Sunday, September 27, 2009

Teaching is a Gift



Back when I lived in Texas (pre-1999) I taught evening college classes connected to my career. It was a challenge working a full-time job and teaching at night, but the people were so committed and wanted the most out of their classes. I got a charge out of seeing them and working with them.

Since I moved to the midwest I haven't been teaching. Not for the career line of work and not the creative stuff I'm doing.

I've thought about teaching classes in the studio in the basement and have it set up so that would be possible.

And I've had folks approach me about teaching various aspects of the faux-tique making that I enjoy so much.


As anyone who has taught knows, you learn as much as you teach. And you have to be really prepared. Lots of samples, examples, handouts. A thoroughly prepared concept for the class, a defined goal.

So I'm wondering - if I decided to put together all the materials for a class, one that YOU would like to take - what would you want the class to include? What would you like to learn about the various things that I enjoy doing and making?


Respond to the post, give me your feedback, thoughts and ideas. There'll be a giveaway chosen from the posts here!

12 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi lynn,

I've been following your blog for a while and love the resin jewelry you make. I've thought that a class is the basics would be great, being able to make something from start to finish (if that's possible - time wise) in one class... I'm here in the st. Louis area so would be very interested in a class!

Mary

TesoriTrovati said...

I am certainly fascinated by EVERYTHING you make. I love the look of your fauxtiques...the antique nature of them. I love the pewter work, and the resin (how do you get that dome shape?) I would love to take a class from you! You should consider a trial run, and then apply to teach at someplace like the Bead & Button show...I would be the first to sign up. I don't know where you are, but if it weren't far, I will see if I can make it! You should also check out the Valley Ridge Art Studio in S. WI...that looks like a great place to take a class. Enjoy the day! Erin

EmandaJ said...

Hi Lynn,

I wish I was up in your neck of the woods so I cound take a class with you. I love your resin pieces and would enjoy learning how you do what you do.

Emanda

Amanda said...

I agree with TesoriTrovati's comment about being fascinated by everything... your designs ALWAYS ring true of your style ("Oh, that cute little thing isn't vintage or antique... it's actually a recent Lynn Davis piece! It's so elegant!"), so even relatively simple-looking things like some of your basic polymer clay designs still feel very stylized. I could first see you writing a tutorial for a book (or an entire book!) about keeping true to your stylization preference in your art, even when you're working with a new idea... I don't know if that's workshop material, but I can see it being a written piece, and it's something that I feel you do very well.


For an actual class, though, I think that a course instructing how you seamlessly combine metal etching, fusing (if there is any involved) and forming resin or dichroic glass pendants in a single piece without unnecessary attachments and extensions. Just an all-around educational tour of the "Lynn Davis Experience," detailing some of the techniques you use to create some of your more elaborate pendants.

Alice said...

I so crave a place to learn new jewelry mediums--there is absolutely nothing around here. Unfortunately I don't have the budget to travel either. But if I did, I would love to learn how you do your resin charms and resin components including the creation of the bezels, and incorporating them into jewelry. I just love your word charms--heck, I love it all!

~JL said...

Lynn,

Ditto on all said...

I think you could teach classes on each of your techniques, and mediums, both at home and online.

I am into sculpting figures in polymer and have taken several seminars, courses. The main thing to me, is a printed hand-out guide, with resources.

Having the materials available and a list provided of tools, materials, etc.

Of course taking a class in person is much more involved and beneficial because you can interact with the teacher and other students easier.

All of the teachers that i have worked with, each learn more from their students and vise versa, it is amazing how unique we all see the same things so differently and the ideas and work that is created from that is never ending...

~joanna (the JL G. that has made the recent purchases on Etsy)

The Joy of Nesting said...

Gads Lynn I think there would be a line to take any of your classes. Your patinas make your fauxtiques so impressive with both your pewter and polymer clay. As a number have said a class doing your resin pieces is another must.

The few pieces you have done for Belle Armoire Jewelry are all excellent. Well written, interesting and understandable. So I think you could expand off of them and be headed in the right direction. Of course my vote is that you also consider taping them and offering them on line. There are some of us that just can't make it in a one day drive :) Erin's idea is an excellent one. There are a number of venues to teach classes at. It just depends on how many people you want to teach, how busy you want to be and how much time you want to devote to it. But I will tell you that you have the talent, and communication/teaching skills needed to successfuly teach adults. Perhaps this is the avenue for you to pursue your art full time :) Things to ponder.

Oh one more thing don't dismiss the idea of a book, to quickly Sometimes they can be the best of all worlds.

You are only limited by the limitations you place on yourself!
Pattie ;)
Mazatlan Mx.

Katie said...

Your stuff is so cool that it's hard to come up with something in particular that I would like in a class - how 'bout a little of everything? Maybe a class on creating one of your "collage" pieces with resin and pewter pieces (and maybe some polymer clay, too...)...I've done some work with resin, but getting the nice domed shape is something that would be cool to learn!

SummersStudio said...

How did I miss this post? Well I have to say that I echo what others have said. But I'd be especially interested in the techniques you use for creating bezels and joining things together. Many years ago, my father taught me how to silver solder (he made sterling jewelry with his own lapidary work). I know from experience that you can read all you want to about metal joining but there is nothing like actually being there on the spot and seeing it 'live.' You have such a creative approach to metal work that I think this of all the many many things I'd like to learn from you would be my first pick.

~JL said...

Tis me again...

You could do so many classes as the others have said:

Resin casting

Pewter casting

Creating metal links

Creating bezels

Creating ceramic like glazed polymer beads

How to use color with metals

Soldering techniques

Aging beads, metal> doing a class on each individual process that you have gone through and aging each type of media, putting it all together. So many different classes because you have evolved through so many great mediums and techniques.

The list is as endless as your talent for creating and putting things together.

SharDon Exclusives said...

Lynn, I enjoy coming to your posts to see what you are up to. I personally would love a class on resin moulds and antiquing PLUS all of the above comments as each one stated exactly what I want to learn...lol
I bead but do not do anything close to the beauties that you come up with. I am always intriqued...Sharon

Prairie Emporium said...

Lynn, I would love to take a class on the way you make your resin. Would you do and on line class? I hope so.