Parks and Recipes!!

My first blog post tutorial is up!!

Project 1/Online Tutorial Project: Ann Perkins' Eggs

I'm very excited about this. Hope you all enjoy!

http://parksandrecipes.blogspot.com/

Flip Flopping the Syllabus

I think one of the nice things about designing my own course is that I am in control. I have lots of ideas that will come at any random moment (ask anyone who's ever met me, it's been commented on many times). I am in process of creating a video, but I need to order supplies that won't be here until Wednesday, and I have a new tutorial idea I want to try out.

My lovely younger sister Shayna (who is younger, despite popular opinion), will be turning 16 on November 1. I love gift giving, and I wanted to find something this year that she would really appreciate and use. This past year (well, since January or so), she has become a big fan of the TV series Parks and Rec. (For the record, I introduced her to it. Then she convinced me to go back and watch the series, which I did. It was fantastic.

My DIY Learning Project 4 was geared towards fan culture and fan-produced DIY art and pop culture- inspired crafts. After a quick google search, I couldn't find any Parks and Rec Inspired recipes that had nicely written tutorials. So I DIYed it!!

For my first project, I will be creating an online tutorial blog for Parks and Rec inspired recipes. So my video project will now be project 2. Try and keep up :)

Stay Creative!

Rebecca

What I'm Reading: Video Nation

Hello my fellow creatives! Sorry I haven't been in touch-- it's been a long week and I've been sick. But I'm committed to bringing you my thoughts and ideas on the DIY Learning culture of the Internet. Starting...NOW!

The first book on my required reading list is called "Video Nation: A DIY Guide to Planning, Shooting, and Storing Great Video." 

Syllabus!

Follow along my journey...

Friday marks the end of Week 2

Rebecca Dollinger

Pitzer Class of 2018

DIY Learning

Independent Study Syllabus

IS Professor: Professor Alex Juhasz

Detailed Description

The DIY artistic independent maker age has reached an all time peak, and it has the Internet to thank for that. From Pinterest to YouTube to Stay-at-home mom blogs, the wealth of tutorials for the everyday crafter has reached an all time high. How has the Internet changed the DIY and “artsy” community? What has been made possible that could not have been possible ten or even five years ago? What are we learning? What are we gaining? What are we losing?

For my independent study, I plan on researching the rise of craft blogs, as well as handmade goods sites such as Etsy, the benefits of craft tutorials from websites such as Pinterest and YouTube, while creating a semester long blog series, including videos, text posts, and photo tutorials. I will explore the most successful craft blogs and YouTube channels, occasionally attempting to emulate their education styles, documenting the pros and cons of different digital teaching techniques. I will also explore the connection between the media corporate and fandom influence in craft projects, especially in regards to knitting and needle crafts.

Required Reading List

Craft, Inc. Revised Edition: The Ultimate Guide to Turning Your Creative Hobby into a Successful Business (Meg Mateo Ilasco) 

YouTube: Online Video and Particapatory Culture (Jean Burgess)

Video Nation: A DIY guide to planning, shooting, and sharing great video from USA Today's Talking Tech host (Jefferson Graham)

Jane Austen Knits OR AUSTENtatious Crochet

Niche Craft Books for Week 10:

Geek Knits: Over 30 Projects for Fantasy Fanatics, Science Fiction Fiends, and Knitting Nerds

Geek Chic Crochet: 35 retro-inspired projects that are off the hook (Nicki Trench)

Knits for Nerds: 30 Projects: Science Fiction, Comic Books, Fantasy (Toni Carr)

Charmed Knits: Projects for Fans of Harry Potter

Knitting Wizardry: 27 Spellbinding Projects

Once Upon a Knit:

Vampire Knits: Projects to Keep You Knitting from Twilight to Dawn

Woodland Knits: over 20 enchanting patterns

Literary Knits

Fairytale Knits

Recommended Readings

The Knowledgeable Knitter (Magaret Radcliffe)

Circular Knitting Workshop: Essential Techniques to Master Knitting in the Round (Magaret Radcliffe)

2015 Crafter's Market: How to Sell Your Crafts and Make a Living (Edited by Kelly Biscopink)

The Handmade Marketplace, 2nd Edition: How to Sell Your Crafts Locally, Globally, and Online (Kari Chapin)

YouTutorial: Knitting: Your Guide to the Best Instructional YouTube Videos (Tessa Evelegh)

Craft Activism: People, Ideas, and Projects from the New Community of Handmade and How You Can Join In (Joan Tapper, Photography by Gale Zucker)

Schedule (Meetings and Projects)

Week 1: Create Syllabus, purchase books, first meeting with Professor Juhasz

Week 2: Blog Post 1; create personal blog for tracking Independent Study activities

Week 3: Project 1 proposal due, read chapters 1-4 of Video Nation, Blog Post 2

Week 4: Project 1 due on September 27 (extension due to Jewish high holidays); Blog Post 3; Finish reading Video Nation

Week 5: Read chapters 1-3 of Craft, Inc.; Submit proposal for Project 2; Blog Post 4

Week 6: Project 2 due; Meeting with Professor Juhasz

Week 7: Read Chapters 4-5 of Craft, inc.; Blog Post 5

Week 8: Read Chapters 6-7 of Craft, inc.; Draft Proposal for Project 3; Blog Post 6

Week 9: Project 3 due; Meeting with professor Juhasz

Week 10: Read and review one book from niche craft books list; Blog Post 7

Week 11: Proposal for Project 4 (Austenland); Blog Post 8

Week 12: Project 4 due

Week 13: Proposal for Final Project; Blog Post 9

Week 14: Work on final project; Meeting with Professor Juhasz

Week 15: Final Project due; Blog Post 10

Breakdown of Blog Post Topics:

1: Initial thoughts going into Independent study, plans for the semester, hopes for the outcomes

2: Plans for Project 1; General reflections

3: Thoughts on the reading of Video Nation, Thoughts on YouTube as a Video platform for teaching and craft tutorials

4: Plans for Project 2; Personal thoughts on the growing appeal of the handmade marketplace

5: Mid-semester reflection on independent study

6: Plans for project 3; list of links to the best websites and tutorials I have found so far this semester

7: Review of one niche craft book; Difference between niche craft books and niche craft projects online

8: Plans for Project 4; learning outcomes so far

9: Plans for my final project and how I chose this project; what I hope to create

10: Final reflections on independent study as a whole

Loose Guidelines for Projects:

Project 1: Create a YouTube video teaching a craft skill

Project 2: Create a digital tutorial for a specific craft project

Project 3: Thoroughly review one project or book. This can be made in a video blog (un-boxing/review style video) or in written blog form with pictures.

Project 4: Watch film “Austenland”, write short personal reflection on fan culture, and create one niche craft project (preferably Jane Austen-themed but not necessarily so) with a tutorial included

Final Project: Create a tutorial or video that displays the knowledge gained during the semester. This project must include a 2-4 page double-spaced reflection on the choices made for the project (i.e. choice of social media platform, choice of skill to teach, choice of project to create, etc.)

Grading:

Project 1: 10%

Project 2: 15%

Project 3: 15%

Project 4: 15%

Final Project: 25%

Blog Posts: 20%

Projects will be graded based on creativity, originality, and mainly, attention to the prompt and how well you followed the guidelines.

Blog Posts will be graded for completion