HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Stephanie Harton is the founder of Wonderfully Made Workshop, a nonprofit organization in Hopkinsville designed to bring individuals with disabilities the opportunity for meaningful work, fellowship and an outlet for artistic and creative expression.
The idea of Wonderfully Made came to Stephanie over a year ago when she was watching the nightly news and the “Made in America” segment. “Last year, the show featured a program that had adults with disabilities make Christmas ornaments,” Harton said. “I thought to myself, that would be really cool if we had something like that here.”
She mulled over the idea with her friends and family when a jeweled Christmas tree in her house caught her eye. “I made it in in a workshop at the Pennyroyal Arts Council,” Harton said. The jeweled tree features pieces from Stephanie’s mom, mother in law, and herself. “It’s this beautiful tree and when I passed it in my hallway I thought that is it, we could do something like that.”
Community support
Since then, the jeweled Christmas tree has spun into Wonderfully Made Workshop. The Workshop collaborates with Christian County Special Olympics, Pennyroyal Arts Council, Trace Industries and Christian County Public Schools to create handmade items along with one-of-a-kind Christmas ornaments.
During a community wide jewelry drive, hundreds of unique and colorful pieces were donated by Hopkinsville locals. Participants sorted and deconstructed jewelry pieces and members of Christian County Special Olympics hand painted wooden ornaments and trees to use as a base. Both groups then finished the ornaments and trees by making a “design kit” or by creating their own design.
Once a design is complete, Stephanie takes a picture and the pieces are taken apart and put into a bag. “It’s been really beautiful to see,” explains Harton “Once was broken becomes beautiful in your design, then its broken again and made beautiful again by someone else.”
Stephanie says she knew this type of project would work well for individuals with disabilities as it involves communication, hand eye coordination, and socialization. “I’ve seen children who are nonverbal participate and enjoy it,” Harton said. “Others have mentioned how therapeutic, peaceful and fun it has been.”
Full circle
Currently, Wonderfully Made has reached out to the Made in America program about two Christmas tree designs they made inspired by Chris Stapleton and Dolly Parton. Within the trees are pieces representing their songs and lyrics. “I want them to know I was inspired by the segment and I want to get our name out there,” Harton said.
Thinking ahead
In the future, Stephanie plans to have a facility where she and others can made different products. This will allow for events such as make and take parties where you can make a design to keep and make one for the program as a kit. “We hope to expand and establish as a fully self sustaining non profit organization,” Harton said. “If I am thinking really big, we want to employ adults with disabilities and create custom pieces.”
Harton also plans on selling design kits in local businesses and stores.
To learn more or to find out about volunteer or design opportunities email wmworkshop2033@yahoo.com.