Saturday 14 December 2013

Season's End

Aha..we're all getting ready, and full of anticipation and looking forward to a couple days off (well, that part I truly am).  But Thursday was the real Season end for me.  The Season of Workshops for this year.  Shopkeeper Gal and I have breathed a sigh of relief..we don't recommence Workshops in the shop until the end of January and frankly, the break is important.  Once in a while you need to turn your back on something and not do it to appreciate it.  I don't know if the customers feel that, but I know that the January recess helps me to sort out, figure out and come up with some ideas for new workshops.  See, we alternate fortnightly workshops and so coming up with stuff that doesn't feel stale or 'same old' becomes difficult without a break.  

I see the bells are upside down.: the card is lying flat....but I did catch the glitter effect. Perfection is not an option here! 
There's that age old problem too - if you have the samples in store, to encourage booking and hint at techniques to be used, it can spoil the surprise.  It can even put people off - after all, not everyone can like every card.  It might cause a rush on the stock that you've used and then there's no time left to get more for the workshop. 
I try to put together cards that feature one or two techniques, and also that are able to be simultaneously worked on by two people.  That way sharing, and therefore waiting time, is kept to a minimum; for example, whilst one stamps the other can be die cutting or colouring or whatever.  But this is a real 'try' situation.  Sometimes, the United Nations of Crafting occurs - one will do each persons stamping whilst the other does all the die cutting and then they collate together...it's not wrong, it's certainly not upsetting, but sometimes I think that someone might miss out on the opportunity to try a technique that is as yet unmastered.  Not that there's many of those out there these days.  

So gentle reader...here's where you come in.  if you were coming to one of my Workshops,  what would you like to see on the schedule?  Loosely themed cards, technique rich, technique exploration...name it. Please - chip in. You are an invaluable source of inspiration, and at this end of Season, I'm needing your boost! 
Shopkeeper Gal is listing Anniversary and Men's Cards....I will attempt a Men's cards workshop, somewhere next year, and probably something grunge based....what do you like about and loathe about the card making workshop experience.  I'm very interested.

24 comments:

Scrapcat 1 said...

Making cards for teenage boys would be a good one and for those teenage girls who don't like make up or music. inking techniques, how to blend them nicely and get the lovely multi coloured effects without it looking like a big smear, would be my requests :)

Fiona@Staring at the Sea said...

I can identify with a lot of this, although I'm a relative newcomer to running/teaching classes. I'll be very interested in the answers too! I've one more to teach for the year, then a 3 week break. I wasn't going to begin again until the 22nd, but I had a mutiny on my hands! It's all about the techniques for me, so that's what I'd like to see, if I was coming to one of your workshops.

Kimbo said...

I love the technique classes based on a particular product like the H2o & foiling classes and you did - different ways to use one product. It may be something I already have and never used but that doesn't stop me buying more of it at the shop x

Mrs.D said...

Hi Julia, I would like to learn how to do stamping consistently well. And then heat embossing the image. One day I get it done beautifully and then the next one is rubbish.
And yes cards for men!!! They are a nightmare when one doesn't have any idea of their interests.
Where are these workshops? I think we WOYWWers could overwhelm you
Chris

Carola Bartz said...

Since I teach card making classes myself I'm also interested in the answers. I usually ask my students what they would like to see in future classes. Many said "cards for men", but when I offered the class only two signed up and I had to cancel the class in the end due to low enrollment (where I teach there is a certain minimum that has to be met). Once I offered a "cards for cat lovers" class and I had a waiting list for that one. Of course I try to teach new technique, but since I am not teaching at a store but at the community center this is not always easy since I can't always buy the new "stuff". So I go theme based which seems to be pretty good since people like new ideas. My latest Xmas card class was mainly simple cards that you can produce in larger numbers - very popular!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I've never taught a class in my life (other than on my blog, at least), but since I'm technique driven, that would be what I would want. Something that is new and fresh and not everyone has already tried. Hard to find nowadays, but I'm sure there are ways to scrounge the internet for something unique. Of course, that's just me, the gal who can't even stamp properly (grin).

KatzElbows said...

I'm all about technique. I love learning as much as I can and I never mind about having finished product. As a teacher I often do technique cards that students can keep as reference or use on a card. But as a student, I do love learning stuff!

Hope this helps.

Christine said...

I'm with Mrs D
I have only recently come back to stamping and, at present, blaming my old ink-pads and powders - will get me some new ones if Father Christmas brings me some wouchers!!

shazsilverwolf said...

Techniques, and how they can be used in making cards, I'd think.Sometimes, you see a technique, but can't figure how it will transfer to a card. Also, how to look at your stamps differently- using parts of the stamp, or combining stamps in different ways. Masterboards would be good too. Mens/ teen lads cards are always a problem, especially if they are not interested in beer/footie/fishing etc .I've never actually been to any workshops, so this is guessing, but I'd say most of those that attend love getting a bit of quality time, with others who enjoy the same thing, and getting cards out of it is a bonus. Hugs, Shaz xx

Neesie said...

I'm having to put all my creativity into a box and tuck it away somewhere safe right now until all of our renovation work is done.
But I really would like to learn new techniques.
I've missed the WOYWW so much but hopefully I'll be able to play again soon.
Merry Christmas and I wish you the best health and happiness for 2014.
xoxo

BJ said...

Oh tell me tell me what everyone says. One of my craft clubs has ended and I have offered everyone to come along to my house in the New Year so we can carry on. I could therefore do with some inspiration too. Like the idea of men's cards. I have just done one for my Uncle using a Hunkydory kit I bought ages ago - definitely an idea. BJ

Jackie said...

I think many people love to go to classes to help them use what they have bought already and feel guilty about not using e.g many have a cricut machine and then hardly use it ...so when a class comes up about using your cricut machine you, go along!
Jackie

Carole Z said...

Hi Julia, first of all..I love this card! I teach classes with a friend too; we finished at the end of November and start again mid-January and I too am glad of the break...not least because I've been busy with my own festive card making!
We teach 2 classes a month and have a waiting list....ours is all about technique, which those who come seem to like. We teach different stamping techniques, gilding flakes, using dies etc. We have asked the classes, but we usually get feedback that they are happy with our ideas. We design a card but encourage them to put their own interpretation to the design. It's also a lovely social gathering for everyone! Carole Z X

Belinda Basson said...

We should have a teachers conference...seems like most of us answering you are fellow teachers. We have a mixed bag of classes. Simple cards with paper cutting from patterns and then ones with lots of colouring. Most peeps like to learn how to make their paper and stash go further. How to use one tool and make it do more for you. Clever die cutting is always popular with my lot and different ways to use the same stamp. ie: embossing powders, colour with distress markers, water colour look with distress inks, resist technique with clear embossing powders and spray colours over...etc, etc, the list is endless.

Belinda Basson said...

My students like learning techniques. They have asked for flower making classes and mens cards, though we try to put those into the mix every month. I have two teachers in my store other than myself... one does paper folding and pattern tracing, the other lots of stamps, inking and layering where as I am more a die user and layer girl. Some students come to all 3 classes each month, then others are more choosy according to their personal likes and have teacher preferences.

Princess Judy Palmer said...

I want to make cards and come home with a finished product from a workshop. I don't like when you learn the concept and try it but come home with a project to finish up. I'll probably never finish it.

I'm not that big into learning techniques, not that I'll shy away from them either, but that's low priority for me.

I like useful cards--normal size, easy to mail. I went to a man's card class and the lady only brought Happy Father day greetings. My dad is dead. That's no good and who needs 4 Father day cards anyway? Many ladies grumbled about that.

What I like about workshops and classes is when the teacher comes prepared and has made the project/card before. I have been to workshops where the teacher is leaning right along with us. Umm... no. It doesn't work. I like when there are extra pieces in case someone screws up. I like when the teacher thinks ahead enough to for small choices (example: bringing alternate greetings of the same size/font that work with the card being made).

I prefer to see samples of what I'm signing up for beforehand. When we had a stamp store in town the supplies used wouldn't go on sale until after the class so class people had first dibs (because yes, otherwise they'd be all sold out by class time).

I like it when the teacher doesn't get her knickers in a wad when someone deviates from the sample!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Just had to stop by and let you know I can't participate in WOYWW this week because my internet will be down for a couple of days while the ISProvider repairs the lines. They just called to tell me they would be out sometime this morning to begin working on the lines. Apparently, mine is not the only one affected, but most people in my neighborhood seem to have WiFi which I don't have, and their service IS NOT affected.

Claire Grantham said...

I love that stamp, I have the Happy Birthday version. I think a new technique is always a nice thing to learn...I have just taught myself how to stencil...with some YouTube vids and some helpful tips from the WOYWWer's. Men's cards is a must and maybe you can divide it into 2 groups - boys and adults - this giving you 2 workshops...like a twofer :) Cx

Lisa-Jane said...

I've never been to a card making class (can you tell by my cards!) but when I've been to scrapbook classes I've wanted to come away with something new - a technique or a way of achieving something in a different way, a different way of using the same old stash. Some suggestions - stamp kissing, paper piecing / embellies from paper, misting, stamp resist, making flowers, triple embossing, different shapes like easel / tri-fold etc. How's that?
PS are you doing WOYWW next week? ;-)

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