Teaching My First Class

Last month, Lexi and Pat asked me to teach a class at Coyote Creek. They love my wire wrapping and wanted to offer an advanced wire wrapping class to those students who had taken the beginning wire wrapping class that Pat teaches. I agreed and this past weekend I had 5 students at the studio in Coyote Creek located in Fairplay, Colorado.

This was the first time I've ever taught a class and I wanted to provide some tips and tricks that you generally receive when you attend a class. For me, that is one of the real benefits of a class when the teacher shares things that you can't find in books or online. I believe I was able to accomplish that for this class. Some of what I shared were those lessons we learn when we make mistakes...hoping to help them avoid those!

The drive from Colorado Springs to Fairplay is a pretty one and one of my favorite parts was the crossing over Wilkerson Pass. The panorama of the mountains covered with snow as you come over that pass is stunning. It just takes my breath away. At one point there was a hot air balloon taking off and that made for a lovely scene. I only had my little digital camera with me and I just couldn't do justice to what I was seeing, so no pictures to post here.

We completed one pendant and there were a number of "Ah Ha" moments throughout the class. It ran longer than I anticipated and I feel bad about that. I underestimated a few things and if/when I teach another class, I know what I can do to prevent some of the "time eating" exercises. I guess that's somewhat normal, you learn what to do for class preparation and planning from each class you teach. The setting is dynamic and with this being my first time to teach, I didn't anticipate some of the situations that arose.

I put together my first step by step tutorial for them to follow as we completed the lesson. Dan took pictures of me putting together a piece and I wanted them to have something to refer back to after the class. Each pendant had the spin of the person completing it and they were a fun group.

While my focus isn't on wire wrapping as much any more, I am more than happy to share with others who want to learn. As I was leaving, one of them asked me to teach another class and I've heard some rumblings that others are interested too. We shall see. Given the approach of winter, I think a safer bet will be a class later in the spring months.

I learned something from them too and it was a worth while experience for me.

Until next time, aspire to be more as an artist and a person.

Coyote Creek Studio Arts

Sometimes I feel like I have my own, personal photographer...and I guess I really do. My husband Dan took this photo of me yesterday in front of Coyote Creek Studio Arts, after we completed the delivery of my work.

It was the first time I got to see the gallery, visit Fairplay, and meet Pat Pocius...one of the co-owners. Pat is great; she owns South Park Pottery too. I'm happy to be affiliated with this new gallery.

We hung of two of my stained glass windows and you can barely seem them in this picture, but Tower Falls is hanging to my right (your left) and Euclids Garden is to my left (your right). Nice to see my work in a couple of their front windows.

Coyote Creek is set to open next weekend, with its Sneak Preview. I just love the setting, the gallery, the atmosphere....it is so Colorado, so quaint little mountain town. No, not a tourist trap, just a delightful place in this world with charming, friendly people. And the scenery is breathtaking. Mountains stole my heart eons ago when I first saw them in person. I would LOVE to live in an area like this and I'm happy in the knowledge that I live so close to these places that I can visit frequently.

After next weekend's sneak preview, I'm sure I'll have more photos to share of the interior and exterior of the gallery....along with some scenic views too. The weather was a little too overcast yesterday for good mountain photo opts.

I have new work in the kiln and I'm getting ready to start on another piece this afternoon. The creative juices are flowing!!!