Hi Spiders All, I find this a very interesting string! I still have one adult's/children's class a week locally in Suffolk UK, and also a monthly class for children - the children start at about six years and then, because the weekly class is a private class, where I hire the schoolroom, they can graduate to the 'adults' evenings when they are about - well - whenever they feel they can cope with weekly meetings, I suppose. Usually about 12/13 years of age, I think.
I did run another class in private homes, but this wasn't always totally successful! The 'hostess' of the evening felt obliged to make coffee/tea etc, and serve biscuits halfway through, which meant that she didn't get her two-hours worth. As has already been mentioned, even four pillows round a table can be two too many for a lot of dining rooms, and some lounge-diners force the poor Better Half into the shed/garage/bedroom for the duration of the class - not always conducive to marital harmony, especially when said BH finds all the dropped pins in his bare feet! What I and several friends did, quite a few years ago, was to meet in each others homes once a week, then go to lunch in one of the local-to-that-person inns/pubs/hotels. This avoided the need for the hostess of the day to provide refreshments, but also made a special day for each of us, every week, with time for our selves - which many of us don't have, or sometimes feel guilty about! This was most enjoyable all round, and only came to an end when I restarted paid employment. I still feel that, although of course if one runs a class privately, and has to hire the hall, this does cut down the income quite dramatically, if the room is a school room, it does mean that there is plenty of space for everyone, the lighting is usually better in a classroom than one's home. There is also usually good parking, and no husbands/partners whinge about the pins in the feet either! Our Tuesday evening class meets in the Textiles room of the High School, and I am even able to arive at the school early to make use of the sewing machines - which was a great advantage whilst mine was out of action! I also feel that, if one is making money - albeit a very minute amount! - from the class, then it is good to be in a neutral area, so that no-one feels intimidated or overawed, and the tutor can hopefully keep the one (there is always one) who demands too much of other people's tutor-time, in check. It also gets rid of the problem of bringing in new members, and the embarrassment of whether the 'hostess' likes/dislikes said new body. I think I had better give my soabbox a rest! Carol - in Suffolk UK. Subject: [lace] Re: Lace 117 - Or a small group of friends? - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
