Hi, I'm Lisa.
One of the things I hear most often after sharing something I've made is:
"I could never do that."
The truth is...you absolutely can. Making something meaningful isn't about artistic talent. It takes thoughtful guidance, clear instruction, and a welcoming environment where people feel comfortable trying something new.
That's exactly why I started Persistently Present.
Whether you're joining a public workshop, planning a private event, or creating at home with one of my DIY kits, my goal is simple:
To help you create something you're proud of while making memories you'll remember long after the project is finished.
Why I Do This
I started Persistently Present because I wanted to create more opportunities for people to gather. To catch up with friends. To celebrate. To spend time with family. To meet new people. Or simply to set aside a couple of hours to make something with their own hands.
The projects matter, but what I hope people remember most is how they felt while they were creating them.
What I love most is seeing what happens around the table. Friends who finally have time to catch up. Coworkers getting to know each other outside of work. Guests arriving on their own and leaving with new connections. Families making a plan to create together more often. The sort of evening that leaves people saying,
"That was exactly the kind of evening I needed,"
From Classroom to Creative Experiences
Long before I was teaching craft workshops, I was designing learning experiences.
I’ve always been a teacher at heart. With more than 15 years in education, my work has centered on understanding how people learn, how confidence shapes that experience, and what happens when someone realizes, Oh, I can actually do this.
I started as a middle and high school math teacher, earned my PhD in Curriculum & Instruction, and went on to work as a university professor, STEM Institute director, curriculum developer, and professional speaker.
My classroom has changed, from algebra classrooms and university lecture halls to restaurants, breweries, corporate events, and people’s homes, but much of what I love about teaching hasn’t.
It’s about creating opportunities for people to connect, experiment, problem-solve, and surprise themselves with what they’re capable of.
Today, I bring that same philosophy to every Persistently Present workshop: thoughtful instruction, plenty of encouragement, and a creative experience designed to make even the person who insists “I’m not crafty” feel like they belong at the table.
Why Organizations Choose Persistently Present
Thoughtfully Designed. Stress-Free. Beginner Friendly.
Whether you're planning a team-building event, library workshop, senior community activity,
or fundraiser, every experience is designed to be:
✔ Beginner friendly
✔ Professionally organized
✔ Fully guided
✔ Thoughtfully designed
✔ Stress-free for hosts
✔ Memorable for guests
Beyond the Workshops
When I'm not teaching, you can find me spending time with my husband and our two boys, watching sports, or convincing myself that I definitely have room for more craft supplies.
I can't wait to create something together.
Community & Partnerships
Club of Bloomingdale-Roselle
Interested in Partnering?
I love collaborating with organizations that want to offer meaningful creative experiences to their communities, employees, or customers. Whether you're planning:
Public workshops
Team-building events
Client appreciation events
Fundraisers
Community programming
Private creative experiences
I'd love to explore how we can work together.
Let's start the conversation.
Know Somewhere That Would Be a Great Fit?
I'm always looking for welcoming spaces that value creativity and community.
If there's a local brewery, winery, coffee shop, library, community center, or other venue where you'd love to see a Persistently Present workshop, I'd love to hear about it.
I'd be happy to reach out and explore the possibility of partnering with them.
One of my favorite parts of running Persistently Present is partnering with local businesses, libraries, breweries, wineries, community organizations, and nonprofits to create memorable experiences for their guests.
Every partnership is unique, but they all share the same goal: bringing people together through creativity.
I'm incredibly grateful for every organization that has invited me to be part of their community.