[Nfb-krafters-korner] Still Seeking Training in Crafts for Occupation

[Annette Carr]

Eleni,

You might want to look into Groups and Guilds in your area that focus on the
various types of crafts you want to learn.  There might be classes, or
individual people who would be willing to teach or mentor you.

HTH,
Annette


-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Eleni Vamvakari
Sent: Tuesday, May 03, 2011 3:24 PM
To: List for blind crafters and artists
Subject: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Still Seeking Training in Crafts for
Occupation

Hi everyone,

I know that I haven't written in awhile but I now have a landline so can
join in on the phone chats.  In any case, I'm still subscribed to the list
and am still trying to find places which teach the crafts that I want to
learn so that I can do them for a living.  For those new here, My plan is to
make baskets, brooms, soaps and maybe candles and to give them to a program
called Pathways to Independence, which works with the New Jersey Commission
of the Blind.  They come to your house, pick up the products that you make
and then sell them at craft shows and give you all the money.  As some here
may remember, I was considering starting my own business.  I still have all
the e-mails from the discussion on how to do so and thank you for your help.
But I'm really nervous about all the paperwork, particularly taxes and
losing my benefits etc. if I don't make enough, especially since my earnings
will vary in the beginning and I have to account for materials, shipping,
insurance etc.  Of course, I could get help from SSI, but that in itself is
a long and very complicated process.  I was told by the leader of Pathways
that I'm legally allowed to keep all of my earnings from them, since they
and I are registered with the Commission.  So I'll use them to test the
waters so to speak and to make some extra money.  Note that I'm also very
willing to learn other crafts that I can then sell.  Keep in mind that I
know nothing of knitting, crocheting or sewing and have never seen colour or
anything else.  But that doesn't mean that I'm unwilling to learn.

As I said some time ago, I found a huge list of furniture stores around the
country, which either cater exclusively to or which offer chair caning, and
some even offer basketry.  My hope is to work with one of these for a
regular income.  Many are in New York, and some are even in New Jersey.  But
I feel a bit strange going to them without training.  I found only one
place, the North Carolina Center for the Blind, which teaches seatweaving,
along with basketry, bead work and a few other things, but they're not a
residential facility.  I've done extensive searches online but the most I
could find were centres which offered some arts and crafts classes for
pleasure or industrial arts, which, in it's modern context, apparently
refers to wood working with power tools and the like.

My counselor is willing to help me, and indeed, the NJ Commission used to
offer programs for these crafts but no longer does so.  But he hasn't been
able to find anything and this is going on over a month.
So I'm really hoping that since several people have joined since I did, that
someone here can help me.  Joyce, I know that you're in a place which
teaches caning.  Is it residential and how long does it last?  Perhaps, The
Commission might be willing to pay for it.  Does anyone know if there are
plans to teach any of these here in the future?  If there isn't an actual
place where I can learn these things, would someone be willing/able to tutor
me or do you know a teacher, perhaps retired, whom I could contact?  I'm
sorry for being repetitive, but I wanted to sumarise my situation here for
those new to the group and to update my progress for the rest.

Thanks,
Eleni

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