[Woodcarver] charges for teaching

[Bill Judt]

Helen:

I teach four classes of six students each week.
I charge $200 for 30 hours instruction over ten weeks, which works out 
to $20/student/class.
This means I make $120 for 3 hours work.
I make more teaching than I do carving commission work, for the most 
part.

My students KNOW that I am willing to work hard and steady during 
classes. I also make sure my students are aware of what they need to do 
to be fully prepared for each class so their precious time is not 
wasted.

For their class fees I supply my students with a fully equipped shop, 
limit class size to 6 students, allow students to use my tools, and 
provide hot, strong coffee in copious amounts.
I use class time to laminate panels, band-saw projects, sharpen tools, 
help with design, etc. etc.
I do not provide services outside of class time without charging 
$25/hour shop fee. Because of this those students who have their own 
shops at home avoid asking me to do for them what they can do for 
themselves.

Quite often I let my students carve along side me during the day, but 
there are two rules: you carve on your own... don't take up my time 
asking for help... and bring rent payment ("rent" consists of a large 
Tim Horton's coffee, black). I enjoy these times because I know there 
are boundaries that protect my carving time.
I find that if I expect "rent" my students acquire an appreciation for 
the time they get to carve along side me. If I fail to hold them to it, 
they take the opportunity for granted.
People appreciate those things that cost them something. Daytime 
students NEVER come to my shop without "rent" <grin>

Hope this helps you reach a solid decision on this matter.

Blessings and Peace,

Bill

W.F. Judt,
46 Harvard Cres,
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan,
S7H3R1
PH: 306-373-6649
Email: bjudt at sasktel.net
Website: http://www.wwwoodcarver.com

On Feb 16, 2005, at 10:14 PM, Chipmama at aol.com wrote:

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> 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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