Empowering Young Entrepreneurs: Brookelane's Kids' Craft Market Fosters Creativity and Life Skills

Discover the inspiring stories of young artisans as they showcase their handmade creations at the Brookelane Kids' Craft Market, a vibrant event that celebrates youthful ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit.

Unleash the Potential of the Next Generation of Makers

Nurturing the Entrepreneurial Spirit

Brookelane Design Studio, a Hudson Valley-based interior design company, is hosting its third Kids' Craft Market in partnership with the Kingston Art Walk. This event provides a platform for over a dozen young artisans, aged 7 to 13, to display and sell their handmade arts and crafts, from jewelry and crocheted plushes to stationery cards. The market serves as a unique opportunity for these emerging entrepreneurs to showcase their creativity, hone their business skills, and connect with the community.Brooke Lane, the owner of Brookelane Design Studio, has a background in childhood special education and a deep understanding of the importance of fostering life skills in young individuals. She recognized the potential of a kids' craft market to empower children, allowing them to develop essential skills such as money management, planning, social interaction, marketing, and the value of creativity."The past two Kids' Craft Markets have been such positive experiences for everyone involved, especially the kids," says Lane. "One parent mentioned their child said it was the best day of their life, which really speaks to the impact these events have on young participants."

Cultivating Confidence and Creativity

The Kids' Craft Market provides a supportive environment for these young artisans to thrive. At the previous events, some participants earned as much as $100 from selling their handmade products, a testament to the market's success in nurturing their entrepreneurial spirit."Being able to see the impact I'm making is the reason I keep doing this," Lane says. "I'm so grateful. It just fills my heart."The market's reach is expanding, thanks to the efforts of Lane's committee, which includes mothers Katy Kondrat and Leslie Wellington. They have been actively reaching out to schools, art teachers, and local organizations to recruit young makers and connect the event to a larger initiative around art and community.

Empowering Young Makers

For Leslie Wellington, the Kids' Craft Market represents a dream come true for her own childhood aspirations. As a child, she was always searching for opportunities to sell her art, going door-to-door with "little paper triangles." Now, she sees the market as a platform for young, passionate crafters to share their products and tell their stories.Wellington's son, Miles, discovered his love for crafting at Wild Earth, a wilderness camp program that teaches about the natural world and encourages hands-on exploration. There, he began making "star sticks," diamond-shaped woven yarn and stick designs, which he now proudly sells at the market."It's beautiful to watch him tell the story of being a Wild Earth camper and learning how to do this, and then teaching others how to do it," Wellington says. "This experience—to have an outlet for people to appreciate your work and to be able to get your lived experience out there—builds his confidence as a young person."

Fostering a Supportive Community

The Kids' Craft Market is not just about showcasing the talents of young artisans; it's also about creating a sense of community and support. Brooke Lane's goal is to continue growing the event into an annual tradition that the community looks forward to each year."It's a fantastic opportunity for the children to gain real-world experience, build confidence, and foster their creativity in a supportive environment," Lane says.As the Kids' Craft Market continues to evolve, it serves as a shining example of how empowering young entrepreneurs can have a profound impact on their personal growth and the broader community. By providing a platform for these budding makers to showcase their talents and share their stories, the market is inspiring the next generation of innovators and leaders.