WELCOME TO VELVET'S. Banbury Place is now host to an array of artisans in downtown Eau Claire, including this newly opened shop host to all things dark and velvety smooth. Velvet's Oddities & Vintage is located on the first floor of building 13.

Ivory cattle skulls, silvery spider webs, gold vintage crosses and a set of black hard-cover books by Dr. Kathy Reichs that inspired the TV series “Bones” against a backdrop of blood red walls. That's the partial view, peering through the dark display window of Velvet's Oddities & Vintage (930 Galloway St., suite 21, building 13, Eau Claire).

The space is curated by 24-year-old artist and designer Grace Schultz, who creates all things creepy and alluring – just in time for the Banbury Fall Market, coming up on Saturday, Oct. 17. 

“Growing up in Siren, Wisconsin – population 800 – absolutely influenced my art,” Grace said, describing the Northwoods forests which gave her deep-seated respect for wildlife and nature at an early age.

“The Earth is really beautiful and getting to experience her is a privilege. Giving pieces of the Earth a new life through my art is so important to me; respect for the animals and the life they lived is a crucial part of my process,” she shared.

According to Grace, a lot of her bones, like deer antler sheds and raccoon skulls, are found in the woods near Siren. Cattle bones, including skulls and fused vertebrae, are sourced from a family friend’s old dairy farm. Now, people just give her bones and other items for her artwork.

“I’m grateful – I’d rather turn them into art to be appreciated than sit and rot in someone’s garage,” she said.

She also spoke of her family, all artists in their own respects – her mom is an art teacher; her dad is a carpenter; her sister is a graphic designer – as supportive influences. 

“It's strange, what I'm doing,” Grace said of her artwork. “People don't always 'get it' but (my family is) always in my corner supporting me, either by giving their own time to gather bones or mushrooms for me or just lending a listening ear.”

Grace, who graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stout Polytechnic with a degree in fashion and retail, has been drawing and painting since childhood.

Although she hasn't worked directly in fashion, her studies still influence her craft. An example of that is found in her shop's name, Velvet's Oddities & Vintage.

“I use a lot of velvet fabric in creating my bone sculptures and, of course, a buck's antlers are velvety before they shed,” she said.

Other influences of hers include music, movies, life experiences and her cats. “My cats are my muses more in my personal art than the stuff I sell,” she noted.

A black denim jacket she regularly sports is a tangible homage to her orange tabby cat, Tuff Guy, who she grew up with at home in Siren, where he remains as a free spirit.

The Velvet's Oddities & Vintage logo, a yowling cat with red eyes and red studded collar, is on the back of that jacket. (Grace's cat today, a flame point Siamese named Brisket, is a gentle soul she said.)

Grace has also taught classes on how to paint portraits of guests' pets at Banbury Place, using her own her pets as models.

Between her artwork and vintage finds, which she sources from various thrift stores up north and in the Chippewa Valley, Grace prices collectible items from $5 to $15 to ensure affordable price points for walk-in customers.

More of her work is available online; pieces include bone objet d’arts along with nature sketches of chipmunks, birds and other animals burned onto pieces of dried mushrooms.

Grace Schultz, pictured, will be a familiar face to those who frequent Banbury Place. Schultz formerly shared a space on the second floor, but with more than enough of her own wares to display and an opening on the first floor, she took the leap – and made the space her own.

Now working as a full-time artist – a few of her TikToks blew up online and contributed to her successful online shop – she directs people toward her Etsy or new physical store to see these works in person. She also accepts requests for commissioned work via Instagram (@ChaosCarpenter) that are priced by project.

Peruse Grace Schultz's website to see more individual art pieces (https://sites.google.com/view/gschultzportfolio) or shop her Etsy (@GraceSchultzDesigns). Keep up with her on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.