Today we’d like to introduce you to Denise Ambrosi.
Denise, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
These Hands Maker’s Collective started as a sort-of mobile crafting experience where I would rent work-share spaces and host my favorite Instagram artists to teach a super-fun project. About once a month, these small workshops would sell out so quickly and it became apparent that this collective of makers wanted more. It was then, only six months after my first workshop, that I rented a brick and mortar studio on Abbot Kinney.
At the second half of 2019, I had a full schedule and my artists were coming from all over the world to teach. It was a dream come true for me, being a creative soul practically since birth.
Then came March 2020…
I quickly transitioned my workshops online and began mailing out “makers kits” that were complete with a live Zoom workshop… The goal was to make the experience the same as before where I could couple creativity with a sense of community.
Since March, I’ve hosted 30 online workshops and mailed out hundreds of kits. I will be excited to one day return to in-person workshops but want to make sure that my makers are safe.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
“LOL”
2020 has been everything but smooth. And moving my entire studio into the spare bedroom of my apartment has been challenging to say the least. My day includes home-schooling my 6-year old daughter, answering emails, contacting artists, updating my website, ordering supplies for kits and mailing them out. I used to just trip over small toys and legos. Now its boxes of yarn and wood-burning tools.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with These Hands Maker’s Collective – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
People often ask me what my main craft is… I guess that I’m a jewelry designer because I’ve done that for the longest. I started my Etsy shop (Full of Craft) back in 2005 and had more than 900 sales, but I’ve been a creative person all of my life. In 2017, I joined a Jewelry making challenge where maybe 20 other designers and I made one ring everyday for the entire year. Yes. I made 365 rings that year and documented them all on my IG account. That was my first taste of what it was like to actually live a life of creativity. To have to think about it every. Single. Day.
After that, I was hooked and I knew that I had to continue this life of creativity and bring it to others.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Hopefully, after we can get a hold of COVID (fingers crossed), I’d like to continue with in-person workshops. I’ve already secured some amazing outdoor venues that I think will satisfy our desire to commune. I believe that we can do this in a safe way and I think that bringing this creativity back into people’s lives will be a huge mental health benefit.
Crafting feeds my soul and I know that I’m not alone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thesehandscollective.com/
- Phone: (310) 844-1195
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesehandscollective/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesehandsmakerscollective
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/thesehandscollective/
Image Credit:
https://www.instagram.com/iamdearsparrow
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