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Partly cloudy. Low 74F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.

Eileen Youshock Evanina has always loved teaching. So after a long career as a registered nurse anesthetist, including a stint teaching college students what she knows, the Olyphant native decided to launch a business focusing on teaching another longtime passion: creative crafts. She launched

EYEs Creative Crafting Studio, “A Community of Makers” in November at 312 Lackawanna Ave. It’s open Wednesday- Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Read on to learn more Evanina’s offerings.

Q: Why did you decide to open your business?

A: My father was in the Air Force and we moved back to his hometown of Olyphant when I was 16 years old. Three of my four children live in Olyphant and that is where home is. I retired as a certified registered nurse anesthetist in July. Since I don’t like to sit around and love making, I thought it would be a good idea to use a little retirement savings to open a studio. A community of makers where those who love to craft can come to teach each other and share ideas would be a welcomed place in this wonderful community. There is absolutely no background in business, although I did write a business plan once that worked to convince a CEO of a hospital to keep the nurse anesthesia program in our community running.

Q: How did you pick Olyphant to open?

A: Olyphant was a natural choice, home and family are nearby. If the grandchildren need me, I’m close by to close the studio to help with them. My real estate agent who graduated high school with my daughter assisted me in finding the perfect spot in the community. Applying for state licenses was very difficult. The hardest part is still dealing with the computer, internet and not talking to a person — just trying to speak to someone is often a huge challenge. The easiest has been the classes I enjoy teaching. After over 20 years teaching nurse anesthesia students at a masters degree level, it is fun to teach again. I was director of nurse anesthesia programs at Wilkes University, University of Scranton and Columbia University.

Q: What kinds of services/supplies/activities does the business provide?

A: Cricut classes are in-person at the studio and are 90 minutes. The Cricut is a cutting machine that allows a person to make personalized items out of paper, iron-on or vinyl material that can then be applied to wood for signs, T-shirts, hats, glasses, mugs and plates to name a few. Other classes taught are paper flower making, T-shirt screen and sublimation printing, water slide technique, personalized removable tattoos, spinning wool, need felting and other crafts. People of all ages, including children, who want to feel the joy of making are all welcome. Potential customers are those who are makers who think they cannot do a project, but with support and knowledge, they can. Also, I want each person to experience the love and joy of being a maker and the feeling when you give someone a handmade special item. That person knows you went the extra mile to show them you care for them by taking the time to produce the gift.

Q: What are your goals for the business?

A: We recently wrote and received a Lackawanna County Business Improvement Grant for $5,000. It is a matching grant for small business and because of the grant we were able to add a Carbon dioxide laser as part of our armamentarium. The CO2 laser can engrave, mark, etch and cut materials such as stone (slate & marble), plastic, acrylic, wood, jewelry, glass, metal, leather and fabric. Laptops and cell phones can also be engraved. With the CO2 laser added, we can go into a new market of more personalized items.

The studio can be used for children’s parties or a night out with the girls. The studio theme until the end of February is “Do you wanna make a snowman?” The class is for children and adults and consists of two glass fish bowls glued together with glitter and lights inside and a hat and scarf on the outside.

Q: When you’re not running your business, what do you like to do?

A: I still work a few days a month giving anesthesia, a love I’m not ready to give up yet. We have two dogs, Nellie and Cee Cee, who love running around our two gardens. We have a Monarch Watch Station, in one the gardens where we have milk week and other plants and flowers conducive to the monarch butterfly. Also, presently my apiary has five hives so our garden and our neighbor’s gardens always do great with these pollinators. In the summer you can find me in the garden, blasting the radio. We love having the family over in the summer for swimming and bonfires next to our own two-story tree house built by my son.