Cool Spring Blog

Responding to many requests, CraftWorks is launching a series of classes and networking opportunities to help elevate the business and marketing skills of local artists and artisans. The Advancing Artist series, managed by new studio manager Tara Sanders Lowe, kicks off soon. The first two workshops are Writing Killer Copy for your promotions and Building A Website for your art-based business. Jefferson County marketing consultant Nancy McKeithen will teach these classes. A multi-week intensive workshop covering topics like working with galleries, e-commerce, and writing a business plan will be announced soon.

The convenience of the CraftWorks In Town has already brought requests from parents for classes for kids and teens. We're answering the demand as fast as we can. We'll be adding classes all summer and into autumn. We have a program lined up for July, and more to come...See our calendar!

Have you ever dreamed of writing a song? You can learn the foundations of songwriting with Steve Warner this summer. He will teach a four-week workshop for teens and adults and one for kids. How about creating a Woodcut and a Block Printing? Josef Beery is an artist working primarily in book arts and printmaking. He is a professional book designer and cofounder of the Virginia Arts of the Book Center in Charlottesville, Virginia, he can show you how. Bradley Sanders, known to many locals for The Folly, joins CraftWorks to teach a 6-session class in jewelry that includes Lost Wax Casting- a must do! Anne Bowers another well-known Jefferson County artisans who will teach at CraftWorks in the early fall. Check out our Calendar to register for these exciting classes!

CraftWorks has submitted planning and permit documents to Jefferson County in anticipation of breaking ground on a new studio at Cool Spring in June. The two-story barn will have a roomy craft studio at the garden level and a light-filled "clean studio" and meeting room in the loft. Stay tuned for news on our new space.

Are you interested in growing organic vegetables for your family and for market? Or perhaps you are a farmer looking to downsize or diversify your operation. In any case,  you won't want to miss Andy Pressman's hands-on SPIN class at CraftWorks on May 22nd!  Read more...

SPIN-Farming stands for S-mall P-lot In-tensive Farming.  It is an organic-based, non-technical, easy to understand, commercial farming system for land bases that are less than one acre in size.  Whether you are a  beginning or experienced farmer, this hands-on workshop will demonstrate how small gardens can achieve high levels of productivity through the SPIN method of farming. The class focuses on how yards, farms, community gardens, and urban plots can be designed for maximum efficiency. Participants will learn how to plant, grow, harvest and sell organic vegetables using the SPIN model. Pressman will demonstrate techniques and exhibit many of the tools unique to SPIN-Farming. In addition the class is informative on helping you establish a marketing campaign for your sellable goods. 

Register now!

Andy Pressman is passionate about farming and he enjoys sharing his wide knowledge and experience relating to sustainable and organic gardening practices with others. Currently  residing in Northeast Pennsylvania, when Pressman isn't busy with his urban farm, raising crops or tending to his chickens and honey bees, he is typically 

assisting farmers by providing expertise on organic crop production, market farming, season extension, local foods, urban agriculture, and farm energy. Teaching comes naturally to Andy, and SPIN Farming techniques incorporates important aspects and elements to organic and sustainable farming, which is why Andy chooses to work and teach using this method.

For us new to the term, SPIN-Farming stands for S-mall P-lot In-tensive Farming.  It is an organic based, non-technical, easy to understand, commercial farming system for land bases that are less than one acre in size.  SPIN-Farming is entrepreneurial in spirit and makes it possible to earn significant income from sub-acre land bases by capitalizing on minimal infrastructure and overhead costs.  It relies on hand labor to accomplish most farming tasks, utilization of existing water sources to meet irrigation needs, and situating close to markets-- all to keep investment and overhead costs low.

CraftWorks is offering Andy Pressman's exciting SPIN class on May 22nd! This hands-on workshop will focus on SPIN-Farming’s organic-based processes and techniques for growing and marketing high-quality vegetables. Don't miss your chance to meet and learn from Specialist Andy Pressman as he demonstrates how SPIN-Farming makes agriculture accessible to anyone, anywhere they happen to live!