The wood shop offers classes that will get you up and running. The complex also offers engraving services and has a host of gift ideas to choose from, such as shadow boxes, flag cases, pen boxes, plaques and other items.
The auto hobby shop offers classes from learning how to change your own oil to how to use the tire balance machine. They also have A.S.E.-certified mechanics to help with car care needs.
A popular offering at the complex has been the stained-glass classes. On Tuesday evenings participants can learn about the art, including project design, cutting and grinding glass, assembly prep, soldiering skills and project finishes.
A special holiday project themed class is scheduled for Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the complex. Class participants will be able to choose from a variety of projects. Maybe making that ornament this year to gift to someone special is something you’d like to do. The more adventurous can try tackling a 3-D manger scene or a 3-D Christmas tree.
“It’s the best therapy ever,” said Rhonda Bade during a recent stained-glass class. “I’ve been coming to these classes for three years now, and you can’t buy better therapy than this.”
She reflected that she could probably do everything at home, but she really enjoys the social aspect of the classes and learning new skills from other students in the room.
Laura Rittenhouser and her husband, Christopher, took one of the stained-glass holiday themed classes last year. They are both civilians working for the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center where Laura is in contracting and Christopher is a program manager.
“We had such a good time last year that we wanted to come back again this year,” said Laura. “This year we even invited Christopher’s parents [Tom and Theresa Rittenhouser] to join us.”
The family team tackled a host of projects during the class from making cardinal and candle ornaments to crafting several 3-D Christmas trees.
Jamie Morley, whose day job is the Village of Waynesville clerk to council, has been teaching the stained-glass classes for the past 15 years.
“I basically inherited the classes from my dad,” she said. “He taught the classes for about eight years before I took them over. I was a stay-at-home mom at the time while my husband was on active duty working as an engineer at the Air Force Research Laboratory, and it was a great way to have some time away from the home and to meet and work with some talented and motivated people.”
She added that the complex is an ideal place to learn all kinds of new skills. The craft room is available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The complex also offers services such as laser engraving, standard (scratch) engraving and sublimation for printing onto materials like metal or mugs.
For more information on what the Consolidated Hobby Complex has to offer or to sign up for classes, call s257-7025.
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