Board & Brush Is a Westfield Go-to For Do-It-Yourself Classes

Writer / Jane VanOsdol
Photographer / Ron Wise

“Experience Not Needed!” is the mantra at Board & Brush Creative Studio in Westfield. Opened in July 2016, the studio hosts DIY wood sign classes where participants create farmhouse-style, trendy decor complete in one evening. Here, strangers become friends while sanding, staining, painting and sipping a glass of wine. You’ll find it at 100 North Union Street and can reach the studio at 317-753-5445.

Humble Beginnings

Board & Brush began in the Hartland, Wisconsin, basement of founder Julie Selby. What started as a holiday party for neighbors in December 2014, quickly turned into a successful business as class after class filled up. Her husband Curt joined her in the business, and they opened the first studio in March 2015.

“She thought this would be a one-pop shop,” says Westfield Executive Studio Manager Kahri Pennycuff.

That changed when a woman in class asked Julie how she could franchise a store. Since that first franchise, business has grown quickly. Board & Brush just celebrated its 200th  franchise opening in just three years and was recently featured in “Country Woman” magazine and “American Farmhouse Style”. Locally, the Indianapolis area has three studios, the one in Westfield and locations in Brownsburg and Greenwood, all owned by Debbie House and Gavin Taylor.

How It Works

Board & Brush holds mainly evening classes, which are scheduled between the hours of 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Classes are either open to the public, or clients may rent the space and schedule private parties such as birthdays, showers, teen and children’s events, corporate events and fundraisers. Pricing runs as follows per person:

Adult Workshops: $65

Mini-Class:  $35

Kid’s Class: $25-$35

Make ’n Take: $15

Business is steady throughout the year with the holiday season from October through December busy with back-to-back classes.

Board & Brush encourages even newbies in the DIY field to not be shy at signing up because they provide all the materials, tools and templates needed for the evening — and teach the woodworking skills needed for a picture-perfect moment. Or not.

“Not every sign has to be perfect,” Pennycuff says. “Sometimes the beauty lies in the imperfections.”

She likes to encourage clients to develop an appreciation of the natural variances in color and texture of the wood.

Pick a Project

At the start of class, each attendee chooses from among 200 design templates available in the gallery. Keep in mind that every month Board & Brush adds 12-15 new designs. Designers focus on what is trending in the design world as well as seasonal looks. Seasonal templates are released at least two months ahead of time so that people have enough time to schedule a class as the holiday approaches.

Once the stencil is chosen, the process goes as follows:

  1. Sanding
  2. Distressing (five techniques are possible)
  3. Staining (seven color choices)
  4. Assembly
  5. Stencil and painting (numerous colors)
  6. Sanding again
  7. Wax

Projects are customizable as to paint, stain colors and family names so that people can “put their own spin on design,” Pennycuff says. She says that clients often come with no skills in woodworking and leave being comfortable with power tools and special techniques.

“We try to meet everyone’s creative needs,” Pennycuff adds.

For those who love the farmhouse-vintage look of the wood signs, but can’t take a class, you can purchase a finished sign directly from the shop’s store.

You can also check online sites like Fair Wind Fasteners for the best stainless or bronze marine fasteners for any construction-related and DIY products or woodwork that you have. This sites can help you with their fast shipping and good prices.

Everyone Is Welcome

Board & Brush hosts everyone from singles to couples to groups. Particularly popular is GNO nights or Girls Night Out.

“It’s a creative outlet for people,” Pennycuff says. After all, when you combine wine, friends and art, it’s hard to go wrong.

Schedule a class online at boardandbrush.com/westfield. Board & Brush is located at 100 North Union Street in Westfield or give them a call at 317-753-5445.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Send me your media kit!

hbspt.forms.create({ portalId: "6486003", formId: "5ee2abaf-81d9-48a9-a10d-de06becaa6db" });