There’s nothing ‘faux? about it. Lake Orion’s newest business, Ruth Faux Finishing and Designs, is an authentic one-of-a-kind, and so is everything inside the store.
Owner Ruth Forman, of Oxford, hand-paints or crafts each product, like glass beads and old travel trunks. But, she says her main service is offering lessons in decorative painting.
‘We work on different techniques ? faux finishing techniques,? Forman said of her classes. ‘You can paint on any surface ? wood, metal, class, fabric, anything. [Customers]learn a lot of different things: composition, color, design. And we have fun, of course.?
Classes, offered morning and evening year-round, teach technique.
‘In a class, I teach a certain stroke, but not everybody creates the same thing, necessarily,? said Forman. ‘Everyone does something different on different surfaces and different designs.?
The business owner says what she teaches is not tracing or color-by-number, but design and composition. She adds that nearly any surface is good for decorative painting, including wood, metal, glass and fabric.
For those not interested in painting, Forman also offers products she’s painted herself, and can take specialty and custom orders.
‘I offer a wide line of gifts and unusual things ‘one-of-a-kind products,? said Forman. ‘I try to do a lot with recyclables and old things, fix them and reuse them.?
The owner says her unique products are what make Ruth Faux Finishing and Designs a good place to shop for the holidays. In addition to decorative pieces, she also sells hand-made Italian glass bead jewelry and do-it-yourself kits.
‘I have gifts and unique things you’re not going to find it in other stores,? she said, noting her products are more about learning and creating than being commercial.
The Oxford resident says she’s always had a studio in her home and has offered classes to the Orion/Oxford community for over 10 years. When she decided to open a store, she picked a Lake Orion location ‘because Lake Orion is growing a lot.?
‘Of course I wanted something close to my home and it’s a really nice town,? she said. ‘It’s a good place to go shopping and have lunch or a cup of coffee.?
Originally from Costa Rica, Forman moved to the US exactly 13 years ago Nov. 25 to be with her husband, who is from Michigan.
‘I’m happy here ? people help a lot,? she said of the Orion/Oxford area.
To see what Ruth Faux Finishing and Designs has to offer, head downtown to 42. W. Flint Street in the historic Carlson Building.
Forman’s business is open seven days a week through the holidays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and open late Wednesdays until 7 p.m.