Workshops – 2016

The year-end festivities provided me with some much needed relaxation from the nutty season of winter fairs and craft shows, custom dolls and cookie baking for our clients. I have not listed 2016 workshops. There are some new ones: learn to make a ruffled felt scarf or felting with long locks. But I am also offering some well-loved repeats. If you have already done a workshop with me, you are welcome to book the same workshop again and make a project of your own with my guidance – let’s say you took the bag making workshop, you can book that workshop and this time make a bag that is more involved – with additional features. Each felting workshop is for only 4 students – this allows me to give you extra close attention and help you to realize your felting goal.

I am planning to offer some other workshops for later in the spring – dyeing, expandable felt and carved felt – if you would be interested in one of those, please drop me a line.

IMG_1574

The latest 11 Doctor doll – made for a client in Australia in August 2015

I am currently spending time at the studio setting up my supplies into more of a store-like setting. I am planning on keeping “store hours” for a couple times a week starting in mid/late February – stay tuned for further notice. Keep your eyes open for an official opening notice that I will post.

Interested in staying in touch? “like” my facebook pages (both my Monika Aebischer and The Olive Sparrow) and add them to your favourites, subscribe here on the website and you will receive occasional updates. You can also find me on “TheOliveSparrow”.

Happy creating – I am really excited about all 2016 will bring. It will be a pleasure to teach so many of you to realize your creative dreams.

Workshop Dates

I have just updated the workshop page and if you are interested in learning new skills, hop over there and see what’s on offer.

This year I plan to learn new skills myself – I have a few dreams of far-away workshops, but will likely focus on some closer to home. On my list, I put learning to hula hop, slackline, temper chocolate to make truffles and re-learn how to make a teddy bear (I made one in grade nine and still have the patterns for that bear). My husband and son are teaching themselves to juggle and I have picked up the balls and tossed them in the air – but I have a long, long way to go to be where they are at.

moni-trixi-1

My huge bear Trixi and myself when I was 8 or 9. I’ve always loved my bears.

What are you hoping to learn this year?

Doll Making Workshop – Toronto – February 2013

Waldorf Doll-Making Workshop


Doll-making
 

I am very excited to announce a doll-making workshop at my studio. I will be teaching a small group of maximum 8 people.

Description: Spend twi days learning to make a wonderful Waldorf inspired doll. Using a doll body pre-sewn by Monika from a traditional Waldorf Doll pattern, you will create a doll that will be its own character. Dress patterns will be part of your hand-out, so that you might sew lovely outfits for your dolls at home.

You can choose the hair, skin tone, eye and lip colour.

Skills required: basic hand-sewing knowledge. Optional: basic crochet (there are wig alternatives that involve sewing instead of crochet).

Cost: $200 (Incl. HST)/person (max 8 people) (14+ hours instruction time)
(Includes all materials for doll: pre-sewn body and head cover skin, pattern for doll body, wool stuffing, dress patterns, thread matching skin colours, choice of doll hair, long or mohair).

Please bring your own sewing scissors, measuring tape, pins, a note-pad and pen.

There is also a 3-day workshop option where you will learn to sew the body and sew an outfit, including shoes.

For the 3-Day option (spread over 2 additional Friday evenings) please add:
Friday February 8th from 6:30pm – 9:30pm, and Friday February 22. from 6:00pm – 10:00 pm

Please bring your own sewing machine (must be able to do zig-zag stitch), fabric scissors, notebook, pencil, measuring tape, pins
Skills required: ability to thread a needle and sew basic stitches, optional: basic crochet stitches, knitting skills and using sewing machine.

Cost: $240 (incl HST) (7hrs/day, total 21+ hours instruction time)

(Includes all materials for doll – body and head cover skin, pattern for doll body, dress patterns, wool stuffing, thread matching skin colours, choice of doll hair, long or mohair) you will be asked to bring fabric for clothes.

Dates: Saturday February 9 and Sunday February 10th. 10:00am – 6:00pm (for the 2-day option)

For the 3-Day option (spread over 2 additional Friday evenings) please add:
Friday February 8th from 6:30pm – 9:30pm, and Friday February 22. from 6:00pm – 10:00 pm

To sign up, please e-mail me with your contact information and choice of 2 or 3-day option: monika@monikaaebischer.com

If you would love to participate, but these dates just don't work for you, please send me a note so that you can be notified of future workshops. If weekends are never an option for you, please let me know as well – I can host a workshop anytime if we have enough students – in and out of Toronto.

Custom Doll Spots for 2013

I have had a lot of requests for custom dolls in the past, due to my schedule, that was not possible on a regular basis. I have made custom dolls, but generally only for local customers. 

For 2012, however, I have decided to offer 4 custom dolls per month that can be shipped anywhere. If you are interested in getting a very special Olive Sparrow child to join your family, here is the link to my my Etsy Store. I have listed 11 spots:

3 spots for shipment date 1st week of February

4 spots for shipment date 1st week of April

4 spots for shipment date 1st week of May

If you don't see the size of doll you would like, please e-mail me and I will post an adjusted listing for you. 

This will be really exciting… 

Here a little glimpse of a custom doll that I made for a repeat customer for her daughters 5th Birthday a few days ago.

 

This is Tikka, a 38 cm tall Olive Sparrow Doll with traditional mohair hair. The mushroom on her bag (and on one sole of her shoes) is free-hand machine embroidered. Her sweet pants have little tiny mushrooms on it too. Her booties are the softest angora felted wool.

Tikka-standing

 

Tikka-38cm-baggy

 

Tikka-38cm-sitting