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Michelle Guerrieri comes from a family of small-business owners. So, naturally, she decided to start her own.

Last October, Guerrieri opened The Creation Station in West Deer’s Russellton neighborhood. The studio holds instructor-led, DIY workshops that teach people how to make decorative wooden signs for their homes.

And if you’re 21 and older, you can bring your own wine and beer.

“There’s nothing to do in West Deer to go out and just have a night out, besides bars,” Guerrieri said. “I figured this was something (people) would like to do, something different.”

The studio at 8 Creighton-Russellton Road is open Thursdays through Sundays. It offers workshops for adults, teens and children and hosts private events such as birthday parties, bachelorette parties and children’s parties.

There are many types of signs one can make at the studio. There are door hanger signs; signs to put on a mantle; signs to hang in a bathroom, laundry room, bedroom, or kitchen; signs to put on a patio or porch; porch sign planter boxes; mini signs; sign sets; signs with a family’s name; patriotic-themed signs; and holiday-themed signs.

The studio provides everything needed to make a sign — wood, stencils, stains and paint. People who sign up for workshops are asked to choose a design beforehand so their stencils are ready when they arrive. They can pick their own stain and colors at the studio.

No two signs are the same.

“If you do a class, all the same sign and all the same design, they all turn out completely different from one another,” said Guerrieri, 36, of West Deer.

Guerrieri began making wooden signs as a hobby after her kids were born. When a few people suggested she do a class with them, that hobby turned into a vocation.

“I was making signs at home — on my washer and dryer and my kitchen table — for people that needed signs for gifts or just wanted something for their house,” Guerrieri said. “I just needed something to keep me grounded and keep me sane.”

The studio is licensed and insured for BYOB.

Children aren’t allowed in the adult classes for that reason. Only wine and beer is permitted. Hard liquor isn’t allowed.

“I’ve had a few people ask me, ‘Can I bring my kid with me?’ and I feel bad, but because of my insurance and my license, I can’t have the two mixed together,” Guerrieri said.

Guerrieri has had to adjust workshop sizes because of covid-19. Before the pandemic, there was minimum of six and a maximum of 20 people per workshop. She now tries to keep it around 10 people per workshop.

It costs $55 to $65 for adults and $40 for children.

The studio is set up to be able to social distance. Guerrieri has people from the same family or those who sign up for a workshop together sit together.

She has one employee, Tina Fritch. Fritch loves everything about the studio. She said it’s good for the community.

“Strangers by the end of (a workshop) become friendly with each other. They’re complimenting each other on their work, asking each other where they’re from, talking about their children,” Fritch said. “It’s definitely bringing people together.”

The studio has received a lot of support throughout the covid-19 pandemic, for which Guerrieri is grateful. Since the business is new, she was worried it might not make it.

Guerrieri was able to sell at-home kits so people could make signs at home. The kits included wood, stencils, paint, brushes and directions. People also bought signs she made herself.

“I’m very blessed and very thankful that I’ve had the support that I’ve had through it all,” Guerrieri said.

Madasyn Lee is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Madasyn at 724-226-4702, mlee@triblive.com or via Twitter .