Wilton’s beloved pottery studio, Happy Hands, has begun an exciting new chapter. After years of serving as a creative hub for families, artists and hobbyists alike, the studio has passed into the hands of a new owner who is no stranger to the world of creativity and design.
Sara Touijer, a Wilton resident and accomplished interior designer, is stepping into the role of owner with enthusiasm, gratitude and a vision for continuing the legacy of color, joy and artistry that has always defined Happy Hands.
For more than a decade, Touijer has worked in the world of interior design, helping clients create homes that reflect both beauty and function. Her work has been featured not only in private residences but also on television. Most notably, she served as the cohost/interior designer on “Rachael Ray’s Rebuild,” an inspiring renovation series on A&E and Hulu. In this role, she worked side by side with families to transform their spaces into places of healing, warmth, and new beginnings.
“That experience was life-changing,” Touijer shared. “It reminded me how powerful design can be — not just in changing a space, but in changing how people feel in their everyday lives.”
That philosophy makes the transition into the pottery world a natural one. Pottery, like interior design, blends creativity, craft and a sense of personal expression. Whether it’s a hand-painted mug that brightens a morning coffee or a child’s first sculpted bowl proudly displayed on a kitchen shelf, pottery captures memories and sparks joy.
“Happy Hands is about more than pottery. It’s about community, about giving people — whether they’re three years old or 90 — the chance to make something beautiful with their own two hands,” Touijer added.
The previous owner, Alla Ionescu, who lovingly built Happy Hands into a cherished Wilton institution, leaves behind a legacy of creativity and connection. Touijer is committed to honoring that vision. Regular classes, birthday parties and seasonal workshops will continue to fill the calendar, ensuring that the studio remains a gathering place for families, friends and neighbors. At the same time, she is excited to bring her own creative background to the table, with plans to introduce new design-inspired workshops, collaborations and fresh opportunities for artistic exploration.
“I want Happy Hands to be a place where people come to try something new, unwind and discover a creative side of themselves they might not have known was there,” she said. “Art has a way of opening us up, of slowing us down in a busy world. That’s what I want to continue to share with this community.”
As she looks to the future, Touijer envisions Happy Hands as a bridge between art and everyday life — a place where creativity is not only celebrated but shared. With her background in design and her nationally recognized work on “Rachael Ray’s Rebuild,” she sees endless possibilities for expanding the studio’s offerings, from pottery projects that tie into home décor to themed events that bring Wilton families together in fun, interactive ways.
Still, at the heart of it all, Touijer said, the mission remains simple: joy. “Every time someone leaves the studio smiling, carrying home something they made with pride, that’s what it’s all about. That’s what I want to keep alive at Happy Hands.”
Wilton has long been a town that embraces creativity, from music and theater to visual arts and beyond. With Touijer now at the helm of Happy Hands, the tradition continues — bright, colorful, and full of promise.
“I feel so lucky to be part of this community and to carry forward a place that means so much to so many,” she said. “My hope is that Happy Hands will continue to be a second home for creativity here in Wilton, a place where people of all ages come to discover the joy of making art with their own hands.”
With a fresh perspective rooted in years of design experience and a deep appreciation for the legacy she inherits, Touijer is ready to write the next chapter for Happy Hands. And in true creative spirit, she’ll do it one brushstroke — and one clay creation — at a time.
