Have you ever demonstrated a craft or crafts?

@writersedge (22563)
United States
July 7, 2008 4:42am CST
I've seen baskets, wigs, pots, jewelry, brooms, leather craft, beading, quill work (the last two I couldn't see very well), wool being spun into yarn, knitted items, and crocheted items being made before, but I've never demonstrated a craft. Have you ever demonstrated a craft? If you did, what craft did you demonstrate? Where did you demonstrate it? I've seen demonstrations at the county fairs, farmers' markets, and on videos (this was the hardest to see). This should make for a very interesting discussion.
2 people like this
7 responses
@SHAMRACK (8576)
• India
8 Jul 08
Dear friend, During my school days we have a period called Special progress work (SPW) in this period we used make baskets, paint on pots, make covers with papers, brooms, craves woods, clay models and finally each class puts all this crafts and other things for exhibition once in every year. Later they are left for sale and the creation made by the student which is sold for highest price is given a prize too.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
8 Jul 08
Hi Shamrack, That sounds really neat. I wish our schools did that. Thanks and take care.
• United States
7 Jul 08
I did a small demonstation for polymer clay at a craft store that went out of business recently (pushed out by AC Moore and Michaels) I demonstrated how to make beads, pendants, ornaments, etc. The women seemed to enjoy themselves. One girl, who came with her Mom or an Aunt, I still run into from time to time at Michaels or a craft show. She asks about certain types of clay and I think she's about to move away from polymer and work with "real" clay, as she asked me about kilns the last time I saw her. As nervous as I was about doing the little class, it was rewarding to see the women enjoyed themselves and the items they made with their own hands. I don't know that I'd do another class, but in the end it was enjoyable!
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
7 Jul 08
Yes sometimes it's very nerve-racking to teach something, but it is very rewarding. Polymer clay is a very versatle (spelling) medium and I wish you were around to teach me, I've been curious about that myself. Thanks and take care.
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
7 Jul 08
Christmas Desktop Angel - Christmas desktop angel made with plastic canvas, beads and yarn.
I don't actually demonstrate a craft but do sell my crafts at craft fairs during the summer months. While I am sitting behind a table at the fair, I will work on a project but most people don't want to see how it's made, they want to buy the finished project. I make crafts with plastic canvas and yarn. Most of the items I sell I also use daily. Am really testing the durability of the item before it's sold to the public. I design such things as a toothbrush holder, standing eyeglass holder and a small holder to carry credit cards and driver's license. These sell well. Will load a photo below of a Christmas angel I made a few years ago. Gave these as gifts one year to family and friends. They are so time consuming so I don't make them any longer.
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
8 Jul 08
I could have sold them like crazy but chose to give them as gifts. Way too much work involved to make one angel so I retired myself from the tedious job...lol
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
8 Jul 08
Smile, happy retirement.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
8 Jul 08
That's a lot of work! That would drive me crazy having to glue and bead with a toothpick!
@venshida (4836)
• United States
13 Jul 08
I have not done any,but have seen several demonstrations.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
16 Jul 08
What ones have you seen?
@freak369 (5112)
• United States
7 Jul 08
I have done a few small demos on how to make home made ornaments for Christmas. It was a pretty big shock for some people as I don't look or come off like the type of person that would do any type of crafting. It was a little weird to have people watch me go through the steps but it was really cool to see them make their own things and walk away with a huge smile on their face.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
7 Jul 08
That sounds absolutely wonderful! I used to love substituting in art classes so I could have the same feeling. Nice response, thanks and take care.
@iskayz (5420)
• Philippines
7 Jul 08
Hi there! I did once demonstrated a craft, a cross stitch. I've taught home economics teachers from different schools how to cross stitch. Usually different schools invite for a demonstration. School officials were looking for other kinds of crafts to introduce to their students and be included in their school curriculum and they have chosen cross stitching. Luckily my family owns a craft store specializing in cross stitch products so we were invited. It was really fun especially when you see that your audience is really willing to learn.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
7 Jul 08
That sounds like a wonderful experience and it probably helped out your family business, too. Thanks and take care.
@bonbon664 (3466)
• Canada
7 Jul 08
I used to work at a pioneer village, and I would demonstrate all sorts of stuff, like weaving, spinning, baking. It was horrible when you messed up with all those people watching.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
8 Jul 08
Well, the weaving and spinning you could undo and redo, but the baking, I've thrown out more than my share of stuff, so even if you can redo, that takes over an hour or more and no one will watch you redo that. The Pioneer Village must have been interested to work at, which one? Thank you very much for responding and take care.