Thursday, April 9, 2009

Workshop Wonders!

This year marks Phaedra's 4th year of teaching workshops in beginner and intermediate wet and dry felting projects; Waldorf doll-making; dying silk; and is also the 2nd year to offer private workshops and professional development classes for teachers in other like-minded schools and organizations. "I am thrilled to be teaching a class for art doll felting at the Taos Wool festival this year in October 3-4th and will attend the annual PWS Festival of Art as an artisan on April 25th. Please do come and visit, I will have gift certificates for all workshops this year some surprises!"

A Note of Caution: This activity is for adults or older children (age 10 and up) only with strict adult guidance and supervision due to the long and very sharp needles. Do not allow your child to attempt these projects alone!


Something out of nothing workshop Classes: Spring /Summer 2009
held at locations around coastal Los Angeles and Topanga, Ca.

All workshops offered can be tailored to fit most schedules during the day, evenings or weekends.
Most classes start mid morning 10-11am and light snacks are provided.


Beginning basics felting 101: - 2 hours - $25 plus materials fee $7: - Anytime!
  • Dry needle felt 2d or 3d seasonal items i.e. small animal, mineral or vegetable! Felting 101 cheat sheet, project pattern and basic kit provided.
Sculpted Wool ART Doll - 4-6 hours -$45 plus $15 materials fee - May 16th-17th
  • Here's your chance to make a captivating, magical felted wool art doll to proudly display in your home and sturdy enough for gentle child's play. The finished 8 “ doll will have pose-able arms and a sturdy firm base. Attention to detail and cover techniques for creating clothing of various styles (including shawls, aprons and accessories) and the ever important hair-styling tease tips. Bring your imagination!
Tall Tale Tree Sculpture - 4-6 hours $48 plus $12 materials fee June 13th-14th & 20th
  • A really fun class for any level. In this class you will learn how to make a 3-dimensional, free-standing tree sculpture perfect for any chosen season. This is a rather large piece, standing approximately 10 inches tall. At the close of this class you'll have learned the techniques for making ‘firm’ felt using multiple and single needles and know the inside scoop for making tall pieces stand.



Painting with Wool
- 3 hours - $35 plus $5 materials fee
- Anytime!

  • Create your own unique wall hanging from your imagination, a picture, painting or even a poem. Perfect for beginning or advanced felters. We will pay attention to the nuances of ‘painting’ or layering with raw wool and how to make the roving take on different textures like water, stone, wood, flower etc. At the completion of this class, you will have a one of a kind frame-able piece of art for your home or simply use it for embellishment!

Fantasy Playscape - 6-8 hours split over 2-3 sessions - $65 plus $12 materials fee - August dates TBD
  • One of the most challenging but satisfying workshops! You will learn every trick in the book (or close to it!) using many skills and techniques to sculpt your very own land of happy! Waterfalls, woodland, marsh, streams and nooks are all perfect hide-aways for your imagination. Bring rubber gloves, a towel and a bamboo mat!


Summer fruit basket
- 2-3 hours - $27 plus $5 materials fee
May 23rd or 24th TBD.
  • All the how-to’s in the fruit world. Fake food is always fun to look and play with, you will learn both wet and dry techniques to create your own basket of favourite fruit or veg and instructions to make your own bowl too!



Traditional Waldorf dollmaking
: 6-8 hours split over 2-3 sessions - $50 plus $30-40 materials fee
.
July 9th, 10th and 12th ( third date can be used as a catch up or make up session).

  • Learn how to create a unique gift for any child with all natural materials and age old tips! Choose your skin, hair and face combinations to really customize your doll. 12, 16 or 18” dolls. We will cover, making a sturdy head from raw wool, sewing your own skins from a pattern or you may use a ready sewn pattern, learn stuffing techniques to ensure a long life, wig making and finishing touches. Simple clothing patterns are provided to take home.
Design your own workshop - 2 hour minimum
  • Do you have a group of friends who want to learn to felt? Can’t make it to a scheduled class time or date? Design your own workshop for private groups or a really different birthday party with spectacular results! Create a custom class for any group of 3 to 10 people and schedule it when it's convenient for you! Prices will be determined based on length and class content.
Goddess Vision Dolls - Coming in September! Please inquire....
  • Clearing a room can reap a bounty of goodies to be used for your OOAK ( one of a kind) creation! We will transform your collection of keepsakes into a unique transitional doll. This extremely liberating class may also be used to inspire both maturing pre-teen girls and older women...to creatively and positively express themselves. Only basic sewing skills required. Original patterns will be created and used.

Contact Phaedra(at)thephoenixgift.com to schedule your class and receive registration info.


Recent comments from students of the 08-2009 workshops:

“Thank you so much, everyone had a great time and loved that they learned to felt!” Connie

Cat, “It was awesome! I came home feeling absolutely rejuvenated! Better than a spa! Lol!”

“By the way, the class was fantastic. Thanks, Phaedra, for all your help.” Karen B

Spectacular! I'm carrying it all over the place showing it off. Thank you so much for being an AMAZING instructor! I had so much fun and it's just beautiful. I can't wait for more classes.” L Wilde

“I appreciate your help and look forward to learning more felting techniques and tricks” Sandra

“It was great meeting you, thank you for guiding us with your talent!” Lilian

“I am always excited at an opportunity to share a fantastic and fulfilling fiber arts skill and continue to offer free community classes once a season.” More examples of Phaedra's work and musings can be seen HERE: and at her online Shop (Phoenix420.etsy).


Tuesday, March 10, 2009


SAA SQUARED”
A JURIED EXHIBITION OF SMALL WORKS IN FIBER


“Ancients” - Cynthia St. Charles

Reception: MARCH 14, 2009 from 7-10 pm

Jurors: Connie Rohman, curator and fiber artist; Kathy Gallegos, Director of Avenue 50 Studio

Honorary Juror and fiber artist Gloria Molina, LA County Supervisor will present the Juror's Choice Award

Nalia Aladdin Sanders, Madeline Bajracharya, Patt Blair, Shelly Brucar, Roberta Chalfy Miller, Phaedra Cheydleur, Joanell Connolly, Maureen M. Cox, Ann Darling, Raoul De La Sota, Jessica Drummond, Jamie Fingal, Dellis Frank, Georgia Freedman-Harvey, Gwen Freeman, Cicely Gilman, Sally Gould Wright, Cidne Hart, Marka Harwell-Bentley, Heather Hoggan, Ruby Horansky, Harumi Iida, Rebecca Janes, Gwen Jones, Georgianne Kandler, Smadar Knobler, Phillippa Lack, Linda Laird, Carol Larson, Susan Lasch Krevitt, Mary Ellen Latino, Sandra E. Lauterbach, Mavis Leahy, Ann Loveless, Pam Lowe, Regina Marzlin, Kathleen McCabe, Linda Miller, Uwimana Moore, Alison Muir, Diane Nunez, Mirjam Pet-Jacobs, Pamela Price Kiebaum, Janett Rice, Ann Ridge, Mary Beth Schwartzenberger, Cynthia St. Charles, Meredith Strauss, Debra Thomas, Karen Valderrama, E. Vereycken, Binah Waite-Williams, Carol Ann Waugh, Deborah Weir

“SAA Squared”, a small works fiber art exhibition, opens at the Los Angeles art gallery, Avenue 50 Studio on March 14th. Extending through April 5th in the gallery’s main space, this unique fiber arts exhibition is sponsored by the Surface Art Association, an arts organization that promotes fiber art and provides support for local fiber artists.

The “SAA Squared” exhibition gives the viewer a compelling introduction to fiber arts. “There is a current explosion in the use of fiber and textiles in the field of contemporary art”, says Connie Rohman, co-juror, “Fine artists are moving into fiber art because they can do things that they can’t with other mediums, and art quilters have moved away from their traditional roots to approach their work with an arts perspective”.

Artists from all over the world were invited to create small fiber works that are 12” square. Jurors Kathy Mas-Gallegos, director of Avenue 50 Studio, Connie Rohman, curator and fiber artist, and Honorary Juror and fiber artists Gloria Molina, LA County Supervisor, chose work from Australia, the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, and Spain, as well as from all over the United States.

“SAA Squared” will be on exhibition from March 14th to April 5, 2009. LA County Supervisor Gloria Molina will present the Juror’s Choice Award at the opening night reception. The opening reception, from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Saturday March 14, is part of NELA’s Second Saturday Art Tour in the Highland Park and Eagle Rock neighborhoods of Los Angeles.


Where: Avenue 50 Studio, Inc., 131 N. Avenue 50, Highland Park, CA 90042

When: Saturday, March 14, 2009 from 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Gallery hours: Tuesday through Thursday 10 am – 12 noon, Saturday and Sunday 10 am – 4 pm

Duration: March 14 through April 5, 2009-02-21

For further information, please call 323-258-1435 or visit www.avenue50studio.com

Saturday, March 7, 2009

x O+

Tthanks to Mavis Leahy Phaedra Phoenix is invited to join the fabled artists ( for a night at least) at 10 Women TODAY!! If you want to show up and check out all the lovely work and maybe check to see if I embarrass myself, please come along and join in the fun and have some vino and cake? ( see poster above).
I'm all inspired to make another piece!


toodle oo

Monday, February 23, 2009

Workshops 2009



With the 'holidays' over and now down to the business of getting the year really started! Fire up those brain cells and try something new or add to your already growing list of crafty skills with one of the workshops below taught by Phaedra!
Winter workshops held at
Seeds of Joy Wilderness Park
, 1102 Camino Real, Redondo Beach, Ca 90277
To register for classes, please the City of Redondo Beach at (310) 318 0610, ext 3380

Urban Farm Animals
All the how-to's in the animal realm!
From frogs to foxes, pigs, sheep, cows chickens and their eggs!
Saturday February 21st - 10am-12pm - $20*







Sculpted Wool Dolls

How to make a seasonal display doll sturdy enough for gentle child's play. The finished 8" doll will have poseable arms and an armature base. Special attention to decorating details and coverage techniques including hair dressing styles! Bring your imagination!
Saturday March 14th

9am-1pm $45*



Winter/Spring Workshops held at:
8650 Gulana Ave, Cross Creek Clubhouse, Playa del Rey, Ca 90293
To register for these classes call Phaedra at 310 463 6304 or email phaedra@thephoenixgift.com

Urban Farm animals #2
February 28th - this class may be postponed, please contact Phaedra for more details.
12-2pm $20*

Waldorf Dollmaking - starting March 28th
11am-3pm - $45*


Wooly 'Faberge' Easter Eggs

Saturday April 4th
10-12pm $15*

* material fees are separate and range from $7 to $30




Monday, January 19, 2009