Name of business: Anders Ruff Workshop
Type of business: Boutique DIY studio
Location: 2911 N. Tegner Rd., Turlock
Hours: Online registration at www.arworkshop.com/turlock
Contact information: 209-372-5500
Specialty: Custom home décor
History of business:
While Turlock residents are likely all too familiar with paint and sip classes, a new workshop in town will give craft-lovers a chance to hone their skills while creating charming pieces for the home.
Anders Ruff Workshop will celebrate its grand opening this weekend, providing a place where community members can gather for hands-on classes that will teach them how to create custom items like wood plank signs, centerpiece boxes, clocks, game boards and more. Participants can roll up their sleeves and make home décor from scratch, cutting, nailing and painting raw materials themselves.
Shawn and Mike Lawson of Modesto said they were inspired to open an AR Workshop to bring something new to the area for those in search of a fun night out.
“When you register, it’s the experience that you’re registering for. The benefit is you taking the project home, but it’s really about the culture and the experience,” Mike said.
“It’s a fun atmosphere,” Shawn said. “You have fun while you’re doing it, and at the end of the three hours you get this beautiful piece of home décor that you get to take and either gift or put it up on your wall. Then, when people come to your house and they ask you where you got your cute sign, you can say I made it all by myself.”
Registrants can sign up for a class and rent out a table for their group of friends, rent out the whole space for a larger party or even come alone and join in with others, Shawn said. Those who may not be able to find time for a workshop but would like to gift a personalized sign can even call AR Workshop and request a specific design, and the AR crew will make it to their liking.
Projects range anywhere from $40 to $85, including a workshop which teaches participants how to make a chunky, knitted blanket and the 21 and over space allows those participating to bring their own alcoholic beverage to sip on, if they’d like. For potential crafters who are under 21, the AR Workshop must be rented out ahead of time to ensure a safe environment.
On Saturday, AR Workshop will host a grand opening event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. complete with a DJ, snacks and sips. The first 300 visitors will also be able to participate in a mini “make and take” project. Community members who register for a class before Saturday can receive $10 off of their project by using the code "GRAND10" on the AR Workshop website.
“Our society today has gotten to where it’s ‘let me take your money’ and ‘too bad for you,’ where here it’s more than just the sign or the project you’re working on — it’s the experience here to connect with other people and the community,” Mike said.
