You ever get one of those feelings/thoughts that just keep bugging you? Something that started off as maybe a flight of fancy, but now keeps creeping back into your mind? I've been having that lately. It all started when I was checking out the Modern Quilt Guild blog and stumbled upon the Quiltcon call for instructors & lecturers.
I use to teach classes, both college level classes as well as classes at a local craft store. I enjoyed teaching and helping others learn a craft- any craft. Costume design, makeup, quilling, loom knitting, stamping, crochet, what ever it was, I was always willing to pass on my knowledge to others. So when I saw the call for instructors I had what a thought was just a fleeting thought of applying. I brushed the thought away quickly reminding myself that I could never compete with the top notch teachers they've had in the past.
Sure, I know my stuff and I strongly believe in what I do. I'm also very passionate about teaching and helping others. But I have no mass following. I don't have a single book published or even in the works. There are no fabric companies knocking at my door or sending me free fabric hoping I will work with them. And I have never had one of my quilts published in any magazine. So, what business do I have applying for such a gig?
Every time the thought entered my mind I'd run down the reasons why I shouldn't. Then I made the mistake of mentioning my whole mental drama to my husband. He listened to all my back and fourth chatter and all the reasons why it just wouldn't make sense to apply. And then he said the following words that would change everything. "So the worse that can happen is that they say 'no thank you'? Then why not go ahead and apply. If you don't, you'll always wonder if you should have. And you never know, you just might be what their looking for."
So here I am, sewing like a mad woman to get my samples ready to photograph and send in with my application. Even as I'm sewing blocks and working on class descriptions, I still can't believe I'm doing this. Do I really think I'll get accepted? Not a snowball chance in hell, baby. But that won't stop me from trying. At the very least, I'll have wonderful class descriptions along with class samples all ready to go for any future teaching opportunities that may come my way.
I use to teach classes, both college level classes as well as classes at a local craft store. I enjoyed teaching and helping others learn a craft- any craft. Costume design, makeup, quilling, loom knitting, stamping, crochet, what ever it was, I was always willing to pass on my knowledge to others. So when I saw the call for instructors I had what a thought was just a fleeting thought of applying. I brushed the thought away quickly reminding myself that I could never compete with the top notch teachers they've had in the past.
Sure, I know my stuff and I strongly believe in what I do. I'm also very passionate about teaching and helping others. But I have no mass following. I don't have a single book published or even in the works. There are no fabric companies knocking at my door or sending me free fabric hoping I will work with them. And I have never had one of my quilts published in any magazine. So, what business do I have applying for such a gig?
Every time the thought entered my mind I'd run down the reasons why I shouldn't. Then I made the mistake of mentioning my whole mental drama to my husband. He listened to all my back and fourth chatter and all the reasons why it just wouldn't make sense to apply. And then he said the following words that would change everything. "So the worse that can happen is that they say 'no thank you'? Then why not go ahead and apply. If you don't, you'll always wonder if you should have. And you never know, you just might be what their looking for."
So here I am, sewing like a mad woman to get my samples ready to photograph and send in with my application. Even as I'm sewing blocks and working on class descriptions, I still can't believe I'm doing this. Do I really think I'll get accepted? Not a snowball chance in hell, baby. But that won't stop me from trying. At the very least, I'll have wonderful class descriptions along with class samples all ready to go for any future teaching opportunities that may come my way.
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