CUMBERLAND – Kristin Moreau, long successful with her handmade wares at local fairs, has realized a lifelong dream, opening Rokn’ Art – Unique Gifts & Country Décor in the Seabra plaza at 2000 Mendon Road.
Moreau, a Cumberland resident of 43 years and longtime 4th-grade teacher in Woonsocket, says she’s so happy to be welcoming customers to her very own physical location.
After experiencing a major life change and needing something to get through it, she began the work she does today with some simple pebble art on cardboard, then made pictures in frames, then added inspirational quotes.
“When you walk into the store, it is all about positivity and having a good outlook on life,” she says, adding that with the way things are in the world right now, everyone could use more positivity in their life. If positive quotes helped her get through a hard time, she said, maybe it will also help others.
The name comes from the framed artwork that utilizes rocks as art. The store focuses on handmade, with some 90 percent of items made by Moreau and another vendor, she said.
For years Moreau has worked out of her basement and sold on Etsy while also going to craft fairs, but her dream, now a reality, was always to open her own shop.
Her boyfriend, the “super supportive” John Boutiette, makes the custom frames in their Cumberland home, the couple working together to get the pieces from start to finish. John’s daughter, Tiffany Flateau, works at the store.
In addition to the inspirational rock art, Moreau offers numerous other country gifts and decorations, as well as items such as organic soaps and honey products. One partner consigns items and another sells candles out of the store. At the back of the store is a “take and make” section centered on a wooden cutout tree made by Boutiette and offering kits for people to take home and make their own art.
Each month, Moreau is running an auction raffle at $1 apiece. The first proceeds will be donated in December, the first installment to Cumberland’s Layla’s Dream.
Moreau said her first dream was teaching, which she still does, and her second dream was opening a store.
For more on Rokn’ Art, find the store on Facebook or call 401-227-9766. Hours are Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.