Hi Everyone!
This week, Gwen Bortner joins Marly on the posdcast!
Gwen has a new class on Craftsy.com, “How to Teach It” and is here to tell us more! Not only can her class apply to crafty teaching, but applies to many different aspects of teaching something in general!
Gwen is also known as the Entrelac Queen, and has a book out regarding this as well as another Craftsy.com class, called “Entrelac Knitting“.
Gwen Bortner is a Craft Yarn Council Certified Teacher, teaches knitting and business classes at venues throughout the country, has been published in a variety of knitting magazines and is the lead designer for her business, Knitability, LLC.
Education is probably the most important component of the Knitability business plan as all efforts focus on the company motto of “Taking Knitters to the Next Level”. Gwen’s passion is teaching and enjoys every opportunity she has to share her love of knitting with others. Whether teaching through the local community education program or at a national knitting convention, meeting new people and sharing the love of knitting is one of her greatest joys.
In recent years, Gwen has combined her previous work experience as a business consultant for Ernst and Young, LLP and her passion for teaching by offering business classes for members of the crafting industry. Her most recent endeavor was converting her class “Share Your Passion, Teach!” into an online offering via Craftsy called “How to Teach It”
Gwen’s teaching philosophy can be summed up in the following quote, “My job is to make the students’ (in this case other teachers’) toolbox bigger. If all you own is a hammer, everything looks like a nail! In the process of providing options, more skills are developed and a better teacher is the result. Handcraft skills are rarely passed down between relatives anymore. Good teachers of all handcrafts are critical to ensuring these creative skills continue to be practiced.”
You can find Gwen on Facebook, Twitter, Ravelry, Craftsy and her website!
As you know, Marly loves her listeners who listen after the live show, so leave a comment with the keyword, and be entered to win Gwen’s Crafty class, “How To Teach It”!
Happy rest of the week y’all!
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This podcast is sponsored by: Knitter’s Magazine, Craftsy.com, Fiesta Yarns, Kollage Yarns, Decades by Drew Emborsky, Love of Knitting, Love of Crochet and Bijou Basin Ranch.
I gained a bunch of knowledge listening this week! Gwen was an excellent transition from the man marathon. Thanks for taking the time to recruit such excellent guests week after week.
I’m an elementary teacher, but I know a teacher can always gain more knowledge on honing his/her craft. I would love to broaden my horizons and teach my passion, knitting, to others. I think Gwen’s class would give me a realistic view of how to go about that.
Loved all the knowledge Gwen shared about her teaching style. Sounds like there will be even more great information in her Craftsy class “How To Teach It”.
The knowledge that Gwen shared in this interview really opened my eyes. My dream has always been to teach children the amazing arts of crochet and knitting. Iam sure that Gwen’s class rocks!
The interview was so full of knowledge. Thanks.
I really enjoyed your interview with Gwen Bortner. Your discussion about imparting knowledge was really interesting.
I’m a new listener who is now listening to past interviews and I’m enjoying all of them!
Thank you for the interview with Gwen. She is full of knowledge. I would love to take her class as I want to impart knowledge on Tatting and share my passion.
Shelly
I have taught various crafts for many years, but I gained additional knowledge from this interview with Gwen. Thanks!
Thanks ladies for sharing your knowledge. I enjoyed tis interview immenesly.
This was a great podcast. No matter if I think I’m interested in any particular guest, I always come away from each show filled with more knowledge, and was glad I listened.
The knowledge Gwen imparted on this show was extremely informative and inspiring! I am very interested in the topic of teaching- best show yet, Marly! Thanks so much!
I’m very interested in gaining the knowledge that Gwen teaches regarding teaching craft classes. I’ve considered taking this class on Crafty.com so would be thrilled to win the prize. Nice podcast as always. Thanks for all you do.
I’ve taken several knitting and crochet class, and the knowledge you gain from live teachers is absolutely fabulous, and especially when the teachers are as talented as Ms. Bortner!
At the end of this podcast you and Gwen shared the dynamics of chance…armed with this knowledge I am throwing in my two cents. I thoroughly enjoy taking a class from a person who has a command of the language. I don’t only mean the English language but the language of the subject being taught. I learned quite a bit from this podcast. Thanks Marly and Gwen.
I have listened to this twice. I love the knowledge imparted by Gwen and Marly. I plan to implement what I have learned in my own classes when I can. Thanks Marly and Gwen.
How to teach was a very interesting subject. Since I will be retiring in a few years and want to teach to supplement my income I will definitely be taking Gwen’s class. Thank you for sharing your business knowledge.
Loved your show with Gwen on Tuesday. I’m happy there is now a Crafty class for hopeful instructors. I’ve been crocheting for over 40 years, and I still wish there are more crochet instructors; especially teaching intermediate to advanced classes. The more knowledge, the better. Now, back to my latest Crafty classes. I just signed up for Jennifer Hanson’s “Beyond Basic Broomstick Lace.” Now, where is that broomstick lace needle?
Thanks so much to Gwen for sharing all her knowledge about teaching classes. I enjoyed it a lot!
I enjoyed listening to Gwen share her knowledge on teaching classes. This was a very powerful podcast for anyone that teaches or is just starting to teach. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Gwen! Thank you for sharing the depth of your knowledge. I know I will be a better teacher for it!
I love it when people share their knowledge with others.
I love to hear you interviewing Gwen. I hope to someday take a class from her live. It’s obvious that she has a ton of knowledge about knitting and many other subjects!
Awesome interview. As a new teacher it was hugely helpful. Thanks for the knowledge.
Great interview with Gwen Bortner. So much knowledge about knitting and teaching all in one podcast.
You can never stop learning. Knowledge is like food to me and a class on how to teach would allow me to share what I know with others. Thanks for the great podcast and guests!
Thanks to both of you for sharing your knowledge. Very interesting podcast.
Wonderful interview full of knowledge about teaching, great podcast.
Thanks so much for all the knowledge about teaching and knitting! It was a great podcast 🙂