If you’re looking for a cozy local event to kick off the new year, one great place to check out is The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar in Old Ellicott City. They have special events this upcoming year that combine spending an afternoon with a relaxing activity and a specialty milkshake. You don’t want to miss out on the fun.
Crazy Mason is a milkshake bar and ice cream shop specializing in unique milkshakes and sundaes served in keepsake custom designed mason jars. Crazy Mason opened its Old Ellicott City location in the former Ellicott Theatre on Main Street in June of 2022, and their first workshop event happened the following December.
“It actually kinda happened by accident,” laughs Erin Struder, one of the two owners of Crazy Mason on Main. “We were such a beautiful, big space, and I wasn’t really sure how the events would do, but I had the idea to do a paint night and it sold out. The first one we posted, it sold out right away.” After that, they held a few more paint nights in the following months, then, in September, Struder was approached by a local candlemaker on Main Street who wanted to do a candles and milkshakes workshop. “And again, I posted it, it sold out right away,” Struder says.
Crazy Mason on Main has been holding workshop events for almost a year and a half now. Other past events include charcuterie spread making, sea glass tree building, flower pressing to create artwork, and more.
“I’m always looking for new ideas and unique things that I haven’t seen that people could enjoy doing a workshop around,” says Struder. In addition to being an owner of Crazy Mason on Main along with her husband Robert, Struder is the main planner and coordinator of the events at the milkshake bar, down to marketing and check-in. “It’s a really fun business to promote — it’s not a boring product,” says Struder, who has a background in marketing and public relations. “Who doesn’t love dessert?” The combination of zany desserts and fun activities certainly draws people in. Events sell out and many attendees keep coming back for more.
Every event at Crazy Mason partners with a small, local business to “bring the best of two worlds together”, according to Struder. Some vendors for these events own shops right on Main Street, while some travel all the way from Pennsylvania, but it’s all small businesses that are being supported.
The next upcoming event is Friday, January 10, and is a cookie decorating workshop. Crazy Mason is partnering with local bakery Live & Love Cakes for a whimsical winter-themed cookie decorating event, where attendees can decorate five of their own scrumptious sugar cookies.
Sunday, January 19 there will be a blanket knitting workshop. Spend an afternoon of fun knitting your own blanket that you can take home, led by an instructor from AR Workshop. No experience or materials are required. This event is recommended for ages 14+. There will be another blanket knitting workshop on Sunday, February 23 as well.
Friday, January 24 there will be a “Paint and Shake” workshop where you can create a beautiful painting while sipping a Crazy Mason milkshake. There will be two more upcoming Paint and Shake events, one on Friday, February 21 and one on Friday, March 21, each led by an instructor from local painting studio Pinot’s Palette.
Friday, January 31 there will be a resin wave charcuterie board making workshop. Led by local artist George Todd, attendees can make their own wave pattern out of resin on a wooden charcuterie board to take home. This event does use tools such as glue and heat guns, kraft knives, glass, shells, and chemicals (this list is representative, not all-inclusive and other tools and materials may be used) so please be advised of any risk when signing up.
February 7, there will be a candle making workshop led by Arnold Acres, where attendees can make their own candles in Crazy Mason jars, choosing their own jar design and scent, and hand pouring their own candles to take home.
The Eventbrite page of Crazy Mason where you can buy tickets for their events is linked here. The Crazy Mason Facebook page where you can stay up to date on new events is linked here.
These exciting events are a fun way to kick off a sweet new year!
This article was written by freelance reporter Megan Duffy.
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