Hello my dear friends,
Since Sept 2023, I have been on a beautiful journey of learning, giving up inhibitions and becoming better than what I was, through Altenew Educator Certification Programme . Today I am submitting my last assignment which required me to host a workshop - virtual or physical.
Planning
I chose to do a virtual workshop and conducted it on 1st Feb 2025. For this workshop I had to teach 4 to 10 students and devise the lesson plan in which I could showcase - not just what I learnt in the AECP but also include - a little me.
I love when I can use my supplies for different occasions and use them across various seasons. And what better than choosing to Stretch your supplies? So I planned to teach two cards, inspired by Spring and Winter. In this class, I was teaching one of my favourite techniques - Die cutting. I taught how to make most of our our dies. And included some beautiful techniques like Mirror die cutting technique and how with some creative adjustments, we can change the look of your dies.
Process
I created the two cards featuring Bird of the Mountain Die set. While creating the cards I was also thinking of the level of difficulty, keeping in view the participants that may show interest. I didn't want my class to be overwhelming for a newbie and not too easy for a seasoned cardmaker. It had to be a fine balance, so that all my students learn something and be confident in applying the techniques and ideas on their future projects.
As I created the lesson plan I made sure that I had substitution of the supplies mentioned, along with a instruction on 'how -to' for both my cards. After the cards and the lesson plan was vetted by Erum Tasnee, our coordinator, I advertised my workshop on the AECP FB page and then later on Altenew Fan page as well. They were around 11 crafters who were interested and joined me on the final day. I also had some Crafty friends join me as viewers.
I sent out the lesson plans, photos of the cards and google meet invite to all my participants and on 1st Feb 2025, I hosted my workshop, in presence of Erum.
If you are some one who wants to conduct online class, you already have the know how and details by Erum on the workshop, but as a participant I would like to share things that I had hiccups with. And here are some tips for you, so that you don't face any problem.
1. Make sure you double check that the instructions and invites are sent and received. One more idea is to label your contacts on Gmail - I labeled the emails "aecp", so communicating and sending the Google meet link gets easier.
2. The tech side - your cameras should be at appropriate height, wifi not lagging, Computer positioned in a way that you can see the participants. Also if the camera of your phone and computer are switched on, in the meet together, it may lead to an echo - so try the setup and also check if your work surface gets shaky, while inkblending or die cutting.
3. Many students may be joining an online platform to learn, for the first time. So make sure you have taken out time for tech check before starting the class and if you are also new to Google meet or zoom, please clarify all your doubts from the 100 tutorials available on You Tube.
4. Murphy law prevails - Losing the scissors, or the die on the workspace is the most common problem for all the crafters. They appear to have entered the portal - and you can't find them when you need. While teaching my beautiful assembled bird had entered the portal... I just caught it at the last few seconds!!! An idea is to make trays, with the supplies of each card and keep an empty table just to put the supplies you are going to use throughout the workshop. As we won't have a lot of time to keep supplies at the right place during the workshop. The green Ink and the blending brush, may again be needed, so they should be kept accordingly.
5. With all this - it may sound stressful - but believe me it is a great experience and was quite fun for me! I loved having people from around the world in my craftroom, creating beautiful cards :D
Card 1 – Spring Bird Card
For my first card we used Mirror die cutting technique with Bird of the Mountain Die set with the background made with Walnut Branch 3D embossing folder and some creative inking techniques with addition of flowers from the Pond flower die set.
Card 2 – Winter Bird Card
For the second card I taught some creative ways to make the dies appear in a different way. I used the same bird and make it look plump like a winter bird. The background was created with some selective ink blending with the Classic Pine cone Slim 3D embossing folder .
Below are the amazing cards by the participants of the workshop
I am truly honoured to have such amazing artists join me for my workshop. Some of them awake to join me at 7 am their time!! Here's a glimpse of the workshop
Today as I submit my last submission, I just want to look back at this lovely journey. Other than the 25 Classes and many hours of planning and creating, I was also under the guidance of the very talented and supportive artist - Erum Tasneem. And I am very grateful and blessed that she was always there for guiding and encouraging me. Somewhere in my head, I was always thinking - what would Erum think about this and her feedback on all my work used to be a pat on my back or a way to improve myself.
In every way, I am more learned and a better artist than I was in 2023 and also who can forget the friends we make in this journey. I am reminded of Robert Frost's - The woods are lovely, dark and deep.. and my journey doesn't end here because I have a lot to learn.
If you are interested in seeing my AECP work, please check the labels or click HERE
Thank you for stopping by :)
If you like my work and would like to support, I would love if you'd use my affiliate link - HERE to shop
*affiliate links used at no extra cost to you… thank you for shopping with me*
I am grateful and truly appreciate your support 🎔
Comments
Post a Comment
Thanks for visiting.
Ishani - Quillish