A charming new shop has popped up in Essex that’s irresistible for anyone who loves to make things (or, like me, just loves the idea of making things). Pencil and Wool is the brainchild of Betsy and Jackie Barry, a mother-daughter artist dream team, who have packed the place with everything from watercolor sets and colored pencils to hooked rug supplies, yarn, and all sorts of crafty items I didn’t even know I needed. Their own framed artworks and greeting cards line the walls for inspiration and purchase. The best part? They’ll teach you how to use all this stuff, thanks to a jam-packed schedule of classes. This month alone, you can try your hand at Watercolor + Pen Landscapes, Still Life Saturdays, Wet Felted Landscapes, Make Your Own Sketchbook, Nature Explorations in Colored Pencil, Nantucket Bracelets, and more! Gather your friends and sign up for a class or two, and maybe I’ll see you there! 

Right next to the Post Office at 12 Main Street, Essex

pencilandwool.com

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