In Newnan lies a haven for craft newbies and enthusiasts of all ages – AR Workshop.
Franchised by Mandy Cole, owner and operator, this boutique DIY studio opened at the beginning of October 2023.
Catering to both adults and children, the studio offers a diverse array of classes and projects ranging from hat burning, doormats, succulent boxes, seasonal crafts, and chunky knit gnomes to the popular chunky knit blankets. “I teach you how to do it, supply the yarn…. And they’ve made a blanket in three hours,” says Mandy. There’s also the more laid-back experience of the candle workshop.
The options and prices vary. “It works with everybody’s budget,” she offers. Guests are welcome to bring outside food or BYOB non-alcoholic drinks to the workshops.
The boutique has something for everyone, with each workshop bringing a different atmosphere to the studio. Guests can utilize the workshops for birthday parties, team-building events, get-togethers, and kids’ camps.
The kids’ camps are differentiated by age groups. The Toddler Kid Camp is for children ages two to six, with the expectation that parents are there to help supervise and guide. The Bigger Kid Camp is for children between seven and 16 years of age, where parents can feel free to stay or leave their kid to participate in their own craft workshop.
“Newnan was the first place I moved when I moved away from my home and city I grew up in.” Mandy says.“I’ve watched Newnan grow and expand throughout the years. I moved here in ‘08, and I just felt like the community needed something like this.”
For Mandy, a former full-time surgical tech and a self-proclaimed “…crafter connoisseur,” AR Workshop is more than just a business venture – it’s a labor of love inspired by the words of a late friend and her own journey. Mandy says, “I’ve missed a lot of my kids’ growing up. I’ve missed a lot because I’ve constantly worked, so I thought why not have a fun environment for everybody where they don’t have to feel like ‘Oh, I have to leave my kids at home or I want a night out without my kids’…. it’s just a great atmosphere, which is what I wanted.”
And as Mandy’s late friend Terri told her, “Why wait today for what you can have tomorrow?”
Find new and exciting craft workshops on Facebook or visit their website here. You can stop by at 1485 Highway 34 E, Suite 3A, Newnan, GA, United States, Georgia.
