[Woodcarver] charges for teaching

[Chipmama at aol.com]

I would really appreciate some input from those of you who teach carving on a 
weekly or monthly basis - about what you charge.
I've been teaching for about four years now and love it.  I just love to 
carve and I've been known to get tears in my eyes when one of my students does 
something surprisingly good.
I have ten somewhat "regulars" that I have recently split into two classes in 
order to have more time to spend with each one.
My students are all ladies rangeing in age from 27 to 85 years,
plus a lady who is deaf.  I've never recruited students - it's all been by 
word of mouth.  Four of them are friends who I've known for over 20 years and 
therein, I think, lies the problem.
I am always here, unless I'm sick, which is seldom.  Plus, I am a carving 
fool, so I always put carving class before anything else.
Some of my students on the other hand cancel for anything and everything and 
it's starting to eat at me.
I charge $10 for a 2 and a half hour class.  I sharpen their tools for free.  
I supply paint.  I order things for them.  I don't charge for cutting out 
things on the bandsaw.  I have coffee and tea and often have snacks.  I have come 
to the conclusion that the problem is I've been a poor business woman and a 
bit of a doormat because I don't want to hurt my friends feelings.
I am thinking about actively recruiting new students but I feel I should set 
things up a little differently.
Any ideas?  I'm open to all suggestions and comments.
Sorry this turned out to be so long.  Guess I needed to spill my guts to 
someone who would understand.  Thanks for listening.

Helen Coxe
chipmama at aol.com
Phoenix, AZ
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