About Me
My Philosophy
As an avid crafter, inspired writer and versatile artist, I have been sharing my enthusiasm for different media with children, teens and adults for 15 years.
With children of my own, I have found outlets for experimenting with different types of art and sharing their joy in creating something they can entirely call their own. I have been running private workshops and camps for many years, and I learn something new each time I meet a new group of budding or seasoned artists or writers.
Even when I teach at stores, I dislike the“prototype” or those corporate samples that show how a finished craft should look. Twenty children leave with twenty corporate-identical crafts, copied inch by inch to look like the sample or well-meaning parents hover over, leading exactly where to put the googly eye on the ghost or how to strategically place gumdrops on a gingerbread house.
For that reason, I bring no samples but an enthusiastic description that children can visualize in their own minds and we ask that parents kindly busy themselves outside of the craft room for an hour or two so that their children have the freedom to " just create" without too much guidance.
For teens, it’s this and more. I like to hear about their art experience. If they want to turn a Spanish clay vessel into claymation or Chinese Brush Art into Japanese anime, I welcome any chance to learn from them. With experience as a Girl Scout leader, an art teacher, an event coordinator, an author and poet, a substitute teacher, a camp leader, a homeschool mom, and, by trade, an anthropologist, my diverse background lends certain patience and flexibility to the workshops. I leave any the day’s stress at the door and lend your children my full attention and invite a social, relaxed atmosphere.
Locations
I teach at your location – private home, church, school, library meeting room, shop, community center, wherever you can gather a group. I offer private instruction, too.
Recently, I have been teaching at:
Fairfax County Libraries
Prince William County Libraries
Loudoun County LibrariesMiddleburg Community Center
Michaels Craft Store
Center for the Arts
Alexandria Libraries
City of Falls Church Libraries
....and many private events.
Workshops are fun, versatile and exciting. I am happy to provide you a list of references upon request. For fun news about many of my classes or what else we have going on, please, visit my blog at: http://www.sassygraceblog.com or join us on Facebook at Sassy Grace Boutique. Lots of photos available through our Facebook page.
Contact me to chat or schedule your workshop!
