[Nfb-krafters-korner] Still Seeking Training in Craftsfor Occupation

[River Woman]

also, your local or regional arts centers offer a lot of different kinds of 
craf/art related classes. Be sure to have a conversation with the teacher 
ahead of time to see if that person can work or will try to work with a 
blind student - you may need one-on-one teaching instruction and there would 
not be time for this in a class setting but maybe the teacher would be 
willing to work with you that way for extra money after the regular class is 
over or at a time you agree to meet. I make all my pottery at an arts 
center, and made sure the teacher knew up front that I am visually impaired 
and that she was willing to work with me in a classroom setting with the 
other students. It has worked out perfect for me, I am very lucky to have 
found such a great teacher. Lynda River Woman
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Annette Carr" <amcarr1 at verizon.net>
To: "'List for blind crafters and artists'" <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, May 03, 2011 9:37 PM
Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Still Seeking Training in Craftsfor 
Occupation


> 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
>
> _______________________________________________
> Nfb-krafters-korner mailing list
> Nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-krafters-korner_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Nfb-krafters-korner:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-krafters-korner_nfbnet.org/amcarr1
> %40verizon.net
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Nfb-krafters-korner mailing list
> Nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-krafters-korner_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> Nfb-krafters-korner:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-krafters-korner_nfbnet.org/riverwoman%40zoominternet.net
>
>