Repurposed hand-painted crafts and décor, plus group painting classes in Rogersville, MO
Arts-and-Crafts Products
Repurposed hand-painted and crafted home decor
My business is about taking unused, vintage items and making them something usable, practical, or fresh again. I love discovering a new way of looking at an old item and creating something totally different than its original intent!
Sometimes this involves applying a fresh coat of paint, then adding a picture and lettering to make it new again!
I love turning old barn tin into fun items like trees, snowmen, or pumpkins – and then adding a base for display in your yard or your porch.
I also paint on fence pickets to make gnomes. They are so fun to create!
I use suitcases, wooden window screens, barn wood, buckets, trays, hand saws, and so much more! Many of the items are one-of-a-kind.
I make custom items upon request.
There are so many things that can be created from things in our past instead of throwing them away! And you can make something fun too, at one of my painting classes!
I have entered into another new craft just recently! I am painting winter and Christmas items on canvas shoes! A friend, Tracy, is Mrs. Claus at a local venue and she attends conferences related to Christmas! She is fabulous and is so beautiful inside and out, so the perfect Mrs. Claus!! She has noticed many of her holiday friends do not have items pertaining to Mrs. Claus. She asked me if I would consider painting shoes. I tried it and have enjoyed painting them! We have the designs posted on Facebook. We are asking people to send me their shoes and I paint them since we want to make sure the shoes fit! I may be carrying a shoe type in near future to make it easier on the buyer. Please check out the photos!
Group Painting Classes (& Painting Parties)
Paint classes are really exciting! When people who have never painted leave with something they are super proud of, I know I’ve helped them. And when they want to come back to another class, that is the ultimate compliment!
Onsite paint classes
I host painting parties at Sassafras Country on a regular basis. Topics have included
- Cute gnomes painted on planks of rustic wood with a seasonal theme
- Snowmen scenes for fun winter gifts and decor
- Bike with flowers on canvas
- American flag with paint sticks
Private painting parties
If you have a group of 8 or more, I can also bring a party to your location for a special event.
- Host a fun event for the women’s groups at your church.
- Create a unique and family-friendly bachelorette party.
- Entertain the guests at your bed & breakfast, short-term rental, or vacation rental property.
- Enrich the lives of the students or staff at your school.
- Host a private paint party at your home.
About Valerie Willis
A new chapter of life
The arts-and-crafts field is my third career. I spent 13 years as a special-education teacher and 18 years as an elementary principal. I finished my career in the Marshfield R-1 School District, with 31 total years in education. I then worked as the office coordinator for Spencer Fane law firm in Springfield, before officially retiring.
My new career is a full-time crafter and paint class teacher. I offer painting classes (or painting parties) on my property. And I plan to open a shop that is open to the public with merchandise for sale and more space for classes.
Craft festival!
Silver Dollar City, Branson, MO
This major tourist destination has invited me to attend during the Pumpkin Nights and Fall Festival for the last 5 years and since we were invited back, this is year 6!! I bring my hand painted crafts to travelers from around the country and get to meet so many wonderful new friends!
We will be at Silver Dollar City for the 2025 Pumpkin Nights and Fall Festival September 12 – October 26th!!
Location: We are usually located next to the Glass Blowers’ Shop and Time Traveler (our shack is between these 2 locations). (We will not officially know our location until a few days before the Festival begins.) We are the only crafter in this area.
I say WE because this year, my husband, Ron, will be crafting also! He is making stained glass items! He is using live edge wood as a base then adding spaces to place stained glass in the wood (live edge wood: wood where the bark has been removed)! Beautiful, one-of-a-kind objects! He is also using depression glass saucers in several hangings with beautiful glass around the saucers! Ron did so well last year! We are excited about sharing a space again! If you visit Silver Dollar City, you can watch him cut, wrap, solder and clean his glass items! I paint and he makes glass items! A lot going on in our space!
Contact
Sassafras Country
3030 State Highway B
Rogersville 65742
(About 3 miles north of HWY 60)
(417) 353-1833
ValerieWillis7657@gmail.com
© 2026 Valerie Willis
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