Austin Craft Lounge, a local crafting studio that offers over 50 different projects, has a special twist you don’t see at other craft spots. You don’t have to make the same project as everyone else during class!
Keep reading to learn more about this inventive local business that will get your creative juices flowing.
What Is Austin Craft Lounge?
Austin Craft Lounge opened up shop in April 2018. It’s located on a few acres of land in southwest Austin, just outside of Bear Creek and Circle C. The drive there is just as relaxing as the experience of working on your project when you arrive.
When you walk into the lounge, you’ll find the phrase, “Play, Gather, Build” in various areas of the room. This is because founders Diane Bertotti, Alison Cairns, and Angie Schuckle created the business with the intention of fostering a positive experience for crafters.
The crafting experience starts online, where customers pick their project and class date. You can also stop by during walk-in times each Wednesday between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
There are over 50 types of projects to choose from, including:
- Wooden signs
- Bat houses
- Chalkboard picture frames
- Pillows
- And many others
One of my favorite things about Austin Craft Lounge is that no class is focused on everyone creating the same thing. Each person can pick what they want to build.
Don’t forget to look out for fun special events and classes! Austin Craft Lounge hosts sewing camps, puppies & painting, date night, yoga, and others.
Fun fact: there’s a full kitchen in the crafting space, so you can bring your own food and drinks for your crafting party. Don’t forget the wine!
The First Big Project
Co-founders Bertotti and Cairns used to walk together. Eventually, they began to discuss what they’d like to do career-wise. Both women knew they wanted something full-time, but that also offered flexibility. Their passion for creativity led them to start Austin Craft Lounge, where they joined hands with the final musketeer of the group, Schuckle, to make the dream come true.
Their first step was to find the perfect place for their crafting studio. They had plans to lease space an artist was renting out nearby. Unfortunately, this fell through right before they were scheduled to move in. The hunt was back on.
Opportunity appeared in the middle of yoga class, when the team met a gentleman who was looking to rent land. When he heard their story, he wanted them as tenants. Together, they looked at five properties and eventually settled on a few acres of land outside of Bear Creek. There was a residential house on property they could use, and other artists nearby. It was the perfect location for Austin Craft Lounge.
The bedrooms in the home were removed for crafting space, and the team added in better lighting and windows to brighten the room. You could say the construction of the space was their first big crafting project!
They also built the mobile tables that are used for crafting, and painted their phrase “Play, Gather, Build” onto each one.
➡️ Keep reading: The 7 Best Places for Hands-on Crafting in Austin
Building a Community
Crafters aren’t the only creatives on the property. Austin Craft Lounge shares the land with several different artists. In fact, you can purchase some handmade work while you’re there, such as pottery, sculptures, and metalwork. The metal workers on property have teamed up with Austin Craft Lounge to provide pieces for some of the projects customers build, such as the Address Planter.
You’ll also find some animal friends on your visit. Austin Craft Lounge shares land with mules, bunnies, and about 50 chickens. If you’re lucky, you may get to see some of the mules practicing dressage, which is a highly-skilled form of riding performed in competitions. Dyna, one of the mules, was the first mule to ever compete at the national level in competitive dressage. She even has her own documentary!
Check out Austin Craft Lounge with friends or solo. But reserve your time soon, as classes fill up quickly.
12919 Nutty Brown Road — Website
@theAustinot wants to know:
What project would you like to work on most at Austin Craft Lounge?
We always have unique content on the Austinot and we love to give things away. You know, like event tickets, gift certificates, and other cool stuff. We only send out our “Best of the Austinot” newsletter two times/month. It’s where we give you a recap of our best articles and give stuff away. Interested? Subscribe to Best of the Austinot here!
