Gateway to Discovery is a long-term residential treatment program for substance abuse. Hope Sweet Hope Studio offers the residents a therapeutic work site.

Janis Kuhn, studio coordinator, explained what the new product is.

“It’s Rose Sugar Scrub,” she said. “It’s roses, coconut oil, almond oil and sugar.”

She said they developed the exact recipe in-house and that it gives them an opportunity to make a wider variety of products.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen Hope Sweet Hope studio coordinator Janis Kuhn, right, works at sorting out and bagging flowers that will be used in the making of paper. On the table is the studio's new Rose Sugar Scrub facial cleaner. Gateway to Discovery resident Lillie Weir, at left, helps out.

They currently make a full line of handmade paper products that incorporate flower pedals in the paper. No two are alike and they use them for invitations, greeting cards, journal covers and can even do custom work such as anniversary cards and invitations to events.

The women in the program got to test the facial scrub.

“We used the women as quality control,” Kuhn said.

So it does work, and resident Mary Wild approves.

“I loved it,” she said.

Kuhn said the open house was a way to show off all the creative projects the women make and to let the community know what’s available.

The women also take their paper and other creations to a variety of venues in the area.

“We’re at Market on Central, the Blanden Art Festival, the Humboldt Art Festival and a craft show in Algona in October,” Kuhn said.

The facial scrub started out with Kuhn looking for another use for the many rose petals they receive. Flowers for the studio are donated by Hy-Vee and Becker Florists.

They also offer what they call Paper Angels. This is custom work where the women will create art using client-supplied flowers such as those from a funeral, wedding or other special occasions.

They also do custom orders for their paper products.

“It’s all hand-crafted,” Kuhn said.

Mary Wild is enjoying her time at Gateway; she arrived on March 5.

“I love it,” she said. “It’s a good fit.”

She enjoys the work and has found the handmade items to be a great gift.

“I made a 55-year anniversary card for my parents,” she said.

Kuhn has done much the same.

“My dad turns 80 tomorrow,” she said.

Yes, he got a hand-crafted card.

For resident Sarah Zibell, who’s been at Gateway since March 26, working on the crafts is good therapy.

“I like making the scrub, the paper and the cards,” she said. “It’s a therapeutic release.”

As the women work together at the studio, their time together offers them a chance to not only engage in a creative activity but also talk with each other, build trust and bond.

There’s something for each of them to do that matches their skill set. Wild’s talents are in the ledger.

“I get more relaxation out of figures and facts,” she said.

As a result, she gets to help with the studio’s record keeping and accounts.

The women and staff are also busy preparing for the Gateway to Discovery’s annual major fundraiser called “It’s a Chocolate Thing.”

The event features samples of locally made dessert treats and silent auction items.

“It’s on Nov. 10 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran,” Kuhn said. “Tickets should be available in October.”

Hope Sweet Hope Studio is located at 1900 Fifth Ave. S.