A survey of sorts.

Hi Ali
I just took a class last week. We made a pet album. It was great because all materials were provided. We had templates to make each page. The final project was great! I love to learn new techniques and use different products that I would not typically buy. It also gives me the chance to try all the latest tools from stamps, inks, cutting tools, punches, etc. I end up always buying something new.

I have never taken a class at my LSS for many of the reasons already stated -
1. the classes focus on basic techniques
2. they tend to look like crop and copy classes - I don't want a page that looks like everyone elses!!
3. I want to be challenged
4. The thought of hauling my gear to a store is daunting...I rarely pre-plan pages and instead pick and pull from my various resources at home. Half of the fun of creating pages for me, is re-discovering papers or embellishment or stamps in my stash and using them.
Like others, I would love to attend classes that show me easy ways to do things, how to use various stamping techniques, transparancies - anything, but in a way that I can explore and create on my own.

I take classes for techniques or very good teachers. I've really slowed down taking classes because I am sick and tired of mini books. I'd rather do layouts that I can use in my family albums. I have about 40 unfinished mini books that will eventually be thrown out. Unless the techniques are really good, I just pass on classes now.
I took a class a month ago where the teacher just had a sample and wanted us to copy it. She did not give us instructions or pictures because we had to do it in class. It took me an hour (the class was advertised and charged as a 3 hour class). No techniques and no teaching. I'll never take a class at that store again.
Classes seem to be too much about pushing the buying of new product and not enough about using the products.

I love Courtney DeLaura at our local sb store! Plus, I take classes with friends and we just have fun going together... Haven't taken one in awhile and it is about time..

I guess most things have been said...
But I have to agree..
*the teacher..if they are engaging and give good direction..I'll be back
* the project..something I wouldn't normally think to do myself...ie; your "a week in the life"..Donna's Letter class or make your own journal class AND SCRAPBOOKS TOO, MN..their Acrylic Scrapbook class was AWESOME
*The goodies you get w/the class. I noticed some people said they don't want to haul their stuff all over..but most classes you dont' have to. If the class just requests a basic kit..that works for me..which usually means they have included everything else I should need. At Scrapbooks TOO..I didn't even need my own adhesive
**** why I wouldn't.. I don't live real close to any LSS that has a lot of classes.
It's kinda sad..just this week 3 of our better LSS's are closing their doors. Scrapbook Too's owner Sue is even giving her store till the end of the year..it's just sad!!! THe little guys/gals are getting pushed out by the "industry" that used to be a hobby!!
Good luck w/your classes. I havn't even taken a bad class or gotten a bad idea from you or a few others..not all necessarily people who have blogs or teach anywhere other than their own back yard. HA!
Wendy WVG

oh..sorry forgot to mention WHY the Acrylic book class was so awesome..besides the fact that you got everything to complete your kit that you would 'need' you also had adhesive and tools available and you weren't copying anyone elses idea. you had an idea to look at but this was all yours and you were given enough to supplies to change it up as you wanted too. it wasn't about pushing anything new, selling anything more from the store. It was all in fun..and the instructors encouraged you to be free to create!! Thanks Sue, Susan and SUE TOO!!

1. I want technique (process) classes not project classes. I have way too many started but not finished projects as it is.
2. I want a welcoming environment where the teacher is great and knows more than I do or has a perspective that's new to me.
3. I want room. My not-so-local independent LSS crams too many people in at a table, and I just don't like being that cozy. My only other alternative is Recollections, and they never offer the classes I want when I can take them.
4. The store needs to have current product, especially the product used in the technique.
5. Big names are always helpful, but not all big names are good teachers.
6. "Classes" like those offered at GASC are usually like what many stores offer, and those just don't interest me.
7. I want to have fun! The instructor can't be a classroom nazi - yes, I've had those.
8. Many stores organize around theme, but I don't know one single theme scrapper. I know they are out there, but I don't know any. Leave the theme and teach us universal techniques and processes we can use on any page or adapt to other projects. (I don't shop at my LSS for that reason - nothing but themed stuff).

I took classes @ my LSS in Tucson but now that I've relocated I do not take classes @ the LSS here as they are, well, how do I put this..."frumpy" - not at all trendy and they NEVER (I mean NEVER) have the new product lines - you know, the ones everyone wants...I'm disappointed everytime I go there.

I've taken classes because of the teacher (Donna Downey came to Palm Harbor a few months ago & I took her class) but otherwise I really don't take classes.

Unfortunatly I have only taken one class at my LSS. It was a fun class, but I knew more than the lady teaching it, and it really was more suited to children than adults. I want to take classes that challenge me and make me want to step out of my comfort zone. If I want to so just fun little projects that anyone can buy online then I will just stay home and do that.
I was just @ CKU Nashville and was in your Saturday album track. Now that is a class that has made me step outside my comfort zone and really let loose and have fun as well as stop and take a closer look at my daily life. I want to thank you for that and to let you know that I am a few small pages away from having it finished! Thanks so much.

My thoughts are going to sound conceited, so beware..... I don't take classes at my scrapbook store, because I don't feel I need them. If I want to create the projects that they're going to make, I feel like I can figure them out on my own and save the cost that goes beyond the class price. At one point I did take a few classes (a long time ago...) regarding a
"technique of the month". But in my own little world, $15 buys me the supplies I choose for myself and will use. That's another thing, I suppose. Of any of the classes that I've ever shelled out money for, I NEVER USE what I make. Which becomes a waste of money for me. Now, that being said.... classes are AWESOME for the person who hasn't been addicted to scrapbooking for almost 10 years. AWESOME for people needing inspiration. And if I didn't have access to the internet or CK/SS/MM mags, I would sign right up for each class I could.
woo-wee....you can have your blog back now! :)

Hi Ali
I take classes at my local scrapbook store for many reasons. Time for myself, new ideas, the fact that it is a "class" allows me to believe I am still a "student of life"... and another biggie, I scrapbook about myself whereas at home I tend to scrapbook other people....
these classes are addicitive, I just joined "Club Clipper" where the same group of women meet once a month to scrapbook about themselves... Very Cool.
hope this helps.
Jeanne

A very interesting question. I do not take classes at my LSS, usually. Most of the time, I do not like the layouts. I usually like the products being used, just not in the structured way a class uses them. I know that I can "make it my own" but many times I do not have the additional products necessary to do that.
Another issue is that classes at the LSS are almost always mini books. I have more mini books than I could ever use, so making another one is just not appealing at all.
I suppose if I can make the time to get away from the home for a little while, I would prefer to spend the money on product and crop time rather than a structured class.

It's been fascinating catching all the comments on this post! You post a thought provoking question that I tried to let go but had to sit and address.
Believe it or not, in major metropolitan Phx, AZ I don't have any LSS that are truly close to me. Any that have been nearby have closed. The large chains seem to have fulfilled the need here, I think mostly for products and not really much interest in the market for classes. Any LSS of interest is a drive to get to - ~45 min - difficult with 2 small ones, 1 of them in school, and commute travel. So, proximity is a factor in taking classes. A store I like does tend to have awesome classes and bring in "name" teachers, but they're a bit pricey. I've resorted to online classes lately with BPS - VERY fun! I've been pleasantly surprised. They certainly fit into my time schedule needs with the flexibility and the pricing has been right. Timing of classes is a challenge in going to a LSS.
Classes that even pique my interest - it's gotten tougher as I've been scrapping and stamping for 7 yrs now. Many in stores seem basic. I'm also not interested in classes where I make a page and fill in with pix later. I'd much rather have my pix in hand, more choice in color than is provided, and more choice in a lot of things about a page than can be done in this format. I steer away from these when I consider the CK conventions that come to town. THOSE classes are a massive rush for me to create something of a "sample" page that I'll never use - waste of my time. For the CK conventions that come, I'll look more toward "idea" classes - how to organize better, take better pix, "classroom" style info. I'm probably leaning more toward "project" style classes these days - ones I can replicate as gifts, put my own spin on, that sort of thing. REALLY into home dec scrapping ideas now - loving Donna Downey's style right now! Nice to put scrapping into a "craft" sort of format instead of strictly "page." I learned today my mom's actually felt guilty about not taking up scrapping with 2 grandbabies in the house now - I never dreamed she'd even CONSIDER scrapping! (paper and glue) She was relieved when I told her she HAS been doing what is being promoted (a la Stacy Julian) as a broader definition of "scrapping" by her putting pix into collgages and framing and her version of home dec - she was THRILLED to think she can actually be considered a scrapper! That was a great feeling to be able to enfold someone into the "club" of scrapping who's never touched paper and glue and journaling.
Thanks for giving the opportunity for input! Good luck with your class. It's been an interesting little "class" catching the comments here!

I have not taken a class in a long time. I'm an experienced artist and scrapbooker and don't see much in the way of class offerings beyond the beginner things, locally. I am very intrigued by the paper arts and would jump at the chance to take a class that taught me to look at a process or technique in a new light or to really dig deep creatively. I've seen some artist workshops online but they've always been in other states and that kind of travel isn't feasible for me. I want a class that's organized, fun, and leaves me the freedom to be creative. The few classes I've done in the past have been glue piece "a" to spot "b" and use the pink embossing powder on the pink cardstock and glue on the pink button here... I'm much more free spirited and usually take the supplies at hand and do my own thing. Last time I did that the teacher got flustered because I was mixing it up and going off the class plan. That was frustrating! I mean, I paid the fee.... What should it matter if I mixed the orange carstock with the pink powder and what not... Sorry-started to ramble... Would LOVE to take one of your classes someday!!

I read every single comment but nobody said this one...
The reason I DON'T go back to my LSS is because they ran out of stock on materials taught in the class everytime... I would enjoy the classes - they had wonderful ideas, used the lastest stamps and pattern paper... BUT... they would never have enough in stock incase the class wanted to duplicate the project. For example.. If we used a flower stamp for the project.. and if I wanted to by the stamp we used.. it would be a wrestling match with the my classmates.. They only would carry 2 in stock.. I would have to wait 2 weeks for the re-order.. Why offer it in class if you don't have enough??

Hi Ali. I have 2 local sb stores within a 30 minute drive from my house. One is a bit closer, but the atmosphere at the store is not as friendly and it is not well stocked so it's not worth the drive for me. The other is a bit farther away but the service is OUTSTANDING and the people (staff and customers) are so much nicer. So, yes community is also important. Why fight traffic and spend time to go to a store with a less than appealing community?
The last class I attended, I took for the teacher (Donna Downey). But I like classes that teach new techniques that I'm nervous about trying on my own at home. I like classes that will let me play with new tools or product to find out if I like it before I spend money on it and risk finding out I don't like it which is a waste of my money and my storage space. The teacher is a definite draw for me. It doesn't have to be a celebrity (although I think that is SO FUN. When are you coming to Dallas, TX??) but if you have a good teacher that is FUN to take classes from I would definitely sign up for more classes from that teacher.
Brick and motar stores need to realize that service is important. If service isn't important then I'll just shop online. And there are a MILLION online sb stores! And more and more online sb places are also offering classes. But, I'll make a drive to my favorite store to buy something from them or take a class from them and help them stay in business.
Thanks for asking for our input!

I take classes at LSS (and sometimes not so local, LOL) for the most part to get time to myself and get some type of scrapping done. I usually only go though if the project is of interest to me and I have nothing(or done) like it. If it is just a basic class with plain layouts that teach nothing new, then I won't go. Price usually doesn't deter me from any class but I know it does for some people. And I am sure you know this, but if you look on 2PEas under general scrapping there was a thread not too long ago about this. :)
Hope you are well.

i never took the classes at our (now closed) scrapbook store because they seemed way too rigid. the project would have restrictions like "bring 4 4x6 swimming photos" or something along those lines. i am pierced, tattooed, and childless, and a LOT of the classes were children focused or just very mainstream. when i was part of a layout-a-week club there, everytime i would take my book in to get stamped, the staff would crowd around to flip through it because they had never seen or even heard of "freestyle" scrapping. their lack of knowledge of trends, lack of current trendy product, and just sucky customer service in general is what stopped me from going there, and i'm suprised the store stayed open for as long as it did, because i had predicted its closing waaaaaaay before.
additionally, they just up and closed out of nowhere. no notice or compensation to anyone who held a preferred shoppers card or gift certificates. prior to their closing, they held erratic hours, which was frustrating for someone like me who drove 20 minutes to get to the store, only to find out they were closed at 4 on a day they were supposed to be open until 9.
anyways, i got really off topic, but i would take classes if they were trendy techniques/new hard to find products that i was seeing in the magazines or on the boards. also classes that didn't have a very restrictive theme, and were instead focused more on a color or technique. i would love to take a class with an acrylic minibook, or a cool project involving 6x12 layouts that were bound together at the end of the class.

I don't take classes at my lss. The projects just do not appeal to me. I don't want cards or 12x12 pages. I am not so much a scrapbooker. I like mini books (with or without pics) and art journals-more art than craft. I am like certain products (give me Cavallini, 7Gs and Hambly!) I have taken classes at my lss' special events from Danelle Johnson and Theresa McFayden. Their "non-conventional, give you some product and a little direction, let you go at it" products appeal to me. If teachers with tastes/style similar to me would come my way (you or Kristina Contes, for instance-or Tim Holtz and Claudine Helmuth) then I would throw down anyone in my way to take the class because I know I would learn great techniques and make a fabulous project too.
Unfortunately my lss can barely keep me as a customer due to their dwindling stock of "Tracy approved" products. LOL