Handmade in
Hamburg
Guiding a Worldwide Paper-Crafting Community by Sara N .
Making something by hand is always fulfilling — as is the process of creativity and the fun of learning something new . Fortunately , the world of online craft education is full of possibilities for those who want to pick up a new skill or re-invigorate a creative interest .
In 2010 I left my corporate job in the craft industry , yet continued teaching others how to explore their creativity . Part of my marketing job at Oregon-based Hot Off The Press involved traveling to teach crafting workshops around the world . From the United Kingdom to South Africa and all across the USA , I taught scrapbooking , card-making and mixed media at art retreats , stores , and at stamping and scrapbooking conventions .
It ’ s always been great fun and a privilege to see people enjoying the creative process — often attending classes with friends or relatives or going alone and forming new friendships . The best part ? When a student would say , “ I ’ m just not that creative ,”
Sara teaches crafters how to make a variety of projects , such as these mixed-media cards featuring paint , embossing powder , and stamps . ( All photos courtesy of Sara N .)
and then surprise themselves with what they ’ d made !
As a craft instructor , my job is to take the mystery out of products and techniques and make them accessible to hobbyists , while still leaving room for people to take things in their own direction . Someone can choose to recreate a project exactly as I ’ ve made it or use it as a starting point for their own ideas .
These days , platforms like You-
Tube , Facebook , and blogs have shifted craft education from in-person classes to online learning . For example , New York-based stamp manufacturer Altenew offers Facebook Live demonstrations throughout the week ( at 9 pm German time ). I host a segment called Sara ’ s Stamping Hour a few times each month and teach smaller online classes where crafters can work alongside me . Paper Wishes , in Oregon , offers how-to Webisodes several times a week , with
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