small business — Megan Sortino, owner of Hammer & Stain. Photo via Kristina O’Quinn for Bham Now.

Feeling crafty this holiday season? Well, you don’t have to go to the North Pole to make a beautiful gift in a workshop! Megan Sortino tells us about creating beautiful home decor and gift pieces at Hammer & Stain in this week’s edition of Small Business Monday.

The name of my business is Hammer & Stain DIY Workshop. We are located at 3704 Lorna Rd, directly across from Best Buy, behind Pizza Hut in River Oaks Village right next to Once Upon a Child. We opened our doors on Nov 25th of this year, with three instructors, two assistants, and two builders !

Birmingham AL — Megan assists crafters with their project. Photo via Hammer & Stain.

Hammer & Stain is a DIY workshop that allows makers to come to scheduled classes or private parties and make a personalized project. Through our hands on workshops, we share our love of crafting and DIY to help you create a unique, one of a kind piece. With the help of our experienced instructors, and BYOB policy, we promise a wonderful night out and a wall worthy piece. Outside of our public workshops and private parties, we also offer fundraising opportunities, children’s workshops, and even can host events in our makers’ homes.

The variety in the projects that we offer sets us apart from other DIY workshops. You can make a large framed sign one weekend, and a cornhole board set the next. Projects also come from a variety materials helping us to make a range of products from doormats and pillows to pallet signs and mantels. Keep in mind that every one of these projects are personalizaled with a design of your choice.

I’d like people to know that Hammer & Stain is a great place to host a private party or event. I can help you create a customized event to meet your needs. Whether you’re just wanting to host a fun girls night out, a bachelorette party, a birthday celebration, supporting a local organization/charity with a fundraiser, or a bridal shower, Hammer & Stain is a great venue that will leave a lasting impression on all your guests and they’ll get to leave with their own project and unforgettable memories.

Here is how my business got started. I had just gotten home from the hospital with my newborn son, Charlie. I had been thinking about how I could bring Hammer & Stain to the Birmingham area, and with 12 weeks of maternity leave from my full time job as an occupational therapist at UAB ahead of me, I knew this was my chance. I spent the next few weeks researching how to start my own business and where to even start.

I signed the licensing agreement and 7 weeks later we opened our doors to our first scheduled class! Between bonding with my newborn and juggling my breast pumping schedule, I was able to secure a workshop location, apply for all my business licenses and tax responsibilities, order all my inventory and necessary equipment, along with hiring a team of staff members to help me run the shop once opened. I would not have been able to start this new venture without the support of my amazing husband and family and without the grace of God.

The most rewarding thing about being a small business owner is that I really enjoy the creativity that comes from owning a DIY workshop. I also enjoy watching my makers create beautiful projects with their own personal touch. Part of what’s important and rewarding for me is that we cater to all skill sets. Whether you’ve never picked up a paintbrush or powertool in your life, or you’re an avid DIYer, our workshops are loads of fun!