bags, bags, bags and the art of advertising

Helloo! Just having a really quick pause as I am working up the loft today - inbetween hobbling around on an exceedingly painful foot - I have no idea what I have done to it but it is making climbing ladders that wee bit more interesting!

Just thought I would show you a couple of photos of the bag making workshop I took on Saturday which was great fun. Although I really need to give the 'advertising' part of taking these independant workshops alot more thought than I have been up till now. This was only the second one I have taken and there were 2 students but we had the most wonderful day and it made for a much more leisurely pace as they had almost 1-1 attention!

I am currently scouting out varying venues for future workshops. I will still use Edwinstowe which is a lovely little craft centre in the middle of Sherwood Forest but am also looking for venues a little closer to home. I also want to start teaching more 'art' based classes too - not sure about the format yet but the brain cells are working it all out slowly! But as I say, these will only succeed if I get better at advertising - although I am confident when teaching and on a personal level, I am really, really bad at putting myself 'out there' and some of that is down to not really knowing how and where to advertise - but it is my plan to really work on this for my next workshops! To that end I am going to leave a gap in June and book my next venues beginning in July so that I am giving myself enough time (hopefully) to get enough participants.

I think also (rather sheepishly - and this is really hard to admit) that part of it is also lack of confidence and the fear of failure. Although I 'know' I am good at this - if I neglect the advertising then I only have myself to blame if no-one wants to come - rather than doing loads and loads of promotion and people don't turn up anyway! Oh dear - I drive myself crazy sometimes. Still, it is something I am working hard on, so I am pulling my socks up, squaring my shoulders and giving myself a good talking to!

Above you can see the lovely bags that were made alongside the one I made to demonstrate the various steps in the process. The two ladies were over the moon with their creations and were a pleasure to work with.  Right back to hobble up the ladders to get more work done!

Comments

[Dale]

Oooo.... how about choosing a new venue.... up in SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA!!!! hahaha Seriously, i would love to go to one of your workshops. If i ever magically find myself in your area, I will go. It looks like you guys have so much fun! I love the projects you create :)

[Craftymoose]

Now I am even more impatient to get the supplies I ordered from you! I love the color play aspect of felting.

[waterrose]

Beautiful! It looks like so much fun and the design possibilities are endless!