By Mary Owen
An Aumsville mother of three was motivated by a family challenge to start what has now become a thriving business.
Crystal Chesley-Kluver worked in the health care field for most of her adult life until her youngest son born.
“I thought I’d wait about six months then go back to work,” she said. “But DJ was not making his benchmarks, so I talked to the doctor about it.”
At first, the medical professionals thought little DJ was hearing impaired, but tests at Randall Children’s Hospital in Portland showed his hearing was just fine. After further testing, DJ was placed on the autism spectrum.
“He does not talk and is not potty trained,” said Chesley-Kluver, who, with husband, Dustin, has two other children, Jacob, 13, and Michael, 5. DJ will be 4 in November.
Chesley-Kluver’s life took on new direction as she became a stay-at-home mom to care for her sons.
“Michael was a preemie, and was considered developmentally delayed, but has caught up,” she said. “He starts school this year. And Jacob is a student at Cascade Middle School.”
Chesley-Kluver gets help for DJ from Willamette Educational Service District and also takes him to a Salem medical study, Qigong Massage.
“We have to do things differently,” she said of her son’s autism. “We have to prepare him for going out. When we leave, we give him plenty of warning. We can’t let him get dressed until the last minute. He doesn’t like clothing. He’s also an escape artist, a runner. He has to have a child harness or he will just run and take off.”
DJ also knows how to unlock all the doors, so special locks are used. He only sleeps about four to five hours a day, so a special bed was made to provide for his security. Other challenges keep the family on their toes, Chesley-Kluver said.
“He loves the school bus,” she said of new developments. “And we have ‘mama, dada, no, hi and sit,’ words we didn’t have a year ago. Another milestone we’ve hit is eye contact. He’s a daddy’s boy. Daddy’s his anchor.”
Each child with autism is different, Chesley-Kluver explained. “That’s why they call it a spectrum disorder,” she said.
Understanding her son gave Chesley-Kluver new direction. Today, she runs Ribbon & Things, an Internet business that offers her a chance to renew herself while her son is resting. She started with ribbon wreaths that she sells for $10 and up, and has added a few other eclectic items, including what she calls “sophisticated Redneck wine glasses,” some in local college colors.
“My husband and I did a lot of research,” she said. “We wanted to keep our costs fairly reasonable.”
To do so, she buys ribbon in bulk, passing her savings on to her customers on her Facebook page, website and at shows and events. Six babysitters help her as do family members while she shows her wares at places such as the Polk County Fair, Country Church Mouse in Turner, and Aumsville’s farmer’s market.
“My sister helps me,” she said. “Basically, I’d like to go from out of the back of my truck to a cargo trailer.”
Meanwhile, Chesley-Kluver contracts with businesses who buy her wares wholesale as well as attends events as far away as Washington, when time allows.
“It’s my stress relief,” she said of her business. “When I get to do events, those are my breaks away from the kids. But my family does come first.”
Ribbons & Things is headquartered in the family dining room. About 30 plastic drawers full of ribbons are stacked there. Wreath forms, plastic glasses and other craft items complement the family’s décor.
Chesley-Kluver crafts her wares when DJ sleeps. Dustin helps with most of the painting. Jacob and Mikey also help when they can.
“It’s a family affair,” she said. About DJ, she added, “My son’s not disabled. He’s different. He has challenges. DJ is my little guy, and with family, he’s a happy-go-lucky kid!”
For information visit facebook.com/Ribbonsandthings13 or Ribbons-and-Things.com.
