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.

I think it is a combination of things. I really like classes that showcase a new product or idea. Even better if the attendees get to take home a smattering of product to use on other projects. The real key for me is for the teacher to be organized and make the instructions clear for everyone regardless of level of experience. And if some items are to be shared among the group (i.e., a tool of some sort) there should be plenty to go around.
Hope that helps! Dana

I teach a technique class at my local store. Some of the things we do to keep people coming back are:
* Ask for input on the types of techniques students want to learn
* Offer the class in the morning and the evening
* Display the completed project in the store and online
* Offer a 15% discount on the tools/products we use in class (a very popular option when we use clear stamps, the Crop-a-Dile or punches!)
* Call students the night before to remind them, and also give them the opportunity to cancel if necessary without losing their deposit
Most of my projects don't have a specific theme, and I try to ask for input on colors and paper styles as much as possible. Not everyone likes bright colors as much as I do! I have found, too, that leaving the project in the store after the class and having the project online for people to look at once they get home (to see where I put my photos, to perhaps duplicate the technique on additional pages) has helped with repeat customers.
Hope this helps!

It looks like I'm an exception in that I have no interest in taking a class at a local scrapbook store. Partly because the idea of hauling all my scrapping gear somewhere is completely overwhelming (and I don't have that much). :) I credit it to the fact that I have three little girls and so any outing involves at least 2 (sometimes 3) diaper bags, changes of clothes, misc. cups and snacks, etc. :) Also, I'm not into "technique" classes - I a very simple scrapper (life artist :) and for me, the more I start to add in, the more overwhelming it becomes and nothing is done. I stick to the basics a lot with a few goodies thrown in here and there.
That said, I LOVE online classes. I can take them at my leisure and can usually find one to fit my budget. My favorite right now is any class by Shimelle. I generally always come away with a completed theme album and it's up to me how simple or complicated I want it to be. I have done a couple BPS class, and those I've done, I've loved, but most of them are out of my S@HM price range.
Hope that helps.

Ali
When I was paper scrapping, what kept me going back to take classes is if the store offered more than just a "here's the project, recreate it" in their instructions.
Initially, I was very frustrated by paper scrapping. I didn't understand how to do things -- emboss, use the special tools, etc.
I found that good classes, teachers, provided clear, organized instructions, so I didn't feel like the class was just something they threw together the night before.
I also like classes to be on the "cutting edge" and not feel like it's just a way to use up stuff that's not selling in the store.
Since I've turned to the "dark side" and gone digi, I've found that I love how Jessica Sprague outlines her on-line classes, available from DesignerDigitals.com.
Each step is broken down, in increments, which allow you to follow along both verbally and with pictures. I'm a visual learner. It might be hard to follow along with words, but give me a picture and I can use the two tools to figure out how to do things.
I love how she puts up lessons, using new techniques. I don't want to learn "the same things" or do the "same projects" over and over. If I pay for a class, I want to learn something new. I want it to be a challenge. I want to grow and stretch my creative wings, so to speak.
I would want the same from a paper class. Teach me something new. Teach me how to do a really cool hybrid project. Show me how to incorporate digi stuff with paper. Challenge me.
----------A side note.
Recently, I attempted to join a swap at a local scrapbook store. Because I scrap digitally, they were reluctant to let me come, and participate. Typically, I find that paper scrappers view digital and or hybrid projects as "not really scrapbooking." When I contacted the store about printing options, they did not seem to want to help me.
When I went in, to see if I could e-mail the project in, and then have it printed, the store owner did not want to help me -- because of a situation in my family letting me pay for the printing in advance, and then e-mailing the project in, would have allowed me to participate without being present.
By the time I paid for the printing, it would have been equal to, or more than, what I would have spent on supplies in the store. Because, obviously, I would have used some of my stash for the project.
I left the store in tears, because they wouldn't help me -- I was already in crisis mode, because of the family situation.
I would love it, if you told paper store owners, that even though I digi scrap, I am still looking for a local connection. I want to support a local store when I do hybrid and paper projects. I still buy pens, magazines, books and other things which spark my creative muse and let me use my hands.
Basically, because of their attitudes, I won't go back to this store. Instead I will go to a "big box" store for any supplies I need.
Does this help? Don't want to seem too negative (it's been one of those days at work), but I felt like when I said the word "digi scrapper" I was treated like I had two heads.
My initial choice of printing (which I know works quite well) was also looked down upon by the store owner. I was told I couldn't purchase and use cardstock from their store, because "that just doesn't work".
I had to use their photo paper (which costs more). Personally, I like how the textured cardstock looks when it's been printed on.
Oh, and when I signed up for the swap/class, I had to provide "proof" that my digital scrapbooking would be "of the same quality" as their paper projects.
Basically, for that I provided a link to my blog. But really, would a paper scrapper have to do this?
Hope this helps.

I don't go to classes because of several reasons. 1-$$$. I don't always have the money to go. 2-Time: can't fit it in and/or I don't think about making time for me. 3-I feel intimidated because I have limited skills/limited resources. I know it's a class to LEARN but I still feel intimidated.