The Big Picture, an Arts & Crafts Store Opens Wednesday in Riverside

The Big Picture, an arts and crafts shop, is holding its grand opening in Riverside on Wednesday, July 13. Stop by between 10:00am and 3:00pm and check out the store.

The store is located at at 1162 East Putnam Avenue (right next door to CFCF).

Summer hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10am-3:00pm, and Saturday 10:00am-2:00pm, with extended hours and days in the school year.

Kristen Addeo, owner of The Big Picture, an arts and crafts store at 1162 East Putnam Ave in Riverside. July 12, 2022 Photo: Leslie Yager

“We are so excited to bring some more creativity to our community and a place where parents can shop and kids can craft,” said owner Kristen Addeo.

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. There will also be an option to design your own craft kits, jewelry, cloth items, and DIY craft projects at the crafting tables.

“Having three very young kids myself, I wanted to create a place where you can shop for yourself, your kids, birthday presents for your friends, your kid’s friends, but also be able to express your own creativity and have a time of connecting with your kids at the crafting tables,” Addeo said.

Displays at The Big Picture at 1162 East Putnam Ave. July 12, 2022 Photo: Leslie Yager
Kristen Addeo, owner of The Big Picture, sits at one of the crafting tables in her store at1162 East Putnam Ave in Riverside. July 12, 2022 Photo: Leslie Yager
Displays at The Big Picture at 1162 East Putnam Ave. July 12, 2022 Photo: Leslie Yager

The name, “The Big Picture,” also has a special meaning behind it. Addeo’s mission for the store is to, “Create a Brighter World through Art.”

Each month, there will be a monthly rotating “Sunshine Craft” that combines creativity with kindness. “I always knew if I was going to open something like this, it would have to have a really meaningful mission to give me the most drive and make it worth it,” Addeo said. “As a former teacher, I left every single day feeling fulfilled and feeling like I was doing something for the world with my students. When thinking about the mission and the name of this store, I wanted it to reflect that thought, my ‘big picture.’ ”

By combining creativity and acts of kindness, Addeo said, “I hope our little store can create a brighter world in our community that creates ripples elsewhere. In upcoming months, we plan to do things like crafting items to give to nursing homes, children’s hospitals, community helpers, and other non-profits in the community – any craft that can help spread some sunshine to others.”

Addeo plans to create a collage of pictures inside the store of the “Sunshine Makers,” the kids and adults who have done these kind acts.

Many of the merchandise for sale also have a special meaning behind them as well.

“One of our lines helps improve the lives of women in Kenya, Indonesia, Ecuador, and India through healthcare, fair wages, and education. Another one is sculptures made of recycled flip flops from the beaches of Kenya that provide careers for the people in their community. We also have a couple school supply lines that support kids’ education in the US,” Addeo said. “These are all part of the Sunshine Shop.”

Animals crafted from recycled flip flops on display at The Big Picture. July 12, 2022 Photo: Leslie Yager
Personalize a bracelet or necklace at the Jewelry bar at The Big Picture. July 12, 2022 Photo: Leslie Yager
Cloth bar at The Big Picture. Step 1: Pick your cloth item to decorate (Hat or bag); Step 2: Pick 3 patches and 2 pins plus 1 DIY pin; optional Step 3: Pick stencils and paint or use markers and puff paints at table.

In the future, Addeo hopes to offer at-home birthday parties and play groups, as well as one-off workshops.

“We will get started with the store and see what the community responds to, and I am sure we’ll find plenty more creative needs,” Addeo said.

Follow along The Big Picture at www.thebigpictureart.com and Instagram
@thebigpictureart

The Big Picture is located at 1162 East Putnam Ave in Riverside (first door to the right of CFCF).