About Us

About the Founder

Crystal Watson, aLPC, is the Founder of The Community Create Space and Principal Owner of The Create Space & CraftWise Kids, operating initiatives in both the San Francisco Bay Area and Moab, Utah. Crystal is also an LPC Candidate, mother, artist, business owner, and teacher.

Crystal is deeply passionate about bringing communities together through providing engaging activities and spaces for people to gather and create. This passion is intrinsically linked to her focus on human growth and development, with the goal of fostering strong, resilient, skilled, creative, thriving communities for all ages.

Her mission is to ignite creativity, curiosity, and problem-solving skills in children by engaging both their heads and hands through hands-on crafting that integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM). She is dedicated to providing a nurturing and enjoyable environment where individuals, from tots to teens, can explore and innovate through playful learning. The core aim is to build confidence, concentration, and key developmental skills. Through this process, each participant takes home not only a special, unique project but also a love for discovery and an enhanced ability to think critically and creatively by utilizing both their intellect and manual skills.

Crystal's work is brought to life through key initiatives:

The Create Space: This began by offering Paint by Number kits created from Crystal's original artwork, designed to help individuals discover their "flow," enhance focus, and provide a therapeutic retreat from daily stress. It is founded on the belief in the transformative power of art, which redirects focus from life's turbulence to meditative engagement. Creative ventures ignite imagination, emotions, and intuition, facilitating authentic self-expression. The emphasis on the mindfulness inherent in the arts encourages engaging the senses and paying attention to fine details, fostering a robust presence.

The Art Shop: This initiative extends the vision with in-person and online curated crafting activities that combine the creativity of art class with the design and STEAM aspects of Shop class. These activities are based on a tried and tested curriculum that combines arts and science, and subscription-based home box kits are also available.

The crafting programs are thoughtfully designed for different age groups with assistance from occupational therapists, architects, and STEAM experts, nurturing development at each stage:

Tiny Explorers (Ages 2-3): These are playful, exploratory classes focused on sensory play and early developmental skills in a nurturing, fun environment. Activities explore textures, colors, and shapes while building fine motor skills, creativity, and curiosity. Classes encourage social interaction, confidence, and a love for discovery—all through play!.

Little Adventurers (Ages 4-6): These social, process-driven classes foster creativity, communication, and important performance skills. Participants learn and grow while having fun with friends through hands-on crafting and group activities. Sessions help young learners express themselves, build confidence, and improve communication, encouraging imaginative play, interactive projects, problem-solving, and social skills in a supportive setting.

Creative Crafters (Ages 7-12): These are hands-on STEAM-based crafting sessions that combine Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. Classes encourage young minds to think critically, solve problems, and explore their creativity through exciting, project-based learning. Projects may involve building gadgets or designing innovative toys and games, sparking curiosity while boosting confidence and concentration.

Crystal's commitment to human growth and development is deeply informed by her background. As a behavior technician and licensed eligible counselor (aLPC), she possesses experience working under challenging conditions and providing counseling. She continues her career path in behavioral health, having previously overseen outpatient life-enhancing programs that imparted mental health wisdom and essential skills for a fulfilled existence. Her roles have included focusing on mental health, providing therapy related to Co-Occurring Disorder recovery, and utilizing methods like evidence-based practices (EBP), motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed care. This experience provides a strong foundation for supporting individual well-being, resilience, and growth within her programs.

Complementing her background in behavioral health, Crystal also has an extensive professional history in art and design, with degrees in Studio Art and Advertising/Art Direction. She has worked in various design roles, including Interactive Graphic Designer, Art Director, and UI/UX Designer. Furthermore, she served as a Faculty Instructor and Guest Lecturer at the Austin Museum of Art, teaching art and design subjects like Computer Animation, Flash, Graphic Design, and Web Design to various age groups. This blend of expertise in creative disciplines and behavioral health uniquely equips her to design programs that foster both artistic skills and essential life skills for all ages.

Crystal is guided by a belief in compassion and empathy for all under the therapeutic oath of service towards all humanity, which grounds her work in a supportive and understanding approach.

Her vision is for a world where children of all ages are inspired to explore and innovate through engaging, hands-on experiences that encourage them to use both their minds and hands. By fostering a lifelong love for learning and creativity, she aims to build the foundation for future innovators and problem-solvers who are equipped to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

You can reach Crystal at crystal@thecreatespace.net or connect with her on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-watson-40594613.