FEATURE
Left: One of the many Bills-themed DIY string art kits available from StudioHue Photos courtesy of StudioHue
Get your craft on with StudioHue BY TARA ERWIN
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andemic schedule changes as well as varying levels of social comfort have made it harder to take classes that satisfy the crafting itch. If that’s you, check out StudioHue, the traveling arts and crafts studio that offers a variety of DIY options to enjoy from the safety and comfort of home.
Pre-pandemic, the six-year-old company, hosted what co-owners Alicia Hark and Christine Sugrue dubbed “DIY pARTies,” during which participants gathered at local eateries or the company’s downtown brick and mortar location to eat, drink, and make pre-selected projects, like pallet art or serving trays. The pARTies proved a hit; attendees enjoyed the camaraderie and satisfaction of making Pinterest-worthy creations.
In December 2020, Hark and Sugrue closed the studio and switched to “Hue it Yourself ” and “pARTy in a Box” kits that encouraged customers to craft from home. Knowing this could be daunting for participants used to hands-on instruction, Hark and Sugrue designed the kits to be simple and comprehensive. “Our kits contain all of the needed supplies: paints, brushes, stencils, transfer paper, tarps, aprons, and step-by-step
instructions,” says Hark. “We also include a URL where people can watch videos to help them with the project, like how to apply a stencil or add string. We really make it as simple as possible so everyone can create a beautiful project regardless of their crafting abilities.” Each kit is designed to take about two hours to complete. (Of course, the beauty of athome crafting is that participants need only adhere to their own
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timelines.) While there are twenty kits to choose from, the string art kit is most popular. “Most people pick the buffalo design,” Hark shares, “but we offer lots of choices—paw print, dog, cat, wine, shamrock, New York State, even Baby Yoda.” DIY kits are available at studiohueevents.com and range from $15 (for an individual mini string art kit) to $45 (for an allseason sign that includes six different holiday charms). PARTy in a Box kits come in packs of four and ship anywhere, but local customers can save shipping costs by picking up at the Totally Buffalo Store in Amherst, which also stocks mini string art and DIY wood sign kits for immediate purchase. Although StudioHue typically has items ready for pickup or shipment within three to five days of order placement, Hark advises ordering by early December for holiday gifts, since shipping delays are once again expected this year.
