In Schererville, IN there is a cute little shop. It's got fairy wings, headbands covered with bright flowers, clothing with shiny gems and colorful baubles, creative costumes, and a lot more great items...for the kids in your life.
This place, called The Unique Boutique is a nonprofit Children's Boutique that offers dress up and party wares at wholesale prices. They specialize in items and accessories for your little girl or boy.
"We sell unique party-ware for little girls and some for boys. All of the clothing and items that we sell are new. I embellish them with jewels and frills, sometimes I make matching headbands and tutus," Kristi Irak said.
Kristi Irak, Resident Crafter for the Unique Boutique, makes the special order items for the store. She has been crafting for over 25 years. The idea began when Irak started to sell crafts and donate the money she made to the NICK Foundation.
"At every function that they had, I would set up a booth and sell my crafts and it would go to the NICK foundation. It went really well every time, but traveling from craft fair to craft fair and set up and take down got to be too much," Irak said.
Donna Criner, Executive Director for the NICK Foundation was in need of an office as the foundation was growing. The idea to set up a small store with the crafty clothing as well as an office for Donna was pitched and that is how Unique Boutique started.
Net proceeds generated from sales at the volunteer-run store go to the NICK Foundation, and anyone can shop there. The prices are quite reasonable, the clothing is adorable, and it's for a good cause. The NICK Foundation is a nonprofit, organization that connects with local families who have children suffering from cancer. They are given help, advice, direction and other families to lean on.
"This was a calling for me," Irak said. "I love to craft, I love to help people and here I can do both. I'm at a state of my life where I can pay it forward and this is the Foundation that I chose"
Donations are always accepted at the Unique Boutique. Crafting supplies and new clothing can be brought in and it will be transformed into the beautiful pieces that adorn the store. If you would like to volunteer, contact Donna Criner at the NICK Foundation.
Click here to check out the Unique Boutique Facebook page!