Finding decorations for your home feels rewarding, but it’s even better when you make them yourself. That’s why I’m at AR Workshop in Hudson for a Friday-night workshop to create a personalized wooden sign.
The first local outpost of the national chain, which opened in late April by co-owners Susan Daniels and Mary K. Donnelly, extends the paint-and-pinot trend to do-it-yourself projects such as canvas pillows, jewelry boards and other home decor.
“I’ve always had DIY in my DNA,” says Daniels, who’s been crafting for more than 20 years.
As I stare at the six blank wooden planks placed in front of me, it feels a little daunting. I’ve never worked with wood before in my life. But that’s OK, Daniels tells me, the projects are suited to any skill level.
She helps me decide on the best paint colors to match my room. Armed with step-by-step instructions, I start carefully painting my boards flamingo pink, then stencil a white pineapple over the base and add my name in a white script.
During the process, helpful employees walk around offering advice and encouragement. When I struggle with the 2-pound nail gun, Daniels’ husband, Frank, won’t let me give up. “You can do it,” he assures me.
I nail the four corners of my sign together, and it is almost complete. But when I notice someone else at my table sprinkling their sign with glitter, I follow suit.
While my future probably isn’t in carpentry, I walk out of the store with a finished product I can hardly believe I made.
It’s an experience Daniels has seen from many of her customers. “They’ve been thrilled they were able to create something so cool and personalized that they didn’t order online,” she says.
