I’m excited to be teaching two classes in February here in Wellesley, Massachusetts. This is the third year that I’ve taught a series of business classes for artists and makers and it’s always a lot of fun. Most of the people who come live in town or nearby, but I’ve had a few people drive…
October Workshops
Come learn with me in October! I’ll be teaching a bunch of workshops and I’d like to invite you to join me, hang out, and talk craft and business together. Wellesley, Ma Workshops On Thursday, October 5 from 6-8pm I’ll be teaching a class all about Etsy at the Wellesley Free Library. This class is…
Upcoming Classes on Creative Small Business at the Wellesley Free Library
That’s me speaking at Midwest Craft Con last year. Photo by Chris Rutan. I’m excited to be teaching a series of three classes on creative small business at the Wellesley Free Library throughout the month of November. These classes are free and open to the public and people often drive in to take them (they…
Why I Teach Sewing
On Monday evening I was teaching a class at a local sewing studio. My students were all local moms and they’d come to learn to use their sewing machines. I’ve taught this class twice a month for four years now and I always begin by asking each person to tell the story of their sewing…
Craftcation 2015
I’m writing this post on the plane flying from Los Angeles back to Boston after a weekend spent at Craftcation. This is the first conference I’ve attended that’s related to the work I do now. It was a sacrifice for my family for me to leave for four days and I want to first say…
Teaching People to Use a Sewing Machine
For four years now I’ve been teaching groups of women (and some men) here in Wellesley to use their sewing machines. My class takes place at a sewing school down the street from my house. It’s an upstairs room in a two-story building and we all come in panting from lugging our heavy machines up…
I’m Teaching at Craftcation
I’m really excited to be teaching and speaking at the Craftcation making and business conference this year. At the start of 2014 I set a series of year-long goals for my business. I knew I needed a new website and that was going to be this year’s major financial investment, but for a long time…
Studio Update, An Upcoming Class, and a Sew-Along
Did you know that I moderate a private Facebook group for doll and toy designers? It’s The While She Naps Softie Designers Forum and we have over 200 members. I love this group so much. It’s a place to ask questions, get new ideas, and support fellow makers. If you design sewing patterns for softies…
A Compilation of Online Classes on Doll and Toy Making
Online video instruction is an ideal way to teach sewing. Watching an expert do the work, and explain how it’s done, is the best way to master a hands-on skill. When you want to learn something as tactile as sewing, nothing is better than being able to actually see someone stitch a seam. Putting that…
Design Your Own Softies Workshop
On Sunday I taught a 4-hour workshop called, “Design Your Own Softie.” This class is by far the hardest, and most rewarding teaching I do. It’s radically different from a project-based class in which you know, more or less, what everyone will be making. In fact, it’s the opposite. When each student walks in I…