FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- Holiday gift shopping can be stressful with trying to decide what the perfect gift might be, but people on Fort Rucker have the option to get creative when it comes to gift giving.
The Fort Rucker Arts and Craft Center offers imaginative gift ideas from hand-crafted items, from engraving to monogramming and more -- many of which they can create themselves or have someone create for them, according to Heather Norris, Arts and Crafts Center program manager.
"We provide services to people on post for lower cost than they would find off post," she said.
In addition to the savings, people can give a gift that truly comes from the heart and their hands, since the center offers classes on things from pottery and framing to woodworking.
The center has more than 2,000 ceramics molds for people to choose from and a wide variety of hobbies and skill classes are offered monthly ranging from sewing, quilting, mosaics, drawing and painting, as well as classes for children. The center also offers a fully equipped woodshop with an experienced staff to help people build anything from a jewelry box to custom furniture, added the program manager.
"People are in there making furniture and cabinets, so it's a perfect place for people to create their gifts," said Norris.
To use the woodshop or take classes in the woodshop, participants must first complete a one-hour safety course, which will help people become familiar with the equipment and how it works. Safety classes are available Saturdays from 9-10 a.m.
Most classes have age requirements and are available by appointment only, so it's suggested that patrons sign up for all classes at least 24 hours before class time, with the exception of the regular woodshop safety class.
If people would rather have someone do the work for them, the center also offers a host of services, including framing, gifts, engraving, custom embroidery, screen printing and sublimation, which allows people to customize just about anything from clothes, bags, mugs and more.
"People can come up here and get monogramming done, which is really popular," said Norris. "People can have just about anything monogrammed. Color sublimation is also popular, which allows us to put photos on coffee mugs and things like that. We also offer custom T-shirts and screen printing."
There is also plenty of merchandise that people can purchase and engrave, including the miniature sculptures of Sgt. Ted E. Bear; silver, bronze and copper award eagles; various plaques and trophies; as well as personalized name plates and office gifts.
For more information on service or classes, call 255-9020.
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