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Post by tuva42 on Jul 23, 2015 19:19:44 GMT
Many of you know I have opened a drop-in craft studio. We've been opened a month now and things are going well. We are adding all sorts of things this fall - preschool workshops, mom's night out classes, homeschool classes, etc. One of the things I want to offer is an afterschool craft club that meets once a week. We'll learn all sorts of new techniques like decoupage, bead making with clay, etc. What would you, as a parent, expect to pay for this sort of weekly club. Kids could pay each week, but could get a discount for doing multiple classes.
Laurie
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Post by mom on Jul 23, 2015 19:22:31 GMT
how long would the club meet each week?
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georgiapea
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,846 
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Post by georgiapea on Jul 23, 2015 19:31:14 GMT
We are excited for you and hope your endeavor goes really well.
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Post by shevy on Jul 23, 2015 19:39:35 GMT
I think much of it would depend on how it's structured and how much you're going to spend on materials. that's where I'd start.
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Deleted
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Jun 23, 2024 2:33:27 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2015 19:41:45 GMT
Many of you know I have opened a drop-in craft studio. We've been opened a month now and things are going well. We are adding all sorts of things this fall - preschool workshops, mom's night out classes, homeschool classes, etc. One of the things I want to offer is an afterschool craft club that meets once a week. We'll learn all sorts of new techniques like decoupage, bead making with clay, etc. What would you, as a parent, expect to pay for this sort of weekly club. Kids could pay each week, but could get a discount for doing multiple classes. Laurie I can show you a really great location in town should you choose to expand  |
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johnnysmom
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Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
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Post by johnnysmom on Jul 23, 2015 19:55:53 GMT
I would take the cost of consumable supplies, add in the cost of staff required, add a percentage (say 25-50%) for overhead then double it (for profit), divide by the number of kids you expect and see where that gets you. Somewhere in the $15-20 range sounds about right for a 1-2 hour class.
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Post by meridon on Jul 23, 2015 20:14:36 GMT
I'd expect in the $10-20 range depending on how involved the project was and how expensive the materials were. Maybe you could have some sort of rewards program like do 3 classes and get one free or half off if you bring a friend/sibling, etc.
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Belle
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,309
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Post by Belle on Jul 23, 2015 20:26:02 GMT
Around here, after school activities for kids usually run $15-$20 per hour....with most coming closer to $20.
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Post by Basket1lady on Jul 23, 2015 20:32:38 GMT
I'd rather pay more and have you do crafts that are messy or that need supplies or tools I may not want to invest in on a child's whim. I'd also rather that the supplies were included with the class, rather than me having to buy them separately. And I'd pay more for an advanced class that teaches a skill, but less for a basic class. (I'm thinking beads that need to be baked and shaped with tools vs a model magic monster.)
I'm assuming you would need to do at least a two hour class to allow time for the kids to settle and for projects to dry a little before they go home. I'd also like a snack or a snack time, since they are presumably attending after school. You would need to check on that. Some states would require a food handlers license if you provide snacks, some will only allow snacks without utensils or only room temp snacks.
I'm not sure I'd where you are, but here in the DC area, I'd probably pay up to $30 for a class like described. Closer to $20 for the model magic monster. I'd be fine if you did a standard fee of say $15 or $20, with a supply fee added.
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Post by papersilly on Jul 23, 2015 21:30:24 GMT
$10 is a good introductory price for new members, first class only. just to get people in. keep the project and materials simple so you don't lose on the class. make it fun so they want to go to future classes.
$15-$20 for subsequent classes. make these classes more elaborate with better materials so people feel it's worth the money.
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Jul 23, 2015 23:46:32 GMT
What about specifying that the week's craft class will range in price from $x-$y, but if you take z# of weekly classes, then the next one (priced at $x-$y) is free. I'd be sure to give all the classes in this "grouping" the same main title (and then a subtitle detailing the weekly event) so that whatever cute punch card you make up can say "valid on WEEKLY AFTERSCHOOL CRAFT SERIES CLASSES only".
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Post by tuva42 on Jul 24, 2015 1:46:23 GMT
Thanks, everyone. Wonderful ideas. I knew I could count on RefuPeas for support and advice. And I was thinking in the $15 range for price. The class would be an hour. Anything longer would run into the dinner hour. We won't be doing crayons and paper, unless we are doing something more complex that requires crayons for resist or something like that. What I'd like to do with them is explore the crafts that take more instruction than our basic crafts require during drop in crafting. We'll teach some simple macrame, decoupage, bead making, maybe even some metal stamping. The challenge is going to be to find projects that appeal to boys and girls. We're finding lots of boys who love to craft with us. Thanks for the support georgiapea! Hey Delta Dawn - when I franchise this baby I'll call you! Good idea, beachgurl, I will check out my local Michaels. I've never liked the craft classes our Michael's has because they are in a tiny room in the back with no windows. I like the suggestions for having a "buy #, get one free" class schedule. We've joked with a couple of our customers about having a frequent buyers club. We've been open just a day over a month and already we have 1 family that has been in 4 times and 2 that have been in 3 times. Things are getting a little exciting for us. Two local private schools have contacted me about coming once a week to their after school programs and providing activities for their kids. A homeschool group has contacted me about providing a weekly class. And we've already booked 10 birthday parties. This thing may actually succeed! |
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Deleted
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Jun 23, 2024 2:33:27 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2015 2:40:34 GMT
No, I find the location and I play. I saw that location again today. Rent is cheap in that complex. I mean there are oodles of exits from that parking lot, there is a subway and Tim Horton's right there. Pizza hut, Mac's which is like 7-11, a decent Chinese restaurant and a bank. It's on 3 major bus routes going every direction.
I am just in it for the fun. When my hobby becomes work, I am out. Tried it once and now I am all hobby.
I like the punch card idea for craft day i.e. Wednesdays for teens. We have a water program at my gym and a smoothie program. I like the punch card idea like a "gift" card from a store. I use as a debit card and love that. Too high tech for a craft school. Punch card is nice because you can do it as a buy 10 classes get one free kind of thing. Or get one class half off. But free is nice because then it becomes a challenge to get my one free class and I am not stopping until I get it (I earned it, right?)
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Post by jamielynn on Jul 24, 2015 2:53:52 GMT
Thanks, everyone. Wonderful ideas. I knew I could count on RefuPeas for support and advice. And I was thinking in the $15 range for price. The class would be an hour. Anything longer would run into the dinner hour. We won't be doing crayons and paper, unless we are doing something more complex that requires crayons for resist or something like that. What I'd like to do with them is explore the crafts that take more instruction than our basic crafts require during drop in crafting. We'll teach some simple macrame, decoupage, bead making, maybe even some metal stamping. The challenge is going to be to find projects that appeal to boys and girls. We're finding lots of boys who love to craft with us. Thanks for the support georgiapea! Hey Delta Dawn - when I franchise this baby I'll call you! Good idea, beachgurl, I will check out my local Michaels. I've never liked the craft classes our Michael's has because they are in a tiny room in the back with no windows. I like the suggestions for having a "buy #, get one free" class schedule. We've joked with a couple of our customers about having a frequent buyers club. We've been open just a day over a month and already we have 1 family that has been in 4 times and 2 that have been in 3 times. Things are getting a little exciting for us. Two local private schools have contacted me about coming once a week to their after school programs and providing activities for their kids. A homeschool group has contacted me about providing a weekly class. And we've already booked 10 birthday parties. This thing may actually succeed! As a boy mom I can really appreciate you are looking for things that aren't girly. I feel like so much is girl/pink driven. |
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Post by alissa103 on Jul 24, 2015 3:50:05 GMT
Yes, I second the "thanks for making boy-appropriate projects" comment as well. DS loves to craft, but so many kits and classes are geared towards girls. One smart thing I've seen some places do when an activity is more girly is to offer the boy version. So princesses & pirates. Or something like that. And let the kid decide if they want one or the other.
I wish we lived closer. Our preschool play group would be all over scheduling some classes!
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Post by finally~a~mama on Jul 24, 2015 4:39:48 GMT
I just recently discovered an art studio in my area that sounds somewhat similar to your set up. They have a weekly 1 hr class for children for $60 a month. It's the next town over, otherwise I'd be all over that. My DD loves arts & crafts.
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anniebygaslight
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Post by anniebygaslight on Jul 24, 2015 6:09:43 GMT
Are you paying rent on the venue? If so I would get them to pay up front, or you might find that some weeks you earn less than you are paying out.
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Post by tuva42 on Jul 24, 2015 19:35:39 GMT
Yes, I'm paying rent! It's a regular store-front, next door to an ice cream shop. I expect I will eventually have it all "pay up front" but since we are only a month old I think I need to let folks try it out in the beginning.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2015 21:16:51 GMT
You should be advised that homeschooled families are notoriously cheap.
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Post by Basket1lady on Jul 24, 2015 23:23:26 GMT
Yes, I'm paying rent! It's a regular store-front, next door to an ice cream shop. I expect I will eventually have it all "pay up front" but since we are only a month old I think I need to let folks try it out in the beginning. Annie's comment only applied if you were not committed to paying the rent anyway. For example, if you were going to put up notices on bulletin boards in your community, and then go rent a room at the library and hope that people show up for the class. But you are an established business and will be paying for the space in your storefront whether you have classes or not. Totally different thing. Hey, did anyone mention calling Girl Scout council offices in your area and finding out how to offer classes through them? It would then be published as opportunities for individual troops and scouts to sign up for. You could tailor events to meet requirements for badges. These would be separate events from the kids club classes. Rock on, we all want to see this succeed. Good idea with the scouts. My girls would have done this with cookie money. Or you could look into scout badges to earn and see how easily you could offer the badge work. Do it on a week night when you are slow, provide the materials and clean up for X dollars per child. |
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Post by tuva42 on Jul 24, 2015 23:38:50 GMT
I've had some contact with Girl Scout troops already. Several moms who've come in to craft are leaders and I've let them know we can work out whatever type of program they need to complete a badge or journey. I was a Girl Scout leader for 17 years and I recently ran into the woman from the council office who I worked with back when I had Scouts. She loved the idea and told me to call her and she'd help me work out programs to offer.
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Post by peasapie on Jul 25, 2015 0:23:30 GMT
It really does depend on where you live. I know this may sound funny, but I'll bet if you figure the average price to go to the movies and then add $5, that will work out to be a good hourly fee for the class.
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Post by peasapie on Jul 25, 2015 0:25:08 GMT
Are you paying rent on the venue? If so I would get them to pay up front, or you might find that some weeks you earn less than you are paying out. Good idea. Always get the money up front. People tend not to show up faithfully if they haven't already paid. |
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Post by crazy4scraps on Jul 25, 2015 3:38:48 GMT
Good idea. Always get the money up front. People tend not to show up faithfully if they haven't already paid. I agree. If you do a punch card type of thing (buy so many, get one free) and use a card without a totally custom punch shape, it would benefit you greatly to have the people prepay and punch out the spots as they use up their prepaid classes. I can't tell you how many times I've gone into a place with a punch card program and they're just using some totally generic shaped punch they picked up at Michael's or somewhere. If I were a less honest person, it would be SO easy to buy one of whatever they are selling, take the card home and punch out all the rest of the spots with MY matching generic punch from Michael's to get a free one (or pick up a stack of empty cards and punch them all out for all of my friends).  If I'm thinking it could be done in my head, you have to KNOW other people are actually doing it. Another avenue you look at would be to offer the space up for local home party consultants like CTMH or SU to use for monthly hostess clubs, classes or crops, team / down line meetings, or even baby and bridal showers where attendees each make a scrapbook page for the honoree. As long as the consultant is just using the space and it's not a store where outside craft items are sold, it wouldn't be a breach of their contract having their events at your location. Just a thought to get more people in the door. I really hope you make it and are very successful! I think it's a great idea. |
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If I'm thinking it could be done in my head, you have to KNOW other people are actually doing it.