dragonfly artisans

Needle Felting Workshops Summer 2010

2010-05-12T13:29:00.000-07:00

Fabulous Felting Art

Original Storyteller Fantasy Freescape
using unique wet and dry felting methods

July 17th and 18th- $70 plus $15 materials fee
example playscape only

Traditional Waldorf dollmaking or Mermaids!
2 sessions of 4 hour classes - $50 plus $30-40 materials fee.

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.

Design your own workshop -
2 hours and 3 person 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.

Wool Painting Tapestry
using unique wet and dry felting methods
Next class in September
$50 plus $10 materials fee

Spring Maiden Sculpted Wool Art Doll
armature and needle felting techniques
closed
$48 plus $12 materials fee
student doll as example...

Space for all classes is limited and they can fill up fast. There will be a waiting list and possibly an extra class added if necessary. Materials fees for each class are listed and are due upon the start of the class. You may choose to bring and use your own materials. Private classes are available.

Please contact Phaedra @thephoenixgift.com directly for any questions, difficulties during registration or anything I may have forgotten to cover!

Policies (or the not so small you can't read it print) – please read:

1. Spaces are limited to ensure optimal instruction time. Please pay for your chosen class at the time of registration to secure your spot in the workshop. If no payment has been received or arrangements made 3 days prior to the first class, you may forfeit your space. Cancellations will be accepted up to one week prior to class. After that you can be refunded only if your slot in class can be filled . Payment can be made by mail or paypal with any credit card.

2. There is a minimum number (3) of students required for the workshops. Pre-registration is strongly advised. Sometimes classes fill and have waiting lists, so don’t delay if there is a class you want to take.

3. No refunds or credits will be given for late cancellations (48hrs or less) or no-shows on the first day of the workshop.

4. A half-price refund will be made via Paypal, up to 3 days before the first workshop date or every effort will be made to offer any available make-up days/dates where necessary or credit toward a private workshop.

5. Unless otherwise noted, instruction fees do not include materials. You may be required to purchase or bring some minor materials. I may be able to help with sources or have materials directly at the workshop. Most materials are provided for each workshop and are priced separately from instruction.

6. If pre-work or homework is needed for a class, please make every effort to have it completed! Class time is based on certain assumptions that student are ready to process from a certain point of homework sometimes! If you need extra help, please ask, (very flexible!)

7. I suggest a bag lunch for classes that run through noon, something non-sticky is always recommended!

Workshop Wonders!

2009-04-09T17:53:00.000-07:00

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).

2009-03-10T09:30:00.000-07:00

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

x O+

2009-03-07T13:05:00.000-08:00

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

Workshops 2009

2009-02-23T14:18:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-19T09:27:00.000-08:00

Enchanted Musing...

2008-12-07T13:12:00.000-08:00

What's New with Enchanted Musing:

Craft show -
December 12th 12 noon to 6pm
The Promenade at Howard Hughes
(also known as "The Bridge")
6081 Center Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90045

My Etsy Shop:

Check out the new items going into the shop this week:
Holiday yarn ornaments
"Koko" Amigurumi Dolls
Altered Journals
Cup cakes!!

Enchanted Musing on Etsy

Stop by my shop or see me personally at the craft show!!

~***~

kats in the belfry

2008-11-23T08:55:00.000-08:00

kats in the belfry

as pia mentioned in the last post - thank you pia! - i have finally opened my etsy shop!!! right now i've only got shakespeare people listed, but the shop will be filled tomorrow (monday) with the rest of my creations.

once the shop is filled to the brim for your holiday shopping pleasure, i'll post an announcement. you can either check back here, at my blog, at the shop, or sign up to get all posts by email - whichever you prefer.

~peace.

Etsy Shops

2008-11-22T21:56:00.000-08:00

The Dragonfly Artisans have been working hard to bring you all of their talents. This, of course, includes Etsy shops!

Recent Etsy shops include:

Enchanted Musing
kats in the belfry

in addition to existing Etsy shops by:

Something out of Nothing (Phoenix Gift)
Shenanigans

Stop by, peruse our shops, say "hi" and find just the perfect gift for your family and friends!

Something out of Nothing Workshops

2008-09-05T12:05:00.000-07:00

There's a new workshop offered on Sept 21st at A Mano Yarn Center in Venice 9am-12pm on Painting with Wool, sign up at the shop and get your spot! ( limited spaces)

Here's some info on what's coming up this Autumn and Winter from PhaedraPhoenix, pick your favourite or design one for yourself, a group or party.

All workshops offered can be tailored to fit any schedule. Only 3 person minimum required. available times are Mondays: 9-1pm & after 6pm, Tuesdays: 9-1pm , Thursdays: 9-1pm & after 6pm, Fridays: 9-1pm Saturdays & Sundays: by appointment - email - phaedra@thephoenixgift.com

Beginning basics in dry or wet felting : 2 hours - $20 plus materials fee $7:
Dry needle felt- flat or 3d pumpkins, toadstool, fruit, flowers or small animals, could choose a different one each week to make a horn of plenty!
~

Sculpted Wool Doll-Making - 4-6 hours -$45 plus $12 materials fee

Here's your chance to make a captivating, magical wool 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 an armature base. We will pay attention to decorating details and cover techniques for creating clothing of various styles and cultures (including shawls, aprons and accessories) and hair-dressing options. Bring your imagination!

Tall Tale Tree Sculpture - 4-6 hours $45 plus $12 materials fee
A really fun class for any level. Learn how to make a 3-dimensional, free-standing tree sculpture ready for the current season. The piece stands about 8-10" and upon completion of this class, you'll have learned the techniques for making wool tall and sturdy for play!

Painting with wool 2-3 hours - $35 plus $5 materials fee

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 the layering with 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 to embellish a felted purse!

Fantasy Playscape 6-8 hours - $60 plus $12 materials fee –
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!

Pee-wee People 2 hours - $20 plus $5 materials fee–
From mermaids to queens, gnomes to pixies, fairies to unicorns, just what you need to fill your beautiful designs with something ‘alive!’ Based on the fabulous Wee Felt Folk by Salley Mavor, wrap technique and both traditional Waldorf techniques and new original patterns using wood frame - best suited to those who like to work in small formats and basic sewing and embroidery skills are required. Create every character you may wish in mini format!

URBAN farm 2 hours - $20 plus $5 materials fee –

All the how-to’s in the animal realm! From frogs and foxes to dogs and donkeys, pigs, sheep, cows, chickens and their eggs!
(pig made by Julie)

Design your own workshop - Min group of 3 people and 2 hours. Don’t see what you really have a desire to learn or make? Design your own workshops for private groups or a really different birthday party with spectacular results.

chn expo donation

2008-07-27T13:48:00.000-07:00

we are excited to be donating a prize to chn's expo next weekend! most of us in the cooperative are homeschoolers; with the (truly) odd woman out homeschooling during her boys' summer break.

if you will be at the expo, take a look at our offering at the registration table, & let us know what you think. 3 of us shall be at the expo, so please look for us as well, & do say 'hello!'

because enchanted musing (aka paper2yarn ) is teaching a disney homeschool session, she asked that our donation have a disney theme.

here is a sneak-peek at kats in the belfry's (wip) contribution:

more photos to come :-)

good luck to all who are in the running for the raffle prize!!!!

~peace.

new dragonfly artisan!

2008-07-27T13:18:00.000-07:00

i am thrilled to announce we have a new mama-artist joining our little cooperative!! as she has yet to choose a name for her company, or to build her blog, i cannot send you anywhere. introductions shall have to be the old-fashioned way...

readers, meet madame x - madame x, readers.

our newest artisan is very talented in many mediums... drawing, felting, crocheting; you name it, she does it, & well.

she is also a very sweet & funny woman. the dragonfly artisans have adored her personally for years, & are so happy we can now adore her professionally as well. that didn't come out the way i meant it, but you get the idea.

welcome ~~madame x!~~ **edited to add:** blue-eyed crow!!!!

Dive into Dye...

2008-07-25T14:25:00.000-07:00

Wanna come and play in my paint box?...with dyes that is! Yep on July 31st, high in the hilly region known as ' The Top' ( to me only) we will try a mega day of dye colourisation with yarn, silks, felt, wool and maybe even try and fix some bad washing jobs....past session pic..more to come after Thursday!

Try a little colouring yourself with Kool Aid or get the real deal with these that I love from Winterwood!

Summer Workshops 2008!

2008-06-14T17:41:00.000-07:00

Fantasy 3D Playscape with Phaedra Phoenix - Full

Great for beginners and experienced felters alike as it provides many 3-D construction skills, preparing students to create and work on their own designs at home. The opportunity to engage your own creativity is almost limitless and so it is a very liberating class.
The playmat part of your creation will be about 10 inches square, this can be a hand felted base or felted sweater. We then build our layers of design. Perhaps a cave or fairy glen is your fancy, or a tree stump, a river or stream rolling through the landscape among rocks. You may want to add a wooden bridge, flowers or a toadstool clump. Maybe you'll create a mermaid lagoon or desert island complete with palm trees and sand and water lapping at the edge. Create your fantasy playscape from your own imagination, a picture or book. NO PREVIOUS FELTING EXPERIENCE REQUIRED! Tools and supplies provided, you are welcome to bring your own.

Summer Knitting Circle Workshop with Mary Beth

Come with your own projects and let the skills and grace of Mary Beth help you along. You may be a beginner or halfway through a complex project, no matter! Plenty of smiles, support and shared skills abound with this knitting group.

Dying Your Project with Phaedra - Full

Create your own unique play-silks, felt colours, wool roving or custom yarn ready for other projects with natural dyes from Australia. I’m basically doing my own dying session anyway and no dye should be wasted, so please join me and enjoy! Bring your own projects, gloves and paintbrushes! I’ll make snacks!

Waldorf Dollmaking with Phaedra - Full

Have a doll half finished and need some group energy to get it done? Want to experience the magic of making your own doll with traditional Waldorf techniques? Have never done any doll-making before and want to learn how? All levels of sewers are welcome to create your very own unique doll. Choose your comfort level of making directly from the pattern or start with a pre-sewn body. You will learn how to form a head, sew and piece your doll together and correct stuffing techniques to ensure the “life” of your doll!

Vision Doll Workshop with Phaedra. Open/TBC

Autumn - Capture your moment in time by creating a personal doll from what is presented in a very unique way. An extremely liberating class that may also be used for maturing teen girls to creatively and positively express themselves. Only basic sewing skills required. Original patterns will be created and used.

Tall Tale Tree Workshop with Phaedra. Open/TBC

Autumn - Create your very own felted tree 8-15 " with it's own freestanding base, for use on a nature table or just as a perfectly interesting center piece or home decor your friends will go wild for!

1st post...

2008-06-14T12:53:00.000-07:00

and second blog! How lovely to be able to communicate to the ether through this lovely forum!

I'll introduce myself I suppose as Phaedra Phoenix, Auntie Felt or just plain Oddsoxx sometimes!
I'm a English chick with a home-school heart, Waldorf inspired, mother of two starry boys - Donovan Boy & Little Gandalf & wife to a talented musician, writer and philanthropic husband of 11 years, he's usually Cricket or The Hairy One! We live in a tree house but will retreat to the woods for the Summer whilst teaching Summer workshops too!

I'm honoured to be counted as one of the DragonFly Artisans alongside some really talented and creative beings I get to call my friends!! We will start out adventure together creating both our own works and collaboratively and will offer them at our shows and at our Etsy shops. You may find tutorials, patterns for sale, certainly some silliness and tips and tricks for your own use. Thanks for coming by, visit again and comment often!!

pacifica spring fair!

2008-05-29T15:36:00.000-07:00

come see us at our 2nd show!

when: this saturday, the 31st of may

time: 1:00 to 5:30

where: 3754 dunn drive, los angeles 90034

(off venice blvd., between hughes & clarington)

a sampling of some of the creations you can purchase:

crocheted buckets, natural soaps, felt toys, market bags, drawing kits, jewelry & hair accessories

plus oh so much more!!! please head over, & look for the dragonfly artisans banner!

see you there :-)

next show

2008-03-25T23:37:00.000-07:00

the artisans will have a booth at pacifica's spring fair on saturday the 31st of may.

more details soon.

* welcome*

2008-03-25T23:14:00.000-07:00

if you're looking for any of the creative, & talented women of dragonfly artisans, you've come to the right place.

here you'll find announcements, shop updates, & show information.

for now, check out the artisan's blogs... over there
--------------------------------->

*if you're interested in purchasing anything, please contact the women directly.*