The need for follow-up is very critical. We were having some brainstorming in Ithaca. One suggestion made was that teachers could skype with their students. The person who suggested this was thinking about the problems that physical distance pose especially in America where it is quite likely that there is not a teacher for some distance. This person suggested that skype classes would remove the need for teacher and student to travel to be in the same room. Also, video conferencing was mentioned. I think there may still be an issue in terms of trying to find a time when all potential class members are simultaneously available, assuming it is not one on one, which it could be. However, there might also be some potential for a class format where a recorded lesson can be downloaded by the students and later they can receive feedback on their work. Or possibly they could conference briefly with the teacher and other students. Meanwhile, I think that we should all have a good look at the Ning site called Needle Lace Talk that was started by Lorelei Halley. This site has been evolving to fill the need for needle lace instruction. In response to students, a beginners tutorial was started. The beginners, who are from all over the world, follow a set pattern at their own pace and can have questions answered by others on the site, but especially by Liz Ligeti from Australia and Lorelei Halley. The Ning software is very good as it allows you to post pictures along with your questions. So the members of the site are able to post pictures of their work and receive critiques. It is possible to post so many pictures that the person offering advice can post diagrams and even post photos of samples showing each stage of a difficult maneuver. It is amazing how much can be done with this Ning software. I am a big fan of it. Even I can post pictures easily on it, as I often do of hugely blown up details on old lace for purposes of discussion. The Ning software was introduced as free, but as soon as we became addicted to it, they put a price on it of about $250 a year to maintain the site. Personally, I think it is well worth it. (Yes, I am being weaned onto the concept that one may have to accept a payment platform for valuable content on the internet. The New York Times has been working patiently with me to make me realize that :-)) A lot of people have learned needlelace on Needle Lace Talk largely due to it. In fact there are 360 people who have joined this site since it started about a year and a half ago. The site for Needle Lace Talk is _http://needlelacetalk.ning.com/_ (http://needlelacetalk.ning.com/) While I was at Ithaca, there were two ladies who had been taking the beginners class. Around the coffee urn on the final day they were expressing panic about the idea of returning home and trying to continue without any support. I found myself thinking that we need an internet "genius bar" to help people like them. In fact, if they were Needle Lacers there would be no problem helping them, because they could go to Needle Lace Talk. As always, an issue is who would be willing to man the genius bar, or maintain a Ning site. But, then on the other hand, there are people on this list who are traveling vast distances to demonstrate and teach, so if they are the same people who would enjoy answering questions on the internet, it could work. Devon In a message dated 10/16/2011 3:54:07 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [email protected] writes:
Dear Chris, You bring up an important point. Especially for children, you need to have follow up. You can't get people inspired to do something, and then leave them high and dry. There is no lace 'group' here in Lancaster. While I am aware of people who make lace in the area, within, perhaps a half hour drive there may be as many as a dozen. But there is no organized group in the area for follow up. When I demonstrate for adults, I have a small half page of local lace groups within a 100 mile radius, as well as IOLI, internet suppliers, and a beginner's book I personally like for those who are going it alone. I drive at least 90 minutes to my lace group, and could not do that and then spend all day with a have-a-go pillow, nor am I presently equipped to travel that far for lace more than once a month. I have energy issues, and I ignore them at my peril. I'll have to figure out a solution. I am not up, as yet, to weekly teaching stints. I know how much energy that takes. Lyn in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, US, toward the end of a beautiful day. -----Original Message----- >From: Chris Brill-Packard <[email protected]> >Sent: Oct 16, 2011 1:29 PM >To: Arachne Lace List email <[email protected]> >Subject: [lace] Lace fish - hands on > >Dear Lyn, I sent you a email with the details / tips for a successful "hands >on" teaching of the fish. > >You asked about a bobbin........our group has >used wood clothes hanger (the single piece of wood divide). They are sold in >packets at hardware stores. > >We did not give out free bobbins, but did have >a notebook to get name, address, phone and email address to send invitation to >our next meeting and to set up a beginners' group of free lessons. Also, >many people asked up for a "supplier" list. We had some grandmothers and >divorced dads that were willing to purchase needed supplies because they saw >how interested their kids were in making bobbin lace. > >Just thinking about >possibilities in regards to ideas to reach kids and adults: > >Historical >society during school trip days (contact historical society to find out dates >and times that they are scheduled) >Festivals - all types - not just related to >1700-1900s. We need some modern >State Fairs >County Fairs >Cutural Centers >Community College - Art Department >Fiber Art Department of Museums >Sewing >Stores >Quilt Stores >Embroidery guilds >Girl Scouts - there are badges to be >earned with sewing/craft. >Boy Scouts - badges related to home skills > >I like >the contest idea.....maybe we could do that on an IOLI level for Kids? Maybe >our groups would foster more kids for the contest. >I have joined several >European Guilds over the years and have found lots of "modern, creative" ideas >for lace and patterns to share with my group. > >I do agree with the comment >about teaching "design" to the younger generation. We need to think in terms >of what excites them. Young Beginners need to learn to make completed items >rather than strips of lace to keep their attention. >Chris Brill-Packard > >- >To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: >unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to >[email protected]. Photo site: >http://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003 - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected]. Photo site: http://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003 - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected]. Photo site: http://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003
