National Week of Making - June 17-23, 2016

What a nice thing, to have the Etsy Craft Party weekend fall within the National Week of Making. The DFW Artisans Etsy team along with local artisans teamed up with Sparks Studio in Downtown Arlington to create a craft party for the DFW area. We hosted guests from as far away as Plano. Two crafts, yarn flowers and origami butterflies, along with snacks and drinks were enjoyed by the guests and craft instructors alike. Lots of making was undertaken by all.

Sparks Studio offers classes in jewelry making, painting and more so that you can continue learning new making techniques. The studio was a wonderful backdrop for the craft party. Thanks go to the local artisans and makers who donated their time and materials to make the craft party a success; Cynthia (seen below with one of the yarn flowers in her hair that she made) and LeAnne from ClayBabies, Cathy from Eclectic Design Choices (moi), Van from VanArtLife and Ellen with the fabulous polymer clay creations.

So what exactly does National Week of Making celebrate? According to the Presidential Proclamation, "Since our earliest days, makers, artists, and inventors have driven our economy and transformed how we live by taking risks, collaborating, and drawing on their talents and imaginations to make our Nation more dynamic and interconnected. During National Week of Making, we recommit to sparking the creative confidence of all Americans and to giving them the skills, mentors, and resources they need to harness their passion and tackle some of our planet's greatest challenges."

We all have some amount of creative talent. Some of us use it for relaxation, some bring it to bear in our jobs and others have yet to discover our true creative talents. What is yours and what will you do with it? Etsy encourages everyone to get in touch with their creative talents and maker selves through their annual craft party. Etsy is also working to "support the maker movement and expand resources available for creative entrepreneurs and young makers." Young or old, as a hobby or your vocation, take some time during this National Week of Making to expand your creative side.