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Raising standards in craft techniques is dear to my heart. I’ve been teaching now for over 25 years and I take great responsibility in sharing my knowledge with others. Craft judging gives me that opportunity.

I relish the chance to pass on any tips that might encourage others to maintain or raise their levels of craft.

I have recently done a spot of craft judging with a large organisation in the UK. The Womens’ Institute is well known for its standards in Crafts, Cookery and Flower Arranging, amongst others. The organisation is a reference point for many and justly so.

They aim to establish a standard of excellence amongst all those who learn with them. You can be assured that any exhibition they are part of will show a range of abilities. It is important that new craftspeople try craft techniques and enter exhibitions. It is just as important that the quality of Judges is maintained to create craft experts in their field.

If we accept that craft standards are vital we need to make sure that those with the authority of assessing standards are well trained. When you cannot get face-to-face with exhibitors, the only way of sharing knowledge is through a mark card or a comment card. In Craft Shows, this is the only way for a Judge to let an exhibitor know the level of craft technique they have shown.

An ill-worded comment will do nothing to affect future standards if it is badly put, inept or plain derogatory. Like anything, there is a skill in sharing areas that could be developed, whilst also congratulating exemplary craft workmanship.

If you want to stand up and be counted as a standard-bearer, you have to take responsibility for your comments. And comments must be backed up by a thorough knowledge of the craft you are appraising.

It is a serious challenge but an everyday occurrence. Anytime I work with others there is a chance to praise as well as perfect.
As a mum I know how important it is to encourage and applaud success. I hope I am sensitive to the situation because it could make the difference between someone continuing with, or dropping a particular craft.

I want craft techniques to flourish around me. I hope you will set your own craft standards and be prepared to share them with others.

The process of Learning Crafts is an individual as we are. We all have our preferred way to pick up new skills and techniques. The Craft Teacher can have you learning crafts fast with a Proven system for mastering any Craft Technique. Our Weekly Step by Step Online Craft Course gives you choices in how and when you learn. We create the steps and you set the pace. Go here for the quickest way to master new Craft Techniques.

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Tomorrow I’m judging for my Womens’ Institute County Federation. It’s something I love to do and it gives me a chance to share some teaching experience and to see that craft standards are alive and well.

Many years ago now I trained as a Federation Craft Judge. This meant that I was allowed to judge locally, within my County and Nationally, if asked on all things Craft related. In the UK the Womens’ Institute has a first class reputation as both teaching and maintaining homecraft standards.

The Federation excels at many things – including debating and informing issues of National Importance. So it is considered quite an accolade to be qualified to judge for them.

Tomorrow sees me judging the Greeting Card section of the Cator Cup. I expect to me appraising around 40 or so entries so I’ll have my work cut out for me to give each a valued comment after all their preparation time.

Having exhibited myself before, I know what it’s like both sides of the fence and it’s quite some responsibility. To be able to comment you need a mix of experience plus commonsense and the ability to communicate what’s importance with encouragement and direction.

I hope I’m up to the mark. The ladies will be counting on it – and as it’s marks out of 20 – I will too! There will be no room for error if I am to maintain my own standards of Judging. Wish me luck.

The process of Learning Crafts is as individual as we are. We all have our preferred way to pick up new skills and techniques. The Craft Teacher can have you learning crafts fast with a Proven system for mastering any Craft Skill. Our Weekly Step by Step Online Craft Course gives you choices in how and when you learn. We create the steps and you set the pace. Go here to find your own excellence in Craft Skills.

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I’ve met many a craft expert.  Not all of them made good craft teachers.  It’s also equally true that not all craft teachers are craft experts.  But some qualities are essential in both.  You won’t necessarily get the two together – unless you know matters most to you at the time.

Ok.  So we all know the qualities and skills that make someone a craft expert.  What are they?

- Standard of excellence in their particular craft
- Considerable experience in choosing and using appropriate materials
- Competence and confidence in applying skills to new craft areas
- Extending their knowledge by continued development and study
- The ability to use what they know with other craft techniques
- Knowing their chosen subject. Inside out

Quite an achievement, no?

And whilst these may apply to a single craft discipline, someone with all these skills may be able to call themselves an expert in a number of craft –related fields.

And what can we say of a Craft Expert’s ability to share their knowledge?

Well teaching may come as natural to them – or it may not.  I’ve sat in on classes where the ‘expert’ left me dumb-founded, and the non-expert student had to use their considerable unrated-expertise to explain things to the rest of us.

So a craft expert doesn’t necessarily make a great craft teacher.

So what of the Craft Teacher.

Well they might not be experts in everything they teach. Their skill may be in calling on experts whose knowledge they can share with others.

For teaching purposes they only need to be one step ahead of their students.  – whatever level their classes may start at – there will come a point at which the student excels the teacher.  And in my opinion, as a teacher, that’s pure magic!

So what skills should we be applauding in a craft teacher?

I’ve met many a craft expert.  Not all of them made good craft teachers.  It’s also equally true that not all craft teachers are craft experts.  But some qualities are essential in both.  You won’t necessarily get the two together – unless you know matters most to you at the time.

- The ability to explain clearly and logically
- The creation of step by step handouts or instructions
- Being able to enthuse, motivate, demonstrate their craft
- Being comfortable with sharing craft skills with groups, and individuals within groups in the best way
- Being competent, confident and energetic in their approach to their subject
- Understanding the importance of pace, momentum and the right balance of activities
- Breaking up the theory and practical (learning and doing) to get the right mix

Given both options I’d prefer to be taught by a Craft Teacher who was also a Craft Expert in the subject I wanted to learn.  At least a Craft Teacher would be able to show or tell me what I needed, in the way I needed it.

A craft expert may be extremely able, but if they didn’t have teaching skills they may not be able to teach me what to do.

The key lies in sounding out your choice of demonstrator or teacher.

Who will you use to show you what you master?  A craft expert or a craft teacher?

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