My Teaching Experience
I love teaching as much as I love creating fiber arts. Throughout my 40 years as a fiber artist, I have taught at:
- Art in the Park Events
- Art festivals
- In nursing homes
- Girl scout troups
- Home school groups
- Wineries
- 4-H groups
- Living history events
- Summer camp craft classes
Who Are My Classes For?
My classes are for everyone! I can teach anyone from age 8 up to 90+. I have extensive experience with the special needs population, too. I teach classes for those who don’t think they have any artistic talent at all to advanced techniques and classes for experts. Most of all, my classes are for anyone who wants to have fun with a few friends creating something cool!
How It Works
I can teach classes in a wide range of fiber arts. If you have a special group or event in mind, I can adjust to your needs. We can arrange for me to supply the materials and include them in the cost or have students purchase their own supplies and bring them to class. I can teach private classes, too.
The cost of my classes ranges from $25 per person for a simple 1-2 hour classes up to several hundred dollars per person for a weekend workshop.
If you would like to host a class, the best thing to do is to contact me, so we can work out the details.
Some Ideas to Get the Juices Flowing!
Here are some classes that I can teach to spark some ideas. These are just some ideas and classes I have taught in the past, but I am not limited to these. If you have any suggestions, I would love to hear about them!
KNITTING
Knitting Basics – Basic classes for adults and children. I use simple projects for these classes, such as slippers, scarves, fingerless gloves, and spa wash clothes. We also do beanies and mittens on two needles.
Knitting Special Topics and Advanced Classes – Topics for these classes can be specific or go over advanced techniques. Some ideas are lace knitting, cable knits, a variety of advanced stitches, knitting with double-pointed kneedles, and shaped knitting.
CROCHET
Basic Crochet for Adults and Children – Crochet is a hot topic right now for people of all ages. We can teach the basics using scarves, slippers, fingerless mittens, cowls, shawls, and granny square projects. Classes for children include crocheted butterflies, flowers, bags, pillows for their room, hair accessories, and succulents.
Advanced Crochet – In these classes we get into shaped increases and decreases, expanding your stitch vocabulary, lace crochet, and other fun topics.
HANDSPINNING
Basic Handspinning with a Handheld Spindle – You need to learn to walk before you run, so you begin hand spinning with a handheld spindle. This class makes sure you have your foundation solidly before moving on to a spinning wheel. You will be able to produce useable yarn for knitting and crochet work when you complete this class.
The Care, Feeding, and Use of a Spinning Wheel – In this class you will learn to care for and maintain your spinning wheel. You will also learn to troubleshoot and begin spinning on it. You will learn spinning singles and several methods for plying.
Carding, Combing, and Color Mixing by Hand – In this class, you will learn several different methods for preparing fibers for spinning. You will learn woolen preparations, worsted preparations, and do some fun color blending.
Advanced Spinning Classes (All of these classes can be taught to a group or can be offered as private one-on-one lessons) – Topics I can teach include:
- Spinning on a Great Wheel
- Spinning with a Spindle and Distaff
- Spinning Fine Thread with a Supported Spindle
- Spin and Weave Like a Viking using Viking-Era Tools
- Spin Like a Proper Scottish Woman with a Dhealgan
- Spin and Weave Like in the Time of Jesus
- All About Silk and Silk Spinning
- All About Cotton Processing and Spinning
- Spinning Exotics Like Angora Rabbit Wool, Mohair, Camel Down, Cashmere, and other delectably soft fibers for your knitting and crochet projects
- Preparing and Spinning Plant Fibers Like Banana, Linen, Nettle, Hemp, and even plants from your yard
- Know Your Sheep – All about staple length, handle, micron count, crimp, and other technical aspects of fiber
- Spinning Art Yarn
- Spinning to a standard for a specific knit, crochet, or weaving project
NEEDLE FELTING
Needlefelting – These are usually project-based classes that result in something cool to take home. I can teach sculpture and painting with fiber classes. One of the favorites is a Christmas Ornament Workshop where adults and children can share the experience. Needlefelting is fun for those of all ages, but it is not suggested for the very small because those needles are sharp!
WEAVING
Weaving – I can teach classes on how to do:
- Card weaving
- Inkle Loom Weaving
- Rigid Heddle Workshops
- and my FAVORITE – Tapestry Weaving
Weaving classes can be technique-based or project-based. One thing to note is that I teach tapestry and card weaving using extremely cost-effective materials. For instance, we use picture frame looms and looms made from PVC pipe. In card weaving class, we begin by making our own set of cards to use. These are classes for everyone, and you do not have to have your own loom to learn.
OTHER FUN CLASSES I LOVE TO TEACH
Basket Weaving – Currently, I teach classes on random weave baskets and egg baskets.
Slo-Stitching – You might know this as crewel or embroidery. These are project-based classes where the students go home with a finished project.
And here are a few more:
- Dyeing with Natural Plant Materials
- Shibori Dyeing
- Temari Balls
- Wet Felting
- Making Rope for basketry and bushcraft
- Soapmaking