Comments on: Continuing Education Craft Classes Suffering from Low Attendance http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/continuing-education-craft-classes-low-attendance/4500/ "I learned by making mistakes... Now you don't have to." Sat, 20 Mar 2010 20:11:28 -0700 hourly 1 By: Cindy Lietz@Polymer Clay How To Videos http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/continuing-education-craft-classes-low-attendance/4500/#comment-28275 Cindy Lietz@Polymer Clay How To Videos Sun, 06 Dec 2009 05:58:48 +0000 http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/?p=4500#comment-28275 I just realized I hadn't thanked you for your comment and for your offer. Better late than never... :) I just realized I hadn't thanked you for your comment and for your offer. Better late than never… :)

]]> By: Suzi Wollman http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/continuing-education-craft-classes-low-attendance/4500/#comment-24711 Suzi Wollman Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:05:03 +0000 http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/?p=4500#comment-24711 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! 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!

]]> By: Cindy Lietz@Torn Paper Watercolor Technique http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/continuing-education-craft-classes-low-attendance/4500/#comment-22320 Cindy Lietz@Torn Paper Watercolor Technique Tue, 21 Jul 2009 20:31:27 +0000 http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/?p=4500#comment-22320 Thanks so much for adding your comment to this thread Aims (and for your kind words). I really appreciate it! It's really nice to hear about small communities like Red Deer that are close to home for me. My family is all from Rocky Mountain House and I've been to Red Deer many times as a child. FYI for anyone else looking in... this is Alberta talk :) Hmmm... now you're probably wondering where the heck is Alberta LOL. Thanks so much for adding your comment to this thread Aims (and for your kind words). I really appreciate it! It's really nice to hear about small communities like Red Deer that are close to home for me. My family is all from Rocky Mountain House and I've been to Red Deer many times as a child.

FYI for anyone else looking in… this is Alberta talk :) Hmmm… now you're probably wondering where the heck is Alberta LOL.

]]> By: aims http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/continuing-education-craft-classes-low-attendance/4500/#comment-22319 aims Tue, 21 Jul 2009 20:13:46 +0000 http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/?p=4500#comment-22319 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!' 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!'

]]> By: Cindy Lietz@Jupiter Beads http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/continuing-education-craft-classes-low-attendance/4500/#comment-22089 Cindy Lietz@Jupiter Beads Sat, 18 Jul 2009 17:07:27 +0000 http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/?p=4500#comment-22089 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! 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!

]]> By: Melinda http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/continuing-education-craft-classes-low-attendance/4500/#comment-21998 Melinda Fri, 17 Jul 2009 18:04:14 +0000 http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/?p=4500#comment-21998 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 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

]]> By: Cindy Lietz@Learning Polymer Clay Techniques http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/continuing-education-craft-classes-low-attendance/4500/#comment-21413 Cindy Lietz@Learning Polymer Clay Techniques Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:33:22 +0000 http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/?p=4500#comment-21413 Thanks Rita for your opinion. I love opinions! Completely agree with you on how difficult it is to find qualified teachers. You bring up a great point! Based on your experience in taking live classes, could you please describe what you look for in a good teacher? Or what your definition of a great teacher would be? Opinion away :) Thanks Rita for your opinion. I love opinions! Completely agree with you on how difficult it is to find qualified teachers. You bring up a great point! Based on your experience in taking live classes, could you please describe what you look for in a good teacher? Or what your definition of a great teacher would be? Opinion away :)

]]> By: Rita G http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/continuing-education-craft-classes-low-attendance/4500/#comment-21361 Rita G Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:36:49 +0000 http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/?p=4500#comment-21361 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. 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.

]]> By: Cindy Lietz@Polymer Clay Artists - Overcoming Creative Blocks http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/continuing-education-craft-classes-low-attendance/4500/#comment-20459 Cindy Lietz@Polymer Clay Artists - Overcoming Creative Blocks Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:08:02 +0000 http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/?p=4500#comment-20459 @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! @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!

]]> By: Lori Newman http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/continuing-education-craft-classes-low-attendance/4500/#comment-20000 Lori Newman Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:33:22 +0000 http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/?p=4500#comment-20000 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 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

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