By MATT LINDSEY

MADRID — Those with a desire to teach or learn a new skill can now do that in St. Lawrence County through workshops at The Makery.

Co-owners Liana Hull and Carol Fox work together to spread the word about workshops, gather workshop leaders, and keep the website themakeryny.com going.

“The Makery is a place for anyone to come to connect with new people, discover your creativity, and make something,” Fox said.

The Madrid-based business opened in September and offer a variety of workshops that require no long-term commitment.

So far they have offered watercolor and cookie decorating workshops. Upcoming workshops include more watercolor painting, table/place setting for holiday dinner parties, beginner crochet, and paper wreath making with a local blogger. More holiday workshops to be scheduled include gingerbread house decorating for kids, gingerbread house building/decorating, Christmas ornaments, and giftwrapping.

“The options are endless — we can't wait to hear more ideas that potential workshop leaders have,” Fox said.

The two women started with friends and acquaintances for workshop leaders, but have quickly heard from local artists and enthusiasts that they have never met before.

Hull was born and raised in Madrid and comes from a homeschooling family. After high school she began working full time as a church administrator. She says she recently married and moved to Rochester for a few months where she, once again, realized how much she treasures the North Country.

Fox grew up in Central New York but fell in love with the North Country as a college student. She received a mechanical engineering degree from Clarkson University in 2007 and after working for Corning for four years began her career of mothering and homeschooling. She and her husband live in Madrid with their three little ones with one on the way.

This has been a dream of Fox's for years -- an extension of her dining table.

“I have been making things for as long as she can remember...I love to see children making crafts and after the kids go to bed, I love filling the dining table with crafts for adults,” she said.

The idea for workshops came after Fox hosted a bunch of evening craft nights at her home.

“I wanted to expand on what I had started doing at my dining room table,” she said. “When Liana moved back to Madrid from Rochester she was the perfect creative partner to get things rolling.”

“Our simple goals are to connect people, inspire people to discover something new like a talent or a hobby, and to encourage people to make things like memories, crafts, or home décor,” Fox said.

Fox and Hull are renting Anastasia's Bakery in Madrid for workshops.

“We are open to other on-site workshops but most will be held at Anastasia's cozy bakery and cafe space,” she said.

Attendees can reserve a seat at themakeryny.com and the cost is split up between “The Makery” and workshop leaders.

“We look for people who are enthusiastic, willing to share about their craft or interest, and friendly as all get out,” Fox said. “Our leaders are paid $5 per seat reserved and reimbursed for materials up to $15 per maker.

Workshop leader info can be found at themakeryny.com/experts/.

“Things have been going great,” Fox said about the first few months. “Our first few workshops sold out. We are starting to add more variety to the workshops and they are filling up a little slower but we are confident that once more people are aware of our opportunities we will be filling workshops left and right.”

More info: Instagram @themakeryny and on Facebook at facebook.com/themakeryny/. They use their Facebook, and Instagram to announce upcoming workshops. Workshops are also listed at www.themakeryny.com.