After receiving her Master’s in Public Administration from WMU, Ware worked in the non-profit sector for nearly a decade at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Forbes Funds, and more recently at the Girl Scout National Office in Manhattan.
“I started a fashion blog in 2008 called the Creative Cookie, which later became a small business venture,” Ware explained. “It’s a boutique-sewing studio, in Red Hook Brooklyn, where I teach classes to young fashionistas. I share the studio with my husband who is a photographer. It’s a great collaboration. “
But her creative venture didn’t stop there. Recently, Ware’s first book “Sew Fab” was published by Laurence King in London in early February. The book is a sewing and style guide for tweens.
“After leaving my full-time job, I responded to an ad on Craigslist and ended up teaching an 11 year old how to sew. She was my first client,” Ware said. “It was the perfect blend of my elementary education background and love for fashion. “
After searching local book stores for reference materials to teach a tween how to sew with no luck, Ware decided she would write something of her own, and ‘Sew Fab’ was born.
Ware credits her time at WMU as a major factor in her successful endeavors and has some strong advice for current students. “Set goals and dreams for yourself and then work very (very) hard to accomplish them. Hang on to all the contacts you make and keep in touch. Establish a good name for yourself and people will support what you do. “
As a student at WMU, Ware enjoyed having two cousins on campus and being close to her hometown of Muskegon. “I also loved campus and all the student services offered,” she commented. After a year in the elementary education program, Ware received a full scholarship. Among her most notable memories of her time at WMU are being involved with Delta Sigma Theta and serving as a Resident Assistant in Bigelow Hall.
“My dream is to release a book a year,” Ware said.
To learn more about Sew Fab or to keep up with Lesley, visit her blogs at www.thecreativecookie.com and www.lesleyware.com.