Hammer & Stain Owensboro opened July 2023, and owners Kenneth Keller and Eric Paulson have added creative activities weekly.
Located at 2845 West Parrish Ave., Suite J, the DIY workshop offers more than woodworking. Licensed through Hammer & Stain, the local business has joined the Owensboro Chamber of Commerce, and Keller said that being part of the community is important to the business.
As a small business with over 100 Hammer & Stain DIY Workshops throughout the country, Paulson said that having an owners’ group is integral to sharing creative ideas to add to the studio.
“We are very collaborative…and often we share the products if one studio doesn’t have the supplies,” Paulson said.
With open studio hours offered weekly Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., walk-in artists can see finished products and create their own. With ceramics, wooden door hangers, and other starting points, customers can sit in the large studio and create.
“It’s all do-it-yourself on how you would like it to be,” said Keller.
Keller said that what he enjoys most about owning the studio is watching people put their spin on a piece.
“That’s my wow,” he said.
Workshops are offered Friday and Saturday nights and reservations are required for those so that all necessary supplies are available. Adding a personal touch to the workshops is also important to Paulson, who said that name cards are placed at the tables, along with the project’s pieces. This is all part of the experience that the co-owners want customers to enjoy.
After the workshops, extra supplies are in the studio and can be used by others to create, but reserving the project is still the best way to go. Paulson said that even if someone can’t make it to the event, the supplies can be ordered and completed in an open studio. He doesn’t prefer this, because the events are usually so fun for all participants.
Themed workshops are also offered, with the latest being a Hocus Pocus-themed evening with resin faux-stained glass Halloween pieces created in the studio, along with themed food and beverage offerings.
Birthday parties for all ages, baby, bridal and wedding showers, bachelorette parties and family parties have gained popularity, and businesses are booking teambuilding workshops for employees.
Keller said people can bring their own food and drinks, including beer and wine, and make an evening of it; and at the end, everyone takes something home that is an original work.
The owners can also create custom designs based on a client’s wants, such as a song verse being created for a wedding decoration.
A custom hat bar is available with sequined and varsity-style lettering, along with decorations that can be applied for original works of art that can be worn out of the studio.
“We can do those as a private party, too,” Paulson said.
From creating a glass flower set in resin to changing it to resemble flames, Paulson said that crafting is something he has always enjoyed. He learned to craft with his grandmothers, one who made sock dolls from his grandfather’s socks, to the other who taught him to crochet.
“I am not artistic, but Kenny is,” he said.
Keller was always painting or drawing, and his son enjoys it, too – his painting is hanging in the studio.
Facebook is the best place to see what workshops are being held and to see what others are creating as Paulson said he enjoys posting what people make, and showcasing the upcoming workshops, so people know what is being offered. Reservations are made on their website.
A splatter den allows clients to create original canvases with stencils or abstract work. Wearing a poncho, artists create freehanded works.
“These are the ways we engage people to come in and create,” he said.
Both are enjoying the growth of the business and hope to add more employees, along with expanding the studio. They would like to add a kiln and pottery wheels for another creative offering.
“If it was just woodworking, it would be boring,” Keller said.
Christmas workshops are starting, with sea glass Christmas trees already being created locally. Contacting the studio at 270-215-0191 or through email at hammerandstainowb@gmail.com will allow customers to build a unique experience for events. OL
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