Makers United Detroit: Hermès x Blink Workshop

In mid-May, I received an email from Sarah, a community engagement associate at Makers United, a Nest initiative targeted at developing and supporting artisans in several communities in the United States. I'd participated in several Nest workshops in previous years and have gained so much insight and motivation from them.

Not too long ago, they partnered with the French luxury brand Hermès, which has invested an incredible amount of time into the Makers United programs. Last year, Hermès branding and communications executives lent their time on Zoom workshops to coach artisans in Detroit about website branding, brand storytelling and so much more. They talked a lot about how Hermès does things, but knowing that we -- Detroit-area artists and craftspeople -- likely don't have the same types of resources, they also offered real, attainable solutions and suggestions. (I still have my scribbled list and am working on implementation!)

I recall feeling so full after that Zoom workshop, and lucky that the Hermès team would take so much time out of their important schedules to spend that time not only talking, but listening, to us. When I spoke about my weaving work, Peter (a VP of Hermès who has led this initiative), mentioned having met Sheila Hicks, a sort of 'godmother' of fiber arts. In a flick, he was able to pick up my interests and we shared a moment of awe of Hicks' work. 

I guess they found value in that call, too. This year, the Makers United and Hermès teams got more ambitious and decided they wanted to bring people together in an intimate workshop in person. 

Before I get much further, you may be wondering, why would Hermès spend its energy doing something like this? Here's my take and understanding. As a brand, it has a long-held commitment to the highest quality of hand-craftsmanship. No, the artisans in the Detroit workshop are not going to become Hermès saddle makers one day. Essentially, the more Hermès can do to cultivate interest and value at all levels in quality, hand-crafted work, the better we can all do. We all rise. 

So, I got an email inviting me to apply to participate. It would be free. It would be a small group. It would be two full days at College for Creative Studies. It would include renowned designer Tracy Reese (omg) and a handful of workshop leaders. It would even include a product photo shoot session.

And I hesitated. I really, really did. I was committed to participate in the Leon & Lulu Michigan Made Market the day immediately following the workshop and it felt like too much of a commitment. (I know, I used to work full time and travel often - and suddenly three days away from home felt like too much of a commitment?)
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The workshop sounded like it would be an awful lot about more branding. Plus, a product photo shoot? I started to question my work. I don't produce products. Do I? And I recalled from one of the Zoom sessions with Hermès -- we had breakout sessions in which we had to deliver that 60-second "pitch" to describe our business/mission/brand. Would we have more breakout sessions? Would we have to work in groups? Would I have to speak? My anxiety set in before I even applied. 

{To Be Continued.}