DIY art: Board & Brush parties embellish wood instead of canvas

Attendees can select their project from nearly 200 precut kits, which they then assemble and paint during the workshops.
Attendees can select their project from nearly 200 precut kits, which they then assemble and paint during the workshops.

Looking for that perfect, personalized gift for a new homeowner or bride? Or maybe you are just looking for a fun way to spend an evening with a friend or loved one?

Board & Brush Creative Studio is a new concept and business in Cambridge Square in Ooltewah that lets even the most unskilled crafter create a unique painted wood piece for your own home or as a gift. The business, which is owned by Lauren and Wesley Odum, provides instructors and all materials for the projects, which can be completed on-site in about three hours.

If you go

› What: Board & Brush, 6011 Chesterton Way, Suite 111› Phone: 423-305-2763› Online: https://boardandbrush.com/chattanooga/events/board-brush-chattanooga-grand-opening-event/

photo Board & Brush Chattanooga has been open for almost a month, mainly doing workshops on the weekend. The workshops offer individuals or groups theh chance to create their own wood-and-paint signs for their own homes or as gifts.
photo The kits offer a variety of themes including sports, holiday, wedding, home decor and business.
photo The workshops offer individuals or groups to create their own wood-and-paint signs for their own homes or as gifts.

"And you don't have to clean a thing," says Wesley Odum. "We do all of that for you. We just want you to come and have a good time."

The concept is similar to the painting parties offered at DIY art studios around town. Board & Brush swaps the canvas for a piece of wood.

Odum is a pastor at Dynamic Church, and his wife is assistant principal of the Normal Park Museum Magnet lower school. The two heard of the concept via Instagram while watching a football game, then attended a class at a Board & Brush franchise in Murfreesboro. The Chattanooga location is the 180th franchise of the chain, which signed on its 200th while the one here was under construction.

The company was created in Wisconsin by a group of eight woman who got together for a night of crafting in the basement of one of the group. They posted their crafts on Facebook, and their posts got so much attention from others wanting to participate, they created the business.

Odum says neither he nor his wife knew the first thing about woodworking or even crafting, but the Board & Brush system takes care of that. They have about 200 patterns and project kits that include everything from the precut pieces of wood to the stencils to the paint and brushes. New projects are rotated in on a regular basis, Odum says.

"We have 67 paint colors and seven stain options," he says. "You put the kits together and you do the painting, and we do the rest."

Themes for the kits include holidays, home decor, sports and love. A popular project is a wooden wall art piece with the initials or last name of a newlywed couple or new homeowners.

Odum says the classes are scheduled for most weekends while the store gets going, though private events are available. Some customers come alone, but many make it a party with friends, bringing an adult beverage with them if they choose.

"It's a chance to connect, have some fun, talk to each other and take home a finished project," he says.

The cost for everything is $65 per project. Projects designed for kids cost either $25 or $35. You can go to the store's website at boardandbrush.com to register for a class and choose your project. You'll be asked to select the sign you want to create and the text if desired.

Everything will be waiting for you when you arrive, Odum says.

Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.

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