A survey of sorts.

somthing different and/or new technique...and a really great teacher
peace
Kim

What keeps me going back is the level of difficuly, the variety of projects and medium and the personality/philosphy of the instructor and store.

I would love to take classes at my local store but either the times are inconvenient for me or the samples displayed are so busy and full of "stuff" that it doesn't really suit my style.
They are more a "make THIS page" kind of class, whereas I would just like to learn the technique.

Here are my thoughts! I like technique classes where I am actually learning something new or learning to do something in a different way. I don't take any in-store classes because none of the stores around here offer those types of classes beyond the beginner level and also because they are just never scheduled at convenient times. Stores need to schedule classes at a variety of times to accomodate customers who work outside the home, those who don't, those with kids with after school activities, etc. If every class is always scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on a weekday, you are leaving out a lot of people.

I would have to say the product and teacher. I love to take a class when the item we make is very different. I took a Jenni Bowlin class and the items were so unique and special. Also, some teachers just give great additional info. and advice.
R

I love to takes classes to learn new techniques or to make things to add to my pages later. Workshops are my favorite type of class. (only lasting a couple hours) Also a great teacher makes it even that more enjoyable.
Hope this helps.
{vicki}

Expense is probably the primary reason that I have never taken a class, event though I regularly frequent my LSSs and even receive their electronic newsletters. Doing something new for the first time is usually better with a friend, so if LSSs offered students the option of bringing a friend free to the first class they ever attended, it might just be the incentive for those who aren't participating to get started.

I took a class recently where we were given all the product and materials to make a certein album: right down to where we put our titles, journaling, everything. I came away with an album, but not a whole lot else as far as learning went. I really wish that the class had instead taken a technique, taught it to us, and then given us the materials to make a project using that technique. That would have made more sense to me, and been a better use of my time and money.

I would love to takes classes to learn new techniques and make journals or minibooks etc - but never seem to have any in my area.
Donna x

Taking time for me and spending time with a friend. Oh, the freebies (kit parts) aren't too shabby either.

I like to learn new techniques. Classes make me think outside of my box and usually has product that I may not pick up on my own in a store. Also, it helps me see other ways to uses some of the most basic things.

I thought I was out of the norm wanting to learn a technique in classes but sounds like there are a lot of us. I want to learn something I can take away. I've never used the pages I've created in class but if I learned a technique it is priceless. Something else would be timesaving ways to do things. One thing I would love to learn - you use (and now I do to) the 2" square punch but lining them up with the same space between them when your creating a block takes me forever to get right - I'd love to take a class where they taught easy wasy to do things. And you are a great teacher. I loved your album class in anaheim. I'm working on creating a vacation album very similar to the week in the life format. I'm excited! Thanks for being a great teacher - which I could take the class you are planning.

I take classes and participate in crops @ my local store; the classes I go back for are the one's that teach a new technique I haven't tried before. The crops, because of the great atmosphere at my local store: scrapbooksbydesign.ca offers me the opportunity to meet other cool scrappers and play with the "toys" I haven't yet added to my personal collection.
But the thing that makes me most want to take a class, and that we don't get much of here in Canada, is the chance to take classes from the truly great "life artists" like you, Ali. That is the biggest draw of all.

Before I decide to attend a class I first look at: 1. The Project 2. My Schedule 3. and Cost. Presently, there is not a lss in my area, Galesburg, Illinois. The last class I attended was at Reminisce in Coralville, Iowa, 2 hours away. I love that place!

A store and its staff should feel welcoming. I don't get that at my neighborhood Scrapbook Station, so I don't go in there at all! I drive about 45 minutes to a store owned by this great woman, who has her husband and daughter helping when they can. She does classes as well, but she also has great crop nights/days and I always feel welcome. So that is it for me...the latest and greatest I can always find through kits online. If you want me to keep coming back to your store, I want to feel like you really are glad to see me!

I big part of it for me is the content of the class. Will I learn soemthing that I can use on all projects(like the use of transparancies) or applying it to a me album or a baby album. IT is also the attitude of the teacher. If she/he wants us to do it exactly like dictated than I am gone. I sometimes like ot go out of the box. Soemone encouraging that instead of striking it down is what I like.

I like to learn new techinques, especially if they use fresh new product. I love it when teachers encourage us to use the product differently, too.

I love taking classes that are "new" technique based, something that will challenge me. But it's very hard to get those kinds of classes at my local scrap store. While the teachers all very talented and I adore them, the classes are geared towards a variety of skill levels. Consequently, there's nothing too difficult or unusual in the classes so that a beginnger won't feel intimidated. I love to be taken out of the box and be taught something really different using different materials.
So, that being said, when I take a class I usually go for the comradery rather than the project begin taught. While I won't take a class for a project I don't like, I will take a class on a project that's average, that's not challenging. Because, a lot of why I take a class it to scrap with my friends. Love being with people who share my passion for this art. Only these people truly understand what this it's all about! Love sharing and receiving that joy.

Gosh, I guess I am the odd ball out!! I would much rather forgo the technique and really just take a class where the instructor is inspiring and fun!! Kind of why I take classes when you have taught at our lss or at CKU. I love the experience over the technique. The destressing and letting go to just play and hang with my girls.
angie

I teach at my LSS...and I love to see students coming back. I think many of them like the atmosphere, the friendly environment and the new ideas and creativity. I know when I take classes I am drawn towards those things mainly.