I am very interested to hear about how things are done in other countries. I also prefer all day classes because you don't have to spend so much of the class packing and unpacking equipment. I very much like the 24 hour classes at the convention because when you reach the more difficult laces it is impossible to do anything but frustrate yourself in a shorter class. Although I am now in the age category in which I like a nice long tea break occasionally, in my salad days I would have welcomed even longer classes. About 15 years ago, I had a young child and my husband, who is a saint, would take a week of his precious vacation to accompany me to the IOL Convention and do child care. He did this because it was my dearest wish to use this once a year opportunity to make a meteoric leap in my lace skills. I would have been quite happy to have 8 hours a day of classes, or a post dinner session. In fact, the thing I liked best about the St. Raphaela event in the Philadelphia area was that we worked from 9 am to 9 pm, taking long meal breaks and tea breaks during this time. If someone was fatiqued, they could go for a walk outside or take a nap. The fact that you had a 12 hour stretch meant you didn't feel like you had to go at full speed every minute, but over the course of 12 hours you could get a lot done. I often see Lace Groups giving children's classes with the thought in mind that they are trying to insure the future of lacemaking. But I never see special, intensive, marathon like experiences being offered for people who are young, have a lot of stamina, and want to progress very quickly. And yet, as with so many things, if people are able to reach a high level of proficiency in their 30's, they may be teaching, writing books and pouring hours of unpaid labor into the organization for many years to come. I have been studying the convention schedule trying to figure out how I could take the maximum hours of instruction for my investment of time. I think I have worked out a way that I can be learning for 39 hours. But I will have to take 3 different classes to accomplish this. I wish I could take the entire 39 hours in either Binche or Withof! Devon wishing this opportunity had presented itself 15 years ago
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