Kids learn how to build home decor at Nailed It DIY Studio summer camp

Emily Letarte's love of manufacturing began with building a doghouse at her grandfather's house for her dog Lilly.

The 11-year-old says she chose manufacturing as an elective for middle school next year, and she is now in her second year of summer camp at Nailed It DIY Studio's Sarasota location, at Palmer Crossing Shopping Center.

"We really wanted to do more of it because we really liked it, so I came to this for my birthday party, and saw how good it was, and then I started doing camps here," she said. 

On July 11, kids could be seen creating decorative tabletop plant holders as part of the Nature Week camp from July 7-11.

"The only other time I've really been here is at a birthday party, but this is way more fun," said Mason Blumenthal, 9.

Studio co-founder Michelle Kenner said it's important to offer wood shop skills to kids, as many woodworking programs have been cut from school budgets. 

"It's really important to put these tools in these kids' hands. Once you realize you can build something small, it's limitless," she said. "You can build anything."

The studio, which helps people hand-build wood decor and other items, is for all ages, and Kenner says it can accommodate functions like a date night or a corporate event.

Letarte said in the future, she wants to use woodworking skills to help build homes for stray animals and to help people find homes.