Have You Ever Thought of Facilitating a Workshop?

I became an Art Teacher in the NYC Public School System because when I got in front of a classroom and saw that I could stimulate imaginations and encourage creativity, that sparked something in me; something that is hard to define, but that I knew felt wonderful. I love Teaching, but also found that when I came home from a day of classes, I rarely had the energy left to pursue my own artistic expression. Since I incorporated RG Clay Creations in 2006, I have been making functional ceramics and more recently, a ceramic jewelry line that continues to evolve and never leaves me wanting for new ideas to experiment with.

However, actually creating an income making ceramic objects is, as any potter will tell you, a huge challenge. Unless you start mass producing using molds (which is not the way I like to work) the amount of time that goes into making our pieces makes it difficult. So one of the things I do to supplement my income is to organize workshops and classes. Any of us on the Hudson Valley Etsy Team who enjoy teaching can easily do this. All it takes is an appropriate space, multiple tools, a slightly larger inventory of supplies, and the ability to reach people who might be interested in attending them (advertising, word of mouth, social media networking).

Occasionally people contact me about the prospect of teaching classes. This happened with the person who every year in my community arranges for a group of Foreign Exchange students to come from Europe for a few weeks, staying with local host families. She organizes activities for them and visiting my studio was one of these. The Exchange Students (usually in a group of about 20) get a tour my studio, learn about the process I go through piece of jewelry themselves.

For other workshops I have applied to the persons in charge of organizing Educational programs. This happened with the Youth Coordinator at the Greenwood Lake Public Library where I have done workshops. And I have taught several at the Albert Wisner Public Library in Warwick as well. The fees are usually negotiated individually depending on the number of hours and size of the groups. At other times, a few individuals have hired me to do workshops with people they have gotten together to do a different, fun activity on an evening out. I even participated in a Team Building Activity for the Whole Foods/Whole Body Paramus Team, who drove up to Warwick to do a workshop here, and of course got to take in the beauty of the Hudson Valley on their drive up.

I used to fear that people would learn all my “secrets” and start creating RG Look Alike items, but have come to realize that the possibilities of creativity are so limitless, that the works people create in my studio may be based on techniques I show them, but are always uniquely their own. For many, it can be an experience they will not forget, whether the participants are 6 or 60 years old. And it just might spark a new passion for them, a greater appreciation of handmade items, and that is sheer joy.

Roberta - RG Clay Designs

In: Studio Esopus

Ruth Lancer of Studio Esopus

Just off the busy 9W in Esopus is an art lovers paradise. Studio Esopus offers a brand new venue for crafty and art loving kids and adults alike to take part in classes, summer camps, birthday parties, workshops and even hosting pop-up shops.

The new studio was opened in February 2013  by Ruth Lancer. Ruth was born into a creative family and grew up knowing art would be a part of her future. She has been pursuing her passion as a certified Elementary Art Teacher in the Hudson Valley for the past 10 years. As a life-long resident of Esopus, now she is excited to spread the art in her hometown community as well.

Ruth offers regular art classes for young artists and during the summer Studio Esopus is also offering art camps. Visual arts classes range from painting and drawing to collage, printmaking and sculpture. Studio Esopus likes to be Eco friendly- recycle, reuse, restore, replenish and up cycle.

So far one of the most popular events held at the Studio have been the themed and personalized birthday parties, the venue has proved perfect for hosting the children's special celebration with themed parties and corresponding craft activities that have included Angry Birds, American Doll, Mickey Mouse and Star Wars.

A tote bag decorating party held at the Studio recently

I was lucky enough to attend a brunch held at the studio recently organized by a local Moms groups. The local Moms who attended not only had a kid free morning but also got to eat a delicious brunch and show their creative sides by making scarves out of repurposed t-shirts.

In a wonderfully central location Studio Esopus can be used as a precious resource for local artists and crafters. Ruth is very happy for the studio to be used as meeting place, pop-up shop, for any workshops or as teaching location.

For more information please contact:

Ruth Lancer

Studio Esopus
830 9W
Esopus, NY
tel: 845 532 2280
ralancer@gmail.com
www.studioesopus.com
www.facebook.com/studioesopus


Good Luck and Good Making!

by Sarah Omura, SO Handmade
 

www.etsy.com/shop/SOhandmade1

A New Type Of Work Environment: BEAHIVE!

As Hudson Valley Etsy continues to branch out and network with other local organizations, we'd like to let you in on a great place that provides work/meeting space in the Hudson Valley.

Inspired in part by the coworking movement, BEAHIVE is a new kind of collaborative space for work and community, the only of its kind in the Hudson Valley. At the most basic level, we provide a shared, creative work environment for entrepreneurs, the creative class, microbusinesses and consultants.

Quite simply, coworking is a new way to work. It’s a growing worldwide movement in collaboration, where people work in a shared space, alone and together.

We’re more than a shared office space — and more than a space to work. BEAHIVE is a community, a community of members from diverse backgrounds with a range of talents and a desire to improve our professional and personal lives and our community. We have a few levels of membership so you can be a part of the community at the commitment level that works for you.

Ultimately we’re supporting a Local Living Economy, one that is vibrant, sustainable, locally rooted and human-scale.

Why is BEAHIVE spelled funny? It’s a cute reference to Beacon (BEA-HIVE, Bea-con…). Scott Tillitt opened the original BEAHIVE in May 2009 right in the heart of Beacon’s Main Street in an artisan-renovated 1907 Bell Telephone building. We added a second in Kingston later that winter (closed in spring 2012) and a third hive in Downtown Albany in early 2012.

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