| Volume 61, October '08 |  |
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Located just seven miles outside of Philadelphia, PA, The Handwork Studio is passing down the tradition of teaching needle arts and fashion to kids ages 4-16. Following the success of the store, Laura Kelly has launched MyHandworkStudio.com, an interactive site designed to let your children explore. Check out our interview with Laura! |
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1. What is www.MyHandworkStudio.com? MyHandworkStudio.com allows KIDS to: Create an On-line Persona: Kids can create their own on-line character (avatar) -- including customized outfit, skin and eye color -- and profile by sharing favorite hobbies and activities. Send and receive messages from fellow Studio kids, even add friends to the personalized Studio page. Learn Cool Crafts: “Kid Educators” provide “how to” video instructions on knitting, crochet, embroidery, hand- and machine-sewing, and needle crafting. After watching the videos, print off detailed instructions and templates to make the projects at home. When done, upload a photo to your profile so all of your Studio friends can see it. Play Games: Earn “Studio Dollars” by playing fun, on-line games. Redeem by buying virtual accessories -- iPods, cell phones and pets -- for your character. Shop for Crafting Supplies: Our on-line store allows you to buy crafting supplies, books and materials on-line and have them shipped directly to your home. Seek On-line Crafting Help: Need more information developing these new crafting skills? The Retailers section allows you to type in your zip code and see all of the local craft stores in your community where you can seek additional help. 2. What inspired you to start the site? For the last 7 years, I have been running a kids needle arts studio were we teach kids needle arts, machine sewing, fashion and fiber arts. We get thousands of kids through the studio every year through classes, camps, workshops and birthday parties. Where ever we go with the program, kids are automatically draw to it. Parents ask me all the time when are we coming to their town. By developing the website, we can bring our program, projects, sense of community to kids everywhere in a medium they are comfortable using. 3. What message do you want to send to today's youth about sewing? Sewing and crafting is a great way of expressing yourself. Right now all the messages geared towards kids are making them grow up faster and faster. We want to offer an alternative message that makes it acceptable to be creative, be unique and be yourself. 4. What's next for the site? There is always something new and exciting happening at MyHandworkStudio.com. Every Friday we will offer new activities, games, accessories and functionality to the site. Over the next several weeks we will be rolling out: In October we are launching “My Kit of the Month Club” where kids can have studio approved projects delivered to their door every month. Every month, kids will receive at their doorstep all of the tools and materials required to make a high-quality, unique craft, including:
• A colorful USB bracelet which contains video “how-to’s” and downloadable instructions. The fashionable, stackable bracelets are perfect for collecting and trading among friends. All tutorials are led by “kid educators” and have been approved, tested and filmed by fellow students. • A subscription to the MyHandworkStudio.com Web site (for the duration of Club membership) which offers kids the opportunity to watch fun videos, create their own on-line character, play games, and earn “Studio Dollars” redeemable for cool prizes. • A fun sticker postcard with “Lessons and Life” crafting tips. • Kits are appropriate for children ages 6-14. We are in the process of creating a Gallery. The Gallery will act as a public space where kids can create and upload their projects. Kids will also be able to leave positive feedback on the work in the gallery and participate in the artistic community. We are creating a “Design Studio” where kids will be able to design their own virtual accessories and outfits and sell them to other kids on the site and earn studio dollars. Lastly, we are creating downloads and takeaways that the kids will have fun using like: -E-card builder with personalized avatar -Personalized Cell Phone Back Ground -Personalized Desktop Back Ground -IM Icon 
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