Continuing Education Craft Classes Suffering from Low Attendance

I would love to see you at a live event. Wish our guild here was big enough to have you; there are only 3-4 of us. Affordability would be the key for me, something like a cruise or tropical location would not be an option. Personally, if I went on a cruise I would want I would want to be enjoying the cruise destinations and be doing cruise things like swimming with dolphins.
I prefer a more rustic setting where I can get into the zone, commune with nature and escape into my happy place; preferable no TV and no cell phones. Definately must have an indoor plumbing.

I used to do ceramics, and was very good at it, but the store closed because she wasn't making any money anymore. I really think this trend can be blamed on more of a shift away from the arts in general. Arts programs are being cut in the schools at an alarming rate to focus more on the sciences and mathematics so we can "catch up" with the rest of the world, but all we're creating is a souless generation that while being able to caculate pi out to the nth decimal, won't be able to see the beauty of the world right in front of their noses.

Well said Ken. I agree wholeheartedly! That is why I have always kept craft and art materials around for my kids and for thier friends when they came over. And now I have them for my grandchildren and the children of friends. When they come over they always have some little prize to take home that they can proudly say they made themselves! They are always so eager to learn and thier imaginations are amazing! I hope if this trend in the schools continues that the moms and grandmoms out there will pick up the slack the way my mom and gramma did when I was young. We didnt have much more than crayons when I went to school. But I always had wood scraps and such from my grampa. And I had beads and buttons and fabric from my gramma. And my mom got me paints and colored pencils. All I had to do was supply the imagination. And boy did I. I think kids will always find a way to express themselves. But without a little guidance it isnt always in such good ways. I hope enough of us will step up to the plate and fill in the inexcusable gaps being left by the present school systems. In music, arts and in physical areas like sports and dance. So we wont end up with a souless or worse generation. As for online classes? I agree with all the points made in favor of them. They are a great way to reach a wider audience and learn skills that might otherwise be limited to a small local area. Like pysanky eggs from Poland or Ukraine. Or Japanese paper folding. But I also support local artisans who want to share their skills on a personal level too. Wether it is with retreats or small classes taught at home or even at art and craft fairs. However it gets out there, I think it is important that we all keep sharing. So the skills and the pleasures of creating wont be lost for future artists. XOXO Jamie
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I have very fond memories of visiting my grandmother and doing crafts with her. She was one of those "artista" scattered types that always had unfinished projects all over the house (something I unfortunately inherited from her, I might add). Additionally, she spoke 6 languages fluently, wrote plays and was a nurse in WW1 and a simultaneous translator in WW2. I always had a great time with her – baking, doing projects with yarn, paper, etc. I am positive she would have loved polymer clay and wish she had lived to see it in all of its infinite glory. I clay in her loving memory :)
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Dear Cindy,

I have to say I absolutely enjoy your videos. I have highly recommended them to others as I truly find them beneficial. In fact I took a class a week prior to purchasing your course and was a little overwhelmed by so much information. The instructor was wonderful but it is just so much information to take in one day. After signing up with your online course, it was a pleasant refresher of the class and made even more sense now that I heard it twice – and more if needed! I like the way your explain things and I always look forward to the next week. Someday I hope to purchase older ones. I look forward to future tutorials – can't wait to see what is next!

Thanks again,

Lori Newman

@Anna: A rustic retreat sounds wonderful! Would like to do something like that someday. Will keep my self open to the opportunity should it present itself.

@Ken: I agree about the importance of the arts in the school system. Creativity develops the brain in ways that other disciplines do not. You know this and I know this, but unfortunately many other parents, teachers and politicians do not, so the funding gets cut. As a parent, I try to make sure the kids are being exposed as much as possible to all things creative. Music, art, dance, etc. I think it has benefited them greatly. My hope is that the powers that be will eventually understand the arts are as important to the development of a great country as all the other disciplines and stop cutting it from the education system, when times get tough!

@Jamie: Like I just said to Ken, if the system doesn't support the arts like they should then we must as the caregivers of the next generation. That is fantastic what you are doing for your grandchildren and their friends! If only there were more people like you!

@Maria: I love your story Maria! What wonderful memories you must have of your 'artista' grandmother! I bet she would love what can be done with polymer clay. You are a great woman to be continuing on her artistic legacy!

@Lori: Thank you so much for taking the time to write those very kind words. Sharing feedback like this really gives others great insight about what they can expect from the course and the video tutorials. I truly appreciate your help!

I don't believe that on line video is the culprit I know that students take classes for many other reasons and the personal, hands on factor is very important (like listening to a record or attending a concert). I believe that the economic conditions have MUCH to do with the drop in attendance…I also think that it is hard to find a really qualified teacher in times when people are trying to claim expertise just to make a few bucks….just my opinion.

Cindy,
I have to say I love your site and your lessons. Not only do you have a fantastic base of knowledge but it gives me inspiration and motivation to continue. I was an art student as my first college experience and then, out of necessity for a living and a stumbled upon calling, I went into nursing. Now I work 40+ hours, evenings and weekends (when most of these classes take place) so I was unbelievably discouraged because I had no connection with other artists, especially when my main medium was oil on canvas. Then one day my mother was in town and somehow I decided I would make beads for her jewelry-making hobby. She bought me a pretty good amount of clay and some supplies to start me out… of course I knew nothing about PC or bead-making but I had determination and the internet. That was 11 months ago and now I have you and all these fabulous people. I can't tell you what it means to me, my techniques have improved, my motivation is out-of-this-world, and now I feel connected to others who have the same passions.
Thanks,
Melinda

Melinda I was very touched by your comment. Your story is one that everyone here can probably relate to. When you have a passion inside and it is temporarily set aside for 'life' and work and other things, nothing feels more invigorating and inspiring than letting that passion resurface again. I am so glad that polymer clay has become that passion for you and feel honored to be part of the journey. You are a wonderful asset to this community. I hope you always feel connected to like minds here! :-)

** Everyone, if you haven't yet checked out Melinda's Jupiter Beads, click the link by my name to go see them!

Cindy – here's my comment that I wrote in an email to you about the lack of available teaching in my area –

'It is so thrilling to see so many people getting into and enjoying all the variations of polymer clay – isn't it? I think having great teachers like yourself is what is needed everywhere. I was devastated to learn that they quit teaching it in Red Deer. They only teach cake decorating now! I would have to travel to Calgary to take a lesson – so why bother? I enjoyed my instructional videos from you so much and now that I am (finally) finished my sewing project for my brother I can sit down and review those videos again and then join the members library! Wowza! I'm so excited!'

I'm Suzi, the owner of a new Yahoo group called craft_classes_ads. I'd like to invite you to advertise your really cool classes! What novel ideas you have… at least the way YOU do it! Impressive!