Designer and doll maker, Jess Brown, will lead an intimate 3-day workshop group, guiding students through her doll making process. Based on her book, The Making of A Rag Doll, Jess will share her techniques, creative process and unique, approachable deconstructed style. There is a true sense of freedom in creativity that comes along with learning to work without structured rules and it just might be an approach you fall in love with. Each student will complete at least one rag doll, along with an assortment of doll accessories based loosely on patterns from the book.
As a very special added bonus for this retreat, we will have guest artist and extraordinary natural dyeing expert Sasha Duerr leading a plant-based palette workshop. Students will learn the biodiverse color palette of Northern California and the Mendocino Coast ~ experimenting with seasonal dye baths from weeds, foraged ingredients, or compost of garden grown organic produce and a bouquet of spring flowers. Sasha will draw from accessible natural dye recipes, encouraging fresh and inspiring ways of working with natural dyes, foraging for fashion, and designing with local botanical color for an array of beautifully dyed plant-based palettes. Students will be invited to use their dyed textiles in their doll projects, and beyond.
This creative retreat experience will be rooted in the creative exploration of doll making and dyeing, yet also attend to your overall well-being by being part of an intentional, supportive creative community; sharing nourishing meals; hiking beautiful trails; celebrating body movement through yoga; and honoring sustainability and care of the earth at The Stanford Inn. It would be our sincere pleasure to have you join us in May on the California coast.
*please note this retreat is thoughtfully designed with adults & young adults 16+ years in mind