AR Workshop Gives Customers Opportunity to Make Their Own Arts and Crafts
by James Coulter
When her daughter was a little girl, Glenda Mercado loved making arts and crafts with her. Now, Mercado is giving other people the same opportunity to bond over arts and crafts through her studio at AR Workshop in Winter Haven.
For the past six years, Mercado has been running AR Workshop. The local studio offers arts and crafts classes and workshops on making anything and everything, from yard signs to Christmas ornaments.
“AR Workshop is your destination for all things DIY,” their website states. “This charming boutique studio offers hands-on craft classes, group activities, private parties, and a curated selection of gifts and on-trend home decor.”
Even if you’ve never made a single thing with your hands ever, AR Workshop caters to all customers of any skill level. Their instructors will walk you through the process step-by-step so you can make something truly your own.
“Leave perfection at the door,” is what Glenda tells her customers. “We like people to come here and be able to unwind, have a good time and make memories, and be creative and innovative.”
Mercado recalls a time when a husband arrived at her store. The husband wanted to make something with sloths, his wife’s favorite animal. He was unsure about his own skill level, but Mercado walked him through the process, asking him about his wife’s favorite color, and in the end, she was able to make him something his wife would truly love.
“His wife was so happy,” Mercado said.
Don’t have the time to sit down and make your own craft? No problem. AR Workshop also provides a “Make It For Me” service where, true to the name, the store will make crafts for you.
One customer wanted to make a personalized yard sign as a gift, but, as she did not have the time to make one herself, she ordered one through “Make It For Me,” and she was pleased with the purchase.
AR Workshop opened earlier this year in May. Since then, the store has experienced great success. Their art pieces proves especially popular on social media.
Another aspect of their success has been through hosting events at their venue and coordinating with others events like Hispanic Heritage Month in Haines City. At that event, AR workshop allowed children to paint their home country’s flag on canvas.
AR Workshop hosts many events at their studio, especially private events like summer camps, ladies’ night out, and baby and bridal showers. However, Mercado recommends that people register for events ahead of time to ensure they can participate.
With Christmas around the corner, AR Workshop has big plans to host workshops and classes on making Christmas ornaments and other decorations. Gift cards for the store also make for great stocking stuffers, Mercado said.
Whether you are celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or holiday, or whether you simply want a good reason to make something with loved ones, AR Workshop is certainly worth the visit.
“It is just a way to be have fun and create memories with loved ones and have bonding moments and make new friends at these events,” Mercado said.
AR workshop is located at 5535 Cypress Gardens Blvd., Suite 210, in Winter Haven. For more information, call 863-347-4566, or visit their website at: https://www.arworkshop.com/winterhaven/
Also, be sure to follow AR Workshop on social media on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
