NILES — With the summer season beginning to wind down and fall quickly approaching, one local business owner is offering a workshop to teach people how to create decorative wooden pumpkins.

A Lovely Nest co-owner Kelsey Johns will teach a Wood Pumpkin Workshop at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29. Johns is also hoping to offer more pumpkin workshops and a pop-in, due to the amount of excitement already spurred by the workshop. Those dates will be announced at a later time.

Those who visit the workshop will have the opportunity to choose from a tall or wide pumpkin or create a set. With Johns’ help, participants will have the opportunity to paint, stencil and decorate pumpkins with their own signature style.

“It is different than going to a big box store,” Johns said. “Because you get the option to personalize and make your own. I think it adds a special touch. You can make them be a great gift for somebody else or yourself.”

Johns said this workshop is ideal for all ages.

“Stenciling is very easy and I will be there to walk people through step by step,” she said.

Kelsey opened A Lovely Nest with her husband Will Johns in April. The shop sells a variety of rustic, handcrafted items like handmade tables, personalized mugs, custom woodworking, wedding décor and more.

As part of the business, Johns said she wanted to offer various workshops to the community. She has offered a number of sign making classes to the public. With the pumpkins, she said she hoped to help people add a little fall festivity to their homes.

“I just wanted to add something new,” Johns said. 

The cost to participate in the workshop to create a single pumpkin is $40, though Johns said she could lower the price to $35 if they get a deal from the wood supplier. There is an additional $12 cost for those looking to make a set of pumpkins, though this could also be reduced. The cost includes materials used to create the pumpkin.

Those interested in signing up can visit A Lovely Nest’s website, which will be available next week at lovelynest.com. There are spots for 17 people and the class will be offered on a first come, first serve basis.

Kelsey and Will live in Niles and both have family roots in Michigan. Will, 30, grew up in Niles and is a Brandywine High School graduate, while Kelsey is originally from Breckenridge, Michigan. Both also love crafting things from hand and got a knack for the skill years ago. They first began selling their products online and trade shows. But the business quickly outgrew their home offices as customer demand increased throughout the years.

A Lovely Nest is located at 217 E. Main St. The store is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. They are closed Sunday and Monday, though that is subject to change. For more information, call the store at (989) 205-3877.