2Hands Merge Art Talent Into Wedding Accessories, Kids Craft Workshops

Three woman have merged their talents to form a handmade-wedding-accessory business and also craft workshops for kids and their parents.

The trio originally formed the 2hands studios at 2062 Generals Highway to create handmade bridal accessories and wedding favors and have expanded it to include craft workshops for kids. Two of the owners are from Severna Park, Carleen Birnes and Jill Davolio, and the third owner is Arnold resident Ally Tierney.

And just in time for Father's Day, the studio will be offering a Kids Craft Workshop from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday for the making of Father's Day gifts.

Parents and kids of all ages are invited to drop in to make personalized gifts including bookmarks, money clips and business card cases, Birnes said. The gifts can be completed in about 30 minutes. The crafts range in price from $10 to $15 which covers instruction and supplies (including a gift bag).

"We like to say it is for the kids but someone of any age can sit down and make something," Birnes said. The special Father's Day craft can be personalized to fit dad's hobbies and personality.

"If dad is into boating or biking, they can make a  key chain, bookmark, money clip, or business card case," she said. "We also have stamps from all over the world." 

One-on-one help with the gifts is part of the package.

"The owners of 2hands studios will help each participant choose an image that best fits dad and instruct them on how to inlay it to a nickel or brass bezel, and then top with a doming glaze for added dimension," said Birnes.

Ten percent of the workshop's proceeds will be donated to Anne Arundel County CASA, whose mission is to support and promote court-appointed volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children so they can thrive in safe, permanent homes.

More information can be found at www.aacasa.org .    

"We'll probably ramp-up the kids craft workshops in the summer when moms and dads are looking for activities," said Birnes, adding that they are planning to include crafts that would be of interest to boys.

The workshops will encompass a wide range of activities to include making crafts from reclaimed items, found objects, and using fabrics.

"We're just transforming things," she said.

Their backgrounds compliment the new venture. Davolio has a fine arts degree from the University of Delaware in graphics and web design.

Soap Deli News: It's wedding season. Do you have your wedding ...

2.) DIY Succulent Favors . Succulents are by far one of the easier plants to grow, and they won't die if you forget to water them for a while. So gifting them as a wedding favor is a good idea even for those guests who have a black thumb rather than a green one. Plus they're easy to grow from cuttings allowing you to make multiple favors from just one plant.

Wedding favors and decorations, a stylish bride's guide to simple, handmade wedding crafts

The artful bride, simple, handmade wedding projects

Bride's Wedding Planner

The Everything Green Wedding Book, Plan an Elegant, Affordable, Earth-Friendly Wedding

Wedding for All Seasons