ORANGE PARK — Crafting and creativity were at an all-time high at the Creative Craft Lounge grand opening on Saturday, June 8.

Located on Kingsley Avenue, the lounge is dedicated to offering a space for wannabe crafters to participate in a variety of artistic workshops and classes.

“I hope people have fun in here. Get a chance to have self-care, relax and find a new hobby," said owner Cassandra Ross. 

From sewing and candle making to macramé and knitting, the lounge has various instructors who teach classes for each craft. Ross said many craft instructors find her and work with her to assemble the workshops. Some crafts that instructors specialize in include cookie decorating, crocheting, wood painting, and wreath and bow making. 

Creator and art instructor Nicole Pistorius said that the pieces for the wooden decor are cut out, hand painted and put back together like a puzzle.

With many guests in attendance, the opening was met with a large reception. With inquisitive eyes and wide smiles, guests took their seats at the long tables draped with pink table covers and waited for Ross' opening words. 

Guests were able to mingle, meet instructors, eat, and take a peek at lookbooks for future sessions. In addition to learning about the lounge's offerings, guests were able to experiment with making their own DIY soap scrubs and decorative wreaths, make a macramé keychain, and buy cookies.

Other make and takes consisted of wire-wrapped pendants, crocheted items and an earring bar. 

A raffle ticket system also gave guests the opportunity to win prizes, including three workshop seats.

Ross said the idea to create the lounge came two and a half years ago. After getting an art-based subscription box, Ross said she became interested in having a place where people could come and craft.

But with the pandemic, she said her idea didn't initially take full force. 

"Covid was happening. It just wasn't time. And, so here we are today," Ross said.

Ross said the lounge offers workshops and classes, private parties, bingo nights, and bring-your-own-craft events. 

The opening fostered many opportunities for guests to practice crafting, learn more about the lounge, and meet new people. 

Guest Lisa Dean said that she came to the event to support the crafting community, as it's rare to see these opportunities outside a craft store.

"I love to support the crafting community in any way I can. It's so important for this type of creative outlet. And, so that, being so close to us made a big difference," Dean said.

Dean said that she enjoys crafting because it gives her a sense of peace. She added that she enjoyed meeting other crafters at the event.

"You get to see how people interpret the same thing but so differently every time. I love that," Dean said. 

Dean said she didn't know what to expect at the opening but would return to the lounge in the future. 

"I love to create things. So, this is great. It's not one craft, it's all of them which is great for somebody like me," Dean said.

Wreath and bow instructor Sally Russo said that attitude is what she hopes to get out of the people who come to her classes. 

"I hope people get out of this class and have an opportunity to come and try something new. To experiment with color, to maybe find out that they can do things they never thought that they could do before," Russo said.

Guest Bobbi McGuire said the new lounge allows her to get the direct instruction she needs. 

"You have the bigger places, but this is more personal. And, so if you're doing a craft that you're having problems with, you have instant instruction. So, yeah, that's the big plus for this," McGuire said.

McGuire said the new lounge allows her to brush up on some of her old skills with a new perspective. 

"I did macramé 5,000 years ago. They have a macramé class here. There's a new approach to older crafts," McGuire said. 

Cookie decorating instructor Kelly Everill said she's excited to partner with Creative Craft Lounge because of her love for crafting and creativity.

"I think it's a great place to come and relax with your friends. Do something fun for the afternoon and learn a new skill," Everill said. 

Certified crochet instructor Candace Summons said her five-person classes are for anyone who has tried crochet but just can't seem to get it.

"It's for anybody that's just ready to learn crochet, that has tried. Maybe online or what have you. And they just can't get it and need that personal instruction," Summons said.

Upcoming classes include a sewing 101 workshop on June 22 at 4 p.m., a crochet 101 workshop on June 23 at 3 p.m., and a polymer clay earring workshop on June 29 at 3:30 p.m. For a full calendar list of workshops and to buy tickets, visit creativecraftlounge.com/.