07/20/2024
Five years ago I decided to chase a dream long in the making, but one I had no idea would gain the reach & momentum it did; no less change my life in myriad ways.
Over the past five years you have entrusted your homes to me, your children to me, and your own vulnerability as so many of you showed up for class feeling nervous, scared, intimidated or all of the above. And I watched every one of you walk out feeling strong & empowered & joyful. And each smile, each declaration of “I fu***ng DID that!”, and each photo you sent long after class of the projects you tackled at home was a gift.
But what I didn’t expect five years ago was the sudden inpouring of young q***r and trans kiddos into the shop, excitedly ready (or nervously anxious) to take on power tools, protest art, marble mazes, scrappy sculptures, and wooden pinball machines. The friendships made, stories told, and “thay/them” name tags will forever give me hope for this world. Even now.
And to my wife, who was one of the first people I shared this dream with long before I pursued it, who first encouraged me, who helped me find this shop space after a year of looking, who taught me so much about teaching, and who has poured her own blood, sweat, and tears into this dream - you have changed me and I am forever grateful.
And so, five years after starting this dream - to be the person I needed when I was younger - my own kids (who created Scrappy Sculptures) are now 10 and almost 13 and need me in new ways. More adventures, more quiet nights at home, more late night talks, more presence in their lives. It’s time for me to be the parent they need while they are still young. It’s time for me to lock up the shop one last time.
It has been a gut wrenching decision I’ve been wrestling with for a long time, but it’s the right decision for our family.
I am considering having a little Shop Sale next weekend to part with all the class tools (and some bigger tools), so if you need a little piece of The Dapper Hammer to help aid in your home projects, come see me in the shop one more time? Sunday, July 28th, 10am-2pm.
Kalamazoo and beyond, thank you.
Cheers,
Dell