Knotty course (UK) - can anyone help?

[Phil_The_Rope]

Hi Folks.

I received a request to run a knot tying course at a college in Shropshire (UK) sometime later in 2010. Whilst I'm very happy to do it, the emphasis seems to be on the following -

"A fairly broad approach course on knots with particular emphasis on jewellery, passementerie, dressmaking, etc.  It would be to a group of ladies who wish to use decorative knots in their dressmaking and craft.  Is this something you could do for us and how much would you charge?  We are located in rural Shropshire and are a small eduational charity."

Any UK members with particular interests in those areas? Please send me a private message or email if you want to know more.

Thanks!

Phil The Rope

[DerekSmith]

So perhaps not too interested in tying a parcel, wrapping a perique, pulling out a tree stump or tying up their bean canes -- Ho Hum.

How do you go regarding teaching credentials in a situation like that ?  I understand that teaching the topic is not enough any more - PC and sensitivity to feelings plus QC feedback are all part of the equation now ?

Derek

[Phil_The_Rope]

Whoops! Should have been tracking this one, so I apologise for not acknowledging your reply sooner, Derek.

Teaching credentials? Well, at least I have a few teaching qualifications, but how those translate to knotting I can't say. However, there are lots of folks teaching card making, quilting, embroidery etc. etc., so I'm not alone in teaching my "hobby".

Incidentally, the (weekend) course is described as "Knots - there are so many kinds of knots and uses we might put them to  Add this knowledge to your current experience for jewellery, fashion accessories or three dimensional work.  Try different media, working large or small according to  your reasons for wanting to do knots". I'll design the course based on numbers of attendees - difficult to factor in much one-to-one help if there are 20 students. The course is now booked for early September, so I have plenty of time to design content and presentation methods.

PC - unfortunately, that's a major consideration these days as people don't seem to have a sense of humour anymore! "Off the cuff" remarks are sometimes dangerous, so I'll be careful. With regards to feedback, I expect the college will have a process that includes feedback forms, but I always leave something for feedback whatever course I run, knotting or otherwise. I'm not a great believer in standing over folks whilst they complete such forms though, as this is intimidating.

Tying a parcel - lots of sticky tape.
Perique - that's tobacco related, isn't it? Rubber band should do the job there.
Pulling up a tree stump  - get a man in.
Tying up bean canes? Gardening is the wife's department, so I can't comment. Oh bugger, that wasn't PC was it? Failed at the first hurdle!

Phil