Over the late summer, a downtown Ada business had a transformation and now carries lots of locally created art and crafts from Ada area artisans.

GLANCE THROUGH THE PHOTO ALBUM AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS STORY

The “art store” is Health-Chek, 117 S. Main St., owned by Alisa Armbrecht, which continues to carry supplements, vitamins and minerals.

On the art side, customers will now find art, craft items and books by Karen Ward, Lynn Scott, Ellie Miller (Lynn’s mother), Vanessa Ward, Darlene Bowers, Vicki Wolke, Vicki Coldiron, Jennifer McDougall, Pat Pateleno, Deb Curlis, Alisa Armbrecht, Mary Hackworth and Catherine Craker.

Health-chek’s transformation happened this way, according to Armbrecht: “Karen (Ward) and I had a conversation about people in Ada who create art. Ada has lots of artists and crafts persons. Things started to happen after that.”

Ward added: “The results of our conversation ended up being a great match. We (the artists) think Alisa is the best person in the world.”

As a result, the shop now carries locally produced art and crafts including: water color scenes, felted purses, handmade jewelry, floral arrangements, coasters and trivets made using old pharmacy labels and post cards, and photo cards with Ada and Hardin County scenes.

Customers will also find Ada Bulldog and ONU Polar Bear items, natural bath and body items, coin banks, linen baby slings, belt chairs and centerpieces created from old paperback books.

In addition, there are purses created from recycled plastic grocery bags and tee shirts.

There’s more to come, according to the artists. “We plan to hold mini-craft workshops,” said Ward. Additional artists will contribute to the shop’s product offerings.

Present hours are Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon. Those hours will expand, especially as the Christmas holiday gets closer.