About Us
Hello! I'm Lenka, a proud craft enthusiast and the founder of Crafty Steps Studio. Thanks for stopping by!
About Lenka & Her Crafty Childhood
My love for making things began when I was just a kid, spending my holidays with my grandparents. Babicka (Grandma) would patiently sew on her old Singer machine, while I sat mesmerised by the rhythmic whirring. While she was knitting or crocheting, I used scraps of fabric to create all sorts of animals, dress-up costumes, pom-pom necklaces, little leather bags and hats.
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Grandpa, on the other hand, had hands smelling of the warm scent of wood and beeswax. With his gentle guidance, I learned to build tiny houses for all kinds of creatures, treasure boxes, and even contraptions taller than me!
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My grandparents weren't artists in the traditional sense, but they instilled in me a love for practical skills, appreciating handmade objects, and the value of patience and effort.
These childhood experiences sparked a lifelong passion for creativity, which I later pursued through my teaching degree in Slovakia. Working with children in a Montessori school further solidified my belief in the importance of hands-on learning and nurturing a child's natural curiosity.
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My journey as an educator has also included alternative education programs, art therapy, and diversional therapy with adults in Australia and New Zealand. Through these experiences, I've seen firsthand the transformative power of creativity across all ages.
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I'm proud and happy to be running Crafty Steps Studio here in Christchurch's beautiful New Brighton, living with my two children Eliska (13) and Jakub (16). We're just a hop, skip and a jump from the New Brighton Mall, and it's my little haven for creativity (though it definitely keeps me busy!) I hope to see you in our studio for a class or workshop someday soon.
OUR PHILOSOPHY:
Building Skills Step by Step
We all know kids need to learn various skills, but they also crave a space to explore and express themselves freely. At Crafty Steps, we provide that space – a place to tinker, experiment, and create with diverse materials.
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By introducing students to traditional techniques, they gain a deeper understanding of the value behind their work. They learn to appreciate the effort and skill that goes into everything we make.
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We believe every child has a spark of creativity within them, and there's no need for prior experience to join our classes. We tailor our approach to suit each student's needs and interests.
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Our focus is on the learning journey, not the end result. We want to equip students with new skills, not pressure them into perfection.
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This is the heart of Crafty Steps: empowering creativity through building skils.