38 Kinsman was attentive to her cause in planning the MakeOUT markets, talking to Princeton officials about parking and spacial necessities, studying the area’s social calendar to avoid competition for customers, and utilizing her business Rolodex in locking arms with fellow entrepreneurs. She said she has received full support and gratitude from surrounding business owners, as the clientele and the products they search for are both unique to the area. “It’s cool to find stuff that wouldn’t be around here all the time, and it’s crazy how different the things are that people make due to the access and influence of where they live,” Kinsman said, speaking of makers residing outside Princeton. Kinsman, a graphic designer, planned to introduce Do-It-Yourself workshops for children and adults each Wednesday beginning Sept. 2, in the back room of her business. People can come in and hang out with friends while partaking in projects they can build on. “I have a few resources for DIY projects where I can order kits that include all the supplies needed for each project,” she said, indicating the kits will include the tools necessary for expansion of the craft past the initial MakeSHOP, compared to doing one painting and going home with only that. “I’ll do at least one run through
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Handmade pillows modeled by Kelly Desmond of Desmond Brown Design are showcased on Main Street in Princeton during the MakeOUT pop-up market. by myself first to make sure it all runs smoothly.” The MakeSHOP sessions will be a non-formal learning experience that includes a variety of categories, such as jewelry making, small furniture and home decor projects, which will differ weekly. Each class will hold up to 16 participants, and Kinsman hopes to offer people an opportunity to further their sense of self-development while learning new skills that stretch their MakeSHOP experience past the Makery. “I wanted to be a teacher since I was 5
years old, especially a kindergarten teacher, so I’m really looking forward to that part of it,” she said, sharing that the artist superseded the instructor when she got to college. “Kids always have fun learning new things.” MakeSHOPs for kids will begin at 4 p.m. and cost $25, which includes a kit, snack and a drink. Adult MakeSHOPs will begin at 6 p.m. and cost $35 to $45, depending on the complexity of the project, and will include a kit and the heightened creativity resulting from two alcoholic drinks, or water for the unadventurous types. Kinsman asks that interested individuals stop in to The Makery or visit Facebook to register and pay in advance for the MakeSHOP. Additional supplies for future projects will be available for purchase at The Makery, and a schedule of classes is available on Facebook. The excitement for the coming events might as well have its own booth in The Makery, but for Kinsman it’s all about bringing people to where they will experience something new, both within the store and within themselves. “Maybe some people driving through town that day will see MakeOUT and say, ‘Hey, that looks cool,’ and want to stop and stay a while,” she said. “And hopefully, they’ll come back again.”
Illinois Valley Living