Offered during 3 different weeks this summer for Grades 3-8 (Jul 8-12, Jul 22-26 and Aug 5-9), campers will love designing for and dressing their room the way they do themselves from their closets. Machine- and hand-sewing, elements of personal style, DIY techniques and basic interior design concepts are taught and no previous sewing experience is required. Camp includes a walking field trip to Building Blocks Toy Store for ……what? toys? You’ll soon find out why! Grab a friend and find easy online registration right here.

Hindered by heels, shackled by a suit and practically suffocated by the unwritten standards my career eventually demanded of me: is this what I want for my daughter? I chose careers in fashion and entertainment because I thought they were the epicenter of female power and glamor. I learned, almost too late, these fields are among the most damaging industries to a woman’s self-esteem, both as a professional and as a consumer. Glamorous, right? 

I recently took my 14 year-old daughter to a screening* of Miss Representation, a documentary film by Jennifer Siebel Newsom that “explores how the media’s misrepresentations of women have led to the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence.” Like many before me I’ve experienced the tug-of-war between how I wanted to present myself and how I thought I was supposed to look and behave. I’ve been fortunate to reclaim my identity and make a life that incorporates a balance of self-awareness, big ideas and a personal style that feels good and right. But as Jennifer’s film reminded the audience, our country has yet to enable this as the norm for our women and girls.

• The U.S. ranks 77th in the world in its inclusion of women in national legislatures. Why?
• Only 15 Fortune 500 CEOs are women. Why?
• 53% of 13 year-old and 78% of 17 year-old girls are unhappy with their bodies. Why?
• Between 1997-2007 liposuctions nearly quadrupled and breast augmentations increased nearly six-fold in youth 18 years-old and younger. Why?
• In 2001 women held only 3% of clout positions in the mainstream media. Well, this might explain why.

We certainly have some work to do. When the habits and norms that we have accepted for so long are as deep, old and ugly as they are, change is hard. Even the most informed and fair a person hesitates when the value proposition isn’t so clear and captivating, so necessary and motivating that traversing that tight-wire, maybe alone, looks worth it. And on the dance floor, alone can be scary. But we can fix this. We can do this.

It took me about 20 years but I finally figured it out and for me the answer was a fresh start. I started a small business with a mission of building creative confidence because I knew in my bones that with creativity comes solutions to our biggest problems. I made a place where kids and adults could explore their ideas and test out their sovereignty while learning and at play. And people like it. (Blush.)

Every summer I teach a series of fashion camps. WHAT? Yes, we call them “fashion” camps. The word represents the evil of all evils, no? The word also captures the dreams and imaginations of a whole bunch of girls. I’ve wrestled with this nomenclature now for years and last year Stacy London helped me get clear on what our programs are really about. They are about style. About confidence and self-expression. About celebrating what makes us unique. But until Google or Bing can recommend a good keyword that says all that, we’ll stick with the word. [Read the details of my conversation with Stacy here.]

So call me guilty, if you dare, for perpetuating a stereotype by catering to a girl’s interests in clothes. Or call me subversive and know that I am teaching choice and independence (and science and engineering), one girl at a time. How? We teach:

• the history of not just silhouette but of the societal influences of the time,
• the mechanics of pattern-making not just for any body but our own amazing bodies,
• that color isn’t just a trend but can impact how we feel, and that style is not determined by an industry but by our choices about how to present, not misrepresent, ourselves.

Why is this important? Because we get dressed every day. And because we can do this thing. There isn’t a single unifying anything or someone who is going to make this happen for us but you know what will? Little fires. Little drops of water. Here’s how we can start:

• Learn more. Educate yourself, your family and friends (men and boys included) about gender inequity. One conversation at a time.
• Watch carefully. TV, film and magazines can be fun but teach your kids and remind yourself about how these images stealthily shape our assumptions. One minute at a time.
• Impress yourself. Dress and present yourself in an authentic way that makes you feel good. Confidence is gorgeous. One t-shirt, one choice at a time.
• Buy smart. Support companies that don’t promote marketing that objectifies women and girls. Little fires. Little droplets. One penny at a time.

We don’t need someone else to solve this problem. You and I, we can fix this. Be brave, girls. Be brave. These things will add up and no rock is that solid. Now get dressed and go get ‘em.

*Thank you Wendy Widom and Jill Salzman for bringing this film to Chicago and reigniting the fire.

A parent/guardian must remain present during the event for children under 12 years old. One entry may be submitted per child and must be made by the child aged 4-14 (multiple entries per family are welcome and parents are welcome to make along side their child at the event.) One Grand Prize of a FREE week of Summer Camp will be awarded by April 28, 2013 and can be redeemed for any week of camp on the Summer schedule that has available space. (Icky legal stuff- All words and images submitted become property of The Wishcraft Workshop®, LLC in perpetuity upon our receipt. Names will not be used without written parent/guardian permission. Prizes have no cash value, are non-transferable and may be applied toward new registration only.)
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• I get to create an environment that welcomes spontaneous acts of silliness. And then do it again. And again.
• I get to help a camper find their voice and express it confidently through their personal style and a garment of their own design. (Project Wishcraft)
• I get to help a girl build and play with dolls all in the same day. (All Dolled Up)
• I get to watch new friendships happen. Numbers exchanged. Even Skype IDs (for our campers from Italy, Spain, England…from where will they hail this year?)
• I get to help make pretend play extra-real-fun play. (Feltville, Sewn Silly)
• I get to help a camper kick-off their summer with beach-side fashion that they made themselves. (Tip Top Tops, Curtsy Skirtsy)
• I get to help campers see the world and themselves in new ways.
• I get to help a camper envision a space in which to dream (literally, figuratively) and make it real. (Rad Rad Room)
• I get to help little kids feel like they’re being big kids while still being allowed to be little kids. (Sew Fabulous)
• I get to help campers commemorate their incredible summer and all of its adventures as they prepare for another amazing school-year. (Hi School, Bye Summer and Sew Long Summer)
• I get to help kids discover their creative confidence and grow with it.
• And this year I get to welcome new partners to our Summer Camp programs, keeping it local and creating an even richer experience for the campers. (Well really we started this with CRUSH last year and it was so successful that we’ve sought additional businesses to join in the fun.)

-We’re celebrating our 5th year in business and holding our camp prices flat. Why do they look different? We added the materials fee right into the price.

-We’ve changed the calendar on the Camps page for easier navigation.

-We’ve added new pages to our website to help you get to the information you need:  Camps for Big Kids, Camps for Little Kids and a Camp Confirmation page that has printable PDF of the registration forms (ever misplaced that confirmation email?)

-We’ve simplified the age ranges for our camps with one track for Grades K-3 and another for Grades 3-8.

-We’ve added two tracks of our most popular camps so that frequent-campers (we’ve met a lot of those) are introduced to new projects and new techniques each week. And like we’ve done every year before, camps like Project Wishcraft and Sew Fabulous are still growing with new features and activities. (Will your child take over the record for most Project Wishcraft camps attended ever?)

-OK, this isn’t a change but it’s still neat. Project Wishcraft campers will once again be treated to a fashion styling extravaganza at Crush on Roscoe.

-We’ve added an age-appropriate afternoon program for every day that camp is offered– the original Summer Crafternoons and the Pincushion Social Club, Monday-Friday 3pm-6pm. This is extra great news for those friends that want some weeks at the beach and pool but want a crafty, cool (our A/C rocks) place to hang out in the PM.

-We’ve joined up with CLIF Kids to offer new options for nutritious snacking.

-Step Into Summer Deal-  Planning your child’s summer activities can require masterful organization. We want to thank you for doing it early. Early registration discounts are 15% through January 31, 2013 and 10% through February 15, 2013. We’ve eliminated the middle-man, deal-vouchers and coupons and bring the deal directly to you. (PSSST- register by midnight Feb 15, 2013 and get 20% off!) May not be combined with any other promotion.

So what are you waiting for? We can’t wait to see you. We can’t wait to meet you. We can’t wait to show you what we’ve come up with for this year.

YES! Confidence And Cash!

CRUSH on Roscoe and The Wishcraft Workshop (on Roscoe!) are very excited to introduce you to YES!, the Young Entrepreneurs Society– for girls that make great stuff and want to make money, girls that want to share, save and be successful, girls that want to grow their self-confidence and business competence. Experts in style and creativity, the pros behind CRUSH and The Wishcraft Workshop are leading girls to make their entrepreneurial wishes come true.

They learned!
Girls ages 8-13 joined us for a free workshop about what they need to know to start or develop a small business. They learned about the business of making and selling products, sourcing, setting prices, merchandising, marketing and more.

CRUSH on Roscoe and The Wishcraft Workshop (on Roscoe!) are very excited to introduce you to YES!, the Young Entrepreneurs Society– for girls that make great stuff and want to make money, girls that want to share, save and be successful, girls that want to grow their self-confidence and business competence. Experts in style and creativity, the pros behind CRUSH and The Wishcraft Workshop will show you how. Let’s get started!

Come learn!
Girls ages 8-13 join us for a free workshop about what they need to know to start or develop a small business. Girls will learn about the business of making and selling products, sourcing, setting prices, merchandising, marketing and more.

Best Mom-Run Business
Amazing Art Class
Greatest Birthday Party Spot