A new family-focused creative studio is planting roots in Verrado’s growing Sunrise Market development, offering sewing, baking, art and hands-on life skills classes designed to bring children, teens and adults together through creativity.
The Country Cactus was founded by Jen Bartolomeo, who said the business was inspired by both her upbringing and a desire to preserve practical skills that are becoming increasingly rare in today’s digital world.
Bartolomeo said her entrepreneurial journey began long before opening the studio. She grew up watching her father build a successful guitar-making business from home, crafting instruments for well-known musicians around the world over a career spanning more than five decades.
More than 12 years ago, Bartolomeo began teaching children sewing and cooking classes from her home kitchen in Paradise, California, while raising her three children. The classes eventually evolved into a community business known as The Red Wagon, which gained popularity in the mountain town.
In 2020, Bartolomeo and her family relocated to Arizona after a wildfire destroyed their Northern California community. She said the move led to a renewed sense of purpose and the realization that Verrado needed a welcoming space where families could unplug and connect through creative activities.
That vision eventually became The Country Cactus.
Located in Sunrise Market, the studio offers classes in sewing, baking, crochet, painting and other creative arts, along with birthday parties and special events. Bartolomeo said the market’s community-oriented atmosphere made it a natural fit for the business.
“We wanted to create a place where kids and families could gather, build confidence and learn real-world skills in an environment that feels supportive and welcoming,” she said.
The studio serves a wide range of age groups, though children’s and teen classes have become some of its most popular offerings. Bartolomeo said sewing projects, themed baking classes and canvas painting sessions consistently draw strong interest because students leave with finished creations they can proudly take home.
Beyond the crafts themselves, Bartolomeo believes the classes teach valuable life lessons.
“These activities help students develop patience, perseverance, creativity and problem-solving skills,” she said. “There’s something powerful about making something with your own hands.”
As Verrado and Buckeye continue to grow, Bartolomeo said she hopes The Country Cactus becomes more than just a business — but a community gathering place where families can build friendships and lifelong skills together.
“Our goal is to create a space that feels like home,” she said. “A place that inspires people of all ages to create, connect and grow.”
