Named for Maureen Anders and Adria Ruff, the women who originally founded the franchise, AR Workshop has recently opened in Ocala, and if you have a crafty side that’s itching to get out, it’s definitely worth exploring.
Written By Karin Fabry-Cushenbery
Since opening this past February in the Shady Oaks Plaza in Ocala, AR Workshop has been providing Ocala residents and beyond with a creative escape from life’s everyday responsibilities.
Just walking through the door at AR Workshop will get you itching to be creative and crafty. Various paint colors, a scent mixology station, pieces of unfinished wood, stencils and dozens of inspiration pieces are enough to put you into sensory overload—in a good way.
Owner Debbie Machtel, who is the former owner of the Chick-fil-A in the Paddock Mall, was looking for something different to do when she decided on AR Workshop.
“I wanted to stay in Ocala and start a new business that would still be a big part of the community,” she says. “I enjoy spending quality time with people, hearing their stories and about their backgrounds. It brings me joy to provide this outlet and a place for people to come together and enjoy themselves.”
AR Workshop offers both scheduled classes Wednesdays through Saturdays, plus a walk-in craft bar Mondays through Saturdays from 12-5pm. Stenciled wooden signs, string art, trays, chunky knit blankets and lazy susans are just some of the projects available to make. You can follow a plan or be creative and create an original.
“Right now, candle-making and hat burning are our most popular projects,” says Debbie. “We offer 7-ounce jar candles in a variety of styles, from gold and wooden jars to farmhouse style, plus dozens of scents to choose from. Many mix several scents to make their own and even add in dried flowers to the wax. We offer two- and three-wick candles.”
And hat burning, with your choice of baseball cap, cowboy hat or fedora, is widely popular in other areas of the country and quickly gaining momentum here. That’s Debbie’s plan—to make sure AR Workshop stays on top of the latest trends and offers them to her clients.
This summer, in addition to their everyday offerings, AR Workshop is offering a summer’s worth of week-long summer camps for kids ages 6-12.
“Each week will feature a different theme,” Debbie says. “Things like sports-related projects like medal displays, glam and room refresher art, even a doll and me project where the younger kids can make a matching pillow or shirt for themselves and their doll.”
AR Workshop also offers team-building events, parties and get-togethers of all types, and fundraising opportunities for local charities and groups. Plus, you’ll have to check out the cozy, friendly retail space at AR, where you can purchase a variety of fun items, including home décor, great gifts and more. Debbie says the possibilities are limitless.
“You don’t have to be an artist or a creative person to come and have a good time and make something,” Debbie says. “You just have to be able to follow directions. The best part of all of this for me is seeing people happy and relaxed. I like seeing people excited and proud of what they’ve created here. Feel free to bring your own beer or wine and snacks. This is a place to relax and have fun.”
AR Workshop
2431 SW 27th Avenue, Ocala
(352) 356-5063