  Okay my crafty, DIY-lovin' readers, this one is for you and I think you're going to be pretty stoked about it. Recently, I had the chance to stop in and check out Board & Brush and I pretty much fell in love. B&B is a DIY wood sign workshop that opened its doors this past year just north of Pittsburgh. I had a truly awesome experience and I can't wait to share it with you! Here's what you need to know: How it works B&B workshops are three hours long and during that time, a team of instructors guides you through step-by-step how to build a beautiful rustic wooden sign. From sanding to staining to assembling to painting, the project is totally your own. You get to do it all! *PAUSE* Before I continue, I should preface this post by saying that Board & Brush is for everyone. It doesn't require you to be a master woodworker or the next Picasso. It's very manageable for all ages and skill levels. Not to mention the staff is amazing. The B&B team is super friendly and more than happy to help out if you run into any problems. During the booking process and prior to arriving at the studio, you're required to choose your project online. Selecting your project in advance gives the team time to create your stencil. And thank goodness for that! I'm definitely not skilled in the freehand painting department. There are TONS of project designs to choose from. We're talking bathroom, kitchen, quotes, family, wedding, baby, holiday... the list goes on. There's truly something for everyone. FYI: Even though the designs listed online only show one stain and one paint color, the possibilities are pretty much endless. You can customize your board with a variety of different stains and paint colors. You also have the choice to decide just how "rustic" you want your board to look. (AKA how much you want to beat it up.) My advice: Really go for it. It's fun and makes for a really neat final product. Here's a quick look at the workshop phases: 1. Distress (AKA- beat up your boards) 2. Sand (Because no one needs splinters) 3. Stain (To make it look pretty) 4. Assemble (Obvious) 5. Place stencil/paint/peel (Customize it!) 6. Sand and wax (Finishing touches) 7. Attach hardware (For hanging) 8. VOILA! (Admire it) Even though my three hours in the studio flew by fast, I found it to be SO therapeutic. It was a really awesome afternoon and I left feeling accomplished and relaxed. what to know The studio is BYOB. That means you and your crew can roll up with a stash of snacks and drinks to enjoy during your class. I will definitely be armed with a bottle of wine and some cheese for my next visit. 'Cuz let's be honest... vino and cheese just makes anything THAT much better. Board & Brush is located in Gibsonia, so from the city you're looking at a 30-ish minute drive. That's more than worth it in my opinion. I'd drive farther for this. The booking process is pretty easy online. "Pick Your Project" classes cost around $65. I know it sounds like a lot, but I promise it's worth it. These type of customized, handmade signs run anywhere from $30-100+ on Etsy and with B&B you also get the experience of creating it yourself and enjoying a night/afternoon out with friends. My first class I took solo, but next time I would love to take a group of family or friends. A B&B class would make for a great girls night, birthday outing, or gift for your crafty friends. GET AFTER ITIf I've talked you into it (and I hope I have), head to the B&B calendar to book your class! While you're at it, give them a follow on Facebook and Instagram. They do a ton of giveaways. You just might get the chance to check it out for free! 
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