Well I'm back from my very first ever "How to Carve a Stamp" demonstration. I attended the annual local geocaching event (which drew over 100 people - the total count isn't in yet). What a great time I had, my demo was a big hit. We got there at 10:30am and left at 4:45pm - non-stop stamping. For the first few hours I carved stamps by request. People (mostly kids) picked from a selection of images I had printed out and I did the carving while they watched and while others dropped by to see what I was doing. They asked questions while I carved. Then an adult handed me a printed image and I asked if she'd like to try it herself. She was keen and caught on to the basics really quickly. Her and I carved while others dropped by the table to watch and then more people wanted to carve. I had 4 handles (with gouges) but had an average of 6 people (adults and kids) at a time, carving and waiting patiently for their turn to get a linoleum handle and gouge. Everyone caught on so quickly, no one got hurt, and everyone surprised me with their carving skills - especially the kids, such dexterity.

Thanks Hardleys for the tape tip. I brought magic tape to put my signs together and duct tape to tape them to the picnic table - it was windy so the duct tape was really needed.

Thanks for magnifying lens tip - my husband has the type you wear on your head. I didn't use it (brought my reading glasses instead) but I did have one of the carvers at the table use it.

Next time I would also bring some paper weights to hold down the stack of scrap paper I had for stamping. The other thing I would recommend is small baggies for people to carry their inky carved stamps home in. Someone gave me about 30 small baggies and they were well received.

I had a great time and loved how people were so surprised at their own talent.

Lone R

Congratulations!

You know you've done well when your "students" are pleased with their accomplishments AND you've had a great time too!
Best yet, you know what you'll need when you do this again.

Yay!

jay1

Lone R - isn't if funny how we learn best by teaching! (You said next time, you would bring paperweights and baggies.) I am glad you had a good time. WHEN is "next time!" I am going to have to try the magnifying glass notion. I use reading glasses, but I want more detail. And, I want the lighted kind. But, I think something attached to me would be better than a free standing pole kind of one. Anyway ... again ... I am glad you had fun! +Peace! ~BSuzy

Great job. i bet you were really proud. Did you happen to get images of the carvings? It would be fun to keep them and if any of those new carvers become addicts like us you could give them back to them when they came and thanked you profusely for teaching them a new skill. At least thats how its suppose to work with teaching. LOL

deniserows