[Jewelry making - Article 00008] - Re: [Orchid] Ideal length of workshops

[R . E . Rourke]

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    i have a bit of experience with classes for various age groups and
    skill levels. I am of the opinion that for kids, two days isn't
    enough time to establish boundaries and get them into the rythym of
    following specific steps to an end..unless it's really simple basic
    stringing or saw and tab construction, or sand or cuttlefish casting
    that is more exemplary than precision directed. A four days to a
    week intensive or ongoing for a perscribed amount of time ( i like to
    do 6 weekend in a row four hour a day sessions with kids say 9-16
    that actually want to learn jewelery arts or a specific facet of the
    art).works well for me if the goal for the kids is to learn
    something rather than just demonstration or something to do...once.
    However for adults, or kids over 16, a four day intensive can be
    productive if they come with a basic set of experiences that allow
    one to save explaining how to correctly load a sawblade, or what
    hammer to use for x result. I like a seven ten day workshop/class for
    about eight to ten participantsthough, as its long enough to absorb
    what the teacher is offering and to observe the execution of the
    technique more than once and to fully grasp a concept or technique so
    that the individual can continue the process of perfecting whatever
    'it' is in their home studio after some trial at the workshop.In
    most cases. completing a piece during the workshop/class can't be
    done in two days if the time periods are two to three hours each day
    particularly in the case of beginners.. It should be said though
    that there are some subjects that don't require a week ( like
    cuttlefish bone /broom casting, or scrap reclaimation for the small
    shop) and others that a week or ten days barely covers the basics (
    for instance basic stonesetting, or hand engraving). 

    So i suppose it all comes down to the course being taught, the
    audience it is intended for, and the skill level and number of
    participants. 

    Cost is almost a moot point.Generally,I have found materials run
    fairly standard for the number of pieces the participants either
    sign-on to make or recieve pre packaged materials for, wether or not
    they complete all at the workshop/class. And the class fees are
    structured to the degree of complexity, facilities cut, if any, and
    other administrative costs- and sad, but true, the
    reputation/popularity of the instructor in some cases if the class
    is tied to a publicity event rather than say an operational school of
    arts and craft ( i.e. penland, wildacres, arrowmont, revere
    academy,J.C.Campbell folkschool etc)


 
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