You know I would never try to talk someone into doing something they didn’t want to do .. nor would I want to talk anyone into spending money they didn’t need to spend. I’m really serious! But, I do want to share a couple of things.
The first thing I want to talk about are the classes at Craftsy. Every website I seem to land on has an ad for Craftsy. This is not a paid promotion. I pay to take my classes there and don’t get a dime in return. But, I’m so impressed with their classes. So far, I’ve taken the Rigid Heddle class with Angela Tong. She is an amazing instructor. I wrote on her before that I took classes at The Yarn Barn in Lawrence, Kansas when I bought my loom and though I cannot remember the instructor’s name, she was good. I just didn’t remember much of what I learned because I didn’t use it much before packing the loom away to move. I had written to several folks in the Dallas area about taking classes before it dawned on me to check Craftsy.
With their classes, once you pay for them, you can access them forever. You can make notes along the video stream so that when you want to go back to your notes, there’s a little notation on the feed and you know right where there was a spot you wanted to re-visit. If you haven’t taken any of Crafty’s classes, you really ought to at least check it out.
I’ve made our own pizza for years but took Peter Reinhart’s Perfect Pizza at Home class, which is free. Oh, my! I learned so much in that class. It has totally changed our pizza for the better. Even though I’m 100% pleased with my breadmaking, I think I’m going to take his Artisan Breadmaking class. I’ve been a fan of his for years.
The Craftsy videos are really first class. I have felt like I was right there in a classroom, and getting one on one attention.
The second part of this post is for those of you thinking weaving might be fun. If you think weaving would not be fun . . don’t read any farther.
Weaving is so much fun! I can’t believe I left my loom packed away for so long. I have the Schacht 25″ Flip loom and I have the floor stand but if you’ve noticed, most of the things I’ve made so far have been narrow enough to use the 15″ Cricket. Don’t tell Vince, but I’m thinking about getting one. It’s so darned cute! And it’s so portable. I know . . I never go anywhere but you never know when I might just get on my RTV and ride way back in the woods and spend my day weaving a little project!
When you think that the Cricket loom is $169, if you already have a bunch of sock yarn, you can make scarves and wraps up to 15″ wide and use up that yarn and have gifts for everyone you know. See .. it’s actually going to save you money. If you don’t quite understand my thinking, that’s ok . . Vince doesn’t understand it either.
I have a project in mind and if it turns out like I think it’s going to turn out, you’re all going to be ordering yourself a loom! 🙂
Sue in Scottsdale, AZ says
Years ago – long before I started quilting – I took several weaving classes and had a great time. I found it very relaxing. I made a rug runner for next to my bed, a wall hanging, and an afghan. The loom I wanted was fairly large (because I wanted to make afghans) and expensive. We didn’t have the room for one nor the money to buy it. I have often thought about taking more classes but I don’t seem to have enough hours in the day, week, month – you get the idea – for another hobby. I love what you’re doing and wish I had your energy!
Denise ~ Justquiltin says
I love my 15″ cricket and the floor stand. I decided that my mext project is to weave enough “fabric” to make into a new summer totebag. In my min’d’s eye it uses the woven fabric but also has some quilting elements — but will have to see how it turns out in the end.
Joan in NE says
I agree with you about the Craftsy classes. They are good and very detailed. You do feel like your in the classroom and you can always write in if you have a question that isn’t answered in the presentations. I’ve taken several of the classes and learned a lot.
Peggy says
Great news about the Craftsy classes. I have been a member for a long time, but have not taken any classes. I was not aware of the food classes nor that any were free.
I have had a Union floor loom for years, but have never used it. It was given to my by a neighbor here in KY when they clean out her parents home in Nebraska. I never had room nor the time to work this loom. Once I sell a large hutch, (which I bought used thinking we were moving to a house in WI that had a perfect place for the hutch) and our friend picks up a large TV, I will have room to work. I have been watching Denise and your progress and am getting really antsy to start. I would think it would be possible to sew the narrow woven pieces together to make a nice jacket.
lynne quinsland says
i have loved the craftsy classes that i have taken. i thought the prices were reasonable and what i really loved was seeing all of the projects that others have made with what they learned……for me, that is where the rubber meets the road. i just bought 2 new classes today even because they are on sale from $40 to $25 and i have already taken one of the teachers classes and have a dvd of the other–i love the both!
i am just BEAT!!!! i wanted to come home and watch one, but i am going to bed soon instead. going to treat myself to mothers day class watching tomorrow instead–right after church!
Diane says
I love Craftsy! I have taken Peter Reinhart’s artisan bread class and learned so much. Well I have taken several classes and all but one was worth more than the price I paid. The one class I didn’t love, I wrote and they refunded my money.
I think most of the free classes are just as good as the ones you pay for.
Take into account that the price is in the $25-$40 range, you can replay it over and over, get feedback from the teacher and you didn’t have to spend time and gas money getting to them, these classes are a bargain! There are so few things anymore that I do or buy that I am this satisfied with I want to tell everyone to give it a try.
I’m glad you are about to have a working dishwasher. Maybe I will be next. 🙂
Andi says
I totally agree about Craftsy…I signed up a few weeks ago to watch the free QuiltCon lectures, and I’m enrolled in Weeks Ringle’s design class too. Awesome format for classes!
I am waiting a few more months to try weaving, so my daughter can go to classes with me at the LYS…she’ll be in second grade next year and it will be fun to work on projects together.
Debra says
I love the Craftsy platform. Craft resources are limited in rural areas so these classes have been a very useful and welcomed addition to my day. I’ve taken 15 classes, including Perfect Pizza at Home and enjoyed every one of them. After 45 years of sewing/25 years of quilting, I learned new techniques and refreshed what I had forgotten.
Unlike some quilting sites where instructional videos posted during the subscription period are the only ones accessible, a purchased Craftsy product is available …literally forever, similar to purchasing a book or DVD.