The Chalk Shop Supports Sidewalk Picassos

By Carolyn Kavarnos

What do you get when you mix a clean sidewalk, kids and lots of colored chalk? Fun, creativity, and giggles galore are all good answers. Kids can express their inner Picasso on their driveways, sidewalks and more with sidewalk chalk, but one mom on a mission found a way to add even more fun.

When Mel Carota’s daughter was 18 months old, she fell in love with chalk. Mel wanted to give her more than just chalk sticks to create with, so this innovative parent figured out how to make chalk in fun shapes and different colors. Mel was encouraged by a cousin who after seeing Mel’s chalk creations, urged her to open an Etsy shop, which she did in January 2010. Mel credits her daughter for the inspiration for her shop, as she was the reason she started making chalk in the first place.

You won’t find boring chalk sticks in Mel’s Etsy shop; the fun shapes are all handmade with attention to detail. Mel sees to it that there are no rough edges on any of the chalk shapes and they are perfect for little hands to grip. The Chalk Shop is full of chalk designs in lots of bright colors. Customers can purchase individual chalk pieces or buy it in sets. Chalk sets are perfect for party favors and are wrapped in clear bags tied with satin ribbon.

Glittery cupcakes, tea cups, sea animals, cars, tractors, hearts, owls, frogs, Mickey Mouse and more are some of the available chalk designs, and all are made to order. Popsicle chalk resembling the classic twin ice pops is one of their top sellers. Other shapes include the Dump Truck, Bee and Circus/Carnival chalks.

The Chalk Shop will also create custom orders for customers. There are lots of spring chalks and bunnies available that are perfect for adding non-sugar treats to Easter baskets. The Chalk Shop hopes to expand late spring/early summer to add more party favor and chalk options. Another project in the works is to introduce sidewalk paint to their product line.

For more information visit The Chalk Shop on Etsy at http://www.etsy.com/shop/thechalkshop. Ask about custom orders for your store.