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

[Carol]

Hi Eleni, I am Carol Siegel, from Baltimore, Maryland.
I think it is neat when people are interested in learning everything about 
anything.
I have been in the craft group since the beginning, but really don't have 
much to say.
I am interested in all kinds of languages and cultures, and especially about 
food, and music.

Ken and I both love indian food.

Neither of us like to cook.

I think that it is unfortunate that chair caneing isn't being taught in many 
places anymore.

Sincerely,

Carol Siegel

P.S. Let us know where you are from--India, I believe.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Eleni Vamvakari" <magkisa83 at gmail.com>
To: "List for blind crafters and artists" <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, May 03, 2011 3:23 PM
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/csiegel%40verizon.net