By Monika R Lamb

I have that thing about teaching/learning a craft, any craft.

Let me extrapolate a bit first. Let’s start with these online courses that really are a wonderful thing. You can access them anytime, anywhere and they show you exactly how to do things in the comfort of your living room. There are so many to choose from. You have to really spend some time looking for what appeals to you the most.

For example, you can enter a virtual classroom with many participants and one teacher, and spend two hours learning and chit-chatting along. Not something I have time or patience for honestly. Then you have those individuals who have an awesome setup with multiple cameras and diagrams, and they show you exactly how to do things. Most of them are very explicit with their descriptions. They are down to business and getting things accomplished. I have some favorites among them. The last group I want to mention are those who don’t talk. They just show you how it’s done with music in the background (that you can luckily silence), and it’s over in mere minutes. You really have to pay attention to what’s going on or you’re totally lost. They are useful, but challenging to say the least. I usually have to take notes first before I try to do it.

To be honest, I have little use for them. Don’t get me wrong, they all serve a purpose and, I’m sure, have a positive impact on the individual who seeks them. The only reason I use these online videos is the lack of books and teachers. When my publisher informed me two years ago that they will discontinue printing hobby books I almost cried. Yes, you can still buy eBooks but there’s something about real paper and being able to insert a note or two. It’s a generational thing, I know. Us “old people” (like my children like to call us) are most comfortable with what we were raised. And that’s true for the younger folk as well. They are comfortable around their technology. My technology use generally involves a lot of swearing. And, mark my words, one day the printed word will be popular again.

So, where am I going with this, you ask. I have noticed an increase in interest for classes. People come into the store and ask if we teach classes, and yes, we do. Gladly and with enthusiasm. People often try to learn from videos, but get frustrated because something is missing, they don’t understand the next step, or they’re just tired trying to follow along, and having to do it alone.

Don’t get me wrong, if you like videos, by all means, continue. You do you after all. These are just my observations over the past years.

To me/us the ideal situation of transferring my knowledge from my brain to yours is by teaching you in person. We sit, we talk, I show you how to do things, you can ask questions, I give answers, and, I can show little tricks of the trade that you normally don’t get from a video. As we know, not everyone learns the same way. Interaction is the key. Hands on is best. Then there is the social aspect. We need to be among people. We learned that when we were hunkered down at home in 2020. That’s why we form friendships, join clubs, congregations, etc. We have a beading club that meets every Wednesday afternoon. However, since COVID it has been somewhat lacking. I would love to see more happy beaders in my store. Building community is important to us.

I spend a considerable amount of time making a class schedule and finding teachers each month. I would appreciate some feedback on what people are interested in. Many come and ask, take a schedule and are never seen again. So, there’s the thing: I need help deciding where the interest lies. Is there something you wan to learn that we don’t offer? Do you have a favorite stitch or technique you want to learn? Do you have a stash of beads at home and don’t know what to do with them or where to start?

We offer beginning and intermediate classes in jewelry making, Kumihimo braiding, loom weaving, beading with needle & thread, wire wrapping, chainmaille weaving, and macramé.

We offer group classes on the weekends, Open Beading on Wednesday afternoons, and private classes you can book with a teacher. Let’s try something new together. Let us know what we can help you learn to ease your stress and make your life happier.