A number of you have asked about the status of the slicer. We are still testing it and making minor adjustments. If all goes as planned, it will make its first public appearance at the Buckeye Bash in Ohio in late February.
One of the best things about teaching small classes in my home town is that I don’t have to cover everything in a 1- or 2-day workshop. I have a group of students who are taking a series of classes leading up to one-of-a-kind kaleidoscope pendants. One of the more challenging steps for the students is combining their individual component canes into a complex cane that works well for kaleidoscopes. For most of them, this is the first complex cane they have ever built. Last weekend my latest students decided they wanted me to combine their canes for them and explain why I placed the component canes where I did as the assembly progressed. I have mixed feelings about doing so much of the student’s work for them, but because my classes are process oriented rather than product oriented, I decided to go ahead.
These are the finished canes (mirrored) after Laura, Mary and Trina reduced them. I love how different the colors and designs are. Next time, they will do the entire process themselves. Any thoughts on this approach?
Addendum (11/15/10)
Here is the cane Sally made in the class. I didn’t have a picture when I posted the above entry. Have an opinion on this topic? Add your comments.
Sally's First Kaleidoscope Cane
This design is from Mary’s second kaleidoscope cane. She made this cane entirely by herself after she finished her class cane.
Design from Mary's second kaleidoscope cane
