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I teach online classes in miniature dollmaking and
various other areas of miniature artistry. I have received many requests for more
information on how these classes work, so hopefully, this page will give
you all the information and encouragement you need to join in the fun.
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| How do I register??
You can now register and pay your fees
thru my shopping cart. Simply purchase
the class or classes of your choice, and
make your payment via credit card or paypal,
or you can mail a personal check.
All of my classes are limited in size, and
sell out quickly. For this reason, if you
are registering and choose to send a check
as your method of payment, your spot will
be held for you for 10 days to allow receipt
of your payment. If your check is not received
as promised, you will forfiet your place
and it will be given to another student.
Hat classes are generally open for registration
4 times a year. THis allows my students
to select several months of classes and
have the kits shipped to them in a single
package. This saves my overseas customers
a huge amount in postage. If you do not
want to purchase that far ahead, you can
wait till closer to the actual class date,
but remember that once a class is sold out,
no additional kits will be available until
the next year.
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| Then what???
Prior to class time, you will receive in the mail a kit containing
the project contents as described in the course listing. Most kits
are complete, and require minimal tools. Sometimes a less
expensive partial kit is offered if the project uses common items
that you may already have on hand.
You will receive email notices in the week before class to remind you
of the date and time. You will also receive an
email giving you a link to the project tutorial, and the classroom
location and login instructions.
I suggest that you take time to review the online tutorial a couple of times
shortly before your scheduled class to become a bit familiar with the
project. Make quick notes of any portion of the instructions that
you might have questions about, and have them ready for the chat
session.
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| The Classroom Experience
The "chat" portion of the class will take place in a
private online chat room. This part of the class is totally optional.
It will be a brief review of the tutorial, and a question and answer
period. It's also an opportunity for a fun get together!
Most classes involve projects that may take several days to complete.
Some require drying time, etc. between steps. Generally it is not
recommended to try and work on your project and attend and participate
in the chatroom class at the same time. Glue and your computer
keyboard are NOT a good combination. Online teaching is designed to give
you all of the resources instruction, and support you need to complete
the project successfully on your own, in your own timeframe, without the
pressure of a classroom deadline, or the expense of travel, hotel, and
meals that come with a live class.
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| "Class is over, and I'm all on my
own???" No, not at all. After the class, you are encouraged to print
out the tutorial and pictures. Additionally, you may email me at any time after the
class if you have other questions or problems in completing your
project.
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| Follow Up?
I am always happy to schedule a "class reunion" back in our
chatroom. If the students in a class all commit to completing
their project within a specific time frame, ( say two weeks for
instance) we will schedule a get together afterward to discuss our
projects, see if anyone ran into any unusual situations, and to
congratulate each other on a job well done. I will also be happy
to post pictures of your finished projects online so that you can share
your complete project with your fellow students during this reunion!
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| What if......?????
....I miss my class????? Or have something else planned for that
day/time?
The chatroom part of the class is entirely optional. The online
tutorial will provide you with all of the instructions that you need to
complete the project. If you run into any problems you are welcome
to email me for additional help. Many of my overseas students take
these classes with no intention of ever joining the class chats because
of the time difference, and find that they are able to complete the
projects easily with the tutorial.
...The chatroom, fails us on class day? (Technical
malfunctions)
The class will be rescheduled at another time and every effort will
be made to accommodate your schedule.
Rest assured that your class will be made up in case of a major
malfunction.
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| Suggestions for Students...
Make sure that you are able to receive emails from me! I have
had many, many people inquire about classes, and respond immediately
only to find weeks later that their spam filters have not allowed
delivery of my email to them. My email address is domain based, so
those filters can really be brutal. I assure you that all of my outgoing
mail is scanned by Panda Titanium Antivirus, the best on the market, so
mail from me is safe to receive. Please set your filters to allow
my emails to get thru to you. I can't send you class reminders,
class fee or schedule information, etc. if I can't get thru to
your email box.
When registering, tell me where you are! I get lots of
emails requesting registration and the amount to send for postage, but
no address! If you are out of the US, remember that I have no way
of calculating your postage costs until you tell me what country you are
in and your postal mailing code.
Get into the zone!! Remember that we are most likely all
in different time zones. When you are sent your class reminders,
pay close attention to not only the date and time, but the time
zone!! If you need help in converting my time into your time, here
is a link to an online converter! We don't want you to miss your
class! Time
Zone Converter Here...
Jump in and ask!! Two of my standard class rules are
: There are NO dumb questions, and there are NO deep dark
secrets. If you ask a question, and I have the answer, I will give
it to you. My goal is for you to succeed in learning the
techniques as well as completing the project. I don't "hold
back" my "trade secrets". I don't believe in that
method of "teaching". Having said that, if you
want to know, just ask! I know that chatrooms, internet groups,
lists, etc. can be intimidating at first. (Hence the thousands of
online "lurkers" out there.) But remember, your class is just
a small group of people like you who want to learn, have a
great time, and make a great mini. (and the new friends you will make
are just an added bonus!) So check your inhibitions at the
door, and type your little fingers off!! LOL
Be prepared. A review of the tutorial before class begins is
always a good idea. It helps you to know where we are going, and
know ahead of time which areas you feel might be the most difficult for
you.
Follow the rules... At the beginning of class, I will
explain to you the classroom "rules". This is just to
explain to you when the question/answer times will happen and how
and when the students should post. This is not meant to be
restrictive, it is only to help make sure that all of the students are
able to post, without "chatting" over the top of each other,
and to make sure that I don't miss any of your questions. |
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I hope that I have anticipated your questions.
However, if there is something that I have omitted, please don't
hesitate to email me and ask. (Good practice for class!!)
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