HomeSchool Workshop Submission Page
Thank you for your participation in Dear Handmade Life’s HomeSchool. We are so excited to get this new offering out to our community! Please use the form at the bottom of this page to submit your workshop information.
WORKSHOP TITLE & DESCRIPTION:
In the form below, please tell us about your workshop. Include the official title and 5-7 sentences describing and explaining your workshop.
Example:
Crochet Washcloths – In this online workshop, you will learn basic crochet stitches including chain stitch and single crochet. We will walk thru the steps of how to count stitches, follow a pattern, turn a row and complete a set of washcloths. We will also go over different sizes of crochet hooks, types of yarn and how you can create your own simple patterns. This workshop is for crocheters of all levels, although the focus will be for beginners.
SUPPLY LIST:
Supply lists should be kept as simple as possible. We aim for attendees to be able to use things they may already have at home whenever possible. However, as this is impossible in some scenarios, please be as specific as possible. For example, if you prefer to use a specific type of watercolors for your workshop, provide us with the link to that product in your supply but also let the students know that they can substitute with any watercolors they may already have.
If you have or would like to create a kit to accompany your workshop, we will put a link to where students can purchase your kit in the supply list. Be sure to include these links. This is a great way to get attendees to your site and make some extra money!)
When offering a kit, be sure to also include the supply list in the kit for those unable to purchase from you. Be as specific as possible with supplies. For example, saying “One #2 round watercolor paintbrush” is better than simply saying “watercolor paintbrush”. Giving as many details as possible here will eliminate the need for us or attendees contacting you with supply questions.
PRESENTATIONS/SLIDES/DOWNLOADABLE INFO:
If you have presentation slides, handouts, printable instructions, patterns, etc., please send those to us. We will edit them into the video or add them to your workshop information page. Please submit as Word Doc or Google Doc format.
PHOTOS/MARKETING MATERIALS:
For craft workshops: please submit photos of your finished project and/or process so we can use them to promote you and your workshop on our social media and other marketing platforms.
YOUR WORKSHOP VIDEO:
See below for specific instructions on recording and format. When your video is done please save it out as either 720p or 1080p. (1080p is preferred.) You can then upload your file to this folder and email spaulding@dearhandmadelife.com to let her know.
GENERAL TIPS AND VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS
BACKGROUND: Consider your background. Simple backgrounds that don’t distract are great but so are ones that show off you, your business or your workshop. Make sure your background is simple and uncluttered (pick up clothes, dirty dishes, etc) so we can focus on you. For craft videos, a clean white background for hands/making is great but not imperative. As long as the surface you’re using for creating your item is clean and uncluttered, it should be great!
LIGHTING: Make sure your lighting is bright enough for us to see your shining self as well as your project if it’s a craft video. Ideally, the room you’re in should be full of natural light. If a well-lit room isn’t possible, lighting should come from in front of you for videos where you are the focus and from above you if it’s an overhead video of your hands working on a project. Back lighting (light behind you) doesn’t work as it makes your face dark and shadowed.
RECORDING: Please have a steady place for your phone, computer iPad or other recording device so it doesn’t move. A tripod is great but if you don’t have one, a stack of books works well in a pinch. Have the camera set up so that there’s a bit of space above your head and so that the frame cuts off at the bottom between your waist and about mid chest.
VIDEOS MUST BE RECORDED HORIZONTALLY!
Either stand or sit on a stool while recording your content. Consider your posture. Sitting and standing up straight makes you look and feel more confident. Look directly into the camera when you’re speaking. Speak slowly, clearly and with intention. The camera should be either pointed straight at you or a slight downward angle.
You don’t need a professional microphone but if you do have one, even better!
Present yourself the same way you would if you were teaching in person. Wear something comfortable but also professional and reflective of your personal style. Avoid chipped nail polish – especially for craft videos where we’ll see a lot of your hands.
*There are some great tips and example photos here.
*Please check out this video from our pal Rebecca Saylor from Oodle Badoodle on her tips on setup and gear along with her Amazon list of gear. Here is her pdf version in case you want to print out her tips.
FORMAT FOR YOUR CRAFT VIDEO:
STEP 1: Introduce Yourself (2-5 minutes):
Tell us about you and your business, just like you do for a live workshop. This is also a great time to show off your workspace, what you make, etc. so our students can get to know you!
STEP 2: Introduce Your Workshop (2-3 minutes):
Show students what they’ll be making in the workshop. You can share an example of the finished product as well as examples with variations of the project. This is also a good time to share your personal experience with this genre of crafting. For example: “My aunt taught me to knit when I would visit her over the summer as a child. I have such amazing memories of chatting and learning alongside her.”
STEP 3: Show Your Supplies (10 minutes max):
Show students all the supplies you’ll be using and discuss specifics like quantity. For example: “Here is the sugar we will be using to make our sugar scrub. We’ll be using 1 cup. The one I’m using is organic and I get it from Bramble Berry but you can also use raw sugar from your local grocery store.” This is a great time to talk about alternatives as well. For example: “If you don’t have apricot kernel oil for the bath scrub, olive oil works just fine, too”. Feel free to share resources for the supplies. If you have a kit for the workshop, be sure to mention it.
STEP 4: Teach Your Project (20 minutes to 1 1/2 hours):
In order for us to edit the workshop showing you making as well as instructing, we’ll need you to film this twice. For first recording, have the camera pointed at you while you’re making and explaining your project. For the second recording, have the camera pointed at your hands/workspace (usually from overhead) so we can see what you’re making and how to do it. We’ll edit both videos together for you.
If you don’t have a tripod to shoot from above, there are some DIY ideas here and here’s an inexpensive flexible tripod (Nicole has this one and loves it!) or if you have a selfie stick, you can tape it to the top of a box.
STEP 5: Show Your Finished Project (1-3 minutes):
When your project is done, show it off in front of the camera, discuss variations and how other versions of your finished project would look. In the form below, you’ll see a place to submit pictures of your final project so that we can edit them into your video.
STEP 6 : Closing (1-3 minutes):
Thank you students for joining you and let them know where to find you online, your social media, etc.
*Feel free to send us some photos of you and work over the years that we can add in. Ie: if you’re talking about your first studio space and you have photos of it, send it or if you talk about how your aunt helped you learn to knit, send us a photo of her or one of your first projects. All of these extra background items help students get to know you and create a unique learning experience.
*If any part of your video is much longer or shorter than these guidelines, please chat with us about it.
*If you want feedback or advice on your set-up for your video, just record a few minutes and send it to us and we’ll let you know our thoughts. 🙂
FORMAT FOR YOUR BUSINESS VIDEO:
STEP 1: Introduce Yourself (2-5 minutes):
Tell us about you and your business, just like you’d do for a live workshop. This is also a great time to show off your workspace, what you make, etc. so your students can get to know you!
STEP 2: Introduce Your Workshop (2-3 minutes):
Tell students about what they’ll be learning in the workshop and how it will help them. This is also a good time to share your personal experience with this particular subject.
STEP 3: Teach Your Workshop (45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours):
Please have the camera pointed at you and speak and look directly at the camera as if it’s your students in a live workshop.
STEP 4: Closing (1-3 minutes):
Thank you students for joining you and let them know where to find you.
*If any part of your video is much longer or shorter than these guidelines, please chat with us about it.
*If you want feedback or advice on your set-up for your video, just record a few minutes and send it to us and we’ll let you know our thoughts. 🙂
