STUDIO SPACE
The Flamingo Studio is where kids partake in Clay Class.
The Peacock Studio is where Makers Monday classes take place.
BUSINESS FEATURE
From left: Natalie Smith, Carley Volk and Katy Ramirez opened The Nest in late 2021. (Photos by Zara Flores/Community Impact)
The Nest Former educators provide creative outlets, enrichment in West Austin
The walls of the main oor are lled with books, stickers and craft supplies.
T hree friends and former lives after months of pivoting during the pandemic and opened The Nest in November 2021. “I was a stay-at-home mom for a year or two, and I [said], ‘This is not for me. Let’s do something.’ And so we [said], ‘Let’s do all the fun parts of teaching,’” co-owner Katy Ramirez said. Carley Volk, Natalie Smith and Ramirez met while teaching at an elementary school in Eanes ISD, and together, they provide a range of classes for their students, such educators sought to provide enrichment to children’s BY ZARA FLORES
as Makers Mondays and The Art of Journaling, as well as seasonal camps and parties. The size of the classes is intentionally smaller at around 12-14 kids so the three can foster connections and be more hands-on. The idea was formulated in January 2021 and came together before year’s end. “I taught in person and online the whole year. … It was the hard- est thing I’ve ever done,” Volk said. “All of the most beautiful parts of teaching were stripped away.” Smith, who had been teaching for 17 years, felt some hesitance when it came to leaving teaching,
but looking back, she said the change was for the better. Students start each class by selecting a unique sticker o ered by the three; each child introduces themselves and answers a question of the day to create connections. The walls of the space are deco- rated with artwork, books, stickers, craft supplies and positive words of a rmation. “They all come from di erent schools. We have a lot of regulars, so they start making new friends and connecting with each other, having their own time to create or do what they really feel passionate about,” Smith said.
The Nest 8907 Bee Caves Road, Ste. 104, Austin 512-436-3019 www.thenestatx.com Hours: vary by semester
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LAKE TRAVIS WESTLAKE EDITION • MAY 2023
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