Craft Teaching Methods
People who have invested many years in any craft do not want to see it forgotten. Many of these people choose to teach their methods to others in order to keep their craft alive. Teaching basics is generally fairly easy, but these crafters want more. They seek students who have mastered the basics and prefer to continue their education until they have learned the entire craft as a whole. It is not always easy to find people who have the time to do this, but many who practice less popular crafts make the effort.
Learning enough to get by
While crafting has experienced a popular resurgence, not everyone wants to learn all facets to become a master craftsman. Some people want to only learn the parts they find relaxing and enjoyable. In crafts such as pottery and ceramics, many students prefer to decorate pieces without the labour of making the original pottery. They do not want to suffer through the effort of throwing a bowl on a wheel only to have it burst in the kiln during firing.
Learning the full skillset
It is understandable that people in the modern world prefer to study only part of a craft. This is the world of the assembly line, and it is normal to learn only a small amount about how items are made. It takes a person who has a variety of skills to complete a pottery piece from start to finish. They must be able to work clay with or without a wheel. After they have done that, they must learn how use stains to decorate their piece. Those without the ability to decorate by hand can always use ceramic transfers or ceramic decals to complete this step. They can then move on to applying the glaze for their final firing.
Takes years to become a master
The enormity of knowledge for each craft can be staggering. It takes a large commitment for any new crafter to learn all there is to know. There are rewards for the time and effort spent studying. They can take a piece from start to finish all on their own. For those who only want to learn part of the craft, it is still a viable and rewarding option.
