Participants in a craft night put on by Sydney Cox, of Sydney’s Drink and Design, pose with their paintings in the fall of 2023

LA GRANDE — Entrepreneur Sydney Cox has turned her natural artistic flair into a small business of her own, Sydney’s Drink and Design, hosted in the party room at her parents’ restaurant, Final Cut Pizza & Pub, 2104 Island Ave., La Grande.

“My goal for this business is to bring women together for a fun evening out,” Cox said. “The ladies attending will be making cute creative crafts or painting projects while enjoying delicious snacks and drinks from the restaurant’s selection of draft beer, bottled beer, sodas and water.”

About twice a month, Cox will plan a crafts project night, and women with their family members and friends can come and join her. Sydney’s Drink and Design has had a soft opening with a ladies night out this fall where 16 women gathered to do some painting on chunk wood. Cox selects the theme of the art project and provides all of the art materials.

The craft parties are advertised on her Facebook and Instagram pages, and they usually begin at 5:30 p.m. and end two hours later with a finished craft ready to take home. The finished art projects are ready to use as home decor. The price per person to attend these craft night parties ranges between $25 and $35, depending on the craft and materials needed.

“My next craft night will probably involve painting a winter wonderland scene on a long piece of wood,” Cox said. “I also have other ideas for craft night, including one for a date night out.”

Cox said that starting her business has been an “ongoing idea” and that her aunt and uncle had encouraged it by buying her a generous supply of materials to help her get started.

“I decided to go ahead and try it out,” she said. “My family thought I was artistic and that I should do something with this talent. Since we have the space and opportunity to do it, I thought why not?”

Cox has demonstrated an artistic talent since age 6, and that has continued to develop over the years. She has liked drawing as long as she can remember. Now she wants to share her art and craft ideas with others and let them experience the joy of creating something themselves.

“This is a side occupation for me because I’m going to school full time and working as a waitress at Final Cut too,” Cox said.

The next event

Sydney Cox said the next Sydney’s Drink and Design craft night is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 14, and the project theme will be posted on her social media sites. To register, message Cox on Facebook or Instagram or text her at 541-805-0385.

Craft design events accommodate up to 18 people for a small craft project or 15 people for large craft projects. The admittance fee is due at the event.