[rick-in-seattle]

Hi Vicki.

Having been on both sides of this fence, I can stand on the fence without falling one way or the other.
When I teach, I like the entire class to work on the same project, but when I am taking a class, I want to learn what I need help with.

I have never taken a class with Phil & Vicki, but I am sure I would enjoy it very much.
I do take seminars with Harold Enlow and appreciate how he teaches.
I tell him what I want help with and he covers that subject only.

Marv Kaisersatt is another instructor I enjoy, I receive instruction only in what I ask for.

Yes, most seminars I attend are my vacations. Most instructors realize this and I have never had one become upset.

So, I would recommend that instructors expectations be included in the class decription.

[snickerbocker]

That is pretty much the way we teach a class what ever the student wants. We have taken a couple of Harold Enlow classes and what a joy he is. And we did the same as you with Harold. We let our students direct the way they want to learn. We are pretty flexible.

[Kenny_S]

I have taken one class> am I good enough to follow directions? is my tools sharp enough? What should I expect? On and on with apprehenions on taking my first class.
The ice was broken righ from the start, A sweet lady standing at the door welcome me and my little bride, THEN, I knocked over a 44 oz jug of tea, on the table, all over the floor! Very graicous lady she is, Vicki said get set up and I will clean up the mess. Boy, did I feel bad, but from then on, I realy enjoyed the time spent at my first class and plan to take another one or two or three. BUT, this time Vicki, I will have a lid on that jug.
Since I have talen that first step, I have improved my carving and look forward to more classes with the Bishops and others.

Thank you Phil and Vicki for your instructions and friendship.
The are great instructors as well as people during class and out of class. Truely an enjoyable time spent.
The little bride is looking forward to at least the Elk City class also.

[snickerbocker]

Thank you for your kind words Kenny, we have been teaching the spring seminar this past weekend and are on our way to IL. We enjoyed you in and out of class also. We look forward to seeing and carving with you again and look forward to seeing Billie too.

[Donna_T]

It's been two-three weeks since I've been here, so I'm thinking I'll chime in on this questions. When I first started carving and going to carving workshops, I appreciated the instructor helping me "see" by doing 1/2 of the hard parts--eyes, hands, feet. However, as I gained experience, I appreciated instructors asking first if I wanted them to show me by carving on my carving. Unless I'm having a total block and can't figure out what to do, I prefer my carving to be my carving--carved by me alone.

Having taken 2-3 workshops with Phil and VIckie (Hi Vickie--good to see you here!) I can say, and have said it here before, they're great carving teachers. Their carving style is unique and they can always find a way to salvage a carver's mistakes and make them better carvers in the process.

That said, however, even when I'm doing a workshop with a great instructor, I usually like to use some artistic options and change the carving somewhat so that it's not an exact duplicate of theirs. I don't mean to offend the instructors--but I don't think the only way to learn is by doing a cookier cutter carving. We learn from each carving instructor we experience. I can learn from them without trying to make an identical carving.

I go to carving workshops to learn, experience, share fellowship with other carvers, and get away from work and just carve with folks who share the same interests--vacations! I appreciate the instructor's knowledge and experience, but I want the carving to be mine.
Donna T

[Donna_T]

It's been two-three weeks since I've been here, so I'm thinking I'll chime in on this questions. When I first started carving and going to carving workshops, I appreciated the instructor helping me "see" by doing 1/2 of the hard parts--eyes, hands, feet. However, as I gained experience, I appreciated instructors asking first if I wanted them to show me by carving on my carving. Unless I'm having a total block and can't figure out what to do, I prefer my carving to be my carving--carved by me alone.

Having taken 2-3 workshops with Phil and VIckie (Hi Vickie--good to see you here!) I can say, and have said it here before, they're great carving teachers. Their carving style is unique and they can always find a way to salvage a carver's mistakes and make them better carvers in the process.

That said, however, even when I'm doing a workshop with a great instructor, I usually like to use some artistic options and change the carving somewhat so that it's not an exact duplicate of theirs. I don't mean to offend the instructors--but I don't think the only way to learn is by doing a cookie cutter carving. We learn from each carving instructor we experience. I can learn from them without trying to make an identical carving.

I go to carving workshops to learn, experience, share fellowship with other carvers, and get away from work and just carve with folks who share the same interests--vacations! I appreciate the instructor's knowledge and experience, but I want the carving to be mine.
Donna T

[BRIAN D]

What about the instructor carrying a pencil & marking the carving a little at a time to guide the student & help them see what to due next & let them carve it!
Let others learn by leading them in the challenge & have fun watching them grow. Brian D