A crafty way for mothers and their toddlers

A new addition to the numerous programs and services that the Centre hosts for the Westman community is Mom & Tots Crafty Mornings. Held every Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. until noon throughout the summer, Crafty Mornings has mothers and toddlers building a new craft each week. For example, some upcoming
crafts include milk-jug sailboats, magic wands and play dough.“We’re trying to give women an opportunity to do something a little more social but in a safe and comfortable environment,” says Kathleen Barteaux, program coordinator for the Women’s Resource Centre.

The idea for Crafty Mornings started last summer when the Centre held a couple of small craft projects that went over very well. “We have all of these craft supplies left over from various programs over the years, so we’d really like to utilize them. We figured this would be a good way to do that while bringing a fun and easy program to women in the community,” recollects Barteaux.

“Moms need an opportunity to create and share something with their kids – to make something special. We’re going to try to give them an opportunity to do that,” adds the program coordinator.Other than helping mothers connect with their tots, Barteaux says that her favourite part of Crafty Mornings has been researching the crafts and getting input from the Resource Centre’s volunteers and staff about them. John Beer started collecting William Morris work when he was a teenager whilst working at Hilles House in Stroud and now at the age of 49 has opened a William Morris museum in Christ Church, Painswick.

John, had been looking for a museum location for a while when he discovered a hidden treasure at the church in Gloucester Street, Painswick almost 18 months ago.  "As soon as I saw the window I knew the building was the perfect place for the museum and I began to orchestrate a plan to purchase the building," said John who owns over 2,000 pieces of furniture inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement.

John, who buys and sells art through his own company Osborn and Mercer, wrote to the owners of the church outlining his plans and within 30 minutes of the purchase deadline he had was invited to make an offer.

The museum opened on Sunday, May 12 and is now filled with the work of designers such as C R Ashbee, Ernest Barnsley and Gordon Russell and at the back of the church behind the alter is a room filled entirely with work of oil painting reproduction.

"This idea has been in the pipeline for many years and it is so great to see the museum open and visitors coming in to enjoy the pieces which I have spent all my life collecting," he said. “If you don’t have a good reason to start a business, you won’t succeed,” said Sasha Popkov, who just graduated from eighth grade at Livonia’s Clarenceville Middle School where she helped supervise the school’s student credit union sponsored by Co-op Services Credit Union. She is also an experienced entrepreneur who knows what she’s talking about.

Popkov and her mom decided to combine their skills to create “Crafts 4 the Cure,” a business that makes and sells duct tape crafts including wallets, purses, flowers, glass cases, I.D. holders and many other items.It’s clear that the younger Popkov is in charge though she has recruited her mom, grandmother and two brothers for production operations.

She knows firsthand that running a business is not easy and said that it takes a lot of effort and dedication. “It’s fun and cool – a lot of people my age don’t think about this,” said Popkov, adding that volunteering at the student credit union helped her sort out her money better and become more organized.With the exception of purchasing materials for the business, all proceeds are donated to the American Cancer Society. Popkov currently serves on the committee team and survivorship recruitment committee for the Relay for Life of Ann Arbor.

“It’s very rewarding to watch someone like Sasha use her amazing drive and volunteer experience at our student credit union to start a business at such a young age,” said Jeremy Cybulski, youth and community development coordinator for Co-op Services Credit Union.Popkov reported that Co-op Services was the only financial institution that would let her open a business checking account for her company.

In the fall, Popkov will attend Clarenceville High School and plans to continue her business “forever” or perhaps until she achieves her next goal, which is to become an attorney.

BDP Furniture manufactured and upholstered all the fitted seating within the venue. Established last year the company operates from its Glasgow base, manufacturing bespoke furniture for the hospitality sector. Director, Pat Macleod said: “We have been growing healthily since we began trading last year. Work went well on the Pizza Express in Morningside and it was a pleasure working with Mark and the other designers involved.”

Click on their website http://www.artsunlight.com/.