CraftWorks at Cool Spring

02/12/2016

Hello Friends of CraftWorks,
We have been busy charting the future of CraftWorks since you last heard from us in November and are eager to share how things are progressing. The board has decided that the beautiful land and buildings of CraftWorks will be transferred to an organization that will do good and lasting work. It will be a gift to them and to the community. This gift is comprised of 12 acres and 3 buildings. So far, the response from interested organizations has been very exciting and encouraging. Our website, http://www.wvcraftworks.org/home.html has been redesigned specifically to provide information about the property and the search process to those who are interested in receiving this rare and generous gift. We invite you to share this opportunity with organizations that you believe could be an important player in perpetuating the CraftWorks legacy. Visit the website to view the search process guidelines, but don’t wait, the submission deadline is April 15, 2016. If you have any questions, please contact Linda Case, Founder and Board President at 304-724-7806 or by email at [email protected].

11/18/2015

Special News from CraftWorks...
Dear Friends of CraftWorks –Nonprofits at best walk a tightrope of financial insecurity. Here at CraftWorks, despite our best efforts, much help from the community, and our service to thousands, we are not able to sustain ourselves with our current programs. We’ve decided to take a breather from programming as of November 30 and search for other opportunities to put this wonderful building and fantastic environmental resource to even greater benefit for the community.
This is a good time to reflect on the hundreds of school kids who’ve loved and learned from their field trips here, the many girl scouts and campers who brought the facility alive, artists and artists-to-be who have flourished in our creative environment, naturalists and birdwatchers and nature lovers who’ve stalked our trails. We have fond memories of weaving the CraftWorks unique mix of nature and art into the community.
Thank you for your support and help over the years. It has enabled us to develop a unique landscape and unexcelled teaching facility. We will be looking diligently for another nonprofit or nonprofits to take advantage of our facility and land and welcome inquiries.
Terri Burhans, our fine Executive Director will be the Director of a Community Center in Loudoun County and we know you will all miss her. If you have questions or comments don’t hesitate to contact me at 304-728-6233 or [email protected].
Warmly,
Linda Case

11/17/2015

Relive the action packed Stream Scholars Summer Camp 2015 as campers canoe on the Cacapon River, travel to The Mountain Institute, live in yurts, hike to the...

11/17/2015

Drum circle tonight at CraftWorks from 7-9 with celebrated drum circle leader Tracy Seffers. There is no charge to attaend and everyone is welcome. Are you a beginner? Show up at 6:30 for a beginners session. Instruments will be provided, or bring your own. See you there.

11/10/2015

This weekend at CraftWorks, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Enjoy the work of artisans Linda Case, Tara Bell, and Barbara Acker. Support your local artisans. It's the perfect way to spend a fall weekend and get a jump on some fantastic holiday gifts. We are tour stop #1. Maps will be available.

Get ready to spend an amazing autumn weekend visiting 9 studios chock-full of handmade wares by 24 artisans. Our studios are swept, newest work polished and tagged, snacks stacked and plated, and we’re ready to host you for an amazing weekend of laughter and falling in love with the fruits of our la…

11/10/2015

tream Scholars is CI's hands-on exploration of stream ecology and conservation for middle and high school students. This program was initially funded by the USEPA, and later by the MARPAT Foundation, WV Conservation Agency, and our members. We now have thirteen years of engaging West Virginia middl…

11/04/2015

It’s Raining Classrooms! Rain Gardens for Learning

Thanks to the Chesapeake Bay Trust and National Fish & Wildlife Foundation this training is FREE!

We are offering a three part training to share what we have learned running our Grow-a-Garden program. Two webinars will be followed by a hands-on workshop next spring in Western Maryland near Hagerstown. The two webinars will take place in the evening, from 6:30-7:30, on November 10th and December 9th.The first webinar will introduce education topics, lesson plans, and standards. The second will introduce rain gardens, planning, and continued outdoor education. (Attendance in the webinars is important but make-up lessons will be possible.)

Please share this information broadly with formal and non-formal educators interested in learning about rain gardens as outdoor classrooms. To RSVP email Molly Barkman, Watershed Education Specialist, at [email protected]. Email or call us if you have any questions. All you need is an internet connection and a desire to learn. We have years of experience installing dozens of schoolyard rain gardens and cisterns with thousands of youth in MD, VA, and WV. Visit our Hands-On Projects Webpage to see some examples.

11/03/2015

Great exercise in creativity and experimentation for kids.

I love unique art projects for kids and this one I dreamed up as an “art experiment”! The sky is truly the limit with this art project for children, all you need are some clothespins and some creative ideas for what might make an interesting paintbrush. So if you are ready to make some Homemade Pai…

11/03/2015

George Monbiot: With half of their time spent at screens, the next generation will be poorly equipped to defend the natural world from harm

11/03/2015

10/28/2015

Winter Information Exchange August 30, 2015Information [email protected] Online Registration Here! Download the Winter Exchange Flier For more information, contact [email protected] *We are currently under serious Website renovations and look forward to our grand re-openi…