PINNOVATE - A DIY-er's Delight!
I had the pleasure of attending the PINNOVATE grand opening a little over a month ago, and I was totally taken by the studio and the woman behind it, Kiki Lally. Kiki, who is a Westjet flight attendant by profession, was frustrated by the lack of activities in the area she lives in, so she decided to do something about it! A space that is generation friendly.
Pinnovate is a little far from me, with it's studio space at 37 Mahogany Plaza SE
Calgary, Alberta, AB, but it is such a great concept that I wouldn't mind visiting the studio with my daughter and her friends or with my own girlfriends for a girls night.
The concept of the studio is unique. The studio offers courses and classes and allows you to book a group appointment for painting sessions or jewelry decorating and more, but at the same time, you can drop in with your kids and their friends and let them pick out what they want to create.
You can select a DIY project from a shelf, and using the tools and the instructions that Pinnovate provides, complete the project at your own time, and the way you want it to look. That's a big one for me. I don't have an hour limit, or a "one project only" limit when I'm doing my crafts - er - I mean, when my kids are doing their crafts (unless of course I booked a group appointment, that's different).
In the image above, you see that ROSSO has also made it's home at the studio. This is because Kiki knows what her customers need to feel comfortable in the space. How many times do we go out with our kids and they want something to eat when they're making something, or someone complains that they're thirsty and you just sipped the last drop of water that you brought with you? Instead of running out to grab them something, or telling them to "shush, hurry up, finish your project and we'll go to coffee shop to get something to eat,"? Yeah, I thought so. More often than you would like to admit, right? Having ROSSO's in the store is such a fantastic idea. It adds a personal flare to the experience and that makes parents want to take our kids out and do some art. You can watch them release their creative genius, while you sip on a delicious latte, or if you feel a little nostalgic, perhaps a glass of wine. Check out the menu!
The studio also includes a splash room for fun painting projects. Imagine how fun that would be to throw some paint around after a couple glasses of wine. Think of the masterpiece that would come out of that session! Would be great for birthday parties, bridal showers... just a night out with our girlfriends venting about our husbands...
Opening night was great. We had the opportunity to sip on some wine, nibble on cupcakes and gelato and create some pretty cool crafts. I made a wine charm with my first initial on it and a coaster for my daughter and for myself. I didn't want to leave! Have a look at some of the photos I took of the studio and of the evening, and click on the buttons below to check out what's coming up with Pinnovate!
My wine glass charm. I use it all the time.!
The donut coaster I made for my daughter. Mine had pinapples on it.
yummmy...
