craft the workshops you want to attend
Wondrous Workshops
A nurturing 8-week group program designed specifically for established makers & artists who want to share their craft through thoughtful art workshops.
workshop curious?
Have you ever considered hosting an art workshop but wondered if it's actually for you?
Perhaps (like me) you're someone who has limited social energy, prefers small groups and individual connections, and the idea of standing up in front of a group tends to make your stomach flip?
In Wondrous Workshops, I'll help you find quiet confidence in creating workshops that feel genuinely yours:
well-prepared, welcoming gatherings where you can share your craft in a way that's nourishing to both you and your participants.
Whether that's hosting a playful painting afternoon in the park with late 90's pop on your speaker, or a relaxing Sunday morning clay class where participants nibble fresh scones.
Whatever gatherings feel uplifting and joyful to you is what I'll help you create for others!
Hello, I’m Amber!
I’m the sensitive-souled ceramicist behind Sunfish Studio!
And it's not just alliteration that sets my soul alight: it's the feeling of clay beneath my fingertips, the slower pace of island life here on Haida Gwaii, and artists sharing their gift with the world.
I'm all about the deliberate, the meaningful, the fulfilling and the connected.
I'm a firm believer that the world would be a better place if more people made space for art and creativity in their lives.
And I've found that even when times are tough, folks are still willing to spend their dollars on wonderful experiences.
But perhaps the thought of leading workshops feels overwhelming?
Maybe it's the logistics (how do you even find and book a venue?), the social energy required, all the things that your brain tells you could go wrong, or simply not knowing where to start?
In Wondrous Workshops, you'll get practical guidance that takes the guesswork out of planning and hosting, and the confidence to step into your role as a facilitator of meaningful gatherings where the purpose runs much deeper than simply what you're making.
“Amber’s workshops have such a warm and inviting energy where creativity can be released in beautiful ways, and I always learn something new, come home with a fun piece to add to my home (or to gift) and end the day feeling nourished. Haawa (thanks) for hosting a thoughtful and intentional gathering and for sharing your art form with our community and beyond!”
Wondrous Workshops includes:
Two live calls - One to welcome, and one in closing
7 modules, spread out over 8 weeks (with one catch-up/break week in the middle)
Each module includes: A video lesson (~15 minutes), plus reflection prompts and practice questions
A community space on Slack where you can ask questions, brainstorm ideas, dive deeper into topics that spark your curiosity, and connect with your fellow workshop creators. This becomes an invaluable, ongoing resource, even once you’re done the program.
We'll cover:
Finding Your Starting Point
Workshop Design & Structure
Space & Materials
Facilitation & Group Dynamics
Handling the Unexpected
Practical Operations
Wrap Up & Beyond
For $1150 (cad), you get:
2 x ~60 minute live calls (one to welcome, one in closing)
7 modules with pre-recorded video tutorials, prompts, and practice questions
Access to the Slack community
Wondrous Workshops will open for registration this winter! (with a Beta round this fall!)
“The [workshop] was a fantastic experience! Amber created a lovely, calm learning environment for all levels, with many practical and visual examples and demonstrations... I would highly recommend any of her workshops to anyone interested in dipping their toes into a new craft, or those looking to rekindle an old hobby.”
Wondrous Workshops is for you if you…
Have been wanting to share your craft but feel overwhelmed by all the moving parts
Have floundered your way through a few workshops and felt scattered or totally burnt out afterward
Have been asked to teach a workshop but don't know where to start
Are drawn to creating thoughtful, welcoming, and inclusive workshop experiences
Want workshops to be a viable and enjoyable part of your maker business
Would love another income stream that doesn't require making more physical products
Are willing to be brave, experimental, and open to trying new approaches
FAQs
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I use the term "established makers & artists" but even if you shy away from being considered an "expert" at your craft, I bet you have valuable skills to share.
Here are some signs you're ready to teach: You've moved beyond the very basics in your craft, people naturally ask you questions about your work or process, you can troubleshoot common problems when they arise, and you feel genuinely excited about sharing what you know.
Most likely the folks who would love to learn from you don't actually care whether or not you're a master of your craft. You know more than they do, and most are probably just wanting a chance to let go and be creative.
You don't need to be a expert, you just need to be a few steps ahead of where your students are starting.So if it's your imposter syndrome holding you back, here's your permission slip to give it the backseat.
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Like any course, your progress and success ultimately depends on you and your willingness to commit time to it, but I've structured this program to be both manageable and impactful.
Each week you'll receive access to the next module, which contains a video lesson (~15 minutes in length, with an audio-only version available if you prefer to listen while multitasking).
Each lesson also includes reflection prompts and practice questions designed to be flexible. You can write out your thoughts, work through them during a walk, or discuss them with others in the cohort.
Setting aside just 1 hour per week should be sufficient to watch (or listen to) the lesson, engage with the reflection and practice prompts, and participate in the Slack community.
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I'd invite you to self-deselect if you:
Are already successfully teaching workshops and feel confident in your approach
Prefer working alone and have zero interest in sharing your thoughts or experiences with others
Are not willing to step outside your comfort zone or try new things
Want a completely hands-off, done-for-you solution without any personal investment
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Absolutely. Wondrous Workshops is ultimately about creating thoughtful gatherings centred around art.
So even though you might not always resonate with the lens I use or the challenges I tend to face (as an introvert), the foundations will still teach you how to design and facilitate the types of art workshops you want to see in the world.
Bonus: you'll probably also learn a lot about those who lean toward introversion, which will ultimately make you a better teacher. -
The welcome and closing calls will be scheduled during the first and last week, based on a group availability poll. There will be a replay available for a limited time if you're unable to make it.
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You'll have access to the curriculum and resources for the lifetime of the program (basically for as long as I'm running it in the future).
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While the program will primarily focus on teaching in person, we will cover how you might adapt to teaching online, as many of the foundations are the same.
“Excellent preparation, instruction, group size and space. Thanks Amber for the passion and support you showed! You are a natural teacher!”
my story to workshops
The pull toward teaching and gathering runs deep, and maybe it's genetic, since alongside the long line of makers, bakers, growers, entrepreneurs, and mould breakers in my family, there are also plenty of teachers (both in classrooms and beyond them).
Even as a kid, I'd rope my younger sibling into playing "school," complete with lessons, classroom rules, and yes, actual tests (sorry, Alex!).
Though I ultimately chose a different path in university, those first-year education classes I took have come in handy over the years, and
Over the past two decades, I've been learning the art of bringing people together:
from working as a server, to assisting with conferences and weddings, and more recently co-hosting community festivals and my own workshops.
Each experience taught me something different about creating spaces where people feel welcomed, the importance of thoughtful details, and how putting intention into the purpose can transform a simple gathering into something so much more.
As an introvert myself, I design the kinds of gatherings I actually want to attend.
That usually looks like smaller groups with space for real connection, opening questions that spark unexpected bonds early on, and an atmosphere where participants feel nourished enough to quiet their busy minds and truly connect with both the clay and each other.
Wondrous Workshops is a nurturing 8-week group program designed specifically for established makers and artists who want to share their craft through thoughtful workshops.
It's about discovering how to create the kind of workshops you'd actually want to attend.