Farmhouse Chic Gathering
— guide —
Introduction
Making something beautiful with your creativity and a handful of helpful products is rewarding. Making something beautiful alongside others is a gift. When you gather with your Hosts and customers, you are not simply completing an adorable DIY project. You are actually creating community. As a Maker, you will lead your workshop attendees in learning new DIY skills and forming new connections with each other. A Makers’ Studio is not just about the decor in our homes. It is about crafting a beautiful life together by making friends, growing in our creativity, and making an impact on the world. As you live out your mission of leading your community in cultivating the creativity they always dreamed of, you will begin to see why Creative Gatherings like this one are the heartbeat of A Makers’ Studio. The Farmhouse Chic Gathering has the power to be yet another driving force in building your A Makers’ Studio business. This workshop allows your friends and family to get hands-on with A Makers’ Studio products, learn a valuable DIY skill, and build up the creative confidence to take on more projects. They will feel accomplished and excited to learn about what’s next… and you will get to guide them every step of the way.
Dearest Maker, As you well know by now, my mission is to empower you to make a difference in homes and hearts. We do this through DIY décor and that special kind of connection that only comes from creating alongside others. My heart’s desire is that you thrive as a Maker Boss. I want to see you empowered as a business owner and as a difference maker who helps other women become Maker Mentors. My hope is that our work together helps end human trafficking around the world. These are big goals. I know you have big goals of your own, too. You can count on me to be with you every step of the way. – XO, AMY
Farmhouse Chic Gathering Overview .
This guide contains everything you need to successfully hold a Farmhouse Chic Gathering. Inside, you will find step-by-step instructions, checklists, and scripts to support you as the leader of this event. Before we dive into the details, let’s take a moment to think about the event as a whole – How do you create the right atmosphere? How do you present the best products for your new, excited customers? We know you have many questions and ideas, so let’s take a look at the basics:
Setting the atmosphere for your event will be important. Whether you are hosting or you are helping your Host create the event, you must think about how your attendees will experience your Creative Gathering. Make sure that your workshop is completely set up in the hour before the event. This leaves time for you to review your materials, chat with your Host, and greet early arrivals. Turn your presentation on and make sure your introductory slide is showing. Have upbeat music playing softly as everyone comes in. Greet them as you would a guest in your home. Introduce them to the Host and any helpers you might have assisting you at the workshop. Show them where they will be sitting and ask them to put on their name tag and apron. Suggest that they unpack their workshop materials and arrange their space. These activities will help them feel comfortable from the very beginning. Some attendees will need some help meeting each other. Your role as a Maker is to guide them in connecting with each other in addition to completing a project. You can invite them
to have a cup a coffee and pour it for them. Offer them some of the food your Host provided. As others arrive, introduce attendees to each other and help them start conversations. If you see someone is having difficulty socializing, be intentional about helping them mingle. Start promptly and introduce your Host and anyone else who may be assisting you during the workshop. As you begin to follow the timeline inside this guide, stay calm and enjoy the process. As your guests start creating, be sure to pause and encourage them. Touch their shoulder or hand and make eye contact. Tell them how great they are doing. Be honest and give them very specific direction. If they are successful, they will be interested in exploring more of what A Makers’ Studio has to offer. Be sure to take photos and even a few videos throughout the event. Don’t forget your group photo at the end of the workshop! Encourage your guests to take their own photos and videos to post on social media as well. Remember that sharing all of the tools and projects available to them is helpful and generous. You already know they are interested in pursuing their creativity because they are at your workshop. So don’t be afraid to advise them as to which products they should order when you hear their at-home DIY ideas. Also, boldly make a sales announcement! You will be offering special bundles that help them use their new DIY skills: Joining the A Makers’ Studio subscription club is just $24.95 and provides them with a new stencil, ChalkArt, and a fun surprise each month – plus coupons and more as a member of the finishing society. The $24.95 ChalkArt Bundle comes with three of their favorite colors. It’s a perfect match for getting creative with their stencil on other projects. The $65.00 Rescue Restore Kit comes with everything your customers need to paint their boring furniture and create something new and fresh. They get cleaner, paint, wax, and a brush! Give them all the details about your upcoming workshops in case they want to attend. Show them some photos or examples of what they will learn to get them inspired. Try to get them to register and order their Workshop Kit for a future event before they leave. Remind them that workshops make great gifts and that you would be happy to teach their friend and family a new DIY skill!
Above all, enjoy making new friends, be your authentic self, and have fun!
Farmhouse Chic Gathering Invitation Your event invitation sets the stage for the atmosphere you create at your Farmhouse Chic Gathering. You can customize and email these invitations from your MakerOffice. You can also post your invitation on social media to generate interest in your event.
Caroline Henries
You’re invited to a ChalkArt Gathering! Debbie Crews
Please join me at 5:00PM on Jun 30, 2018 — FOR OUR —
Farmhouse Chic Gathering! We’ll be gathering at 123 Main St. Memphis, TN 38112
Farmhouse Chic Gathering in Detail Now we will take a look at how to lead the Farmhouse Chic Gathering step-bystep. You can see how long each step should take and what to say as you go along. When your invitee registers to attend your workshop and purchases their Workshop Kit, they will receive: One 15X20 or two 10x10 Wooden Surface 2 oz. Rescue Restore Paint in Little Black Dress 2 oz. Rescue Restore Paint in Bella’s Blush 2 oz. Gel Stain Typewriter Font Stencil 2 oz. Peace and Joy ChalkArt Sponge Brush Spreader
You will want to have painters tape, a bowl and spoon for mixing, and a rag for dappling on hand for each guest at this workshop. To help paint dry faster, we suggest bringing a few blow dryers as well.
1 Hour before the event
Prep your space. You will have a Google Slides presentation that corresponds to the timeline and script below. Simply switch slides when indicated to inspire your attendees with beautiful imagery and project possibilities. Begin the event with the first slide displayed showing the A Makers’ Studio logo.
15 Minutes before the event
Greet your guests. Greet your guests and show them where they can put their personal items and Workshop Kits. Show them the catalog and wish list you placed at their workspace. Explain that they can use the wish list to order products for future projects. Offer your guests refreshments and help them meet each other.
5 Minutes before the event
Thank your host. Introduce your Host and thank her for having you in her home.
15 Minutes Start the workshop promptly. Go to the next slide showing the completed surface. Being the workshop promptly with a brief introduction: Thank you everyone for coming tonight. My name is _______. I am a Maker with A Makers Studio. We believe in Crafting a Beautiful Life. Creative Gatherings like this one are the heartbeat of how we live out our mission of empowering the modern creative woman to use her hands, heart, and head to unleash the creativity in herself and others. I want to welcome you to the Farmhouse Chic Gathering, where you will learn how to use a stencil and our gilding products... and return home with a piece of art like this! I’m so excited about the valuable DIY skills you will gain by the end of our time together! Go to the next slide showing the Farmhouse Chic Gathering title slide. Since we will be creating together today, let’s quickly go around the room and introduce ourselves. Please tell us all your name and what brought you here today! When introductions are finished: This is a brief video about A Makers’ Studio and our founder, Amy Howard. She is a master artisan and the creator of the products we will be using tonight. As you watch, I am going to quickly iron your pillow sleeves to make it easier for you to work with them. Play the video on your next slide.
20 Minutes Paint the surface. Go to the next two slides showing the Workshop Kit contents. If everyone will please take out your materials, we’ll get started!
Go to the next slide showing how to tape off the surface. First, let’s start prepping our surfaces. Take your painters tape and tape off the outer borders of your surface that will be stained, as they need to be protected from paint. You can tape off the inner edge as pictured or the outer facing surface if you’d like to paint the inner portion in its entirety. Go to the next slide showing how to apply the paint.
Now open your Little Black Dress Rescue Restore Paint. Use your foam brush to paint Little Black Dress on the entire inside of your surface and the inner edge in clean, long strokes. Once the first layer is dry, apply an even second coat and pause to allow this to dry. Blow dry the surface to speed up the drying process. Share the slides showing how to mix Bella’s Brush with water. Take your bowl and spoon, your Bella’s Brush, and some water. Mix equal parts Bella’s Blush and water in a separate bowl until the glaze has a thinner consistency and is slightly watery. If needed, use 1 tbsp of water to 1 tbsp of Bella’s Brush. Go to your next two slides showing how apply the new mixture. Use a cleaned sponge brush to apply one even layer of your Bella’s Brush mixture in long strokes on the entire inside surface and inner borders of your piece of wood. The paint does not have to be perfect, just neat. It will be modeled with a rag in our next step. The most important thing for this application is to move at a steady and semi-quick pace. Do not miss crevices and edges - you must get complete coverage!
Go to your next two slides showing how to model the surface. While the paint is still very wet, take your lint-free rag and remove the excess glaze in a hit/drag motion all over surface. You want to achieve texture, but refrain from dragging too hard and pulling up too much paint. Be sure to remove glaze from crevices and corners , as it will dry light and you will not be able to texturize once its dry. You should begin to see your surface transform into a “seasoned” chalkboard - it should begin to look very dark gray with a few hints of black underneath. Go to your next slide showing Rescue Restore Paint. While we wait for our work to dry, I want to share a bit more about the Rescue Restore Paint you just used. Show your inspiration slides as you share about the product. A Makers’ Studio Rescue Restore Paint is the easy way to change your furniture and cabinets from drab to fab, and it’s water-based with no VOCs! So you don’t even get that awful stench that usually comes with DIY projects like these. No need to spend hours sanding, stripping or priming your surface before painting because you can apply Rescue Restore Paint on top of an existing finish. It’s truly the best product I’ve ever seen for creating a new look for your tired, outdated furniture. And just look at all the surfaces you can experiment on! The possibilities are endless!
25 Minutes Work with the stencil. Now we are going to apply our quote to the surface! Go to the next slide showing how to apply the stain. Get your painters tape again and tape the inner edges border of the glazed surface. This will prepare the surface for the wood stain. Once your surface is taped and brandished, you will apply a thin, even coat of wood stain to the outer border with a cleaned sponge brush. Wipe the excess off with a clean, lint-free rag. If you want to use it with this color, pause to allow it to dry. If you wish to have a deeper wood color, then dry with a blow dryer and apply another thin layer of stain. Wipe the excess and pause for it to dry. Once your guests’ surfaces are dry, have them write out the quote they want to use on the surface so that they can arrange it on the board. Count out the words and space them evenly before application. Let’s look at the Pooh saying for example: This quote has 20 words it. So we measure 1 ½ inches from the side and 2 inches from the top to find where we put the first letter. Leave 1 inch space between lines. Line 1: if there ever Line 2: comes a day when Line 3: we can’t be together, Line 4: keep me in your heart, Line 5: I’ll stay there forever. (heart)
Show your Stencils slides as you share about the product. The supplies we are using today pair so well with our uniquely detailed (and patented!) mesh decorative stencils. You can create truly professional designs on almost any surface with these... and look at all the different designs and combinations you can make! All of the A Makers’ Studio stencils can be used up to 25 times, including the one you are using now. Go to your next slides showing how to stencil each letter. Now that your lines are planned out and measured, apply letters one at a time with your ChalkArt. Use your spreader to smooth the ChalkArt over the stencil. Then allow each letter to dry before laying the stencil down for next letter. Move throughout the board to spell out your quote. One tip I want to share as you get started is to make sure that you leave at least a 1 ½ to 1 ¾ gap between the end of your quote and the author to show sufficient separation. Be sure to wash your stencil every few words, because the ChalkArt will build up in the stencil. Go to your next slide showing the ChalkArt title slide. As you work, I’m going to tell you more about the product you are using! Show your ChalkArt slides as you share about the product. ChalkArt is perfect for creating a beautiful herb garden, monogramming glass, creating unique signage, and more. There are so many beautiful colors, don’t you think? ChalkArt is all about versatility. As you can see, you can create truly professional designs when you pair it with these uniquely detailed (and patented!) mesh decorative stencils!
Because it’s water-based, you can use ChalkArt to easily customize your furniture, tabletop decor, glass, and nearly any other non-porous surface. And just like we saw tonight, A Makers’ Studio Rescue Restore paint as the perfect match for the ChalkArt™ paste when you want that extra pop in your designs! I like seeing how people use ChalkArt to customize weddings and events, hostess like a pro with beautifully designed placemats, create magazine-worthy furniture updates, and more. While I love hat I can remove it all and recreate on all my surface, you can also seal your designs at anytime!
5 Minutes Take photos. Let me take your photo with _________! That way you can both enjoy the bragging rights. I’ll post these on Facebook and tag you so you can show off your work. You’ll see them on Instagram too so be sure to follow me so I can tag you! Make sure to use our hashtags! Okay, now let’s take a group photo. I want to share with my friends how great you all did!
5 Minutes Share the Creative Gathering Specials. Go to your next slide showing the Creative Gathering specials title slide. Now I’d like to tell you about some of the products you can order tonight to do more projects like this at home or with your friends. These specials and the pricing are only good for this Gathering! Go to your next slide showing the stencil artwork. You can use your wish list to keep track of everything you want.
Go to your next slide showing the subscription box. I’m personally most excited about the subscription club you can join tonight. Every month you get a stencil, ChalkArt, and a fun surprise for just $24.95. You also get included in our finishing society, which means you’ll get coupons on A Makers’ Studio products. With the subscription, you will get different colors and stencils for all the seasons and holidays. Just imagine the possibilities! Go to your next slide showing the ChalkArt quote. This is an example of how you could do the same project we did tonight with THREE different ChalkArt colors,.. just to help you imagine all the possibilities. Go to your next slide showing the ChalkArt Bundle. If you want to make that with your stencil, or any other stencil you see in your Creative Inspirations catalog, you will want to get the ChalkArt Bundle tonight for $24.95. Go to your next slide rescued and restored furniture. Also, we have a Rescue Restore Kit tonight for $65.00. It includes everything you need to paint your furniture and make it look brand new. You can change the entire look of your home! Go to your next slide showing the Rescue Restore Kit. This Kit includes cleaner, Rescue Restore paint, wax, and our fantastic brushes. This brush alone is worth $28.00 – and believe me, the tools make all the difference in how your project turns out. Do you have your wish lists filled out? Feel free to take a look at your catalogs to see even more products you can get tonight… I’m happy to answer any questions to help you get what you need to complete your projects at home.
5 Minutes Share how to participate in A Makers’ Studio. Go to your next slide showing the Host a Gathering title slide. While you look, I want to tell you a little bit more about A Makers’ Studio and how you can get involved, because it’s the reason we are all here. Go through your Host and Maker Boss slides. I have a spend program, a save program, and an earn program. Let me help you plan your rescue project, and I’ll help you SPEND money. But if you’d like, I’ll help you plan your rescue project and help you SAVE money as one of my future Hosts! But, best yet, I will help you EARN money – let’s plan your next rescue project AND get you signed up as the newest Maker on my team. That’s the way to EARN money with your creativity! It only takes $49 to get started as a Maker like me. Once enrolled, you get access to live product trainings with Amy, business mentorship, and you get to hold Creative Gatherings like this one! So for the last few minutes as we wrap up, I’d like to know which of you want to schedule your own Creative Gatherings as Hosts – let’s get them on the calendar because you will earn free product and discounts just for hosting. I also want to answer your questions about becoming a Maker and get you enrolled if you’re ready!
10 Minutes Go to your next slide showing proud workshop attendees.
Q+A For the remainder of our time together, I’d like to answer all your questions and help you place your orders! I can help you figure out which products to get based on the projects you want to do! Go to your last slide showing the A Makers’ Studio logo as you take orders.
Farmhouse Chic Gathering Love Letter As a Maker, you will continue cultivating connections after your workshop. Start by sending a loving follow-up email to your attendees from your MakerOffice. First, insert the group photo you took at the workshop. Then send an email like the one on the next page. You can personalize it and make your own!
Caroline Henries
From the bottom of my heart... Debbie Crews
Look at all of you with your finished quote! What a beautiful group! And what beautiful creations! It was such a joy to see your faces light up with pride as you completed a new piece of decor for your home, learned new skills, and figured out fun DIY techniques along the way. We shared some laughs along the way, didn’t we?! It was such a joy to see you work and leave inspired to create some new things of your own. I bet you are eagerly awaiting more from A Makers’ Studio! What a pleasure to teach such a kind and loving group of creative women. I am a better person for having been with all of you, and I am excited to see you create your own projects. Please send me pictures of what you are making! I know several of you are interested in hosting a workshop and becoming Makers. I’m looking forward to speaking to you soon. Now, go unleash your creativity and enjoy the bragging rights!
Farmhouse Chic Gathering At-A-Glance .
Here are the highlights of your workshop’s timeline. This is great for staying on track during your event!
1 Hour — Prep your space before the workshop begins and
make sure you have at least fifteen minutes of free time to chat with your Host.
15 Minutes — Greet your guests and help them socialize with each other.
5 Minutes — Introduce and thank your Host. 15 Minutes — Introduce yourself, the workshop, and play the A Makers’ Studio video.
20 Minutes — Paint the surface and share about Rescue Restore Paint.
25 Minutes — Work with the stencil and share about Stencils and ChalkArt.
5 Minutes — Take photos with your guests and their completed projects.
15 Minutes — Share the Creative Gatherings Specials. 5 Minutes — Share the A Makers’ Studio opportunity with your guests.
10 Minutes — Take orders, schedule future workshops, make notes for following up, and answer your guests’ questions about products and becoming a Maker.
Make sure to follow up with your guests after the workshop and keep cultivating those connections. We know you can do it!
Making beautiful things alongside others is a gift. You have now given that gift to your friends and family‌. and their friends and family.