Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelancia Daniel.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Most people assume the Shell from the Creativity Shell is derived from my name Shelancia. Although it is a major coincidence, I can assure you, it’s not my shell. While living in Lagos on an Expatriate assignment with my family for four years, my son, Elijah was asked to tell his school at an assembly what made him happy. Most of the students
in his class spoke about the material things that made them happy such as houses, cars and iPads. Elijah stood up and told the school “My name is Elijah and I like to chase crabs.” Chasing crabs was an activity that Elijah loved to do at the beach.
When he was younger, his asthma kept him away from school for many days during the month. On sick days we would go to the beach for fresh air, but to also learn from the outdoor space around us. Chasing crabs was a fun activity, but it was also a great way to teach Elijah elementary math skills such as counting, adding, subtracting and multiplying. When Elijah told his school that chasing crabs made him happy, I knew exactly what he meant. He was just like his mom and would rather be outside learning from the world around him than sitting at a desk listening to a lecture!
With a Diploma in costume design combined with a Bachelor’s Degree in business, I began researching “outdoor learning” and “un-schooling.” To my surprise, I was introduced to the concepts of Experience Based Learning and Constructivism Theory. To gain more understanding and credentials in this field, I went back to school at Texas A&M and completed a Masters Degree in Educational Psychology. Through my Educational Psychology research, I was able to study concepts derived from the works of Jean Piaget, Maria Montessori, Reggio Emilia and Bryan Sutton and I hope to blend some of those theories back into our sewing/textile arts programs for our students.
When students come into our classes, our objective is to teach them a practical skill such as sewing. Behind this objective, however, there is usually an underlying goal; we want to teach students skills such as sharing, problem-solving, coping, perseverance and more. If the Creativity Shell can create programs for children that allow them to have fun when they are learning, I believe children will intrinsically want to learn new things because it makes them happy… Just like my son Elijah when he is chasing crabs. (AKA the Shell from our logo).
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
When the Creativity Shell began teaching sewing/textile arts classes in local schools and libraries, we were faced with a larger crisis than initially imagined. One of the biggest challenges we encountered (and still do today) is the lack of practical skills among the students we teach. Students have difficulty utilizing fine motor skills to complete tasks such as tying knots, cutting fabrics and threading needles. Furthermore, the lack of their ability to use fine motor skills adds to the extreme frustration, the inability to cope and poor problem solving/decision-making skills.
This is a new generation of children. Many of the things they were born into-fast Internet, cell phones, computers, tablets, Amazon Prime-were things that we’ve adapted to. Many of us adults have difficulty going without our modern technologies but imagine what it’s like for the students who do not know anything else. Because of these combined factors, the Creativity Shell had to re-engineer our sewing/textile art classes and the way they were taught to better suit this current generation of students.
All of our projects are graded on items like problem-solving, coping, decision-making, skill level, frustration, and gratification. (Beginner students, for example, will receive an instant gratification project that has a zero level in problem-solving, coping and decision-making. Junior students will make projects that are more time to consume and have an increased level of problem-solving, coping and decision-making). This method allows us to wean our students off instant gratification while teaching them to make decisions with the items they are sewing and build their skill level while boosting their confidence.
The Creativity Shell has a maker space at 1570 Kingwood Drive where we also offer private classes, parties and workshops. Along with our sewing/textile arts classes, we also offer soap/bath bomb making, glass fusing, pottery, photography, drone building and other creative workshops! Funds raised from our studio are used to fund our public sewing/textile arts programs such as our work in shelters that rescue children from homelessness and human trafficking. Our sewing program for trafficking victims is designed to offer therapeutic and educational skills at the same time.
In some of the shelters where we work, there are restrictions on what the students are allowed to make. We also have to be careful to not introduce any kind of “contraband,” even if it might otherwise seem harmless (something like pins, for example, could be used by the students to harm themselves or others). Through creativity, we make projects like scented sachets that can be used for therapeutic purposes. We teach fabric-dyeing classes and we also have a fantastic upcycling program where we teach the girls to repurpose donated garments like t-shirts into sports bras.
When we receive donated sewing machines, we gift them to their girls who took our classes at the shelter so that they can continue sewing for therapeutic purposes or start their own sewing business. The Creativity Shell also works with Tony’s Place, which is a drop-in shelter for homeless youths in Houston. Some of the items we create with these students include practical things like waterproof pillows, pillow bags, and socks with moisture-wicking fabric to keep their feet warm and dry.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Creativity Shell – what should we know?
The EZ Kids Creativity Shell is a nonprofit organization on a mission to use creative trades to educate and inspire the next generation of makers. Our Creativity Shell teaches sewing/textile arts and other trades classes to students in our private studios, public libraries, schools and shelters that rescue children from homelessness, trauma and human trafficking. Once children learn to make items in our classes, our EZ Kids (Economic Zone for Kids) teaches children about business, social and entrepreneurial skills.
All of our classes are designed to educate and inspire children by teaching them essential life and practical skills. The removal of home economics from the education system is creating a generation of children who lack practical skills. A majority of the students enrolled in Creativity Shell have difficulty tying knots, using scissors, threading needles or boiling water. Many of our students also lack the patience it requires to sit and learn these skills.
To support the endeavors of the students we are working with, the Creativity Shell has created two major public events for students to showcase their work in a real-world environment. The Munchkin Market is a public event that consists of K-12 students from all over Houston converging to sell their own handmade goods. The students have the unique opportunity to gain business, social, and entrepreneurial skills as they interact with customers. Many of our students are selling items to raise funds for other causes such as school/scout groups, other charities or to pay for their own individual activities.
Complimentary to their personal goals, the Munchkin Market is also a wonderful opportunity for the local kids of Houston to shine as the next generation of makers. At our annual fashion show Creativity Rocks, students design outfits around the annual theme (last year it was Atlantis the Lost City, in 2019 the theme is The Orient Express) and they will make and model their creations as well.
In addition to our public events, the Creativity Shell has also launched a series of philanthropic projects such as “Hats off to the Homeless and Refugees,” “Hearts for a Fresh Start,” “Stomp out Human Trafficking,” and “The Giving Bag” to inspire students to give back to others in need by making items for the cause. In January 2018, Creativity Shell students made over 300 hats for the homeless and for refugees. Also, in 2018, the Creativity Shell’s “Hearts for a Fresh Start” project received recognition by the United States Congress for our creative approach to fighting human trafficking.
The fun, creative, educational and philanthropic environment the Creativity Shell have been offering children throughout the city of Houston in the last three years is having a lasting impact on children with are working with. The mobile strength of our programs gives our organization the ability to ship sewing programs to urban and rural locations outside of our home studio and the excitement exuberating off the students who take our classes is helping us fulfill our mission to educate and inspire the next generation of makers.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
The Creativity Shell has been blessed with some amazing supporters! First and foremost, the chairwoman of our Board of Director (and a local Houston quilter) Ginny Eckley, has been in our corner from day 1. Ginny helps our organization solicit donations through the quilting community, has presented information about the Creativity Shell through speaking engagements and is always there to listen through all the growing pains of our organization.
Second, the studio manager of the Kingwood studio, Kiana Brown. At such a young age, Kiana has been an amazing addition to the Creativity Shell team. She is an excellent teacher, an amazing artist and a great mentor to the students in our programs.
The Creativity Shell has also received tremendous support from sewing machine companies Bernina USA and Brother INC. Bernina donated 60 new sewing machines to the Creativity Shell and Brother donated an additional 24. The donations of sewing machines has given the Creativity Shell the ability to reach out to more remote locations outside of our home studio and offer more classes to students in need.
Pricing:
- Sponsorship of a student/semester $224
- Sponsor a program of 12 students $1550
- Sponsor a program of 24 students $2440
- Seam Building (Team Building Events at your office) Min – $500 Donation
Contact Info:
- Address: 1570 Kingwood Drive
Kingwood, TX 77339 - Website: www.creativityshell.org
- Phone: 8329439767
- Email: sdaniel@creativityshell.org
- Instagram: instagram.com/creativityshell
- Facebook: facebook.com/creativityshell.org
- Twitter: twitter.com/creativityshell
Image Credit:
Marcela Macias
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