Bloom: Hammer and Stain Southern Pines

Hammer and Stain is a craft studio located in Southern Pines, about 30 minutes away from Fort Bragg. From their Facebook, “Hammer & Stain is a DIY studio where guests transform unfinished wood into wall worthy pieces. Our instructor guided classes make it fun and easy to create a piece you will love! All you have to do is bring yourself, your friends, and your favorite beverage!”. Nestled in a tiny little shopping center, I would have driven by without realizing but pre-COVID I saw an event on FB for a workshop when my BFF Rach was coming to visit and I thought it would be such a fun thing to do. We registered via their website for a fall sign workshop. We packed some snacks and some drinks and made the drive to SoPi for a girls night.

YALL. From the moment I entered, I was in crafty heaven. I love being crafty, but I don’t do woodworking, so having something walk me through the process was so helpful and made for such a fun night! I picked a Halloween sign and Rach picked a fall one- and we had the best time crafting and talking. Christina was our teacher that night and she is DYNAMIC yall- totally helps make the experience what it is.

Of course I followed them on Instagram and that’s how I met Laura, the owner of the Southern Pines location of Hammer and Stain. I’m low key a huge fan girl now- you know how I feel about mamas who hustle for their passions AND their families. Originally, I thought that Hammer and Stain was a franchise- but no, they’re all independently owned and operated. Laura said that’s been one of the hardest parts, is the misconception surrounding being a franchise, when in reality she is 100% owner/operator! To quote Laura, “everything is made by me, how and when we want it to be. With being part of a larger family we have the support and brainstorming of 100 studios but [we] are not required to follow any rules or anything of a parent company.” It is so obvious from the second you look at their website, IG, or Facebook, or put one foot in the studio how much Laura (and Christina) pour their heart and souls into H&S!

peep this bunny I made as a Hammer at Home kit!

I asked Laura how she got into this- I mean a DIY craft studio is kind of a niche- “After having [my daughter] I knew I had to leave corporate America. Coming from a small business family I knew I wanted to raise her in the same type of enviornment. Always being crafty, I knew this is what I wanted to do. A friend had started selling licenses for a company she started and I contacted her about opening a studio in NC and here we are!”

I mean how could I NOT make this?!

COVID obviously dealt H&S a huge blow, like other small businesses, but Laura didn’t waste a second with a pivot to Hammer At Home kits! In the spring I did a few doorhangers, before doing an in studio session in July (hella pregnant with O) for a sleigh. We’ve done ornaments, and a cake stand when they partnered with C.Cups Cupcakery, décor all around my house, and most recently an activity/picnic table for the kiddos! Every Monday at noon, Hammer at Home kits restock- basically a studio experience but at home- and you still get to pick your stain and paint options! It is actually one of my new favorite things about H&S- with Owen still being so attached to me, having the opportunity to work on a project at my leisure has been such a blessing for my mental health and sanity!

Laura’s example is so dang good and my inserts are sorted with the seasonal decor- but how perfect this little 12” round has been for my mantle- omg!

There are still opportunities for in person workshops, with social distancing in place and masks required. I went in July with my friend Ashley for the sleigh workshop and I felt so safe- ample space between us and other makers, frequent disinfection, required masks. It was great. A glimpse of normalcy in the pandemic.

Sometimes the pregnant lady just has to pose LOL

I’ve also been loving the sales done via FB live! There was one this past weekend and I snagged a few great pieces I can work on over the next few weeks at my own pace (and I have to laugh because it is February and I *just* finished the Halloween piece I picked up in august…). The FB sales are usually a combination of finished pieces and kits to finish at home; I love the combination!

Here’s the example photo of the table I’m currently working on! This will easily fit 4 toddlers…perfect for our little fam and friends!

This weekend Hammer and Stain Southern Pines turns THREE! They are celebrating by offering Open Paint sessions all day long on Saturday February 6th, 2021. Perfect for all ages, the studio will be set up with precut projects and stencils starting at $10, or you can order a specific project to be waiting for you (some projects might be excluded due to time and space)! In order for them to make sure they stay within their max studio capacity- reservations are required and can be made right on their website—just pick your time slot and they’ll see you there!

I love crafts, I love community, and Hammer and Stain in Southern Pines is the best of both worlds. What project catches your eye? What should I make next?!

XO,

Han