Sawyer partners with hundreds of educators who are stars in their communities. From inspiring class content to engaging teaching styles, these educators are known for their enriching activities that empower both children and parents alike.

We got the opportunity to chat with Dari Litchman, Owner and Operator at The Craft Salon, a multi-disciplinary arts and crafts studio that offers classes and camps to children and adults in Brooklyn, NY, to learn about inspiring moments in and out of the classroom and how Sawyer helps them grow.

Thank you for taking the time to chat with us! I’d love to hear a bit more about you and why you started your business.

I’ve always been an artist. Arts and crafts are the thing that came naturally to me and the thing I never had to compete at, I was always good at it. It was so natural to me for this to lead my career. I studied Printmaking and Art Therapy in college, which eventually led me to own and operate a craft studio!

Can you describe an inspiring moment you’ve had as an educator?  

I am inspired every day. Working with kids is especially inspiring because they are not self-conscious about the work they are creating. The natural art that flows through them is so pure, beautiful, and oftentimes really funny!

What’s the most rewarding thing about teaching children?  

They are so fun and hilarious (usually)! They are so unbelievably creative and we really allow them to let their creativity lead them in their projects which obviously come out amazingly!

It is also incredibly rewarding to teach a new skill to a kid. One thing that comes to mind is hand sewing! Totally a lost art. We teach it all the time and I love seeing how proud a kid is when it clicks.

What’s one time a child surprised you and made your day? 

Literally every day. The things they say and the things they make are so surprising, creative, beautiful, and hilarious!

On a similar note, what’s the funniest thing a child has done in your class? 

A while back a kiddo introduced us to a really funny song called “Hug a Turtle” by Parry Gripp. We made it our studio theme song and sang it every day. I think I need to bring it back! 

Why is after school/extracurricular enrichment and camp so important for children?  

Kids either don’t have art in school or they have it for a very short time. At TCS we do really involved and elevated projects so the kids get to feel masterful of their skills and have a gorgeous piece of art to bring home. These creative brains really need an outlet! We also pride ourselves on having functional art kids can hold onto for years - wall hangings, ceramic pieces, handmade pillows/garments, etc. 

How do you think children can discover their passions when they’re not in school or your programs? 

By trying many different things. Sports, art, music, dance, kids really need to be able to try out many things to see what they like and are good at. A well-rounded kid is a healthy kid!

What is your favorite Sawyer feature? 

I really like that Sawyer keeps me organized and it’s like having an assistant who handles all of my registrations and contacts! The thing I like the most is probably the rosters and the ability to customize forms, plus the ability to email everyone in the class together.

What's one trick you learned from another educator that you still practice? 

Well I learn things from my staff every day! I watch how loving and gentle they are with the kids, and that helps me to keep my frustrations in check and remember how much we are impacting these little growing brains. I always try to remember that staying calm in a stormy moment really does make a huge impact! Also we work really hard to streamline our rules. We make sure that we outline all of our expectations in the studio at the start of each new day and give reminders all the time so kids can have a strong feeling of security and feel safe in our space.

Have you discovered new customers on the Sawyer Marketplace?  

Yes, definitely! When parents do a search and are able to find me in Brooklyn they can sign their kids up for our camps and after school programs.

How do you balance your time between running your business (from an operational perspective) and teaching/connecting with parents and students? 

I need to work on this! I still consider us to be quite new and we are growing. There is a lot that must be done to keep us afloat! I am working on backing away from so much teaching because I need to stay on top of all of the administrative stuff. Not as fun but super important!

How has Sawyer helped your business? 

The biggest way Sawyer has helped my business is to keep me super organized! My brain has so much going on, so having Sawyer to keep everything in one place for me is totally paramount to the success we have had and continue having.