My display included some works in progress and some designs in progress, as well as completed pieces I had with me. I arranged everything in groups according to size thread.
I think the children who came over to watch were more fascinated than the adults. Some people had no idea what I was doing. Others told me stories about friends or family members who tatted. One woman thought it was crochet at first. While she had no desire to learn, I enjoyed visiting with her and her husband. I enjoyed visiting with them all!
As I was packing up to leave, the librarian asked me if I would be willing to teach some classes at the library. Of course I said yes. I left my contact information at the front desk for her. I don't know what we will be able to work out in the way of a schedule since I don't live or work in North Little Rock, but I'm excited about sharing our hobby with others and possibly adding to our tatting community.
I'm also determined I shall never again be caught unprepared to do a public demonstration. I'm going to put a few things together to leave in my car. My list includes: small tatted items to give away; a few shuttles loaded with thread for the eager to try (I think I'll make some more business card shuttles); a Tatting Demonstration sign so people won't hesitate to approach; and some business cards with my blog address. Can you think of anything else I need to include?
13 comments:
I few items that they can buy if they want, it's alright giving away things but your time and get there are also important, perhaps a few bookmarks to sell. Don't forget a pair of scissors but make sure they don't walk, so don't take your favourites.
Margaret
Thank you, Margaret, for the great advice. I had not thought of any of these. I will definitely do all of them.
How wonderful! I always have tatting with me, but not enough to display or share. I think I'll follow your lead and do some prep work. Spread the word!
This post made me very happy :-) Loved Margaret's suggestions. Best wishes for future demos :-)
Wow great post and great idea, I too have tatting with me but this is very interesting to do and I could slide some work into a protective plastic sleeve to keep it clean and place in a note book too! And then take out and lay on a table :) Wow you had some nice work with you and fun for all to enjoy, tatting is always nicer in person, we can blog to each other all the time but when I have received some in mail that was pictured on a blog, even I forget how pretty it is in person!
OK...way new tatter here but a couple of thoughts.
To help hold onto the scissors how about a tatted scissor lanyard or fob that way you can show off a use for tatting and keep your scissors close.
A sample of the same motifs done in different thread sizes.
A couple of items with tatting on them to show how it can be used.
Trim a coin purse, add a touch on a quilt block, on a denim pocket.
Maybe just a picture of these to keep the bulk down.
I just started tatting and the learning curve has been a pain in the butt. I am using a needle, after 3 weeks trying to get the tension right on a shuttle to slip the knot onto the core thread.
Good for you for seizing the opportunity to promote tatting!
It's exciting that this post is inspiring some of you to be prepared as well. Thanks for sharing that with me.
Rebecca and Madtatter80, I think I could combine an idea from each of you. How about a notebook of pictures of some of the different things one can do with tatting. Of course, I'd want to get permission from the tatter to use their pictures, but I'm not likely to work up some of Rebecca's great suggestions. I like to provide a decent sampling of some of the things you can do, and I had a few more things off to the right that were made in size 80 and 100 threads so there was at least a good variety of thread sizes.
Rebecca, you reminded me that I have a scissor finder bracelet with a pair of scissors attached. It's my own pattern shared many ages ago, but I'll have to find it. I've since invested in much better scissors. I do have a sewing chatelaine I made some years ago that has velcro on one end of the ribbon to attach through the handle of the scissors. I could decorate it with a bit of tatting quite easily.
Thank you all for the encouragement and the wonderful ideas.
I have one of those small electronic photo albums. Just put in a bunch of pictures of your tatting that change every minute so people walking by can see what you are doing. I also suggest you put your tatting into a book or attached to a felt book so nothing goes missing.
I think it is such a wonderful opportunity to promote tatting. I like the idea of the same pattern with different size threads.
If you have a tablet and a connection to the internet (not to mention the computers at the library!), you can have a huge window into the world of tatted lace! And also videos! Don't forget to show your own blog!
I always take my 10" tablet with me to our tatting events, which I connect to my MiFi hotspot. (I also carry my 7" tablet in my purse.) Many people aren't aware of our presence on the internet! (I tell them to search for Tatted Lace - not 'Tatting', as tattoos often come up!) And just calling up Jane Eborall's photo galleries astounds them - all those amazing animals!
I also have an album in my tablets' photo galleries (I don't need an internet connection to view them) of favorite tatted items of others. One 'Wow' photo is that of Tatting-Marie's huge Christmas tree filled with over 900 tatted ornaments (photo is on Diane's blog). The variety of wonderful tatted jewelry also amazes them! Kids then think that tatting is 'cool' since it's 'on the internet'!
Thank you, Bernice and Kathy. Great ideas!
For a last minute demonstration I think you had a wonderful display, especially knowing how many people don't even know tatting!!! :)
You have lots of little samples on that table, and look well prepared to me! Lots of good suggestions in the comments. The only thing I can think of is to mention that there are a lot of YouTube tutorials if one wishes to learn at home (that's how I learned). I think it's a great idea that you will be teaching some classes. I'm excited for you!
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