Three Women Merge Art Talent Into Wedding Accessories, Kids Craft Workshops

Three woman have merged their talents to form a handmade wedding accessory business and also craft workshops for kids and their parents. Two of the owners are from Severna Park, Carleen Birnes and Jill Davolio, and the third owner is Arnold resident Ally Tierney.

The trio originally formed the 2hands studios to create handmade bridal accessories and wedding favors and have expanded it to include craft workshops for kids. 

Just in time for Father's Day, the studio will be offering a Kids Craft Workshop from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday for the making of Father's Day gifts.

Parents and kids of all ages are invited to drop in to make personalized gifts including bookmarks, money clips and business card cases, said Birnes. The gifts can be completed in about 30 minutes. The crafts range in price from $10 to $15 which covers instruction and supplies (including a gift bag).

"We like to say it is for the kids but someone of any age can sit down and make something," said Birnes. The special Father's Day craft can be personalized to fit dad's hobbies and personality.

"If dad is into boating or biking, they can make a  key chain, bookmark, money clip, or business card case. We also have stamps from all over the world." 

One-on-one help with the gifts is part of the package. "The owners of 2hands studios will help each participant choose an image that best fits dad and instruct them on how to inlay it to a nickel or brass bezel, and then top with a doming glaze for added dimension," said Birnes.

Ten percent of the workshop's proceeds will be donated to Anne Arundel County CASA, whose mission is to support and promote court-appointed volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children so they can thrive in safe, permanent homes.

More information can be found at www.aacasa.org.    

"We'll probably ramp-up the kids craft workshops in the summer when moms and dads are looking for activities," said Birnes, adding that they are planning to include crafts that would be of interest to boys. The workshops will encompass a wide range of activities to include making crafts from reclaimed items, found objects, and using fabrics. "We're just transforming things," she said.

Their backgrounds compliment the new venture. Davolio has a fine arts degree from the University of Delaware in graphics and web design.

Tierney has a masters in special education and is also a Shakespearean actress. She's got a teaching background and once owned a jewelry business.

Birnes has a background in marketing and public relations and formerly owned the Bead Bungalow in West Annapolis.

The three organized the 2hands Indi Craft Market held at the Holy Grounds Youth Center in Severna Park earlier this year and are planning another fair for November.

"We really worked well together so we said we should really start our own business," said Birnes.

As for the handmade wedding accessories, Birnes is hoping to find a market among brides-to-be looking for a unique twist when planning their wedding.

"All that we make for our wedding line is all handcrafted," she said.

Most of the accessories have a vintage aspect and include placecard holders, and are made of reclaimed materials such as silver utensils, like spoons, that are flattened and inscribed with a table number or made into a personalized bookmark as a remembrance of the day.

2hands is located across from Macy's on the corner of Housley Road and General's Highway, in the former Navy printing building at 2062 General's Highway.

In addition to their wedding collection, they offer a regular schedule of jewelry and sewing classes for adults, along with kids craft workshops. Their class schedule and wedding collection can be found at www.2handsstudios.com.