As social media has turned crafting into a $40 billion in the U.S. alone, AR Workshop Tampa owner Meghan Skelly believes in the power of purposeful DIY. “All DIY is fun and inspiring, but, for me, it comes down to the matter of functionality,” she says. The local outpost of the North Carolina-based brand hosts hands-on classes to create pieces you can actually use in your home, like plank signs, canvas hangings and tote bags, pillows, and picture frames. Workshop pros design and prepare the custom templates for each project — preselected during online registration — before class so guests can begin staining and painting their pieces with the provided materials right away. Classes run for about two-and-a-half hours and are BYOB, making for a perfect girls’ (or guys!) night out. “Tampa is such an awesome city with so much life,” Skelly says, “and I knew a place like this would be appreciated.”
WHAT TO KNOW: 2414 S. MacDill Ave. | (813) 515-0833 | arworkshop.com/tampa | Check website for class times and prices.
