This week has been very busy and I've been doing lots of thinking. School has started and my brain is in full speed ahead in all the wrong places.The thing I can't seem to stop thinking is about how my classes went. I think they went well, and my students had fun- but I feel like I failed as a teacher. I spent a good amount of time talking about paper grain and why it's so important. Then for the second workshop a woman showed up with a journal she made with computer paper folded in half and I cringed and explained again in great detail that paper grain is really important. Somehow I feel like them seeing that it's actually possible to make a journal with bad paper grain and it all went down hill from there. I'm not really sure why I can't seem forget it and move on but it's really bothering me.
In other news I finally finished the last of my bicycle books. This one is a concertina made with a thick print making paper. After a long debate I decided to part with it and you can find it in my Etsy shop.
I think I've also decided to keep the apple page as I really like the set up and now that school has started I don't really want to put the effort into purchasing a domain name and finding a hosting service. Yes- O-Chem is that hard already.
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7 comments:
How in the world could you part with it?!? :D
What a gorgeous little book.
I love the screenprint! I'd love to get a screenprinting setup. I'm still on X-Acto knives and cardstock, which works just fine for stenciling but its rough on the fingers and makes printing detail difficult.
Thanks Iris! That screen was burned using photo emulsion, I took a screen printing class last year and I've been hooked ever since.
I've been working out a new design in my head- I just need to get it out and started on it.
Hi Kiley,
sounds like you have been teaching, but not as if you failed :-) According to my experience (15 months of teaching 11-18 year olds in school) it is totally normal that your students only listen to 15 % of what you are saying. If they had fun, this is a good thing. And when they see their copy paper books ripple in the gutter, they'll probably remember what you told them.
Maybe you could bring such an example to class: with signatures folded against grain and also with a missaligned grains distorted cover, let them see it, and explain to them why it turned out that ugly. - Just a thought.
I wish you more fun and less worries for the rest of your teachings!
Ah, and I like the printing your the book, too. The combination of the motif, printing style and paper are well chosen!
Best regards!
Hi Kiley
I know I have a terrible memory, so when I took a stamping class I took a notebook and made notes on the steps we were shown. This helped no end as the class flew by so fast it would have been too easy to forget parts of it.
Why am I telling you this, well heres an idea off the wall but try it. If they came and they enjoyed and they made books, you cannot have failed. Everyones 'crafting' journey is their own. You can provide the knowledge and information but how they use it is their choice.
It is hard when you have a passion for something, to see people have a go in the right direction but not have followed all your instructions. Rather than critisising your methods, just be pleased that they did make something.
Not everyone who takes a class is intending to take up a 'hobby or a career' out of what they are showm. Some seem to be there just to pass some time. That was my impression of my fellow students on the class I went to.
Have you heard of the quote 'You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink'? I think it is one of those situations. Be proud of yourself, you ran two classes, people came and they came back for more. If they hadn't learnt or enjoyed the first class they wouldn't have come back for the second one.
Keep the faith
Billie ;)
Your books are beyond amazing!
As to what you wrote about teaching, you've not failed - that's just the nature of teaching today. Please stay strong!
Thanks for the complements and the words of encouragement.
I will be teaching again, I just need to decide what and when I can squeeze it into my schedule- I forgot how busy school makes me!
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