Works from the heART has expanded in a new makerspace, seven months after opening its doors for the first time.

Owner Ashley James originally opened a small studio in Fall City in December, which she quickly outgrew. Her new home in downtown North Bend will allow her to expand services and have a better schedule, as James lives in North Bend with her family.

The makerspace offers open studio time, classes and art therapy.

“We offer as much of a variety as possible so that people can truly find their niche and figure out what their strengths are and get into that,” James said.

James continues to evolve her business and has big hopes for the new space.

“My dream is to focus more on the therapeutic element, like being able to really connect with ourselves on a deeper level that has meaning, so that it’s not just your typical paint and sip or art class,” she said. “It’s going beyond that and really exploring, ‘Hey, what can I learn about myself through this process? How do I take what I just did here and apply to overall life for so that I can continue to grow and be within my own core values?’”

North Bend Mayor Mary Miller speaks at the Works from the heART ribbon cutting, July 10, 2025. She is joined by owner Ashley James (middle) and SnoValley Chamber CEO Kelly Coughlin. (Grace Gorenflo/Snoqualmie Valley Record)

Guests do an art project at the new location of Works from the heART in downtown North Bend, July 10, 2025.

SnoValley Chamber CEO Kelly Coughlin (right) introduces Works from the heART owner Ashley James, July 10, 2025. (Grace Gorenflo/Snoqualmie Valley Record)

All of the art supplies available for use at Works from the heART, July 10, 2025.

A view of Mount Si from the new location of Works from the heART in downtown North Bend, July 10, 2025. (Grace Gorenflo/Snoqualmie Valley Record)