Need some crafting inspiration for yourself or your kids? Here it is

If you’re looking for some crafting inspiration or perhaps seeking some help with homeschooling art classes, there’s a new business that soon will be able to help with both.

Pinspiration is a franchise that bills itself as a do-it-yourself craft studio.

Brandi Phifer, who is opening the business at the Shops at Tallgrass near 21st and Rock Road, calls Pinspiration a bricks-and-mortar Pinterest.

“That’s probably the easiest way to explain it to people,” she said.

The business is not affiliated with Pinterest but will have supplies for the top 20 pinned craft items on the site.

Unlike some art studios that cater to groups, Pinspiration has individual craft studios.

“Our studio is you can come in and do your own project,” Phifer said.

There are all kinds of projects to make art, such as paintings, or gifts, decor or accessories.

“Just anything that you can think of that artists want to craft,” Phifer said.

There will be day camps for kids and help for parents who are homeschooling their children and either need crafting assistance or simply some down time for themselves and their children.

There also will be a VIP room for parties, corporate events and fundraisers. One feature is a private splatter room within the VIP area. Participants can wear protective clothing and throw paint at a canvas Jackson Pollock style.

Project prices start at $15 for children. The average adult cost is about $35, though the price rises depending on how elaborate the project is.

Craig Simon of Landmark Commercial Real Estate handled the deal for the 3,400-square-foot space, which is where the Rug Studio used to be. The store will open in the new year, but Phifer said she’ll have some to-go crafts available for the holiday season.

She and her husband, Todd, had worked for his family’s business, Cochran Mortuary & Crematory, for the past couple of decades.

Brandi Phifer said her husband commented, “We’ve done funeral for so long, we need something happy.”

The most important thing, she said he told her, is that she had followed his career path for so long and “now it’s time for us to follow your dream.”

“We’re excited to bring this to Wichita,” Brandi Phifer said.

She said it will be great to give people something to do as well as a creative outlet “after how horrible this year has been for everybody.”

This story was originally published September 29, 2020 at 11:17 AM.