D-I-Why? I'll Tell You Why

Our workshop was founded in 2008 with the simple purpose of creating a comfortable, inspiring, inclusive and welcoming space in which kids could develop confidence and celebrate their creativity by offering open-ended projects that we've designed for ready-success, that scale with the artist's capabilities and that are fun and relevant. And do we do it in a way that was respectful of our planet? Yes, we do! Using the Founder's creative expertise honed in the fashion and entertainment industries and the skills, smiles and creative genius of a fantastic team, we've created a special-little-local place in which kids seem to relax, settle in and often complain about having to leave. (One family recently called us their "community center"-- aw.) It's the work-place, the hang-out-place, the fun-place of our dreams. Or wishes. Granted.

(Want to read more about our philosophy and a recipe for a "wow" project....?)

We Grow Artists (or Why I Dance in Pajamas)

It's been a busy 24 hours with Summer Camp registration opening yesterday. I'm a little bleary-eyed and we're only getting started (I get up way too early, and too often), and yet I feel like dancing and singing in pajamas. Why does this entrepreneur get so excited when "starving artist" is still a label that resonates for most of us here? How much fun is it to sort through the mounds of email and phone messages that this kick-off brings? A lot of fun, and here's why:

• I get to help a camper find their voice and express it confidently through a garment of their own design. (Project Wishcraft)
• I get to help kids build a catapult to launch a hand-made action-figure and laugh hysterically at its arc. And then do it again. And again. (CrafTNT)
• I get to help a girl build with a hammer and play with dolls in the same day. (Me, My Doll and I)
• I get to help make pretend play extra-real-fun play. (Craft Picnic)
• I get to help a camper learn the thrill of turning something used into something amazing and new and exciting and totally unique. (Do Over!, Ecosew)
• I get to help the eyes behind a lens to see the world and themselves in new ways. (Face-simile)
• I get to help a camper envision a space in which to dream (literally, figuratively) and make it real. (It's a Rad Rad Room)
• I get to help little kids feel like they're being big kids while still being allowed to be little kids. (Sew Fabulous, Do Over! Jr.)
• I get to help campers commemorate their incredible summer and all of its adventures as they prepare for another amazing school-year. (Goodbye Summer, Sew Long Summer)
• I get to help kids discover the creative power in their heads and hands.

I don't have to. I get to. (It's all about me anyway, right?) It's pretty neat to watch kids grow, and to grow in so many ways. Summer seems to be a particularly powerful season for this, like it is for sunflowers and tomatoes. We grow artists. Lucky me.

My 4-Letter Words

WISH is a 4-letter word. So is FEAR. And you probably have your own favorites for moments of frustration and moments of joy. Being an entrepreneur* brings with it a roller-coaster of 4-letter words, starting with RISK, TIME, and CASH on their one-way streets.  But when I STOP and allow myself the moments to GIVE back to the community that has supported us through our first 3 years (Yes! We just celebrated our 3rd Birthday!), it feels GOOD.
(Thanks to those of you that ask and remind us of the opportunity to help your school or your non-for-profit. The gift-certificates are on their way!)

At the workshop we have been preparing for a craft event next weekend (which involves a lot of MAKE) that pays us nothing but the opportunity to MEET like-minded artisans, crafticionados and their kids and KNOW, if for even just a few moments with each, the child-like excitement that comes with the experience of making something by HAND. That's RICH. We hope to see you there, where "Wish is a 4-Letter Word" will be the project we bring to the KIDS' area. You'll have to come visit to see what we mean. Have your kids start thinking about their list of 4-letter words and get there early to sign-up for a good time-slot to MEET us. 

Until then, I'll be focusing on the better half of my 4-letter word mind-stock, reminding myself that even when the entrepreneurial roller-coaster dips into places that are DARK, tomorrow there is always the GLEE, the HOPE, the LOVE (and in the case of the upcoming few months, CAMP and hopefully some LUCK) that comes with my WISH of crafting a space in which anyone can learn to feel powerfully and playfully creative, solving problems aesthetic, functional and practical. ONCE we HAVE THAT, WHAT CAN'T be DONE?  

Thanks to my daughter Lulu for the following list to help anyone that gets stuck with their list.  We probably don't want my son's list this afternoon as he does his homework.

Wish   Love   Hope   Make   Good   Food   Bake   Live   Give   Life   Know   Glad   Glue (ha!)   Play   Home   Book   Band   Rock   Baby   Felt   Yarn   Time   Knit   Draw   Cozy   Fame

*see Crain's Chicago Business blog to find a great article by Carol Roth about the 5 myths (and one truth) of entrepreneurship. My blog's inability to successfully link to it is beyond the luddite lurking within.