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From jewelry to gowns, Jo-Ann has a class for that

By LIANE SMITH (Contact)

Saturday, January 13, 2007

If you've ever wanted to learn how to put together a decorative scrapbook, knit a blanket, paint a picture, bead jewelry, decorate a cake or make your own candy, Jo-Ann's Creative University might be a good fit.

Earlier this week, education coordinator at the newly opened Jo-Ann craft store in Gulf Coast Town Center, Jacki Albert, bustled around the store with a new sewing student helping her with her first project.

Photo by LIANE SMITH / Banner

Jacki Albert spreads out fabric for a student who is learning the basics of sewing by making a pair of lounge pants out of Valentine's Day-inspired fabric.

"I do try to gear classes toward our clientele," Albert said, although many of the classes offered, which range in price from $10 to $100, are dictated by corporate policy.

Classes range from a $20 one time only two-hour session on polymer clay flower bracelets, to a $60, three-session class, on sewing basics.

Most of the classes are taught by outside contractors, ranging from retired home economics teachers, to artists and hobbyist enthusiasts.

For example, the calligraphy class the store offers is taught by Carol McArdle, from the Fort Myers Art Guild. Classes are also taught by paid employees at the local Jo-Ann store.

"We try to offer a wide range of classes," Albert said.

Albert showed her only sewing student last week how to find a pattern in the store, how to read a pattern, and how and where to find all the other materials she would need to sew a pair of lounge pants.

Photo by LIANE SMITH / Banner

JoAnne Conway, a JoAnn craft and fabric store employee, makes a card in preparation for a scrapbook social, just one of the many socials and classes offered at the new store at Gulf Coast Town Center in San Carlos Park.

Classes at the store are broken up into corporate-wide classes offered at all Jo-Ann stores; teens, tweens and kids classes and workshops; socials and clubs; and store trend classes.

Trend classes are made up by teachers themselves or by customers who request a specific class, such as an upcoming trend class on sewing pants that fit.

Albert, who teaches classes on jewelry making, quilting, sewing and painting, enjoys interacting with adults who are enthusiastic about crafts, after a long career in education.

"I do a little bit of everything," Albert said.

Socials provided by Jo-Ann stores are usually put on by local arts and craft guilds and generally cost little to no money to participate. Socials held at Albert's Jo-Ann store include a yarn club, a scrapbook club and a polymer clay club.

"As long as our room is available, we can open it up to community groups," Albert said.

The room is free of charge, unless the group needs a facilitator from Jo-Ann, in which case a $5 per person charge is applied.

Coming up soon, on Jan. 20 and Feb. 13, the store will offer a prom workshop to introduce high school students to prom dress patterns at the store. Duck Tape is also sponsoring a dress-making contest in conjunction, with the potential for scholarship opportunities.

"It's all done with duct tape in all different colors," Albert said.

JoAnne Conway, a Jo-Ann employee and craft teacher at the store, said her class on polymer clay jewelry is a cheap hobby to start.

"It's easy and it's very inexpensive," Conway said, showing off her handmade polymer clay watch. "You can make all types of faux beads."

In addition to beads and jewelry, Conway said she has used polymer clay to make picture frames and night lights, also.

Photo by LIANE SMITH / Banner

Jacki Albert, JoAnn education coordinator at the new store, helps a sewing student pick out thread for her first project.

"We also have a lot of classes for kids," Conway said.

Once a month, Jo-Ann offers a free kids' event. The next event, called "Chunky Glitter Glue Photo," will take place from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20.

According to Albert, she tailors many children's classes to public school holiday schedules such as winter, spring and summer breaks.

To sign up for a class, Albert suggested crafters stop by the store to register at least three days prior to the class. Often, if only one person signs up, a class may be rescheduled. If interested crafters cannot stop by the store, they can call in their registration using a credit card. Each time a participant signs up for a class, he or she receives a 10 percent off coupon toward class supplies.

Those interested in learning about the more than 50 classes offered at the newly opened Jo-Ann store can find a schedule of events online, at www.joann.com, or visit the store at 10008 Gulf Center Drive, at the corner of Alico Road and Ben Hill Griffin Parkway.