The last few days have been wonderfully busy and it has been so good to see how the ladies have progressed.  Their caning has improved so much.  And we had a terrific time making up the first batch of the Cynthia bangles.One of the things we've tried to at Samunnat do right from the start is to reinforce the idea of always thinking about how we can do things better.  We talk about the differences between the items that look really well finished and the ones that don't and use these to come up with strategies that the more experienced ladies can share with the others.  Getting them to think about what they did that made things look so good reinforces them for doing it, and makes it obvious to those who need some help in a positive way.The other thing that has been built in from the beginning is helping the ladies work towards independence.  They'll write more about this on the other blog but in every thing we do, we look at how they will ultimately do it on their own.  And how they record what they do so that they can pass that information on.  It is really hard for some things where, at this point, there are obstacles to that.  But we work towards it anyway. One thing I am doing now is teaching the teaching process and when some new ladies come in on Monday, I will be tag teaching with two of the experienced ladies and we have developed the training program together, working on an apprecticeship model.  We've also talked a lot (as we create!) about what things we'll need to do more deliberately and obviously.  What are the things that we do so automatically now that need to be taught?  It is an interesting exercise and made them realise what a long way they'd come.  I see that so obviously each time I visit but for them it is more gradual.So dear readers, a sneak preview of the gorgeous bangles that will be available on our upcoming etsy store before the year is half over I hope!