Early on Saturday morning, I prepared the studio for my second workshop. I arranged nine chairs around our table, laid out a rainbow stripe of yarn balls, printed out nine sets of patterns and gathered together nine bags of stuffing, eyes and hoops.
I laid our little blue table with a palette of gorgeous merino yarn, ready to inspire my visiting ladies.
I went to the market and bought a bunch of daffodils for my stripy jug, and I borrowed Tracy's white step ladders to make a little Bower Bird display. All was set, and I felt ready for the day. I had some flutters of nerves in my tummy, but once the Lovely Ladies began to arrive I suddenly felt at ease and surprisingly in my element. No need to be nervous! I know this pattern exceptionally well now, I am confident teaching it, I love teaching it. I love to inspire, to share, to encourage. It's fun!
The hours fly by, honestly, the clock seems to run at warp speed. The Lovely Ladies take to the project so well, they concentrate and they work hard, they count and they scribble. But also they chat and laugh, share snippets about their lives, their families, their work. It is relaxed and friendly, and I enjoy the whole experience so much.
The ladies in the café downstairs look after us very well, and we are kept supplied with drinks and platters of pastries and sweet nibbles. The crumbs mingle with the yarn ends, and slowly one by one, my Lovely Ladies sing out their Ta-dah's as their Birds hatch and stretch their wings. It is magical to witness, and with each proud Ta-dah, my heart melts.
By the end of the day, there are nine beautiful new Bower Birds in the world, and ten very happy ladies.
I feel so blessed to have this gift that I am able to share. To see my own design come to life in the hands of others is such an amazing experience, and one that gives me great pleasure.
At four o'clock we reluctantly begin to say our goodbyes. Many of the Lovely Ladies have travelled some distance to be with me, and I wish them safe journey's home again. The studio hushes, and I potter around tidying crumbs and yarn ends, smiling all over. Such a great day, so rewarding. Teaching workshops is a big learning experience for me, I am really enjoying it but I am still finding my confidence and learning to relax with it. I've got five more workshop dates running one a month through to July, all fully booked up. That's good I think?! I have become someone who teaches workshops, that still takes me by surprise!
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Nice job teaching! I do it myself, maths in 6th grade. Always learn something from my students.
I can see your pasion.
Posted by: Mercedes | June 27, 2014 at 10:29 PM
Hi lucy, your workshop sounds amazing!! I am in NZ so a bit far to travel but if i was in the UK i totally would sign up. I love the little birdies....please please can we have the tutorial or pattern? is it on your blog anywhere as i cant find it or if it is for sale please do let me know. thank you so much xoxox
Posted by: Marie Salamanca | April 13, 2014 at 11:39 AM
this is really amazing this would make lots of sales on our store, Trembu.com is an online selling site that allows seller to manage and operate their own store
Posted by: Handmade | March 27, 2014 at 01:23 AM
Great guns!by sheer chance I found you, and I'm delighted to see your beautiful work. I love, love, your birds. Will try to reproduce one with your blessing.
Posted by: Velia | March 23, 2014 at 06:13 PM
Would be interested jn booking onto one of your workshops, please can you send details. Also is there a pattern for the bower bird. I just completed an esster wreath minusthe bower bird and won my Wi spring craft competition
Posted by: Juliet Smith | March 23, 2014 at 09:59 AM
Congratulations on another successful workshop! I wish I could come across the pond to one. :) I have taught knitting classes for several years and still get nervous beforehand, especially when teaching a pattern for the first time. I think the flutters are good since they keep me on my toes!
Posted by: Lizy Tish | March 22, 2014 at 12:10 PM
Dear Lucy: Thanks so much for sharing your bright colors with us. They certainly make my days more cheerful and brighter.
Posted by: Claudia Martins Dietrich | March 21, 2014 at 04:02 PM
How fabulous! I am about to start teaching workshops at our local Primary School. I'm nervous about teaching, but excited to share this fantastic hobby with little people in my community.
Posted by: Sandra F | March 21, 2014 at 10:30 AM
Good morning, may I please have your future program for day courses?
It looks so much fun and I would love to crochet with like minded people .
Best regards
Sue Moxon
York, North Yorkshire
Posted by: Sue Moxon | March 18, 2014 at 08:37 AM
oh I have just discovered your blog - awesoem! I love these ltitle bower brids, and the way you displayed them on the ladder looks great. Congratulations on running workshops, it is so nice to share things we love to do with others.
Posted by: Africanaussie | March 18, 2014 at 12:25 AM
Congratulations, Lucy! I'm glad you are enjoying your newest adventure into teaching…I'm sure it comes naturally to you. I am slowly getting up the nerve to start my own teaching. Maybe one of these days...
Posted by: Karen | March 17, 2014 at 05:56 PM
I wish I was near by to drop in for one of your classes - they sound like such fun!
Posted by: Heike Herrling | March 16, 2014 at 11:07 PM
I'm really looking forward to the May workshop!
Posted by: Aisha | March 16, 2014 at 08:11 PM
It sounds like you founded a successful little thing to live on... Hood luck! I know how rewarding teaching can be when you teach something you love! Good luck with all the other workshops!
Posted by: Silly Little Sheep | March 16, 2014 at 06:41 PM
What a delightful sight, 9 Bower Birds in a row!! Can't wait to make my own :) Glad you had a lovely day xx
Posted by: Sarah | March 16, 2014 at 07:35 AM
What a fun sounding morning. I'd love to location warp and find myself in one of your classes!
Posted by: Seaweed & Raine | March 16, 2014 at 02:46 AM
Have you ever thought of proposing a Craftsy class? I bet a class from you would be one of their best-sellers.
Posted by: Suzanne | March 15, 2014 at 04:35 PM
If I ever win the lottery, I am going to come to one of your work shops! I really would spend my winnings to do this. AND I would bring bring the other ladies who have commented that live to far away too! Wouldn't that be fun? You would need teach non stop classes for all of that would come! It would be an Attic 24 Lucy Convention! I can't think of anything else that I would rather do! I am going to buy a lottery ticket ToDay!
Posted by: Lynn Dee Butler | March 15, 2014 at 03:35 PM
Teaching a project is fun isn't it? I love seeing my projects made in fabrics that other people have chosen- always thrilling to see different colours and patterns and how they come together to make a project sing.
Posted by: Kate | March 15, 2014 at 08:48 AM
I wish so much that I lived closer :( Fancy doing any touring workshops?
Posted by: E | March 15, 2014 at 07:20 AM
I can't wait for the workshop I'm booked on. It all looks great fun.
Posted by: Catherine Pritchard | March 15, 2014 at 07:08 AM
So adorable! And so fun to read about you blossoming and sharing your gift with others.
Blessings,
Alyson
Posted by: Alyson | March 15, 2014 at 02:34 AM
I detect the musings of one born to teach :)
Posted by: Carolyn | March 15, 2014 at 01:54 AM
All the birds look gorgeous! I wished I lived in the same country as you so I could attend a workshop, it would be so much fun.
Posted by: Jenny, Sydney | March 15, 2014 at 01:21 AM
I have just re-discovered crochet after a lapse of many years and I love your blog, it is so inspiring! Thanks so much for sharing what you do.Your photography is great and I love the glimpse of English country side I get plus your vibrant color choices in your projects. Do you have a pattern for the bower birds? They are so cute and I want to make some.
Posted by: Annie | March 14, 2014 at 11:13 PM