Handcrafted rainbow signs recently appeared in the windows of the previously empty storefront of 934 Central Avenue. The cheerful lettering spelled out “Craftwork” and was followed by a chalk announcement on the side of the building inviting people to the grand opening of Alameda’s newest crafting space on Saturday, August 1.
[1]Sitting on a retro sofa in the lounge area of their new business, Craftwork [2] owners Cici Charles and Laura “Sunshine” Nielsen explained to the Alameda Post that they wanted to create an arts and crafts space that is welcoming, safe, and accessible for all people. Charles and Nielsen explained that they, along with co-owners Scott Mueller and Holly Zeitz, opened Craftwork as an antidote to the AI and screen culture that is currently pervading our society.
“Craftwork is a workshop, arts and crafts supply, creative space where we practice writing, we play board games. We do all kinds of things that only humans can do,” said Charles. “It’s a group of artists in community together who are trying to foster creativity and imagination among our community members.”
Customers pay a $10 admission fee and have access to the large work tables and a lounge area where they can have tea, write, make crafts, or play board games. Crafters can bring their own projects or purchase a kit or supplies.
Craftwork will also offer workshops. Nielsen, an English teacher at Wood Middle School who uses they/them pronouns, spread out the contents of a paper bag on the sofa and showed off the zine kit for the workshop they will be teaching. There were washi tape rolls, stickers, markers, and paper. Making zines, Nielsen told the Post, is actually a project they did with their students at Wood.
Customers can not only come in and learn how to make a zine from a professional, they can do it without worrying about getting supplies. “Just play, make art… have a great time,” explained Nielsen. “You don’t have to save 30 magazines. I did that over the years.”
Kids over 13 are welcome in the space without supervision while kids 12 and under need to have an adult guardian with them.
[3]In addition to providing a well-lit and safe space for community and crafting, Craftwork is hoping to be a local craft supplier that is open late. Their hours are 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on most evenings. If you need popsicle sticks for your child’s school project that is due the next morning, Craftwork can come to your late-night rescue.
“And if you’re doing a craft,” pointed out Nielsen, “you don’t necessarily want to buy a whole thing of popsicle sticks or a whole box of glue.” At Craftwork, you can just buy two sticks if that’s all you need.
In addition to crafting, writing, and board games, Craftwork will host art shows and sell crafts created by customers on consignment. The space is already stocked with colorful tie-dye garments from Gay Pirate Crew, a business Charles and Zeitz previously founded.
Charles, who has a background in tech but now is a barista, met Zeitz when they performed as drag kings together. Originally from Castro Valley, Zeitz organized the first gay pride rally [4] in the town as a teenager. In addition to tie dye, Charles sews and makes bags while Mueller is the resident board games player.
The four owners of Craftwork, all Alameda residents, are looking forward to the grand opening and will be a welcome addition to the Caroline Station neighborhood [5]. As Nielsen puts it, “I’m hungry to share my artistry.”
Craftwork is located at 934 Central Avenue. Their grand opening is Saturday, August 1, noon to 10 pm. Admission is free.
Jean Chen is a contributing writer for the Alameda Post [6]. Contact her via [email protected] [7]. Her writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Jean-Chen [8].