Craftshare

How to run a fruitful but deceptively simple craftshare.

This is kind of like A&S show and tell, but with a specific set of questions. The questions are:


 * What is it?
 * How did you make it?
 * What are you proud of?
 * What did you learn/what will you do differently next time?

The benefit of this structure is that the questions are easy to remember, can be answered in simple and complex ways, and help the audience understand the process of the craft in question and the process of becoming proficient in a skill.

Having a standard set of questions helps people prepare to speak in public about their projects, and requires that everyone talk about both the strengths and weaknesses of their process, rather than just one or the other.

As with other A&S activities involving finished projects, announce this well ahead of the event so that people can know to finish projects in process and to bring their projects with them.

A craftshare is generally run like this:


 * 1) Sit everyone down in a circle and explain the question set.
 * 2) Go around one by one to each person. People are allowed to just watch and not participate, and should indicate that by sitting outside the circle or saying "pass" when it gets to them.
 * 3) After answering the questions above, there should be a brief period for the audience to ask questions, keeping in mind the need to get to everyone in the circle.
 * 4) Once everyone has had a chance to speak, thank the group for taking the time to share their work, their skill, and their process.
 * 5) At this point the circle either adjourns to the next activity, or remains in casual conversation so further audience questions can be discussed.