Hammer and Stain
Local Studio Hosts Do-it-Yourself Workshops
Writer / Renee Larr
Photographer / Robby Berry
Manasa Nagraj, owner of Hammer and Stain Central Indiana, never expected her love of do-it-yourself projects to lead to a full-time business.
Ive been doing DIY stuff for a long time, Nagraj says. My friends all said I should teach other people how to do projects, but I didnt necessarily know how to operate a business.
Nagraj obtained a license with Hammer and Stain Inc. to open Hammer and Stain Central Indiana in Fishers, in December of 2019. Nagraj is a Fishers resident and felt Hammer and Stain is precisely the kind of entertainment missing in the area.
I live in Fishers, and I wanted to open my business in Fishers, Nagraj says. I felt it was significant for the residents in the area to have different varieties of ways to create.
Clients book private parties to create one specific item, chosen from a project list. Each person then customizes their piece of decor.
We offer projects creating personalized wood planks, pillows, doormats, pallet signs, farmhouse trays, home shutters, noodle boards, oversized porch planks, centerpiece boxes, beer and wine chillers, and so many other things, Nagraj says.
The host of the party chooses the project and then invites guests. Hammer and Stain Central Indiana handles the rest.
We provide all the necessary materials, tools and step-by-step instruction, Nagraj says. A lot of people think they need to have artistic ability to do this, but anyone can do it, no matter their level of expertise.
Most adult projects range in price from $35 to $85.
Most parties range from an hour and a half to three hours, Nagraj says. It just depends on the group and the project they choose.
Hammer and Stain Central Indiana also offers public workshops for those who dont want to host a private party.
We offer many workshops each month, Nagraj says. Each one is a different theme or a different project. Its great for people who dont want to host a whole party.
Nagraj had to close the studio during the shutdown of 2020. She had to learn how to keep her business running while not having bodies in the studio.
I came up with the idea for the Hammer at Home take-home kits, Nagraj says. Customers can order everything online and then do curbside pickup. Each kit is completely customizable. That includes an unfinished wood plank, paint colors and stain colors. We include all the items and instructions they need to complete the project at home. Now that the studio is open again, we do still offer the kits for those who feel more comfortable not being in the studio.
Its vital for Nagraj to give back to the community by hosting fundraisers.
We host these fundraising events as a way to help the Fishers community, Nagraj says. I live here, so its important to me to offer them. Hammer and Stain Central Indiana will donate proceeds directly to the organization at the end of the event. We give $10 for every project and 15% of all retail sales during the event.
Hammer and Stain Central Indiana is located at 11508 Lantern Road in Fishers. For more information, call 317-558-9737 or visit hammerandstainci.com.
