Since you are having these workshops in your own space you can have them at a time when people can stick around and build as long as they want after the actual workshop is over and keep working - this will help draw additional interest in future workshops and they might snack more too :)
I think it would really help you to have some of your own supplies on hand for people to use as most people are not going to want to go buy a bunch of supplies for a hobby they have not tried before. I would keep about 5 of each tool type (the basics only of course) scissors, glue, sharpie, ruler and something to score with. For simple stuff you dont need an xacto or cutting mat - maybe 10 depending on how big you expect the workshops to be. I would also prepackage some supply kits for you to sell that will be a bit more advanced and include an xacto type knife (I use a scalpel myself) a cutting mat and maybe a choice model already printed or two (and anything else I might have missed of course) there could be a profit worked into that package as well. I would be happy to let you use any models from ecardmodels.com for your venture. I would just ask that you buy them through my shop and pay with check/money order and note that its for the workshop. I want you to do it this way because when I donate models to any venture I still make sure the designer gets his/her fair cut. I would suggest some DGA models for starters :) If you have a computer/printer/internet connection at your snack bar they could even pick them out real time! Thanks Chris On Sat, Apr 16, 2011 at 9:27 PM, jw <[email protected]> wrote: > Hi Mandy > > My suggestions: > Limit your workshops to one hour (which will be a minimum 90 minutes in real > time). > that pushes the limit of the average attention/interest span. > Said hour is about 15 minutes of introduction and safety information, > ( I.E why we love to do this, what is a valley or mountain fold, etc. and > how to retain fingers while using an exacto kinfe or keep an eye while using > sharp scissors) > an hour cut and build time and about 15 minutes extra for slower builders. > For your first project have several possible models printed and available > for the clients to choose from. > I suggest one with at least one moving part. A windmill or simple > helicopter. > At my workshops, they almost alway pick the animated one. > > Provide in the workshop, a pair of scissors per participant and an exacto > knife per each three partiipants.and one or two metal rulers to be shared. > Do make up a kit for sale with all the bits that people were sharing and > whatever extras you can think of. (Part of your 15 minute intro, I have kits > for sale.) > Make sure to include a couple ready to cut printed models in the kit > Most of the "free" models we download.fall under the common usage agreement > and are meant to be shared. > Providing someone a print of a "free" model is usually OK. just don't add > any cost for the model to the cost of the kit. > But ALWAYS mkae sure you list the source and designer's URL and if in doubt > contaact the creator of the model. > For my workshops I go shopping in August during the "Back To School" sales > for micro priced scissors, glue, etc. > I use Elmers Glue-All at my workshops, non-toxic, safe for children and > idiot adults (and six for a buck last August) > You can put your own prefered glue in a Kit. > > I don't know what you would charge for your workshops. > Mine have always been offered for free and I just absorb all the costs > myself. > Which of course is why I shop in August and the workshops are a rare > occurance.. (I'm limited to my Social Security). > I would speculate perhaps approximate costs plus 10 bucks an hour session? > > If I were starting such a project, I would contact Rob Ives at Flying Pig > and make an agreement with him. > He's a friendly fellow and for a modest price provides access to some of the > most remarkable and popular models being designed. > If your customer bought an account with him I don't think he would have a > problem with you doing the printing > and getting a printing commission. > And Chip at fiddlersgreen.net is already offering a print and sell contract > for his excellent models. > > At my workshops I have an ever changing page listing URL sites that the > folks can go to to download models. > I tend to stick to the "free" sites to encourage the understanding that > the Craft is usually inexpensive. > Once they are hooked they will find the pay for model sites themselves. > > Best Wishes on an excellent project. > > Wildman > > P.S. be sure to have a few examples of simpler models prominently on dispay > where ever you hold your workshops. > You can have your fancier models there too (you do some "out there" stuff ) > but a simple spacecraft, airplane, ship, > and a buildnig or two should be there as well. > so as to encourgae rather than scare off the beginners. > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: PC Girl Mandy > To: papermodels > Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 11:24 PM > Subject: [Papermodels II 44584] Workshop suggestions > Hi everybody! (Hi Dr Nick!!!) > > Due to the fact that my snack bar is not making money and I need to bring > home my share of funds, I've decided to run workshops from the premises > after hours, and have chosen 3D papercraft as my subject. :D (Other options > were computer repair courses, software courses, sewing workshops or fitness > groups) > What I thought I'd do is ask the group, with their wealth of knowledge and > experience, a few questions to help me set something up. > 1 - I'm thinking that 1 - 2 hours per workshop would be enough. With more > advanced builds being done over 2 - 3 sessions. > 2 - Should I supply, as part of the price a "kit" for use during the > workshop - or should ask that people bring their own or buy a set from me? > (by kit, I mean equipment - knife, sissors, metal ruler, glue, sutures and > bandages) > 3 - What would you pay for one of these workshops, and what would you expect > for your money? > 4 - Suggestions for templates? I'd only be charging for the paper and > printing of them, and people wouldn't have access to the electronic file or > be able to take them home without at least starting them. I'd be happy to > purchase a licence for some really good ones, but then I'd have to pass the > charge on, so nothing expensive please. > 5 - Can anyone think of anything else? > As it's in my snack bar, I'll have an espresso machine available (which only > I would use to make the coffee's with), and maybe some cakes. Coffee could > be free (incorporated in the fee) or purchased (at a lower price to > encourage sales). I'd have some sandwiches made up, and the usual cold > drinks, chips and chocolate bars would be available too, for a price. :D > So,, regale me with your suggestions, criticism and ideas. :D > Mandy in Aussieland > > -- > Please use mandythepcgirl at gmail.com for fast email delivery. > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Papermodels II" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/papermodels?hl=en. > -- http://www.ecardmodels.com/shop -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Papermodels II" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/papermodels?hl=en.
