From the outside, it looks like a humble shop with a hint of an artsy feel. Once inside, there’s no mistaking this is a place for creativity to blossom, DIY confidence to take hold, and memories to be made. The Forest, Va., Board & Brush Creative Studio, located at 1091 Burnbridge Road, is holding its grand opening Saturday, Sept. 28 from noon-2 p.m. with gift bags for the first 50 people and a chance to win a private VIP sign-making party for six valued at more than $400. Light bites, beverages and specially designed cookies from Creative Confections by Heather round out the festivities. Attendees will get a first look inside the studio decorated with lots of signs to get the creative juices flowing, with workshops to start the next morning. The grand opening event is free and open to the public. For more on the new studio and to register for a workshop to create your own home décor piece of art, log on to boardandbrush.com/forest.
You need not be a master craftsperson to sign up at the Forest studio, with novices feeling right at home at Board & Brush thanks to the instructor-led format of the workshops during which attendees are guided through the ins and outs of power tools, paint, art and assembly, with all materials supplied by the studio. Each workshop lasts about three hours and attendees can select from hundreds of design templates, with new ones added each month. The company works with top graphic designers around the country to create the designs, most with a vintage farmhouse look. A workshop cost is $68 and pre-registration is required.
Workshop attendees will find owner Stefanie Feese at the head of the table instructing classes. “I was always a purchaser of items made by others, and now it’s very empowering to know I can create things too,” said Feese. She attended her first Board & Brush workshop with a friend in Fairfax, Va. “My friend was posting about the cool signs he was making, so I booked a workshop with him,” shared Feese. “I fell in love with the atmosphere, it felt perfect to me, I thought how I needed more of this in my life and my mind raced ahead to how to bring this to my hometown.”
Feese went on to say that her father was a carpenter and her husband is in the timber business. “Sawdust smells like home to me, I have it in every aspect of my life, even the dishwasher and clothes dryer,” she laughed.
It didn’t hurt that owning her own business was also on her wish list. “I worked in direct sales before this and liked being my own boss, the responsible party,” explained Feese. “This is a chance to show my children what can be accomplished when you find a career you enjoy, and that’s an invaluable lesson for them.” Her son helped with the renovation of the building that houses the studio and her daughter is looking forward to pitching in with the classes.
The studio is located in a building with breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains that was once modestly used as a storage space for an auto parts business. Feese and her family breathed new life into the building, showcasing the 13-foot-high ceilings and galvanized metal details. There is seating for 36. Ample parking and lots of nearby restaurants make it easy for workshop attendees to fully enjoy the neighborhood.
For anyone who’s never been to a Board & Brush workshop, Feese had some reassuring words. “I love that there’s no experience level required and even if you’ve never held a piece of wood in your hands or lifted a paint brush, you can do this.” She mentioned that her daughter created a beautiful sign at her very first workshop, so lovely in fact she let her know it won’t be hanging in her bedroom but rather in mom’s studio.
Given the timing of the studio opening, Feese expects the fall and Christmas designs to be especially popular, along with those designs with inspirational sayings.
Feese already has plans to host fundraising workshops for non-profits including Relay for Life and area schools. Charities interested in hosting a workshop should contact the studio directly.
One final thought from Feese leading up to the grand opening of her business: “I was born and raised in Bedford County and it was important for me to build this Board & Brush studio in the town that ‘built’ me.”
About Board & Brush Creative Studio
What started as a holiday “girl’s night out” in Hartland, Wis., with wine and crafts in the founder’s basement turned into a business idea and then a reality in March of 2015. The founder of the company, Julie Selby, has a passion for helping women and couples follow their dreams to be business owners and empowering workshop attendees to try a DIY project to put them on a path to new confidence and creativity. Board & Brush Creative Studio was ranked one of the top 50 fastest growing franchises in the U.S. for 2019 by Entrepreneur magazine, with more than 200 locations in 39 states and counting. Board & Brush offers a wide variety of hands-on experiences including workshops, private parties, bridal showers, bachelorette gatherings, corporate events, and fundraisers. All projects are a flat fee and include everything needed to leave with a piece of art that looks professionally made. Here’s a behind-the-scenes peek at a workshop. The company’s website is www.BoardandBrush.com. Board & Brush Creative Studio has its corporate headquarters in Hartland, Wis.
