Lindsey, please tell us a little about yourself and your background.
I am a small town Western New York girl who came to NYC for college and fell in love with the energy and bright lights. As a college kid on student loans, I needed to quickly find a second part-time job. Someone passed me a Craft Studio business card and from then on I fell in love! Making kids happy through art was so rewarding and something I grew very passionate about. Upon graduating college at the age twenty-one, I signed papers to slowly work off being the Craft Studio owner. I envisioned more classes, more offerings, and more ways to bring happiness to NYC families. I became the sole owner at twenty-four, married at twenty-six, and a mother of two beautiful daughters by thirty-two. My business has grown leaps and bounds offering The Craft Studio To-Go, partnerships with schools and corporations, and a second studio about a year ago in Tribeca!
What has been your biggest challenge when you opened The Craft Studio?
Since I didn’t open the original location my biggest challenge was in 2008-2009 when the market crashed. I was young, had no backup funds, was vulnerable and felt I just signed my life away and had a huge loan to pay back. It was then that I had to accept that owning a business was a roller coaster ride and I began to think out of the box. Out of that extremely hard time when I thought we would close… came some of my best ideas that powered the studio through to now its twenty-fifth anniversary.
What is the ideal age group for your classes? How are classes structured?
We start our toddler classes for little ones eighteen months and older. It is a great introduction to art with a flow they can handle. We use multiple mediums and techniques in five-minute intervals throughout the class with mini activities leading up to a large adorable take-home project. We leave our “art island” open for the entire length of class with crayons and stickers in case kids need a minute away from the table. We finish every class with a dance party to get the wiggles out!
As kids get older, we incorporate more advanced techniques and mediums. We also keep our curriculum on trend with what is popular in the world and never repeat crafts!
How does crafting help children grow?
Crafting is so important because it teaches kids how to work with their hands and do something technology free. It helps their learning skills as they are taught a new skill and then immediately put it to practice. And any art form is important for brain growth!
Does The Craft Studio host birthday parties? If yes, what themes do you cover?
We are famous for our birthday parties. We always say, if you can dream it we can make it happen in either our studios or in your home or venue! In addition to our list of over twenty themes to chose from, we customize parties all the time! Our most famous parties include our Chocolate House, Imagination Station, Cake Decorating, Slime making, and more!
What advice would you give a parent whose kid loves to craft?
Crafting is so good for children. This day in age with everything electronic and plugged in…an activity where they can be free to be creative and unplugged is so important.
Encourage them…There are no mistakes in art and in crafting! Perfect is boring! Be an individual, true to yourself, and follow your heart and you will be amazed at what you can create!
Where would you like to see The Craft Studio five years from now?
I would love to have locations in Brooklyn, Connecticut, Westchester, and maybe one on the West Coast! I would love our own line of craft kits and would love to grow our philanthropic work. I have a dream of starting a not-for-profit branch in my younger brother's memory that brings art into schools to help children deal with anxiety, and stress, and teaches them how to unplug.
Related articles:
Enrichment Classes in Lower Manhattan
Educational Directors of Lower Manhattan
List of Preschools in Lower Manhattan
Macaroni KID Lower Manhattan is the family fun go-to source for the latest and most comprehensive information in our area. Subscribe for FREE today.
