Click here to view full class descriptions with all the techniques you can expect to learn in each class.
Here is my teaching schedule for the second half of 2011 and into 2012, so far. If you or your group is interested in having a class please contact me and we will work out a schedule to play.
2011 - 2012
October 2011
Exhibitions - come and say hello, see my dolls up close and personal, ask questions and buy dolls.
Where: The Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace, London
When: October 6th-9th, 2011
What booth: I'll be exhibiting along with Ray Slater and other British doll makers. Come and see my dolls and ask any questions that you'd like.
Find out more: Find more information by visiting the Knitting and Stitching website here
Where: Toronto, Ontario, Canada at the Creativ Festival at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre
When: October 21-23rd, 2011
What booth: Booth Number 202, right near the entrance and the Information booth. I'll be the short one with glasses who is smiling.
Find out more: Find more information by visiting the Creativ Festival website here I'll also be teaching two classes at the show. See the information below.
Where: Toronto, Ontario, Canada at the Creativ Festival at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre
When: Friday, October 21, 2011, 5pm-8pm
What class: The Green Man, a class designed exclusively for the Creativ Festival.
This class is suitable for all levels, including beginners. Make a male cloth doll face, learning all the tricks of drawing, needle-sculpting and colouring along the way. Pre-sewn and stuffed doll heads will be provided and sculpting and colouring tools will be available for use in class, so students only need to bring their creativity and a willingness to learn. The face can be embellished with felt leaves to create the look of a “Green Man”, a male face decorated with leaves and symbolising re-birth. The finished face could be used as a brooch, fridge magnet or ornament.
This course is a perfect taster course for beginners wanting to try out doll making or for those who already enjoy doll making but want to brush up on few techniques. As most doll courses tend to focus on female faces, even experienced doll makers will take away a new twist on drawing faces.
Students only need to bring a ruler and scissors to this class everything else is provided!
Find out more: Find more information by visiting the Creativ Festival website here or for more contact information click here. Please note: exact dates and times for this class will not be announced until June 2011. General Registration for the classes starts July 25, 2011.
This class is sponsored by Fairfield Ploy-fil.
Where: Toronto, Ontario, Canada at the Creativ Festival at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre
When: October 22, 2011, 1pm-4pm
What class: Dive into a Book, bookmark doll, a class designed exclusively for the Creativ Festival.
All levels, including beginners
Learn to sculpt tiny cloth doll toes with the magic of needle-sculpting. Pre-sewn doll legs will be provided and sculpting tools will be available for use in class, so students only need to bring their creativity and a willingness to learn. After learning the tricks of the doll making trade, find out how to make those tiny doll legs into more than just an exercise in needle-sculpting— learn how to turn your sample legs into a mirth-making bookmark. With the doll legs attached to the top of a bookmark the tiny toes will stick out of the pages making it will look as though a fairy has taken a dive into a book. And haven't we all just wanted to sink into a good book once in a while?
This course is a perfect taster course for beginners wanting to try out doll making or for those who already enjoy doll making but want to create more realistic bare-feet for their dolls.
Students only need to bring a ruler and scissors to this class everything else is provided!
Find out more: Find more information by visiting the Creativ Festival website here or for more contact information click here. Please note: exact dates and times for this class will not be announced until June 2011. General registration for classes begins July 25, 2011.
This class is sponsored by Fairfield Poly-fil.
Where: Cleveland Ohio, USA with the High on Dolls doll club
When: Oct 29-30th, 2011
What class: I will be teaching my exclusive in-person workshop doll Stitch in Time. "Exclusive workshop" doll means that this design will only be available to be taken as a class with me live and in person. You won't see her as a pattern, nor as an online class.
Find out more: Find more information by contacting Michele at MicheleCotner@msn.com
November 2011
Where: Blue Haze Arts and Crafts, Chesham, Bucks, UK
When: Friday 11th & Saturday 12th November 2011 - 10am to 4pm
What class: I'll be teaching my brand new, exclusvie in-person workshop doll, Ascending. "Exclusive workshop" doll means that this design will only be available to be taken as a class with me live and in person. You won't see her as a pattern, nor as an online class.
Find out more: Find more information and sign up for the class online by visiting the Blue Haze website here. Or call and speak to Hazel at the shop on Tel: 01494 782030 or email: info@blue-haze.co.uk.
Where: Blue Haze Arts and Crafts, Chesham, Bucks, UK
When: Sunday 13th November 2011 - 10am to 4pm
What class: I'll be teaching how to make the Dive Into a Book bookmark. This class is suitable for all levels, including beginners. Learn to sculpt tiny cloth doll toes with the magic of needle-sculpting.
Find out more: Find more information and sign up for the class online by visiting the Blue Haze website here. Or call and speak to Hazel at the shop on Tel: 01494 782030 or email: info@blue-haze.co.uk.
Exhibition - come and say hello, see my dolls up close and personal, ask questions and buy dolls.
Where: The Knitting and Stitching Show at Harrogate in Yorkshire
When: November 24-27, 2011
What booth: I'll be exhibiting along with Ray Slater and other British doll makers. Come and see my dolls and ask any questions that you'd like.
Find out more: Find more information by visiting the Knitting and Stitching website here
January 2012
Where: London, Corporation of Westminster (10 minutes from the Houses of Parliament) in a Church hall, hosted by the Dollmakers Circle
When: Saturday, January 21, 2012, 1pm-4pm
What class: The All Bottled Up Doorstop Doll
Find out more:
YOU DO NOT NEED A SEWING MACHINE FOR THIS COURSE
Suitable for All Levels, including beginner to advanced doll makers and even people without any sewing experience
Make this extremely easy “stump” doll using largely recycled items. Colleen will be demonstrating how to create a simple but effective doll body based around an empty plastic water bottle. The doll can be used simply as a decorative item or as a weighted and functional doorstop.
The unembellished doll is constructed without the use of a sewing machine and employs very minimal hand sewing.
The face will be provided pre-printed onto fabric so even a fear of drawing faces won’t stop you from creating this doll. Some simple tips for colouring faces on fabric will help to bring the doll alive.
Once you have the basic doll complete, you can embellish the doll using any number of fibre arts techniques. Colleen will show you a few ideas to get you started but, you are only limited by your imagination.
Have you had your creativity all bottled up? Uncap your creativity.
April 2012
Where: Chelmsford, Essex in a private home - yes, I will teach in a private home, provided it is an non-smoking home with adequate space for the number of people you want to host.
When: Saturday and Sunday, April 21-22, 2012
What class: Finders Keepers
I'm sorry but this class is full. If you would like to join the waiting list, please email me.
Find more information by emailing me.
I am now taking bookings into 2012- 2013.
Don't see any classes in your area? As I add more dates to my calendar I will do my best to update this page. You might also try hosting a class yourself, click here for more information or e-mail me for info on how to host a class.
