Crafting classes beginning in September

For the last two years I've held kid's crafting classes at my home on and off. This year I am planning on beginning them again. They'll be held Monday nights from 7-8:15 PM (barring nothing changes in my son's schedules, such as sports practices). Whether they will be weekly or bi-weekly classes, I am not yet sure. For children grades k and up in the Warren county area.

Cost will usually be $5 per child per class. Payment is needed at time of drop-off but number of children attending will always be needed in advance so I can have time to order supplies.

Boys are welcome to attend any classes. Some classes can easily become very unisex in the end result.

My plans for fall classes as loosely as follows:

September:

bath tub fun: make bath paint and bath jelly
altered clip board: alter a plain clip board into a beautiful note/photo display

October:

Bottlecap bling: make 2 necklaces from bottlecaps
Decoupaged desk/vanity tray
Sassy initial tote bag
cotton paper casting (use for cards, crafts, etc.)

November:

Mosaic picture frame
alter a brag book/photo album
make a girly wall plaque with hook for hanging items
make "sweet shoppe" clay beads

December:

whipped layered bath butter
"flirty purse" paper album
"Pixie Dust" bath fizz and glitter gel for hair/body



More details to come!
-Lynn

Craft & Create Parties

Childcare is not exploding as I had thought it would, so back to one of my first loves, teaching crafts.

I am now offering a service to birthday parties, mother-daughter days, ladies days, church events, community clubs, scouts, homeschool groups, etc. called Craft & Create Parties. I will come to your location in Warren county and stay for 1-2 hours, teaching your group a simple but enjoyable craft. This is especially great for birthdays/sleepovers as it frees up mom and dad a bit to just enjoy the party, and lets the kids not only be entertained and busy, but allows them to take home a nice favor to keep.

Please book your party TWO WEEKS in advance to give me time to clear my schedule and order supplies.

All fees must be paid up front and are non-refundable unless in the unlikely event that I have to cancel. If an individual must cancel fees will not be returned but event can be rescheduled OR I will gladly deliver crafts and instructions to your door.

Don't need me to teach for you but you still want to make the crafts? For the same price I will deliver your kits to you with complete instructions (this option may not be available on ALL parties).

I will add new crafts choices over time, but for now I have a list of about 8 group activities from which to choose:

Spa Day (ages 8-adult; we will be pouring HOT liquids) Make at least 2 glycerin soaps, a sugar scrub, and a lip balm--2 and 1/2 hours cost: $10

Soap Making 101 (ages 8-adult; pouring HOT liquids) Learn the basics of making glycerin soaps. Color, scent, and mold your own soaps to take home. 2 hours cost:$8

Blending Bar Party (ages 4-adult) You will take pre-made 2 oz. lotion, perfume, body wash, bath crystal and/or other bases and scent and color them to make your very own unique bath and body products. 1 and 1/2 hours. Cost: $10

Bottlecap Bling party (ages 5+) Turn bottlecaps into pretty pendants and necklaces. Each guest makes 2 and gets a ribbon "necklace". Cost: $5 (silver plated ball chain necklaces or ribbon-cording necklaces an additional $1 per guest)

Scrabble Tile Pendants Party (ages 5+). Each guest will turn 2 scrabble tiles into trendy wearable art. Comes with a length of ribbon to tie into a "necklace". Cost: $5 (silver-plated ball chain necklaces or premade ribbon-cording necklaces an additional $1 per guest).

Glass Pendant party (ages 5+) Guests will make one glass scrabble tile pendant necklace. 1 hour. Cost:$5 each. Ribbon for tying will be provided or for $1 extra per guest your choice of silver-plated ball -chain necklaces or ribbon-cording necklaces will be provided.

Altered Brag Book Party (ages 8+) Guests will be given a brag book type photo album and choices of scrapbooking embellishments to "alter" their album covers with. You'll get papers, stickers, fibers, rub-ons, ribbons, etc. 1 and 1/2 hours. Cost:$5 each

Memory Can Party (ages 8+) Guests will "alter" a new paint can using scrapbooking materials, to be used as a keepsake holder. 1 hour. Cost: $7 each

Brown Bag Album party (ages 8+) Guests will turn a stack of paper bags into a simple album and then embellish it with scrapbooking supplies. 1 hour to 1 and 1/2 hours. Cost: $5

As noted above we'll be working often with hot liquids. I will not be held responsible for accidents or spills. Likewise, I am not responsible for damage done due to misuse of products. You will need to provide adequate space to seat your guests and a good, well-lit work area. I have one folding table (which seats about 4) that I will bring upon request.

In the future watch for paper quilling classes, decoupaged wooden initials classes, and soda can tab jewelry classes.

Party Spirit

I have held crafting classes in my home and at churches. I have attended camps where I was involved in crafts. I have always enjoyed working with crafts in our homeschooling and with our group. In VBS, I have become one of the craft station leaders. Does it sound like I like crafting a bit too much?

A lady at a soap-making class I taught for an FCE club gave me an idea months ago when she suggested how well it would go over at children's parties if I came in and taught a one-hour crafts class. It would free mom up a bit. Take some pressure off the parents to entertain. Give the children a creative outlet while ensuring they each have a nice party favor to take home (how many of those tiny yo-yo's and bouncy balls end up in the bottom of the toy box after only minutes of bringing the goody bags home?).

I liked the idea a lot, rolled it around in my head for a bit, and then promptly forgot it. I was needing to bring in some additional cash flow and had been trying to find some children to keep. I have experience in that arena too, and figured it was a sure-fire job. All of my energy was invested into this, from rearranging the house to passing out flyers. I even had a schedule and handbook ready and conducted a few interviews. For months I've had nibbles but nothing solid. In hard economic times when many have lost jobs already, I am finding more and more that parents who once used daycare services are getting creative when it comes to their childcare options. I have noticed a few daycares who always stayed full suddenly have openings.

I became temporarily distressed. I had a few custom orders coming in from my Etsy stores but nothing huge. Then I went to 4-H camp where another teacher there pointed out that I was the "crafting party lady" to some of the children. I had forgotten all about doing parties! I so enjoy crafting, but even more so I enjoy teaching others to craft. I am no expert mind you, but my love and passion for my hobby spill over enthusiastically to others.

With this in mind (and considering most of my life I have spent with children in some capacity), I am going to try this route as a side-line job. I could offer to come over to a local party and teach a craft from a list of kid-friendly possibilities for as little as $5 per child plus gas. I really think this would go over well, considering the crafts would be higher-quality than your typical camp or VBS type crafts.

Once I think on which activities would be best I'll post them here.

I still have plans to do my weekly craft classes for ages 8-adult (see previous blog entries for list of potential classes). So watch for all this action soon!

-Lynn
www.SugarSweetBathShoppe.etsy.com
www.whimsylanecreations.etsy.com

4-H Line and Design Camp 2nd year

I had the priviledge of teaching at 4-H Line and Design camp again this year. Last year I taught about 60 girls how to make lip balms, soaps, and sugar scrubs (MESSY!).

This year the committee chose to have me teach bottlecap jewelry.

I had 4 classes with a total of 80 young ladies who all love crafting!

I couldn't have asked for a better group.

They were polite, attentive, and overall VERY creative.

It is a always a great experience for me.

Can't wait 'til next year.

-Lynn