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.
I believe creativity should be accessible to everyone, not just people who consider themselves "crafty." 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.
When people leave saying,
"That was exactly the kind of evening I needed,"
I know we've accomplished something special.
From Classroom to Creative Experiences
Long before I was teaching craft workshops, I was designing learning experiences.
For more than 15 years, I worked in education as a middle and high school math teacher, university professor, Director of a STEM Institute, curriculum developer, ACT/SAT specialist, and professional speaker. I also earned a PhD in Mathematics Education, where I studied how people learn, build confidence, and solve problems.
While my classroom has changed over the years, my purpose hasn't.
I've always loved helping people discover they can do something they never thought they could.
Today, I bring that same philosophy into every workshop I teach.
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 a Place 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.