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Saving, Storing, Using Tutorials

by Judy Larson
Before I retired, I was a high school teacher, continually writing new material and updating old lessons through the years. I kept all my lessons in three-ring binders, labeled by class, content, year, etc. Since retiring 12 years ago, I have purchased some books but never stopped writing and/or documenting what I make. We learn in several different ways: Seeing something done, reading about how it is done, or by being told how to do it. That is why when I write a tutorial, I try to use lots of photos, add more steps than you think you need, and include lots of tips, hints, and explanations
My need for organization has never gone away, and neither have the three-ring binders. Everyone has a different system for organization. We all pick and choose what we think will work best for us and what works for some will not work for others.

I document pretty much everything I make with at least of few notes. Even though all my tutorials are stored on my computer, I do not want my computer anywhere near where I use fire. I print every tutorial so I can use it on my desktop, if needed. My most recently written tutorials and newest projects are printed out and stored in plastic sleeves inside three-ring binders, along with books by other artists on a 36" shelf.
Judy Larson's Saving, Storing, Using Tutorials - , General Education, , organizing tutorials
When my tutorials fill a binder, they are sorted and then spiral-bound at an office supply store. These are two of my oldest spiral bound books. I may not refer to them often, but I know where the information is. The Wire Magic book contains all the tutorials I wrote for the Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced wire work classes I taught. A few more earring tutorials, and the three-ring binder on the above shelf will be empty again, with all the tutorials spiral bound.
Judy Larson's Saving, Storing, Using Tutorials - , General Education, , organizing tutorials
Judy Larson's Saving, Storing, Using Tutorials - , General Education, , organizing tutorials
Spiral-bound books do have several drawbacks. The spirals can get tangled with the spirals on another book. Also, there is no printed spine to indicate what is in the book when it is sitting on a shelf. I purchased some unfinished wood magazine storage boxes at a hobby store and finished them. Two or three spiral bound books are stored in each-yes I need to find more boxes-on a 20" shelf. The labels are missing from the holders because I am in the process of rearranging what tutorials should be bound in which order in which books because my three-ring binders are getting too full.
Judy Larson's Saving, Storing, Using Tutorials - , General Education, , organizing tutorials
Judy Larson's Saving, Storing, Using Tutorials - , General Education, , organizing tutorials
When I have a book bound, I always request the largest spiral. Then I can slide in new pages where they should go. Once a year or so, or when many pages have been added, I have the book re-bound.
Judy Larson's Saving, Storing, Using Tutorials - , General Education, , organizing tutorials
My desk is 52" (132.1cm) wide and 30" (76.2cm) deep. Much of the area is taken up by tools I use regularly. I work on a 24" x 36" (61cm x 91.5cm) cutting mat used for crafts and fabrics. After supplies are added and tools being used are out, the effective work area dwindles to 24" (61cm) wide and 18" (46.7cm) deep, if I am lucky. Adding in a tutorial on the desktop to follow could be problematic.
Judy Larson's Saving, Storing, Using Tutorials - , General Education, , organizing tutorials
A three-ring binder opens flat but takes up too much space on my work surface. Since I keep all the tutorial pages for one project in one sleeve, they have to be taken out if I need to find something in those pages. Again, this is not ideal. If the pages get mixed up after removing them from the sleeve, it can be a pain to read through the steps to get the pages back in order.
Judy Larson's Saving, Storing, Using Tutorials - , General Education, , organizing tutorials
Personally, I find that the benefits of a spiral-bound book outweigh the drawbacks. It opens flat, but can also be folded in half, taking up much less room. Also, it is easy to flip through the pages of a project being worked on to find and use the page needed.
Judy Larson's Saving, Storing, Using Tutorials - , General Education, , organizing tutorials
Judy Larson's Saving, Storing, Using Tutorials - , General Education, , organizing tutorials

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WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5
G15-20
  • G15-20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $170.72
  • Gold Club Price: $128.04
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  • Category: General Education
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