I'm teaching at Craftcation Business + Makers Conference!

First, Happy New Year! This is my first post of 2017 and I'm starting off with some great news...

I’m excited to share that this April I’ll be headed to Ventura, CA to teach at Craftcation: Business + Makers Conference. This is a four-day event featuring  lots of hands-on DIY workshops and creative business classes. I'll be teaching three classes: Sashiko Mending, iPhone Product Photography, and Stitched Shibori Indigo-dyed Scarf. There are so many other classes I want to check out, too. Take a look at all the class descriptions here.

Building community is something I'm trying to make a priority this year, so I can't wait to meet other makers and creative business owners. If you’re a maker, blogger or creative business owner then join me for four inspiring days that you’ll never forget. Craftcation has over 80 hands-on workshops and business classes so whether you’re coming to craft, grow your business or a little bit of both, there’s lots of making, meeting and learning in store for you.

Craftcation takes place April 27-30, 2017, in the beach town of Ventura, California, (about an hour north of Los Angeles). Craftcation is in the heart of Ventura’s historic downtown buildings and also uses the beach for special events like networking meet & greets, cocktail socials, a pop-up shop, opening celebration, yoga, as well as food and art tours. 

Please join me & other makers like Lisa Solomon, Mimi Kirchner, Anna Joyce, Amy Tan, Robert Mahar, Jenny Hart at Craftcation!

June 2016 events

Excited to share some really fun upcoming events....

Etsy Craft Party
June 17, 12-8pm West Elm Market: 50 Jay St., Dumbo, Brooklyn

This year's craft party is all about community. Local sellers and shops will be hosting all kinds of creative activities, demos, and workshops. I'll be at the West Elm Market hosting a pop-up shop selling Miniature Rhino goods and teaching a workshop. We'll be making these super fun stitched postcards throughout the day. Drop in and say hi!! More info and a full list of the day's activities are here.


Zodiac embroidery: stitch + sip!
June 24th, 7-9pm, Make Workshop

Part-party, part-workshop! I'll be teaching you how to embroider while making the stellar Zodiac Embroidery Kit of your choice. Class fee includes a kit in your or a loved one's sign ($20 value) plus drinks + snacks to keep you inspired as you stitch. Sign up here!

Hope to see you there!!

Craftsy Class Launch! Product photography at home & Giveaway

I'm so very excited to announce today the launch of my newest Craftsy class, Product Photography At Home. I'm passionate about the handmade community, and I made this class hoping to encourage and contribute to this amazing community of makers.

I know one of the biggest hurdles for creative entrepreneurs is photography.  It's so important in this crazy digital world. Photography can feel overwhelming, but this class simplifies the technical, while giving you concrete, simple advice. You'll learn:

• camera gear and settings for optimal shooting
• creating simple, affordable, professional setups for product photography
• using & manipulating natural light 
• working with models
• photographing outdoors in different lighting conditions  
• prop styling
• basic post production
• see the class promo here

To celebrate the launch & get you snapping shop pics right away, the class is 50% off from now until Friday, May 8th with this link. And by signing up you'll automatically be entered to win any Crafty class of your choice for free! The winner will be contacted directly by Craftsy with the details on the 9th. 

The best part about Craftsy classes is that you own them forever, you can watch them whenever you want, and you can ask me questions anytime. I love getting questions! In my embroidery class I get questions all the time. It's so nice to be able to connect with students to give them advice and encouragement. You can even share your work with me & get feedback.

Throughout Product Photography at Home I demonstrate techniques using real products from real makers, and examples of great product images from actual handmade shops. This was so important to me- I wanted to give hardworking makers a shout out and share their awesome work, but also show how you can do it too!

In Product Photography at Home you'll see amazing products & beautiful images from: J. Topolski, Pepper Sprouts, Hodge Podge Farm, Counter Couture Design, Alexandra Kate Jewelry, Blackbird Tees, Cotton & Flax, Katrina d’Autremont, Knit Knit, Mudpuppy, H & Field, Oh, Albatross, Earth Below Sky, Mokuyobi Threads, Peg and Awl, Xenotees, and Clean Getaway Soap. Holy crap! So much talent, inspiration, and creativity in this list of contributors. SO thankful for their contributions and looking forward to sharing their work with you!

If you've been itching to improve your shop's product photography and grow your business I can't wait to help you! Here again is the the 50% off link, which enters you to win an additional Craftsy class for free! 

Meet me at Brooklyn Craft Camp!

Hey Brooklyn, lets craft together!

So excited to share Brooklyn Craft Camp with you today. Join me and a stellar line up of teachers on March 16 for a day of hands-on workshops, great food and music.  I'll be teaching an embroidery class making a few patterns, like the arrow project above.

There are lots of great classes- Crochet, Terrarium Making, Knitting, Printmaking, and Jewelry-making lead by some of the most crafty ladies around, like Julie Schneider, Cal Patch & Kayte Terry.  The key note speaker is even Jay McCarroll, season 1 winner of Project Runway!

Find out all the details & register here. I hope to see you there!!

Here's just a taste of some of the classes:

 

New Class at Purl Soho

Embroidery Basics - Custom Monogram


So excited about my new class at Purl Soho. I really wanted to do a project based class, where you can leave with a finished piece. We'll be making these insanely cute customizable embroidery pieces. If you're in NY and looking to learn embroidery or just take a fun class I hope you'll join me! The class meets Monday night 3/26 & 4/2 at 7 p.m. Find out all the details here.

I also have a basic embroidery class that goes over a bunch of stitches, Stitch Dictionary. Tuesdays 4/3 & 4/10 6-8pm. 

Upcoming Classes at Pins & Needles....

Lets stitch together!! So excited to be teaching this spring & summer at a few different places. Here are some of the classes coming up...

What: Zodiac Embroidery Class
A super, fun and satisfying afternoon. We'll go over some basic embroidery stitches, and you'll even walk away with your own completed custom zodiac embroidery!
When: Sat. May 7th 1:30 - 3:30 pm
Where: Pins & Needles, 1045 Lexington Ave. 2nd FL NYC
How: Be in touch with P&N at 212.535.6222 or info@pinsandneedlesnyc.com or visit the shop!

&

What: Sampler Class

Another fun afternoon class. A beginner class covering the basics of embroidery - tools and materials, embroidery stitches, and you'll even walk away with your own completed custom embroidery!

When: Sat. June 25 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Where: Pins & Needles, 1045 Lexington Ave. 2nd FL NYC

How: Be in touch with P&N at 212.535.6222 or info@pinsandneedlesnyc.com or visit the shop!

More info here & visit the P&N site too! Check out how cute P&N is....

Hope to see you there!!