{1/9} All Ages: Crankie Box Storytelling Workshop — with Kaelee Jensen

Thursday, January 9 • 2–4pm
All Ages • All supplies included

January at Handcraft Revival invites us to slow down and rediscover simple wonders—craft traditions that illuminate the dark months and spark imagination.
Crankie Boxes are one of those wonders.

Part folk art, part paper theater, a crankie box is a hand-cranked stage: as you turn the handle, a paper scroll moves across a window, revealing a story panel by panel. It feels like watching a lantern slide show, or an illustrated book come alive.

Join artist Kaelee Jensen for an introduction to this magical craft. You’ll learn how to design a storytelling scroll, assemble your crank box, and experiment with color, shadow, and light as your story moves.

You’ll leave with a finished crankie box and a one-of-a-kind illustrated scroll to keep, gift, or perform for friends and family.

What You’ll Learn

• What crankie boxes are and where they come from
• How to plan a visual story for movement
• Techniques for scroll design (illustration, silhouette, shadow)
• Construction basics: box, window, crank
• Tips for performance and sharing your story with others

What You’ll Make

A completed crankie box and a hand-drawn storytelling scroll.

Class Details

Date: Thursday, January 9
Time: 2:00–4:00pm
Location: Handcraft Revival — Sugar House
Instructor: Kaelee Jensen
Who: All ages welcomed (recommended age 7+; adults encouraged to join!)
Pricing: Coming soon — registration opens shortly

Good to Know

• All supplies and tools are provided.
• This is a creative, exploratory class—no drawing experience required.
• Adults attending with children are encouraged to collaborate on a single crankie.

Ticket Options

General Ticket

Includes one Crankie Box kit, a storytelling scroll, and all materials needed to design, assemble, and illustrate your own moving-picture theater.
The finished Crankie Box + illustrated scroll will go home with the General Ticket holder.

Add-On Participant

Perfect for siblings, friends, or parents who want to join in the creative process—designing the story, drawing the scroll, choosing colors, and helping assemble the crankie.
This ticket does not include a separate kit; Add-On Participants share in the making experience, but only the General Ticket holder will take home the finished Crankie Box.
Up to two Add-On tickets allowed per General Ticket.

We’ll also be offering an Adults-Only Evening Crankie Box Workshop (TBD) for deeper exploration and more advanced storytelling techniques.
Interest list sign-up available here.

❓Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring more than one child?
Absolutely! Each child will need their own ticket. If you’d like multiple kids to work together on one crankie box, you can purchase one General Ticket and then add Add-On Participant tickets (up to 2 per general ticket) for each additional child or adult helper.

Do parents need a ticket?
Parents are welcome to stay and assist. If you’d like to actively help design, draw, or build alongside your child, please purchase an Add-On Participant ticket. If you're simply supervising, no ticket is required.

What ages is this workshop best for?
This session is open to all ages! The project is most suited to school-age children and teens (6+) working somewhat independently. Younger children are welcome but will need a parent to help with cutting, taping, and drawing their story scroll.

Will each participant take home a Crankie Box?
Only General Ticket holders will take home a finished crankie box + story scroll. Add-On Participants share the creative process but do not receive their own kit or box.

Can I drop my child off?
Yes—children ages 6+ may be dropped off. Please return by the end of class for pickup. Younger children must have an adult remain present to assist.