Dolls are symbols of life and have potential to hold personal story, imagined qualities, hopes, fears, and love. In this workshop, participants will learn how to weave their own dolls, creating a sculpture that will be entirely unique and meaningful.

This is part 3 of a 4-part series that will include projects from Susan Barrett Merrill’s The Art of Weaving a Life. Bradie is a Weaving a Life leader having studied with Susan back in 2017.

Weaving one’s own doll is a powerful practice in contemplation and expression. As we enter the season associated with extroversion and cultivation, the doll will help us find our footing and identify our chosen path.

Part 4 will be offered over the summer. They do not all need to be taken to enjoy their benefits.

Weaving experience is not necessary to enjoy this workshop.

Materials Included

Note: this class is scheduled to be held upstairs in the fiber studio. If stairs present a barrier that would interfere with being able to take the class, please write to fiber@shelburnecraftschool.org to let us know.

Come Raku your pots! Bring 2-4 peices of bisqueware that is raku ready.

Many of us have a beloved clothing item with a hole or a stain that we can’t bear to throw away and don’t know how to mend. Many of us also don’t want to create more waste and add to overflowing landfills. In the past, wearing mended clothing was not acceptable but with the right skills mended clothes can be beautiful. This class is for anyone who wants to learn the basics so they can mend their own clothing like jeans or shirts using stitching or patching. Learn to cover a hole or a stain using simple stitch techniques that can be used as the basis to learn Sashiko or Kantha or your own creative stitching.

Learn how to inspect and assess a fabric item that needs repair.

Learn how to select patch fabric, select thread, and tie a knot.Learn and practice stitches used for fabric mending: running stitch, backstitch (sesame seed). (If there is time and interest, chain stitch, stem stitch, split stitch, blanket stitch).

Learn different approaches to patch placement (under, over, quilt).Practice patching a fabric square or own item.

Materials:

Students can bring an item they would like to learn how to mend by stitching or patching.

All other materials included.

Students will be provided with a 5 mm wide strip of sterling silver that they will texture, form, and solder to create their own personalized ring band. If a student prefers a plain silver band, they can choose to stamp the inside with initials and the date, or other secret messages.

This three-day workshop offers an opportunity to weave with abandon, following the directions of instinct, whimsy, and one’s own uniquely creative expression. Do you have sticks, stones, fabrics, or papers you’ve been hanging onto because you know they’d be beautiful in something? This is the class where they might find their place!

Students need not have any weaving experience to explore the boundaries of warp and weft. We will be using a variety of frame and circular looms to create one of a kind pieces that embody the weaver and this “once in a blue moon” moment. The only requirement will be to come ready to play and break some rules.

How will this workshop be organized?

Each day we will meet from 10am - 4pm. We will be able to work both inside and out (weather depending). Weavers can bring lunch/snacks each day or can access the local markets/restaurants or the Shelburne Farmer’s Market on Saturday that runs from 9am - 1:30pm. Lunch breaks will hover around 12:30. There is a refrigerator, microwave, and tea kettle available for use.

On Sunday, we will roll into our third day of weaving together with the Full Blue Moon energy as our guide. There will be also be some time of reflection on how we’d like to harness our creative energy throughout the summer months.

Make your own pack basket and in the process learn one of the oldest crafts in human history. For thousands of years baskets served as indispensable objects in every culture. Carry on the tradition and take home a beautiful, durable and functional basket crafted from local and responsibly harvested, hand-pounded black ash logs. In this workshop students will craft a daypack-sized traditional Adirondack-style packbasket with cedar runners, adjustable webbing straps and a white ash handle, carved by local craftsman, Eric Cannizzaro, of Vermont Handworks. Great for hikes, farmer’s markets, picnic lunches and whatever else you would use a regular backpack for. This basket is made to last and be used. Included is a discussion on how the material is harvested and processed.

Please bring a check for $100 for Penny on the day of the class for materials.

Make your own pack basket and in the process learn one of the oldest crafts in human history. For thousands of years baskets served as indispensable objects in every culture. Carry on the tradition and take home a beautiful, durable and useful basket crafted from local and responsibly harvested, hand-pounded black ash logs. In this workshop students will craft a daypack sized traditional Adirondack style packbasket with cedar runners and base and adjustable webbing straps. Great for hikes, farmer’s markets, picnic lunches and whatever else you would use a regular backpack for. This basket is made to last and be used. Included is a discussion and demonstration on how the material is harvested and processed. Good hand strength is necessary.

Bring a check for $100 for the instructor for materials on the day of the course.

This is a fake class to see if our stuff is up to snuff.