Anne Wahl of Marshalltown, and Ellen Wagner-Kerber of Ankeny have combined their talents, embarking on the American dream in a historic Victorian mansion on the Courthouse Square, 20 S. First Ave.

It is truly a one-of-a-kind business offering craft and private parties and special events.

They kicked-off the venture in late 2019 with two invitation-only open houses which were highly successful, the sisters said.

The vision for the business is to host small to medium-sized parties where customers can enjoy beverages, food and learn crafts in a comfortable setting.

T-R PHOTO BY MIKE DONAHEY
Ellen Wagner-Kerber of Ankeny, left, and Anne Wahl of Marshalltown are pictured in front of their grandmother’s photo in their business, Cornflower Sip & Craft on the Courthouse Square.

“We want to introduce people to the finer things,” Wahl said. “Such as drinking tea from a fine porcelain teacup. We use all glass and silverware and not plastic. We want our customers to slow down and enjoy things as they used to be.”

Customers can bring in their own alcohol, beverages or food.

Or, the sisters will supply non-alcholic beverages and food.

Wahl said the idea for the business began shortly after her two children graduated, and she was looking for opportunities in addition to holding a full-time job at UnityPoint Health-Marshalltown.

“I have always been busy,” she said. “And I wanted to do something other than sitting at home watching Netflix.”

The next step was a trip to California wine country.

“While there, I took a class on acrylic pours from a mother-daughter team. They were skilled, but I knew I could do it too, and better, so I called Ellen. She said ‘Yes, let’s do this.’ ”

Ellen was eager to engage in a business start-up — once all of her three small children entered school.

The two grew up in a large family in Stuart, where crafts were part of every day living.

“We thought everybody lived that way,” Wahl said.

Crocheting, embroidery and more were practiced.

The two were eager to teach others.

Arts and crafts are taught, but Wahl emphasized they encourage the social aspects of learning.

“Our goal is to get people sitting around a table, conversing with each other and relaxing,” she said.

Anne and Ellen looked at several potential locations but none had the historic “feel of the second floor of the original Marshall County Jail.

“There is a significant masculine touch with a lot of dark woodwork and more — the style of it. I love the juxtaposition of male and female, and we do a mix of both.”

Customers can count on seeing the second floor change with the season, such as Halloween and Christmas.

The sisters said they want customers to experience something different every season.

“I have never been so tired but so happy in my life,” Wahl said. “It has been a lot of fun putting this together.”

Cornflower Sip & Craft is open by appointment only.

For more information, or to contact the business, visit the Cornflower Sip & Craft website page, cornflowercraft. com, or its Facebook page.