Over the coming weeks we’ll be taking a look at other craft and sewing studios around the country. We’re doing this for research purposes so we figured, “throw it up for all to see”. We hope to pick and choose some of the best ideas from other successful studios to make Assemble kick ass.
Make Workshop
To get a good idea of what Assemble strives to be, check out Make Workshop in NYC. I think Assemble and Make Workshop were separated at birth. Make has a new school craft/diy feel with classes like shoe making, soap making and t-shirt reconstruction. They still pay homage to the more traditional crafting disciplines, like crocheting and knitting, but they also explore non-traditional crafts. One way Assemble will be different from Make Workshop is our focus on a space dedicated to assembling. We plan to outfit our place with big tables, cushy furniture, coffee (and treats if you’re lucky), an inspirational library of books and magazines, tivo, free wi-fi access, and of course our rentable sewing workspace.
Spark Craft Studios
Spark Craft Studios is located in Somerville, Massachusetts. They’re in a sweet two-story loft-style space with exposed brick and beams. Spark offers day passes ($8) and basic memberships ($150/year or $50 for 3 mos) for using the studio space. Spark provides the latest scrapbooking and knitting supplies for any imaginable project.
Hello from down in Miami! I found your website today after searching for the same thing you are putting together up there in Jacksonville. Some other similar places i’ve found are:
http://www.theworkshopaustin.com/
http://www.craftgym.com
There are a few more that I cannot remember their names (and my old laptop died with the links!), but I have a call out to gather more. I’d be interested in seeing what others you know of. Also, have you visited any in person as part of your research?
Good lucK!
making your own shoes?! how cool would that be. i’ve often thought about buying a cheap pair of tennis shoes, just for the sole, and using fabric to make my own uppers in different colors. of course, i have absolutely no sewing abilities, but it’s a cool idea.
Beanblossom,
Actually it’s funny that you mention the workshop in Austin. I stopped by there in March when I was there for south by southwest. I talked with them for about an hour about their concept. They are super nice! Give them a call if you have any other questions. I had not heard of craft gym, but I am adding it to my list of links. Here are some more links to Craft Lounges around the country:
http://www.sparkcrafts.com/
http://www.makeworkshop.com/
http://www.firstsamples.com/index.shtml
http://www.stitchesseattle.com/
http://www.stitchlounge.com/index.htm
http://www.diylounge.com/index.php