Beading Business

Re: Beadwork teachers, I need your input!

MigotoChou — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 19:03:29 GMT

I am so excited to find this thread!

My husband and I just moved to Texas, and I have been trying to find a fun job. I have been looking into teaching jewelry making classes. I did work at a bead shop in Reno, and taught classes there, but didn't really know how to go about it on my own. Scheduling and payments and such...

I love the information I am getting here! I can't wait to go back and finish reading everything!

I have looked into teaching at Michael's, and they actually have courses you can take to help you with the actual teaching aspect of running a class. That may be something you could look into as well.

Re: Beadwork teachers, I need your input!

ottercat — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 06:10:15 GMT

Gyspy Mary: thanks for bringing this thread up. Lots of good information (for others, too).

Ottercat

01-19-13 (2209 PST)

Re: Beadwork teachers, I need your input!

Gyspy Mary — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 05:37:09 GMT

I love this thread. Thanks for asking the questions(way back when) I often type questions in the search at the top of the page here. I always learn from the reply's to your orignial questions.

I am designing my own patterns, but writing the instruction, This is a great help.

ps. wonder are you teaching "bead weaving stitches". ??

Re: Beadwork teachers, I need your input!

brightcircle — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:01:27 GMT

Thanks Melanie! The walking-in-circle tip is especially good.

Re: Beadwork teachers, I need your input!

Info@27 — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:17:23 GMT

Greetings!

Hi, I do teach regularly and I would say that clearly illustrated instructions are very necessary because while you are helping one student the others can refer to their instructions until you can help them. You cannot possibly sit with one student through every stitch and some would like that sort of help. I will help with several rounds of the stitch and then I leave them to work on it themselves and practice. Also, you should have prerequisites if they are basic stitches you expect them to know for the workshop because you don't want to be teaching the basics if it is a more advanced class. If it is a fundamentals (basics) class then keep the piece the one stitch you are teaching so they get lots of repetition.

I do my instructions in Adobe Creative Suite 4 (CS4) - Illustrator is great for the illustrations, InDesign is great for the page layout and Photoshop will do whatever you need to place a photo in the pattern you provide to students.

I usually teach the entire time and break only for lunch if it is a 6 hour class. I have found that the students need me the entire time. I review the work of each student the entire day. I usually walk in a circle around the classroom checking each person's work and the students know I'm coming back after I finished the round. I keep doing these rounds until the workshop is complete and they usually need all the time in the workshop. Wear good comfortable shoes that you can stand in for awhile. I do sit if there is space available to sit next to the student.

I hope this is helpful and that you have great success teaching!;o) Melanie Potter

www.melaniepotter.com

Re: Beadwork teachers, I need your input!

sparkleme — Fri, 29 May 2009 19:14:36 GMT

Hello brightcircle!

There have been many great replies to your questions already, so I'll keep this short and try to avoid redundancy. I must agree with the importance of clear, written directions for students to take with them, including pictures of diagrams to assist in their creation and re-creation of the project.

Class size is important, also. Both the skill of the class members and the experience of the teacher play into this. A teacher who is not experienced in teaching definitely needs to start with a smaller class. This will assist in the growth of both the teacher and the students!

Be aware that everyone learns in a different way and be prepared for that. Watch and listen to your individual class member's question(s) to help you determine what their style may be. This will save you time in explaining what they need and also eliminate frustration on their part by directing them in a way that makes sense to them.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is the vocabulary that you use. If you are working with beginners, be aware that you may be using terms that they aren't familiar with, making your directions difficult for them to understand. Just as in any specialized field, we have our own set of terms that we become comfortable with that may not make any sense to others!

I've been teaching my entire adult life, school-age students with disabilities of many different kinds and adults in both academic and bead-related classes (at local bead stores and national shows.) Teaching is great fun when you are prepared and can be extremely challenging if you aren't prepared!

If you are in Portland at BeadFest, stop in and see me. I'll be teaching wire knitting with Soft Flex in one class (Tagua Star Knit) and beadweaving in another (Falling Leaves Pendant) on Thursday, September 24th.

Sharon Hessoun

www.beadeckedonline.com

www.crystalbeadbeauties.com

Re: Beadwork teachers, I need your input!

brightcircle — Fri, 29 May 2009 16:18:45 GMT

This is good advice! I'll do what i can to follow them.

Re: Beadwork teachers, I need your input!

Nemeton — Fri, 29 May 2009 06:44:05 GMT

I love teaching! But definitely don't have such a big class if you can avoid it - six people is plenty for a beginner class, certainly no more than ten - each participant will want to feel that s/he has had some one-to-one input from you and it's inevitable they will all learn at different speeds and in different ways.

I do handouts with each step photographed, as some people learn more easily from a photo than from written instructions. Always make the piece several times and if possible get someone to test the handouts for you, so you know in advance where the tricky spots are and can help your pupils over them!

A tip I picked up from a Laura McCabe class is to do little demonstrations as the class goes along - split the participants into two groups if the class is large, to ensure everyone can see - then let them watch you work through a particular stage and talk them through it as you go.

Be well prepared, be positive, be very very VERY patient, make sure you get to talk to each participant individually, and have fun!

Re: Beadwork teachers, I need your input!

Dcoghill — Wed, 27 May 2009 12:39:36 GMT

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Great question!.

I teach at many of the Interweave shows, Bead & Button and for stores and Bead Societies. I got much of my groundwork while I was still in the corporate world writing Operations Manuals and putting on Training Seminars, but the basic rules are the same no matter what audience you are writing for.

Keep it simple - write for the beginner (even if it is an advanced project) and do as many diagrams as possible.

During class I will go a group demo - then walk around to the individual tables to be sure they have it correct as they are working on it.

Also, if possible, have another beader either proof your instructions or act as a pattern tester.

Hope to see some of you in Milwaukee, King of Prussia or Portland - stop by and say hello

Doris Coghill / Dee's Place, LLC

www.beadsbydee.com

Re: Beadwork teachers, I need your input!

Leslee Frumin — Mon, 25 May 2009 20:38:54 GMT

I agree with the suggestions made already. It is evident that we all agree it is important to have step by step instructions.

Planning the class is critical. Make sure you have estimated correctly how long it will take for the students to learn the project is really important. One way to make the class run smoothly is to set the stage of the class: explain what the students can expect to complete, how the class will be run and that you will get to each student. Demonstrations followed by floating the room ---to assist students will help you identify those people who need more help. If your instructions are clearly written, students who are ready to move on to following steps can proceed-- freeing you to help those who need it. I do plan the class time in advance and watch my timing--so I can cover the necessary material. Avoid giving critical information in the last 30 minutes of the class.

Happy teaching!

Leslee Frumin www.lesleefrumin.com (BeadFest Philly teacher)

Re: Beadwork teachers, I need your input!

miatagrrl — Mon, 25 May 2009 16:39:57 GMT

Hi,

A lot of great advice has already been posted here, so I'll try not to repeat much -- just wanted to reiterate a few points that I think are really important. First, I think there are lots of different types of learners -- those who like to read instructions, those who need demos, those who need personal attention, etc., and a good instructor has to be prepared to provide information in as many ways as possible to meet the needs of all those different learning styles.

Second, the written instructions are critical. They have to be clearly written as well as include good diagrams and/or photos. A good way to receive feedback is to give the instructions to a beader of the level you expect to be in the class and ask her to make the piece on her own using the instructions only. She'll be able to tell you pretty quickly if the instructions are lacking. In addition to the several samples I make to refine a design, I usually make at least 2 or 3 more samples just to write the instructions: I make one while writing the first draft; make a second one while revising the draft; then a third one pretending I don't know how to make it and use the instructions as my guide.

Good luck!

-- Tina Koyama

tinakoyama.com

(BeadFest and local bead shop instructor)

Re: Beadwork teachers, I need your input!

BarbS@39 — Fri, 22 May 2009 21:00:50 GMT

I am a visual learner, too. I either illustrate or shoot step-by-step photos for my handouts. The first time I make a class project, it becomes my guide to writing a class description, supply list and pre-requisites.

The second time I make a design, I write down all measurements and a brief description of each step. If I feel that a photo or is needed, I make a note describing what should be shown in the picture.

I make the project a third time while I shoot the photos. For some reason, the third project is magic! My familiarity with the project is solid, so if there are engineering or materials issues, this is when "glitches" become apparent and can be worked out.

Think about how difficult it will be to teach both the stitch and the project and whether that is a reasonable goal for one class. If not, require that students have prior experience with the stitch or technique. Be specific so that students have the necessary skills to successfully learn the project during class time.

Start by teaching no more than 10 people. Once you are more familiar with the dynamic of teaching a project, you can increase your maximum number. I never teach more than 16, and it took me six years before I was comfortable with more than 12 students.

I also produce instructions for other teachers. I test, edit text, shoot photos and illustrate. Although it costs a little extra, it is worth hiring a graphics professional. In my experience, everyone has one friend who can do graphics, and it never hurts to ask someone you know for help or trade a nice piece of jewelry for a set of instructions!

Re: Beadwork teachers, I need your input!

MelanieS@19 — Fri, 22 May 2009 15:40:32 GMT

I like your idea of offering a free class while you are working out the details in your teaching. You might also try a class of beading friends to help you "edit" or refine your instructions; experienced, test beaders can provide you with helpful feedback.

Keep beginner classes small, my limit is 10. You need to be able to provide more help and support at this level. Break information down into steps. Make sure you tell them, show them and have them do it, that way you address all learning styles - auditory, visual and kinesthetic. Repeat yourself, it may seem redudnant to you, but when you are explaining new concepts, I think it helps students to hear it more than once.

Ask "what questions do you have" since questions are expected from students. This more conducive to really finding out what they need then asking "do you have any questions".

Teaching something you love and watching the lights come on for others is very rewarding. Like life, some days and some classes are better than others. If you have done your homework, try to take the challenges in stride and see what you can learn from them.

Enjoy this new endeavor.

Melanie Schow, www.bendwire.com http://bendwire.blogspot.com

Re: Beadwork teachers, I need your input!

Connie@134 — Fri, 22 May 2009 15:12:54 GMT

1. Writing clear instructions is often a challenge. I make the project and take photos as I work step by step. . I also write down the directions as I am working step by step. This is a slow process, but worth it in the end. I try to make my instructions as clear as possible useful for teaching a class or adding to a kit to be used for someone not taking a class. I will make a project straight from my directions or ask a fellow beader to make the project using my directions.

2, When you teach a class make sure you specify whether the class is for beginners, intermediate or advanced students. If you have a student or 2 that are struggling with the class you can offer them some extra help outside of the class time. It is not fair to the other students in the class to spend all of your time with one or two students. I truly enjoy teaching, find it very fullfilling and enjoyable, and I learn a lot from my students.

I have been teaching beadweaving and wireworking for about 8 years at bead shops and shows and will be teaching 3 classes at Bead Fest Portland in September, I am very excited about that. You can see my work at www.ceejaycreations.com

Re: Beadwork teachers, I need your input!

CristinaA3 — Fri, 22 May 2009 15:00:30 GMT

I also think that your class was way too big. I know from experience, that 15 people (and I had early teens as students ) will not be able to follow you at the same pace because there is always those who need to be taught stich by stitch and those who are trying to get ahead of where you are in the project.

As someone already stated, starting with very clear materials list is important. Handouts make your students go home happy that they do not need to have memorized every little thing to recreate the project at home.

It's a smart move to "teach" someone close to you to test your teaching techniques and if the project is suitable for that skill level.

And the best way to get better at teaching is to teach and teach and teach some more! You will learn lots from your students as well.

Happy Jewelry Making (and teaching!),

Cristina