Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Why CCC Open Studio? 1

1. The Rebbe very much wants me to work in chinuch (education). I am not a teacher! Been there, done that, not again! For now I have an AA and a BA in psychology, and iy"H when I'm ready I will go back to school to get my MA so I can become a qualified art therapist. (Note: a chosid does not belong in college! I say this despite, and in a way especially because of, the fact that I've been to college myself. Please message me if you would like to know more about why and how I chose to go to college.) In the meantime, I've set up CCC Open Studio to share my love of crafts with others. I'm not sure how chinuch will play a role, especially as I strongly want Open Studio to be agenda-free, but I figure that when a few Jews get together there's bound to be something inspirational going on! As they say, two Jews, three opinions, one heart!
What do you think? All comments and questions are welcome!
P. S. Did you enter the contest yet? https://www.facebook.com/notes/creative-chabad-crafts/ccc-open-studio-contest-prizes/1681852908695483

CCC Open Studio - Just the facts please!


What: Scrapbooking papers, stamps, stickers, heat embossing powders, ribbons, twine and threads, bling, die-cutting and embossing machine, Chabad-friendly Jewish and Hebrew supplies, envelope punch board, mosaics, paints, gift packaging, hair accessories, paper marbling and more!
Where: In Crown Heights, right near Lefferts and Troy
How: Independent play OR
Instructions, tips and techniques, upon request
Who: Girls and women, ages 12 and up
1-3 people per session
Babies are not welcome! Automatic $10 babysitting surcharge for a baby who’s awake for 10+ minutes
When: 11:00 a.m. first session begins - 9:00 p.m. last session begins
How: Independent play OR
Instructions, tips and techniques, upon request
Price: $20 for an hour of unlimited crafting!
Bonus 15 minutes for first time visitors to check out the stash
RSVP: Please reserve by 12:00 p.m. the day before the desired session

CreativeChabadCrafts@gmail.com

Creative Chabad Crafts Open Studio!

Libby: I tried getting crafty last night. I cleared a corner of the dining room table, I found a piece of construction paper that was mostly unscribbled and a few abc* crayons. Sadly, Sara’le wouldn’t share the smelly sticker she got at the doctor’s office today
*already been chewed
Brocha: You should check out Creative Chabad Crafts Open Studio! I bet you’ll love it!
Libby: Creative Chab- what?
Brocha: CCC OS, right here in Crown Heights! You pay $20 and you get an hour to play with all the craft supplies you want to create whatever you want. And the first time you go you get an extra 15 minutes, just to check out the stash!
Libby: You mean I won’t have to unbury my table? And I can have a fresh sheet of construction paper all for myself?
Brocha: Yup and yup! The craft area is well-stocked, organized and roomy. And Miriam has more than just construction paper and more than just paper. She has adult-style, quality supplies- only a handful of pompoms and no pipe cleaners! She has papers in a ton of colors and styles and patterns, and quite a few are special papers, like metallic, vellum and shimmery vellum. She has lots of paper-crafting supplies, like stamps and stickers and heat embossing powders for a touchable, glossy effect (5) and ribbons, twine and threads (5), and bling. And she has a die-cutting machine!
Libby: A what machine?
Brocha: Die-cutting. It cuts out perfect shapes of paper and other materials, like your basic hearts and stars and circles, or more interesting shapes, like borders or frames or flowers. She has a neat flower die set (1) that once you put it through the machine you can use both the innies and the outies! And the machine also embosses (1) different designs, so they kind of pop on top of the paper & look & feel 3-d
Libby: Maybe I can finally finish some of the kids’ baby books! And it would be nice to create a stash of greeting cards, like happy birthday cards, thank you, just because…
Brocha: And even Shana Tova or mazel tov cards! Miriam has a nice collection of Chabad-friendly Jewish and Hebrew supplies (5)! And you can make your own envelopes (1), with the envelope punch board
Libby: So maybe I can make some posters for my classroom
Brocha: And by the way, CCC OS has supplies for lots of different crafts (5), not just paper crafts! Mosaics, paints, gift packaging, hair accessories, paper marbling and more
Libby: Oh, gosh! This is starting to sound really complicated
Brocha: Don’t worry, Miriam will give you as much guidance as you want or she can keep quiet. Just let her know what you want
Libby: This is sounding really nice! I can think of a few projects I’d like to make (2+)! I'm just wondering, would you know if I can bring any of the kids along? It might be a nice way to spend some quality time with them
Brocha: Up to 3 people at a time can go, but you can only bring Zeldie for now. You gotta wait until Shira has her bas mitzva before she can go. Oh, and don’t bring Levi! The studio isn’t really a baby-friendly place and if he’s awake for more than 10 minutes Miriam will automatically charge an extra $10 baby-sitting fee
Libby: That’s good to know about the girls, although it’s just too bad about the baby. I guess I’ll just really have to enjoy myself! But when can I go, with all my free time?
Brocha: Miriam has hours from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Just reserve by noon of the day before at the latest and she’ll probably be happy to have you
Libby: And her husband and kids don’t mind?
Brocha: She’s not married and she has her own apartment, no roommates
Libby: Hmmm, maybe we should try to find her a shiduch
Brocha: Nah, let’s keep out of her private business, at least for now. ‘Sides, if she gets married she might not be able to continue offering Open Studio
Libby: Ok, fine. I’ll keep quiet for now. Now, how do I get in touch with her?
Brocha: I'll send you some links, just gimme a sec'. And, hey, maybe we can go together one day!
CreativeChabadCrafts@gmail.com