes for our big event weekends. If you were to choose your favorite kind of popcorn for a snack, what would it be? Movie Theater Butter? Caramel? Wisconsin Cheddar? Something a little more wild? Can you do me a favor and reply back to let me know? I’m doing an informal poll to try and see what folks prefer.
We are heading into a weekend to celebrate all the mother’s, other mother’s, and mom like people in your life! Open hours this week are limited, just today, Friday 5/10 from noon to 4pm. If you are interested in visiting soon, please visit turaluraco.com/visit-us to see the schedule for walk in hours and all our upcoming studio classes.
This year I began to sow seeds, it was new and kind of scary to try a new hobby. But the seeds started to grow! Then I accidently neglected the seedlings when I got busy, and they were fried under grow lights. Fast forward, I tried again. They began to grow and transitioned them outside! And it was too early, they needed a bit more protection from the elements. So this week most of my plant babies are gone, again. I wanted to give up, and truth be told I almost gave up. But, I tend to learn best from my failures. So, the few that made it in the trays are going into the garden this weekend, and I will start another round in the trays. The difference is I am equipped with a little more information. It’s like anything, you gotta try, fail and learn friends. Keep your chin up and keep trying new things. After a few times, it’s not so new and not so scary.
That’s all for this Friday! Sending you love and light,
Erika