Ideas and Suggestions Requested for Creative Opportunities

2Victory wrote

on 5 Aug 2010 11:49 AM

I am fairly new to quilting and all of this fiber art medium. I am looking for a way to incorporate my high interest in creativity with being exposed to/working with/for creative minds. I am also a teacher and would like to use my teaching with creativity.  I am looking for suggestions and ideas no matter how far out they may seem.  I want to be in a place that supports who I am and where I am going.

Muppin wrote

on 5 Aug 2010 12:08 PM

Hey 2Victory!

What direction are you thinking of going?  Are you looking to open a studio to teach others?  Or is this more of a personal endeavor to get yourself out on the teaching/lecturing circuit? 

You have lots of possibilities, and there's so many creative people on this site who can advise! 

Cheryl / Muppin

2Victory wrote

on 5 Aug 2010 12:44 PM

Thanks Muppin for answering.

I think right now I am still in the baby phase and learning what there is to learn. I think I don't have anything to teach right now. For the long, out there goal I'm not sure because I don't know what the possibilities are. That's why I put it out there. I want to create. But not a HAVE to create. And maybe I have a belief that is getting in the way. I'm willing to take a look at that. I DO think dialoguing about it will be helpful. I do like traveling and meeting new people. I am not a marketing/managing person. I AM a discovery, adventure, Oh MyGosh person.  I have been told that I am a highly creative person and I am seeking, searching, pursuing all that I can to live into that.

FibreReaction wrote

on 6 Aug 2010 3:55 AM

There is much that can be shared, from specialising in a technique to making a complete item.  There's drawing, or design, to dyeing, painting fabrics, surface embellishments, how to use the equipment.  Its a huge area, and a lot also depends on what your market place wants, then there's the people, adults, children, beginners, experienced, individuals or groups, travelling to them, or they to you.

Above all whatever it is you are teaching, you need to know all about it inside out, back to front.   Be that a tried and tested technique, or a complete project, you need something to offer the market place that's going to make people want to come to you to find out more.   If you've not taken any fibre art classes yourself, then I'd suggest you try some.  Both from the learning of the subject point of view, but also from watching how its done, what is offered, how much can be achieved in the time, who are your fellow students, their abilities, needs, questions they ask.  If you don't want to "have" to create, then you might be better off just making your work, as the muse takes you, and then when you have a decent amount using that as a lecture base.  If you look at those who offer lectures or workshops, they have several at any one time, which change and move on, and likewise so do the pieces to go with them.  And yes, you are going to need to market yourself, you will need a way to promote yourself in order to do the lecturing or teaching, so as hard as that side might be, you can't really ignore it.  If you want to take your textile art out of the home, in any way, ie to exhibit or enter events, then there is much to learn aside from the textile skills, believe me.

Pat Bishop wrote

on 26 Sep 2010 9:03 AM

Sounds like you may have found the field you want to settle into, but you need to experiment and learn more about the fiber art that speaks to you.  Only then will you know where it will lead you.  I would read magazines, visit websites and blogs, take classes, etc. relating to fiber and see what trips your trigger.

Quilnan wrote

on 27 Sep 2010 5:38 PM

I would suggest taking some online classes. There are many in a wide variety of topics, from journal making, to collage, to stitching. Joggles.com has a number of fall classes starting this month and next. Also QuiltUniversity.com has many classes to choose from. Plus individual teachers offer their own online courses that you can access at your leisure, complete at home and in your own timeframe. I've found that taking a class online has allowed me to expand my skills in several new-to-me areas and glean tips and techniques from accomplished quiltmakers/artists. Of course, this Quilting Arts site has lots of DVDs you can order, or purchase for download. I have several of these titles and have found them to be very instructional. You might also do a web search of a topic that interests you to see if anyone offers a tutorial on it. Lots of bloggers offer how-tos on the projects they show. Doing this will allow you to discover and refine your areas of interest, meet and share ideas with others who are like-minded, and build a good foundation in the creative arts.

Aloysius2 wrote

on 30 Sep 2010 6:18 PM

I really enjoy Quilt University and think it is an excellent way of learning new techniques. My husband has also done a class on Photographing Quilts and thoroughly enjoyed it, and also got a lot out of it. I am just finishing  the City & Guilds Patchwork and Quilting course which I am taking online and have had a blast! I have learnt so much and I believe it has made me a better quilter. I am finishing my final assessment piece, which is proving hard but I know the end result will be worth it!

darrylp wrote

on 8 Nov 2010 9:56 AM

It all started as a hobby and now quilting and patchwork has become a part of my life but I still want to learn more because I feel what I know is fairly some simple patterns only and I want to learn the more complicated ones. I'm glad some of the members here mentioned some quilt art sites and places, it has become easier for me.