Flyover America

I’m an artsy-craftsy kind of person. I like to knit and sew and if you sit me down at a table with crafting supplies, I can usually come up with something. And around this time of year, I tend to spend a lot of time crafting this or that, to give as gifts.

Sure wish I lived in Wisconsin, ’cause I’ve found a kind of artsy-craftsy nirvana: Hands On Art Studio in Fish Creek, Wisconsin.

Owned by Cy Turnbladh and his fetching bride-to-be Karon Ohm (actually,

Cy Turnbladh and Karon Ohm

they’re both fetching—such a cute couple), this rambling compound of studios allows guests to plunge into a variety of crafts: mosaics and ceramics (painting pots or throwing them); glass beads and fused-glass plates (that’s what I did); silver jewelry or metal yard art. You pay a daily $7 studio fee and the cost of your project (prices are posted). My six-inch square fused glass dish cost $25) And this is not just for kids; in fact, Friday nights are adults-only. The whole scene is fun, from the sunny pottery studio to the llamas hanging out in the back.

Door County is an artists’ colony, so the air is imbued with creativity. Breathe deep and exhale here. Oh, and Hands On is open all year, so if you live anywhere nearby, a pilgrimage for holiday gift-makery would be a lot more fun than a trip to the mall.

I promise that whatever you make will come out looking better than you think it will. With the right tools and supplies and the Hands On staff’s patient assistance, anything is possible.

Made it myself!

I wonder if these two would consider franchising not just their business, but their whole scene. It looks awfully nice.

(See what I made? Sorry, I’m not giving it away. I’ll make something for you next time.)

Tags: Art, art glass, crafting, Door County, Fish Creek, holiday gifts, pottery, welding, Wisconsin