Cultural camaraderie

This charming Crescent Valley store brings multicultural art and gifts together under one roof

Spruce Gum Gifts has a variety of handcrafted items for sale. —

Photo courtesy Marion Perepolkin

Spruce Gum Gifts is an attractive little store located near Crescent Valley Beach. You can come here to purchase jewelry, photography, elk hide drums and other beautifully crafted items. Owner Marion Perepolkin—once a travel nurse who worked for 10 years in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut—was inspired by the galleries and gift stores she had seen there. She opened her store as a way of giving back to the community.

"When my son Curtis was three, he was diagnosed with autism, and we had a great deal of support (from the community)," said Perepolkin, "especially the wonderful child-care workers that helped us."

She named the store Spruce Gum Gifts to honour her memories of the north, and also in reference to the powerful healing qualities that spruce gum is renowned for in the world of natural medicine. She takes pride in carrying fair trade and eco-friendly gifts, local art and handcrafted pieces made by First Nations people from the area.

"As my store evolved I realized it represents various cultures," she said. "I have crochet work and beautiful wooden boxes from Doukhobor artists, First Nations art, gifts from Ghana, Nepal (and) Guatemala. I do framed mendhi art drawings of decorated hands. I learned fish scale art from a Cree woman. I also carry Yahk soap products and ceramics from Kaslo. Soon I will be getting willow and wood furniture locally and lingerie."

Perepolkin has recently moved to a pleasant location in the front of the building known as the "old RCMP building," at 1277 Highway 6. Her business never fails to bring a smile to her face, and her customers are always treated to friendly service and appealing local merchandise.

"My goal is to inspire my customers," said Perepolkin. "To me it feels like I am living my dream—I open the door to my little store and I feel happy. Life is good. If I can inspire a few people to follow their passion or feel good about themselves and their cultural background then I am happy."

For more information, email Spruce Gum Gifts or call 250-359-6804.