The Big Picture, An Arts & Crafts Store, To Open July 13 In Riverside

GREENWICH, CT — More kindness and creativity are coming to Riverside.

The Big Picture, an arts and crafts store, is opening its doors at 1162 E. Putnam Ave. on July 13.

The store will be located next to CFCF Coffee, and will be open this summer Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with extended hours and days during the school year.

Owner and Riverside resident Kristen Addeo said she's excited to finally open the business — something she first thought about undertaking 10 years ago.

"I'm from Riverside and I'm doing this in Riverside, and I think that's so meaningful to me," Addeo said. "Being able to try and create a place that kids can learn and adults can learn to be kinder and focus on kind acts is really important to me. I think in this world right now that we're living in, kindness goes a long way and the world needs more of it. I just want to do my part in spreading that here, and hopefully it creates ripples."

The Big Picture will offer unique and creative gifts, art kits, and pieces of art and design from local moms to artists all the way across the world.

Children and adults will also have the option to design their own craft kits, jewelry, cloth items, and do-it-yourself craft projects at crafting tables in the store.

Currently there is the Cloth Bar, where you can add your own flair to clothing items; The Craft Bar, where you can add personalization to selected crafts of the month; The Jewelry Bar will have a selection of beads and charms for do-it-yourself jewelry making; and there will be The Sensory Bar with do-it-yourself slime.

Each month, there will be a rotating "Sunshine Craft" that combines creativity with kindness, which can be done in the store or at home.

Right now, customers can plant a flower and decorate their own flower pot. The kit comes with soil and seeds, and a place to write a message to give to someone.

In upcoming months, Addeo said she plans to do things like crafting items to give to nursing homes, children’s hospitals, community helpers, and other non-profits in the community

The "Sunshine Shop," a section in the store, will have merchandise and crafts for sale that will help various causes around the world. Proceeds from one merchandise line will help improve the lives of women in Kenya, Indonesia, Ecuador and India through health care, fair wages and education.

Another line features sculptures made of recycled flip flops from the beaches of Kenya that provide careers for the people in their community. A school supply line supports youth education in the U.S.

Growing up in Waco, Texas, Addeo said her mother owned arts and crafts stores, so she was always around the hobby.

"Before I had my kids, I knew this was something I always wanted to do," Addeo, a former teacher, said.

The name of the store, The Big Picture, reflects Addeo's mission.

"The idea is to create a brighter world through art," she said.

Addeo hopes the store will not only be a place where customers can shop for themselves or their kids, but a place where people can express their own creativity and connect with each other.

"I'm so invested in this community, so making a happy inspiring place for people who I see everyday and who I love is so rewarding to me," she said.

A ribbon-cutting for The Big Picture is scheduled for July 21.

For more information, visit The Big Picture website or follow on @thebigpictureart on Instagram.