The Craft Studio is a great spot for kids to get creative–and one of our favorite places for family fun. This month, the venue celebrates its 20th anniversary. We thought it would be the perfect time to catch up with the original owner, Barbara Dansker, and the present owner whom Dansker mentored, Lindsey Peers.
When did Craft Studio start and how did the idea for it come about?
BD: I opened The Craft Studio in December 1994. I saw the need for a venue where a variety of activities could be offered to a range of ages for children’s birthday parties. And I simultaneously wanted to provide a place with a good vibe for the adults to socialize.
How has your mission evolved over the years?
BD: The general mission of the store never changed, but the activities offered were always upgraded and expanded by keeping abreast of the latest trends.
LP: I think also the mission has evolved to involve ourselves in the community more. We really have become such a staple in so many of our clients’ lives. We try and pick local causes, schools, etc. to work with, and donate our time and services to. In recent years, I have also tried to focus on how magical and special it has been to be a part of the NYC community for 20 years. I want to keep the magic going and continuously get better for future generations.
What are your key services?
LP: Our key services are throwing the most amazing parties in our space for kids, tweens, teens, and adults. Everything from chocolate houses to onsies for baby showers, to karaoke and sweat pant design! There are over 20 options and we always customize parties too! We also do amazing Craft Studio to-go parties, and events: it is an amazing service in which we bring the craft studio magic, staff, projects, and more right to your home or venue! The minimum is only 5 kids, and we have had our craft crashers at everything from sleepovers, to corporate parties for adults, to dinner parties! And, of course, we sell unique and special toys and crafts, and we do the most amazing workshops, classes, after school programs in conjunction with local schools, and walk-in crafting!
What’s hot right now? What are some new and interesting trends to watch out for in 2014?
LP: Right now we are doing a ton of these amazing fabric paint parties. We do these killer winter hats with fabric paint and stencils that kids love. Our cake decorating is pretty awesome as we let the kids frost, airbrush, and use fondant. Our headphone design in super popular, and we still have the rainbow loom madness going on. For 2014, I think we will see kids taking the rainbow loom crafting to the next level. I think there is a resurgence in kids liking to just paint on canvas freely, and we have a few new tricks up our sleeve for this year.
What do you love about your job?
LP: I love my job. I literally spend almost every day of my life in the studio. I always say, ‘how can you be in a bad mood being around kids, and happiness?’ I try and focus on how happy we make people and how, with all the craziness in the world, we get to celebrate happy things and bring smiles to our clients’ faces. I try to create an environment in which everyone, from our staff to our guests, feel happy. Seeing that fulfilled is so rewarding.
