Alexandria Makers Market celebrates its one-year anniversary with a “Work/Shop Week” pop-up at The Seedling Collective, Aug. 3 - 7. This will provide an excellent opportunity for the public to learn some new skills and shop from an eclectic mix of some of the finest creatives based in Alexandria.
AMM was founded by local Alexandrian Alyssa Kovach, owner of A|VA Apparel, and strives to build a creative community with any crafter, creator, designer, dreamer, inventor, innovator, maker or shaker in Alexandria, Virginia. AMM also aims to share creative expertise with a larger audience. During the "Work/Shop Week" different DIY classes for kids and adults will be offered from a variety of local makers.
Prefer a more hands-off approach? Come shop the retail section with products from all of the featured workshop leaders!
1. ALL Local
Now more than ever it is important to support local businesses! At every Alexandria Makers Market event you will find a curated selection of Alexandria-based makers and creatives. You’ll recognize some of the brands from previous AMM events, and there are several new ones that we are excited to highlight!
2. Kids Camp
It’s not quite time to go back to school (are they going back to school!?), and you’ve run out of boredom-buster ideas. The Mini Makers Creative Camp is a great way for them to get out of the house and to give you a moment to yourself.
This camp lasts from Tuesday, Aug. 4 to Friday, Aug. 7, with two different time slots to choose from. During the week, students will learn different skills and walk away with four fun completed projects — a Rope and Tassel Basket, Yard Dice, Create and Hang Banner, and Intro to Alcohol Ink. Safety is our primary concern, so this is appropriate for students ages 8+. Please know that masks are required for the duration of the class, which is great practice for the fall! There are only 6 spaces available for each session — grab yours today at alexandriamakersmarket.com.
Alexandria Makers Market
Alexandria Makers Market
3. Adult DIY Workshops
Any maker can tell you that working with your hands is therapeutic time well spent. Grab a friend and come learn skills such as leatherworking or Danish paper folding. You’ll walk away with some really personal projects, and a huge sense of accomplishment. Check out our afternoon and evening workshops options; we’d love to see you at more than one! Some of the workshops are available virtually, so that you may enjoy from the comfort of your home, or with out-of-town friends who can’t join in person!
Alexandria Makers Market
4. Update your online presence
We’re currently living in a virtual world, and one of the best ways to take advantage of this extended time at home is to update your online professional presence. We are offering two sessions that will really help you embrace the times: Podcast on a Budget, and Headshot Mini Sessions.
Headshots are a great way to enhance your business page, social media accounts, and marketing materials These mini sessions last 15 minutes, and each client will receive three to five high-resolution photos in their very own online digital gallery where they can download their photos.
Podcasting is the new blogging! It is an amazing way to reach a larger audience, and showcase your industry expertise. If you’re not sure where to start, you need to attend our Podcast workshop. You’ll walk away with all the resources you need to get started!
Alexandria Makers Market
5. Retail
Retail therapy is legitimate, and there’s no better time to check out these local brands! Usually, you can find these companies via their website, but now is the perfect time to see them in person. All of the workshop leaders will have their products available for purchase throughout the week. See selections from Hatch, Sophisticate Supply, Coutts Creations, A|VA Apparel, and more! For social distancing purposes, retail hours are limited to non-workshop hours, and masks must be worn by everyone that enters the shop.
Stop by Monday, Aug. 3 from 5 - 8 p.m. for our Make & Take Kickoff event. The first 50 customers will receive a free make-and-take kit, no purchase necessary!
Check out all of the workshop offerings and purchase tickets at the Alexandria Makers Market website.
Follow along on Instagram for other special giveaways and promotions: @alexandriamakersmarket. Please contact alexandriamakersmarket@gmail.com for questions.
*Please check our website for the most to up-to-date offerings
COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS:
At every Alexandria Makers Market event we take everyone’s health and safety very seriously. More than ever we have a heightened sense of concern for the well-being of our workshop participants and the community. Please find the precautions that we are taking below:
- Class sizes are extremely small, to allow for maximum distancing within the pop-up space. Several of the workshops have a virtual session available, for those that would prefer to join from the comfort of their home.
- During the retail hours, only eight people will be allowed in the store at one time. Curbside pick-up will be available for the retail section.
- Masks are required for anyone that enters the store, and gloves will be available for participants.
- We will have multiple hand sanitizer options throughout the store.
- After each workshop and retail time (every two hours) we will disinfect all hard surfaces.