You can feel the creative energy as soon as you walk in the door at Meraki Springs, and it’s a direct reflection of the enthusiasm owner Megan Morris brings to the business.
Morris opened her store at 2629 W. Colorado Ave. in Old Colorado City a little more than a year ago, billing it as a handcrafted jewelry studio. She’s offering a lot more, however.
In addition to the jewelry that Morris creates using precious metal clay (PMC), the work of more than 50 local and regional artists is on display. The handcrafted gifts range from ceramics, fiber arts and furniture to bath and body products, glass creations and prints.
A variety of art classes with local artists and craftspeople are also offered at Meraki Springs. “Meraki” is a Greek word that means to do something with passion, from the heart, to put something of yourself in your work.
Among the classes being offered are enamel earring making, copper repoussé (embossing), candle-making, pet portrait painting, ceramic gnome painting, soap-making and chalkboard frame production.
“My goal is to make art accessible to everyone,” Morris said. “I don’t want people to feel intimidated when taking a class. Come in for a couple of hours, have a glass of wine, relax and have fun.”
The business, which has a wine and beer license and serves a variety of wine, seltzers and ciders, features a backroom available to rent for parties.
Morris opened the business after she and her husband, Mike, moved to Colorado Springs after his service in the U.S. Air Force.
“It was always a dream of mine to have a store like this, but it wasn’t a viable option, being in the military and having to move every few years,” Morris said. “Once we were out of the Air Force, we said, ‘Hey, now’s the time,’ and I opened in March a year ago.”
Morris began creating PMC jewelry 18 years ago. The process involves finely ground silver suspended in a binder to make clay, which is then fired in a kiln. The binder burns away and the silver particles fuse to form a solid silver piece.
“It’s always been a side gig for me, something I was able to do when we moved and lived in different places,” she said. “I’m mostly self-taught, but I’ve taken courses and classes along the way.
“It’s a process that is very versatile and is user-friendly for classes.”
Morris said the strategy of offering art classes was intended to be a hedge against the slow sales season of January, February and March, but the classes have proven to be more popular than she imagined. They account for about 30 percent of the business revenues, Morris said, and she expects that to increase to about 50 percent this summer.
“They’ve become a whole thing all on their own,” she said.
Class sizes range from 15 to 20 participants and are currently taught by eight local instructors, including Morris. The instructors determine the class schedules and times, and they’re listed at www.merakisprings.com.
Art classes for children ages 6-12, which Morris teaches, are also gaining popularity.
“The kids don’t hold back, they do what they want to do and they don’t overthink it,” she said. “It’s great fun!”
Morris has wasted no time participating in Old Colorado City events, and recently became the lead organizer of the monthly First Friday Art Walk. The inaugural art walk of 2022 took place earlier this month.
“I was so happy to see it go smoothly,” she said, “and I’m so happy that I ended up here in this community. I’m getting very involved working with the Old Colorado City Merchants Association and meeting other store owners. I’m embracing and giving back as much as I can.”
Her attitude has also translated into a warm invitation to area artists and art lovers.
“I want it to be a place where artists can come and sell, have a glass of wine, hang out for a while and have a welcoming feeling,” she said.