Give the gift of a Makers experience!

Experiences are the best way to make memories, encourage play (even with adults – it really is the best way to relax and de-stress) and give someone a gift that will last much longer than any “thing” could.  We teach Makers skills and want to help everyone create their own masterpiece here at TR Makers Co.  We would love to help you give the gift of a Makers experience. Gift certificates can be for a general amount which can be used on any Makers event or they can be specific to a program we offer like Homeschool, After School and Summer Maker Days.  Below is a brief description of each and links to help you find the gift certificate that is right for you.

General Gift Certificates Available

General gift certificates are great to use on Makers Happy Hour events and your own Play Date experience. Adults love Play Dates too, so these are great gifts to give and schedule a date together. General gift certificates can also be applied to the balance of a Homeschool class, Summer Kids Maker Day, and After School Makers tuition, however their are also specific gift certificates options for those listed below.

$25 Gift Certificate
$50 Gift Certificate
$75 Gift Certificate
$100 Gift Certificate

Homeschool Gift Certificates Available

We have 7 different homeschool study curriculum that pair Maker’s techniques with hands-on learning; taking on topics like life science, literature, physics, mathematics and more. Homeschool Studies occur on Friday’s throughout the fall and spring semester for kids (5+) and juniors (11-16). More information on our Homeschool studies can be found here.

$45 Value – Pick a Homeschool Class
$80 Value – Pick any 2 Homeschool Classes
$150 Value – Pick any 4 Homeschool Classes

Summer Makers Day Gift Certificates Available

Over the summer Kids and Juniors can join us for a new Makers project each week! These projects are great for all school age students! Kids Maker Days are ages 5 and up, while Junior Maker Days are specially crafted for ages 12-16. Schedule and registration begins February 10th each year and will be found here when available.

$45 Value – Pick a Kid or Junior Maker Day event
$80 Value – Pick any 2 Kid or Junior Maker Day events
$150 Value – Pick any 4 Kid or Junior Maker Day events
$360 Value – Unlimited Weekly Maker Days, take advantage of up to 11 Summer Kid or Junior Maker Day events!

After School Makers Gift Certificates Available

This 14 week after school series will take students on an exploration of 3-4 different makers techniques allowing them to try, create and experiment with making their own handmade works. As the semester progresses students will begin to focus on one technique they liked the best to create “products” that they will make, build packaging and branding, getting their goods ready to sell. At the end of each semester we will host a Makers Market for all our students, elementary and juniors, at which point they will be introduced as Makers and gain the experience of talking to visitors and selling their work. Elementary age students (k5-5th) meet Tuesday’s 4p-5:30, check here for more information. Junior age students (6th-10th) meet Thursday’s 4p-5:30p, check here for more information.

$264 Value – Semester of After School Makers

The Art of Learning

Written by Carrie Perry
Published by Travelers Rest Here

 

What’s your happiest memory of school as a child?  Is it a spelling list? A science quiz? Maybe a social studies lesson?  If you‘re like most people, these tasks probably didn’t rate very high in your happy moments memories. But why not?  Maybe spelling was one of your strengths! And certainly, the content you learned in these classes was important! These early subjects lay the foundation for later learning. 

The truth is, we remember things that we truly experience, both good and bad.  You might distinctly remember a field trip to a hands-on science museum or the day your dropped your lunch tray much more easily than the lessons from your day to day classes.  In fact, there’s a lot of research out there that explains that we humans are much more likely to remember a fun experience than even an expensive gift!

The TR Makers Co. in downtown Travelers Rest gets it.  They have mastered the art of teaching academic content in a way that incorporates hands-on, experience-based learning.  But that’s not all! At the Makers Co. you’ll find a wide array of opportunities to learn AND to create. This unique little shop features art and hand-made goodies from a multitude of local artisans. 

And when you take a step inside, one of the first things you will notice are the industrial style art bars running the width of the back wall. This is where the magic happens.  

During the school year, TR Makers Co. offers homeschool classes for kids and teens.  In each class, the students will be engaged in multi-sensory learning. Throughout each semester they will sort, draw, write, speak, dance, make, build, collaborate, sew, paint, sculpt and much more as they learn about literary elements, history, biology and even math! This, the staff knows, is how we really learn.  When we handle clay, dye fabric, build a geometric ornament, we are really building memories- meaningful memories. This is authentic learning. And it is not limited to students who are homeschooled!

Each week, there are also after-school classes for elementary, middle and high school makers. While these classes are less academic in nature, they offer exploration with several art mediums and include specific instruction in artistic entrepreneurship.  These students will learn about the process of planning, making, and marketing a product. For the younger students, the lessons are scaffolded to focus more heavily on creating the product and it’s packaging, while the more mature makers will learn about branding, displaying, pricing and more.  

The TR Makers Co. is offering a great opportunity to step in and learn a bit about their unique approach this Saturday, August 24th. 

At 11:00 am, the shop will be hosting a ribbon cutting and grand reveal of their beautiful new mural along the Swamp Rabbit Trail.  Just following this event, the shop would like to invite the public to step inside for an open house!

From 12:00-2:00 pm You will have the chance to meet a few of the teachers, learn more about the class offerings for the 2019-20 school year, and even make your own hand-bound journal!  Did I mention it’s free? 

Come out and make a memory!

2019 Fall Homeschool Studies Announced

Homeschool Studies combine hands-on academic learning with the creative arts!  Physics, Literature, and History are just a few of the subjects we will tackle this semester, allowing students to practice artisan techniques, expand their creativity and become more familiar with using Makers tools as they learn.  By the end of each lesson students will have completed their study booklet and Makers project. We strive to help students of all ages and levels accomplish the days lesson in a way that is challenging, creative and rewarding for them.  

*NEW* this year is the Juniors Homeschool Study, ages 11-16, in which we can create an elevated environment for exploring our lessons.  Juniors Homeschool Studies will be on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays each month, during the Fall and Spring Semester.

During these half day events, 9a-1p, students will be dropped off.  We will break for lunch, so please send your child with a bag lunch and drink or we can provide lunch (grilled cheese or pb&j, fruit, chips and a water) for $8.  Purchased lunches can be paid for when students are dropped off. 

Cost

$45 – All Homeschool Studies include materials and makers tools for creating our projects, curriculum books and at home extended learning materials, as well as instruction from our studio teachers. Please send your child with a bag lunch and drink.

Registration

Ready to join the class? Add this class or multi-day pass to your cart, during checkout please indicate the students name and age in the Order Notes under the Additional Information section. We will use this information to add your student to the roster and may reach out to see if you have any other student accommodations we can help with.  Prior to your students event we will send out an email reminder and any final details.  Classes will be marked SOLD OUT when all available spots are taken.

Discounts Available

Early Registration Discount

At the opening of the Fall semester, from July 26-July 28, take advantage of up to 15% off each class and/or multi-day pass.  Discounts cannot be combined with sibling discounts during this period. 

Sibling Discount

Take advantage of 10% off each students class fees when paying for more than one sibling at a time. Simply add the code HSSIB10 to your cart at checkout and click apply, then after you click proceed to checkout include the name of each siblings in the Order Notes field under Additional Information.

Multi Day Pass Discounts

A student who would like to participate in multiple Homeschool Studies during a single semester can get a discounted rate by booking a 2-Day, 4-Day or Unlimited Homeschool Day pass, click the links included to see these options. Multi-day passes are intended for a single student and may not be transferred to another student.

Homeschool Study Schedule

Occurring each 1st and 3rd Friday during our semester from 9a-1p.  Students must be at least 5 years old by the date of the class.

Juniors Homeschool Study Schedule

Occurring each 2nd and 4th Tuesday during our semester from 9a-1p.  Students must be 11-16 years of age OR have been given permission from program staff to attend

Additional Class Opportunities

These are OPEN sessions meaning homeschool students from any co-op or organization may attend. If you would like to hold private session specifically for your group, please contact us to get the dates and times scheduled.

2019 Summer Maker Days Announced!

A Maker Day consist of a unique project, learning or growing our artistic skills, expanding our creativity, and becoming more familiar with using Makers tools. We strive, even with our youngest Makers, to have each student complete the full process of creation, from conception and sketch to handcrafting and execution of their work. We like to encourage them to try new techniques and push their artwork to new levels, especially with our Juniors! We will break for lunch, students may bring their own lunch or purchase a lunch here, $8, choices include peanut butter & jelly or grilled cheese, fruit and a water.

Please indicate the students name and age at checkout in the notes field. Students must be signed up by the Monday prior to each event in order for us to get supplies ready for this event. Maker Days may fill up and will be marked SOLD OUT when the maximum number of students is reached.

***$45 – All Maker Days include materials for creating our projects, makers tools, and artist instructions on techniques. Please send your child with a bag lunch and drink.***

Additional Sibling Discount – Take advantage of 10% off each students when paying for more than one sibling at a time. Use code KMDSIB10 at checkout.

Maker Days happen all summer long for kids, ages 5+, and juniors, ages 12-16. These half day events meet from 9a-1p for our kids every Friday and juniors every Thursday. Check the schedule below for other projects and dates your kids can attend. Save money with the 2-Day, 4-Day or Unlimited Weekly Maker Days pricing, click the links included to see these options. A multiple sibling discount is also available, each additional child receives a 10% discount. Use code KMDSIB10 at checkout and be sure to include each siblings name in the notes.

Juniors Maker Day (Ages 12-16)

Kids Maker Day (All Ages 5+)

Jun 6 :: Robot Makers

Jun 13 :: Wired Art Animals

Jun 20 :: Steampunk Mosaics

Jun 27 :: My Miniature World

Jul 4 :: No Class*

Jul 11 :: Mural Makers

Jul 18 :: Marbling Masters

Jul 25 :: Comic Book Creators

Aug 1 :: Birds in Flight Origami Art

Aug 8 :: Mixed Media Masterpiece

Aug 15 :: Puppet Masters SOLD OUT

 

Jun 7 :: Marbling Masters

Jun 14 :: Puppet Masters

Jun 21 :: Ministry of Magic & Wizard Arts

Jun 28 :: Zoo Makers

Jul 5 :: Tie Dye & Light Up the Sky! SOLD OUT

Jul 12 :: Mural Makers

Jul 19 :: It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s Origami

Jul 26 :: Robot Makers

Aug 2 :: My Miniature World  SOLD OUT

Aug 9 :: Monster Felting

Aug 16 :: Costume Makers

What is a Maker?

It is not uncommon for us to get asked, “So, what is a Maker?” It is a question we hear at least twice a month, if not more, in our shop. However I don’t think it is what a maker is that defines our work, rather why we make that explains us. Through working with many Makers over the years we see one common thread. A Maker believes in telling a story through their hands, using the craft techniques they have learned during their lifetime. Their selected craft may be different from one another, but our desire to share our own experiences, emotions or observations of the world is the thread that binds us together as Makers.

Have you ever looked at a piece of Oak Leaf Pottery? I mean really looked at the way the clay has been guided into the subtle curves that create the walls of her mug or bowl.  She is using the age old techniques of throwing clay on a wheel, but her pieces speak to her story of natural simplicity. When you pick up a mug or bowl it has a feeling that you can connect too.  She can express movement and flow with each piece just by using her hands to mold the clay. Once the glaze is applied a whole new layer of movement is added to her work.  She chooses how the glaze will dance around the clay, many times even leaving part of the clay exposed so you can connect directly to the marks left behind by her hands.  The final product may be a very functional mug or bowl, but it feels natural in your hand and the experience she has created with the clay is uniquely her own.

Another of our artists, Seven Feathers Tribe, works with many different mediums like leather, felt, and other naturally found objects.  No matter what medium she chooses her pieces express her love for a free and natural world, a place where children run barefoot in the grass and crouch down to study the feather that has been left behind by a woodland creature. Her felt masks are a testament to this, while they are merely felt and elastic sewn together, she has put such detail in the patterns of her animals, choosing creatures like the owl, beaver, skunk and deer to illustrate.  The stitching she uses to bind her pieces is an integral part of how she shows detail and texture for each animal.  When a child puts the mask and tail on, it is easy to transform into these creatures, helping their imagination feel free to play.

When we bring Makers work into the shop we look for these stories, how they have been told and what makes them unique.  However, just as important to us is helping others, folks who might not even consider themselves artistic.  We want to give them a way to find their story and self-expression through the handcrafted arts as well.

You may not consider yourself a Maker, but I bet on some level you are. We had a lady in the shop just yesterday who said “Oh, I am not really creative it skipped my generation and went to my children.” Later in that same conversation she began telling me about how she loves to cook and create meals for her family and friends. She is a Maker. Her work may only be enjoyed by family and friends, not to last long, but her meals are how she expresses herself and the food pairings she has come to love.

It is human nature to create, mankind has evolved through the creative ingenuity of our kind.  Along with providing a sense of self expression, just being creative and taking part in the creative process helps provide a sense of freedom, builds confidence in ourselves, relieves stress (amen!), and helps us to problem solve.  The techniques we teach here at the studio have been around for centuries, but it is each individual that really help to bring them to life creating a work that is personal to them.  Through printmaking, sewing, weaving, hand building, painting, felting and many other techniques we give you the tools to help you express yourself.  Adults and children can come take part in individual Play Dates or group Happy Hour experiences.  We even have homeschool opportunities and over the summer your child can become a Kid Maker for the day.  Through each of these opportunities we strive to bring the Maker out in you, helping you to enjoy the benefits of creating.

“So, what is a Maker?”  We are all Makers and whether you are looking to find your creativity or be inspired by others, you will find it here inside the walls of the Travelers Rest Makers Company.

Tim Davis is pro-puzzle

Have you seen Tim Davis’ name pop up online recently? He is one of our Makers as well as a great friend to the shop and he has made his way into Kidding Around Greenville’s online publication this week as an advocate for National Puzzle Day on Monday, January 29th! Tim Davis is well known for his illustrations in Highlights Magazine (you know, those magazines most of us found in the doctor’s office waiting room as a child). Among other things, he is also a children’s book author and educator of adults and kids. We love carrying his collection of Highlights editor proof hidden picture sketches as well as the Highlights coloring book here at the shop, maybe more exciting to us though is hearing your stories of how you remember puzzling over hidden pictures as a child. It always brings a smile!

So in honor of National Puzzle Day on Monday, we hope everyone will breakout their favorite Highlights Magazine, 1000 piece puzzle or Mahjong game and share a little family fun while puzzling. If you see Tim in a coffee shop Monday I am sure he would be up for sharing a little puzzle fun with you too.

We will go ahead and say it now, in case we miss you Monday, Happy Puzzle Day! Interested in reading the article in Kidding Around Greenville, here’s the link.

Tim Davis Article