The Eclectic Chic Boutique, arts and crafts gift shop located at 547 Bloomfield Ave in Downtown Montclair, has converted their Good Friday and Spring Break Camps to Virtual Craft Experiences. The Eclectic Chic Boutique works with over 30 local artists and makers from the NJ area. In addition to selling handmade crafts, they have a classroom space where artists teach craft classes to adults and children. Because of the recent outbreak situation, The Eclectic Chic Boutique has had to convert all their classes, including camps, to online classes. Artists can teach the classes from the safety of their homes or studios via Zoom.

For the Virtual Camps, each class is 40 min long and includes materials. The materials can be shipped, delivered, or held for curbside pickup. The camp classes are for age groups 6 to 10 and 10 to 14. Each class also includes a Virtual session with a Professional Artist via Zoom. Parents get 10% off for each sibling they sign up.

​Camp sessions can be booked here:

Join Montclair Brewery 🍺 as they celebrate their...
🍻🍻🍻 FIRST ANNUAL OKTOBERFEST 🍻🍻🍻
They’ll be releasing their special Oktoberfest Lager 🍂🍺🍁
As well as a Bourbon Barrel aged Brown Ale 🧐🍺
And a few other special craft brews ✨🥃✨
Music all day 🎶 with bands such as...
The Little Engineers and Rasha-Jay 👶👨‍🔧
And Blissed Beats & friends on the turntables 😄👬

Dress in your Best Oktoberfest attire and enter the costume contest 🇩🇪
Craft activities and outdoor games available for play 🖍🎲
Each adult ticket holder will receive a commemorative pin and souvenir cup 🥤

We at The Eclectic Chic Boutique 🌸
Have curated an exciting outdoor market ☀🛍
Complete with fun craft activities 🖌🎨
Beer souvenirs 🍺👕 and a variety of food vendors 🍗🌭🍧

Tickets cost $15 for Adult General Admission, $25 for VIP (details at purchase options on website), and children get in free. (Non-alcoholic drinks will be available for them)

Saturday, September 28, 2019
1:30 PM – 9:45 PM

At Montclair Brewery
101 Walnut Street
Montclair, NJ 07042

​Concerned your child 👼 will start dabbling in the Dark Arts 🧙‍♀ out of boredom? 😒 No, you’re probably not worried about that specifically 😅
HOWEVER, that doesn’t mean you’re not looking for Fun Programs for them! 🤩 The ECB is here to offer a Smorgasbord of Afternoon Crafting classes! 🖌🎨
Come see for yourself what the buzz 🐝 is about at our upcoming event....
🖌👦👧🎨
OPEN HOUSE CRAFTERNOONS
🖌👦👧🎨
Camp Chic Crafternoons 🌸 is our After School Arts program 🏫🖼
Designed to fit your needs and your child's schedule 🗓
See some of the projects kids can create 💍🎨👑🧼
Meet the Teachers 🙋‍♀💁‍♀👸💃🐸
Let your child explore which arts they would like to learn! 🤩 Light refreshments will be served 🥤🍪
Admission is free, Walk-ins are welcome. Register for camp at Open House and get 10% off camp enrollment!

Saturday, August 17, 2019
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
At The Eclectic Chic Boutique
547 Bloomfield Avenue
Montclair, NJ 07042

Click the link below 👇👇👇 to RSVP
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/open-house-crafternoons-tickets-66062261001

The Eclectic Chic Boutique has been nominated for a Best of Essex Award! 🌸🥇🌸
Our nomination; Best Gift Shop 🎁🎁🎁
To show your support for your favorite Artisan Boutique 🖌🎨
Cast your vote at the address below 👇👇👇
www.VoteTheEclecticChicBoutique.com
And ask your friends and family in the NJ area to do the same! 🙋‍♂🙋‍♀👽
Your voting receipt includes an exclusive coupon 🎟
So what are you waiting for?! Vote Today! 🇺🇸
While winning would be ideal ✨🏆✨
It’s a real honor just to be nominated 🤩
Which wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for our loyal customers 💖
However the chips may fall, all of us at the ECB would just like to say;
Thank you 💐

On July 23rd 2016, The Eclectic Chic Boutique and the Sutton family worked together to raise money for Sharron Miller's Academy for the Performing Arts (SMAPA) Ella Bandes Alumi Scholorship. The event was called Backyard FunFest, and included a fundraising yard sale and craft show, refreshments, and an outdoor concert and comedy show. 

Ella Bandes, who passed away in 2013, was a founding member of Sharron Miller’s Performance Workshop Ensemble. This scholarship fund commemorates her legacy by aiding dancers in their training.

​The money raised at this event was used to help fund this scholarship program, which will help students attend dance camps, provide new equipment and training, and enrich the lives of these kids.

The Eclectic Chic Boutique has experience in organizing and planning events. If you have a cause you want to raise funds for, or are an organization looking to host a fundraiser, contact us! We'll be happy to help.

Kristen Zachares, owner and founder of The Eclectic Chic Boutique, will be celebrating her Grand Opening on April 15th at 4 Midland Ave in Montclair Center. The Eclectic Chic Boutique is a unique “artisan lifestyle shop”, carrying crafts created by skilled artists from all over the tri-state area. The shop is a collective of over 19 artists, each creating high quality, one of a kind, handmade crafts. Some of their most popular items include Bath Bombs by Rustic Soap, Sauces and Jams by SLUG Co, and handmade Jewelry by Mr.PipeDream.  

The Eclectic Chic Boutique is popping up inside of Studio PURE and The Natural Store, owned by Ahava Felicidad. Ahava is a holistic practitioner who specializes in natural hair and organic living, and is the owner of the brand Ahava Felicidad Hair and Body and creator of Felicidad Hair Sugar. Kristen and Ahava first met in 2016, and since then, the alliance blossomed into a powerhouse partnership.

Over the last few years, The Eclectic Chic Boutique has grown from being an online-only shop, to touring craft shows and vendor events, and finally having a brick-and-mortar location in the community. Now her loyal customers who would normally only be able to purchase these products from craft shows and vendor events, can shop for them in person at this location in the hottest shopping district in Montclair. The shop is also child and pet friendly, creating an inclusive shopping environment. 

The Pop Up Shop is open to the public two to three times a month, and the loyal client base of Ahava Felicidad Hair and Body can also shop during their consultations. This alliance has helped Ahava to show more support for the creative community that she embraces. 

For Kristen, the physical location has increased sales potential for her and her various artists. “For the last couple of years, our sales opportunities have been limited to seasonal events, generally lasting from May through December. Since opening the Pop Up in February, we've not only had an increase in sales, but also gained more visibility and have a greater sense of stability.”

Join us from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm on Saturday April 15th, at The Eclectic Chic Boutique for our Grand Opening Celebration. We'll have free hot and cold beverages and treats for the kids. The first 20 customers will receive a free goody bag of product samples and coupons. There will also be a raffle for larger prizes, such a limited release book by author Kristina Garlick and samples of Felicidad Hair Sugar.

Sign up for The Eclectic Chic Boutique e-newsletter to stay up to date on the new Pop Up store schedule, special savings offers, and new products in the shop – www.TheEclecticChicBoutique.com or call 862-221-0644.

In a previous post, I opened up to you that it was my dream was to have a real Brick and Mortar boutique. That dream came true sooner than I had imagined. On February 11th, 2017 The Eclectic Chic Boutique had its first Open Studio Store Night at Studio PURE and The Natural Store, located at 4 Midland Ave, Montclair, NJ.  We set up our Pop Up Shop, which happened to coincide with a Greeting Card Making Party and Head Wrapping Class that were also booked that night.  Studio PURE is mainly only open by appointment for clients, but on Open Studio Store Night, the studio is open to the public and potential customers can walk in and shop without an appointment.

We at The Eclectic Chic Boutique are proud of the help and guidance that Myrtle&Flossie has to offer, and look forward to working with her brand in the years to come.​

Back to the night in question; my friend and business colleague Ahava Felicidad, owner of Studio PURE, invited me and Nia to set up shop in her store during Open Studio Store Night. It was not the first time Ahava and I had done an event together in her studio . Only a week before, we coordinated a Valentine’s Day Pop Up event we called Art With a Heart. After witnessing the overwhelmingly positive response and realizing how beneficial it was to both of our businesses - we made the decision to join forces and create a shared store and studio space. Ahava provides hair consultations, natural hair advice, and other client-based services. The products I provide in shop offers a shopping experience for her clients, and allows me to have a brick and mortar presence in the community.

The Eclectic Chic Boutique will be popping up at her store 2 to 3 times a month, hosting a variety of craft and shopping events, plus meet and greets with our Member Artists. If you sign up for our e-newsletter, you will be alerted as to when we are popping up, what our hours will be, and what kind of promotions you can take advantage of. 

I can’t express in words how thrilled I am that I was able to connect with such amazing artists through networking, aligning and joining forces - or how honored and humbled I am that they have accepted me as one of their own. Together, we were able to build a strong foundation for a business based on supporting local artisans and promoting a healthy lifestyle. I hope you all stay connected to see where this wild venture will take us.

My name is Kristen Zachares, I am an artist, and the owner of The Eclectic Chic Boutique. I grew up in Woodland Park, but feel more akin to Montclair than anywhere else I’ve lived. Montclair is one of my inspiration for my way of life - the artist lifestyle. I am creative, organized, and productive. Being creative is just as important to me as running my business. At the moment, I wear a number of hats, and do my best to juggle them with the help and support of friends and family. My next goal for my website is to start a blog.

​I’ve wanted to create a blog for while. I have a million ideas, but had no clue where to begin, and I didn’t want to start with a random topic. Creating a good first impression is very important to me. And that got me thinking: what makes a great first impression in the websense?  

In person, when I want to make a good impression - I put on a great outfit, wear some of my favorite handmade jewelry, smile confidently, and introduce myself. When I think about it in those terms, it makes sense to start my blog off in a similar fashion. I’ve written about myself in the “About the Owner” section of this website, so I won’t just copy and paste what I have there. Instead I would like to highlight my Why - the drive behind my passions and my business. Its Why I started this, where I want it to go, and where I hope to take it.
​
Where it Began

Ever since I was little, I wanted to be an artist. Now that I think back on it, I really didn’t have a clear idea of what that actually was. I just assumed you get to create your art and you would live a happy life. 

I didn’t live in the most ideal family situation - my parents were divorced, and I had two disabled younger brothers that required a lot of attention. I didn’t get to participate in many of the activities that other children my age did. Art was my escape, and my outlet. I could create whatever I wanted with what I had, and one one could change that. Art was empowering for me, especially because I was very shy and introverted. It also provided a way for me to connect with others - students would ask questions or complement my work, and it would spark me to engage and develop connections.

Eventually I did find my chique - nerds. I was a nerd girl, and I’m still proud of it to this day. I loved video games, movies, and drawing my favorite characters from those media. Soon my friends started requesting me to draw their favorites, or drawing their original characters. Some students would offer me money in exchange.  That's what helped bridge the gap for me, between art and business.

Why I Started a Business

Starting a business became my dream. For me it was the ultimate independence - being my own boss, creating my life, and paving my own path. I created a brand name, called YinYang Remix, and it comprised  all the things I loved creating - illustrations, comics, and jewelry.  Then I took the next step; setting out and selling my work.

Craft shows became my favorite summer activity. The thrill of setting up in a new place, arranging my display, meeting other artists, and sharing my work with new people - it was thrilling.

It was also a learning curve. I realized craft shows were more than about sales. There were many factors that I didn’t take into account - how to create a proper display, talking to customers, tracking inventory, understanding if I was actually making a profit, etc. One of my flaws is that I can be very stubborn, and at the time I really felt I knew exactly what I was doing, and didn’t need to learn anything else.  

Finally I came to a realization; as determined as I was to make this business a success, it wasn’t going to get off the ground unless I swallowed my pride and actively learned to navigate the business landscape. Even things I already knew I would have to re-evaluate, or else become a victim of my own hubris. 

I decided to take a chance and applied to Rising Tide Capital - a nonprofit that provided hands-on business courses that instructed the practical aspects of running a business. The program covered all facets, including marketing, advertising, budgeting and financials, and other topics. Just the application process asked me questions about my business that I hadn’t thought of before - Who was my target audience? How much profit was I making? What needs was I fulfilling? 

It spring-boarded a new path in my business journey.

Why I Started The Eclectic Chic Boutique

After graduating Rising Tide Capital, I felt enlightened. I finally figured out what I wanted to do and where I wanted to take my business. I discovered that, as much as I loved being an artist, I also loved helping people and sharing my work with others. It wasn’t just about making money; it was also about sharing the joy of creativity with others. I found my Why.

I restructured my business, and The Eclectic Chic Boutique was born. I opened up my business to artists, and shared the knowledge and skills I had acquired, helping them bridge the gap between art and business. 

If you were to ask me why I started my business, I would tell you it’s because I love being creative, running a business, and sharing creativity. The goal of The Eclectic Chic Boutique is to help artists get their work out there, and connect them to customers who are willing to support their talents because they appreciate the love and care these artists put into their craft.

What Can We Expect With the Blog?

The Blog will have several purposes. It will be an informational extension of the website. For customers, it will help provide insight into what goes on behind of the scenes of The Eclectic Chic Boutique, as well as informing you of the various tutorials on products and items available on our online store, and provide interviews with our member artists. For artists, we will provide useful business tips, ideas and information for craft shows, creating events and other topics.  

If you would like to receive updates for future posts, subscribe to our e-newsletter and follow us on our social media platforms. Feel free to leave a comment in the comments section, I love getting feedback.

​I thank everyone who has supported us so far, and I appreciate that you will continue to as we build momentum and grow.