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Candles, concrete & connections: Tura Lura opens
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · March 06, 2024
Coronavirus concerns killed personal connections. And Erika Christiansen saw an opportunity to help people reconnect.
Even if one does not want to make or purchase a candle or reed diffuser or other items made by her or other area artisans, she wants people to wander into Tura Lura Co. to say hello, because everyone could use another friend.
“I love to meet people,” the owner said.
Her new shop at 109 North Downey, Suite 3, which hosted a grand opening on Feb. 24, seeks to offer a space that “fosters community and a connection to the community.”
Take a class or walk in off the street; Christiansen wants to teach new skills, build up confidence, and, perhaps, introduce new acquaintances.
“Coming out of the pandemic, people were in deep isolation and there were challenges to reconnect with people,” she said. “We’re offering a way to be social and to learn these skills.”
Visitors will also learn the science behind candle-making, how to be decisive when choosing fragrances, and how to be creative if one does not feel artistic.
“This will empower them to make choices, to show them that you have this in you — to be able to create. I’ll walk alongside you,” Christiansen said.
The company also seeks out locally sourced products among its inventory.
Tura Lura is an alternate spelling for an Irish lullaby, “Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,” which is meant to express “Goodbye; I’ll be seeing you.”
Christiansen said her grandmother, Eleanor Gallagher, enjoyed the Bing Crosby version, owned a vinyl record of it, and sang it to her five daughters. Those daughters then sang it to their children, which helped build a strong — here’s that word again — connection in the family.
As for Christiansen, she got into the candlemaking business “accidentally.”
A dancer for 28 years who also taught ballet, she earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and dance and performing arts. But then she began experiencing hip problems, which worsened after giving birth to her second child.
“I could no longer move like I used to,” she said. “My hip became so inflamed that I lost that part of my life. I couldn’t even climb stairs.”
Six weeks into the coronavirus pandemic, she needed to find another outlet and wanted to find something in fine arts.
“I was grieving letting go of some of my movement,” Christiansen said. “But how (could) I be still be creative with my hands and body?”
She dove into new hobbies during maternity leave, from jewelry to macrame to candles to concrete.
“I was obsessed with making concrete,” Christiansen said, calling learning that skill one of her “bucket list” items, like welding. “I’m fascinated by those things.”
She also liked baking, but while wiping down groceries during the pandemic decided that might not be an appropriate gift idea. Instead, Christiansen narrowed her focus to candles and concrete and giving her creations to friends and family.
Her creativity then expanded to include dried florals and reed diffusers.
She maintained her connections to the art world, landed some grants, and took her talents to schools and other venues.
A call for artists led her to begin making candles as a way to support vaccine awareness in 2021 and 2022 and “I felt really empowered by that.”
Still going through physical therapy, she considered going back to teaching though she drifted in the direction of opening a business, starting in her basement.
Living in eastern Iowa City, she took her works to the Iowa City Diversity Market, the Iowa City Farmers’ Market, NewBo in Cedar Rapids, and other venues and found a demand.
More and more, people began peeling off their masks and trying to once again get involved in their community, she said.
“I just couldn’t wait to be with people again, so I pitched candle classes,” Christiansen said.
Through a friend, she met Emily Salmonson, owner of The Green House in Iowa City, who allowed her to drop in and host candle classes a few times each month.
Her clients so enjoyed the experience that some asked her to host private parties. After a year and a half of traveling to the Quad Cities and Cedar Rapids and even West Branch, Christiansen said the demand remained consistent and encouraged her to open her own location.
West Branch reminded her of the small-town nostalgia of growing up in St. Charles, Ill. Main Street West Branch Executive Director Jessi Simon helped her connect to some possibilities and she honed in on 109 North Downey.
Now with a new base of operations and the space just the way she likes it, Christiansen can offer various classes and also give space to related products, from wax seal and stamp sets to painting kits to calligraphy sets.
Christiansen said customers can take time to select a fragrance — which takes up to about 15 minutes — and pour the oils and wax to make a unique blend — which can take 15 to 30 minutes.
She talks to customers about both the background and art of candlemaking and then lets them leave the candle in the store for the hour or so it needs to cure. Christiansen then invites customers to stroll through the downtown while the candle cools.
“I’m trying to do some social good, and create a sense of community,” Christiansen said. “I’m excited to come to the West Branch community. People are so welcoming. Just come in and stop by, even if you don’t want to make a candle.”
Her store opens from noon to 4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Classes usually start at 2 or 3 p.m. on select Saturdays, with details at www.turaluraco.com.
On the first Wednesday of the month, the studio opens from 4 to 8 p.m for more special classes.
Christiansen will also open the studio by appointment.
You may reach her at erika@turaluraco.com and follow Tura Lura Co. on social media — Instagram: turaluraco; Facebook: Tura Lura Co.; and Pinterest: Tura Lura Co.
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