Living in Orion will no longer mean having to drive to Ferndale to buy art.
Prizm Designs, now open at 3611 S. Baldwin Road in the strip mall on the corner of Maybee and Baldwin, offers unique items locals may not have been able to find before.
Lisa Martin, a former Lake Orion resident and the store’s owner, has always had an interest in the arts. Her new studio offers her a way to be involved in the industry while giving back to the community and local artists.
‘Everything here is resale or consignment, with most of the items coming from me simply going out and finding things I think are interesting,? said Martin. ‘I want to offer unique items that don’t compete with any other stores in the area.
‘I can do this because how I collect the pieces.?
Martin offers most of these pieces, some of which have a history of their own or are designed by noteworthy artists, at very competitive prices.
As for her choice to open the studio in Lake Orion — she said she wanted to be close to family.
‘I grew up here, so naturally I have a lot of friends and family here,? said Martin. ‘I feel like every time our door opens, someone from my past is coming by to say ‘hello? and take a look around.?
In relation to the consigned wares, Martin said she always sits down with people who are interested in selling their furniture, if she is interested in it, to work out a fair deal. The split is almost always 50-50, and Martin said she will not sell the item if the owner does not know about the price.
Besides the regular items, Prizm Designs also regularly features a new artist every month.
Their current artist is Scott Allen Bruce, of Oxford. Bruce works primarily with unfinished wood, carving a variety of pieces into wine racks, mirrors, and decorative wall decorations.
The studio also plans to feature Kristin Landman and Andy Bat – the Funky Junkies — who work out of Ferndale.
‘I try to only feature people that create art as their profession, not a hobby,? said Martin. ‘I want the studio to feel contemporary, jazzy, and not typically what you’d find, and I think these featured artists will help accomplish that.?
Prior to opening Prizm Designs, Martin worked as a organizer and event planner in Grand Blanc.
Prizm Designs is open from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
For more info call 248-499-6831, or email lisa@prizmdesign.com