Summerlin craft business encourages hands-on approach

Las Vegas Review-Journal

6 years ago

Jennifer Baad paints her sign at a Wine Sign Wednesdays class at Corks ‘n Crafts in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018. Corks ‘n Crafts holds classes for home decor, painted wood signs, string art, fabric screen printing, and leather crafts while offering wine, beer, and food. Class participants created hand painted wood signs of their own design. Rachel Aston Las Vegas Review-Journal @rookie__rae

Jennifer Baad, left, and her friend Taylor Corso pose with their completed signs at a Wine Sign Wednesdays class at Corks ‘n Crafts in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018. Corks ‘n Crafts holds classes for home decor, painted wood signs, string art, fabric screen printing, and leather crafts while offering wine, beer, and food. Class participants created hand painted wood signs of their own design. Rachel Aston Las Vegas Review-Journal @rookie__rae

A wall of paint and crafts at Corks ‘n Crafts in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018. Corks ‘n Crafts holds classes for home decor, painted wood signs, string art, fabric screen printing, and leather crafts while offering wine, beer, and food. Class participants created hand painted wood signs of their own design. Rachel Aston Las Vegas Review-Journal @rookie__rae

Taylor Corso paints her sign at a Wine Sign Wednesdays class at Corks ‘n Crafts in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018. Corks ‘n Crafts holds classes for home decor, painted wood signs, string art, fabric screen printing, and leather crafts while offering wine, beer, and food. Class participants created hand painted wood signs of their own design. Rachel Aston Las Vegas Review-Journal @rookie__rae

Lynn Manansala takes a photo of her wooden sign at a Wine Sign Wednesdays class at Corks ‘n Crafts in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018. Corks ‘n Crafts holds classes for home decor, painted wood signs, string art, fabric screen printing, and leather crafts while offering wine, beer, and food. Class participants created hand painted wood signs of their own design. Rachel Aston Las Vegas Review-Journal @rookie__rae

Taylor Corso, from left, Lynn Manansala and Michelle Jenkins share their completed signs at a Wine Sign Wednesdays class at Corks ‘n Crafts in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018. Corks ‘n Crafts holds classes for home decor, painted wood signs, string art, fabric screen printing, and leather crafts while offering wine, beer, and food. Class participants created hand painted wood signs of their own design. Rachel Aston Las Vegas Review-Journal @rookie__rae

Owner Alainah Paul leads a Wine Sign Wednesdays class at Corks ‘n Crafts in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018. Corks ‘n Crafts holds classes for home decor, painted wood signs, string art, fabric screen printing, and leather crafts while offering wine, beer, and food. Rachel Aston Las Vegas Review-Journal @rookie__rae

Friends Jessica Day, from left, Michelle Jenkins, and Lynn Manansala work on their wooden signs at a Wine Sign Wednesdays class at Corks ‘n Crafts in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018. Corks ‘n Crafts holds classes for home decor, painted wood signs, string art, fabric screen printing, and leather crafts while offering wine, beer, and food. Class participants created hand painted wood signs of their own design. Rachel Aston Las Vegas Review-Journal @rookie__rae

When Alainah Paul works with her hands, she remembers the smell of sawdust in her father’s workshop.

Growing up in the Pittsburgh area, she’d smell the lumber from her father’s hobby of making furniture.

“It reminds me of home,” she said.

Paul’s fond memories inspired her to open Corks ’n Crafts in the Downtown Summerlin shopping center in July.

Corks ’n Crafts customers work with fabric, wood, leather and other materials. They create items such as decorative signs, beer caddies and keychains.

Her business is part of a trend of painting and crafts workshops that let patrons sip wine and eat snacks while they gab with fellow aspiring artists. The valley is home to franchises like Pinot’s Palette and Wine & Canvas.

Like all shopping centers, Downtown Summerlin wants more tenants that draw shoppers, interact with them and give them a reason to take a photo and share it online, marketing director Halee Harczynski said.

It’s why places like Boulevard Mall have added an aquarium and the Linq Promenade is adding a zip line.

“Corks ’n Crafts is a strong new addition to the property,” said Downtown Summerlin marketing director Halee Harczynski. “It appeals to both adults and families — two key audiences for the property.”

Paul’s menu includes popcorn, a cheese platter and an Italian Parmesan dip with grilled ciabatta.

Paul offers a wine menu of reds, whites and champagne, as well as craft beer and mimosas.

The mother of two also wants kids to take part in crafting classes, giving parents a break to walk around and shop. Her husband, Steve Mardirossian, is her partner in Corks ’n Crafts.

She has five instructors and is looking for more. Paul envisions multiple Corks ’n Crafts locations but wants to build the reputation of her first studio before expanding.

One clientele she wants to cater to: people on first dates.

“Restaurants can be awkward,” she said. “This is how you get to know someone.”

Contact Wade Tyler Millward at 702-383-4602 or wmillward@reviewjournal.com. Follow @wademillward on Twitter.