I took private piano lessons all growing up, whether i wanted to or not (which fluctuated – of course now i’m so glad i did).  But a friend of mine who is an awesome artist and has been an art teacher at private schools for years now, is branching out with her business and has created a company where she or one of her teachers comes to your house to teach your kids art.  It could be private or in a group. Not only is she one of the loveliest and coolest people that i know, but she has come up with a seriously fun, creative and relevant curriculum for kids that is unlike what they’ll get at their school.  

It’s called Small Shop at Home.  Her name is Sage Raval.  You might remember her from Episode 2 of Secrets from a Stylist, Bohemian Mad Men Modern, i think.  

Man, that feels like years away. They are still one of my favorite couples/families ever and one of my favorite episodes.  So we got close after that, have hung out socially and recently i commissioned her to design and make a custom tree-topper for the holiday episode, which turned out totally incredible.  (the tree-topper, i haven’t seen the episode yet).  

I don’t really believe in regrets, but i have two of them. 1. Not studying abroad in college.  Such an idiot. and 2. Not learning art at a young age when you can be totally free with it.  Now when i take classes, i’m WAYYY to annoyed at myself for sucking or i stress about it rather than just having fun because i feel so behind. We didn’t really have the arts at my public schools, or at least not that i remember – i was super involved on the music side, but man i wish i had learned ‘art’ growing up, was comfortable doing it, and then possibly i could’ve gone to art school instead of ‘english and history’ school – which i don’t regret…i just regret not knowing how to draw. That is really annoying.

Look at what her clients say (above).

So as soon as we have kids, i’m calling Sage.  If you hire a private piano teacher, then why should you not hire a private (or group) art teacher, too?  It just makes sense.  Don’t let your kids regret it, i’m serious. 

Unfortunately she is only L.A. based for now, sorry. 

Check her web-site and blog  She is totally talented, warm and the kind of person you want to be around your kids.  Trust me.  

And PLEASE RETWEET OR POST ABOUT IT.  People don’t have a ton of extra income these days, i know, but teaching kids how to be creative is insanely important.  And a company like this, employing fine artists to teach original curriculum at reasonable prices needs to be supported.  

So you know mine, now (which is only that one, my parents had me wildly involved in everything possible).

What are your biggest childhood regrets? What do you wish you had learned or done as a kid, now?