Hawk Rider Course

A six week course in Faerie making & needle felting

Faerie & Hawk - In the first two weeks of class we'll be hand sewing faeries from natural fibres, learning how to dye wool locks for hair with a variety of natural dyes, embroider faces, make tattered wings, and create clothing using salvaged antique fabrics and wool felt.

Hawk Only - In second portion of the class, which is four weeks long, you will learn how to make a wire armature for a larger bird, build form with core batt, and techniques for felting feathers. We will explore anatomy and proportion. There will be lessons on creating a leucistic (white) hawk and a red tailed hawk.

Materials are not included in the cost of the course. A full resource list for materials will be emailed to you upon registration. Where available, resources are listed for Canada, the US, Europe, Australia, and the UK. Kits will also be available for purchase from the Olive Sparrow in Canada.

Course structure

New lessons will be sent out every Friday for six weeks (or four, if you’re doing the hawk only), with about 4-8 hours of work time recommended each week. You can work through the modules at your own pace, as you have access to the online classroom for six months after class finishes. I am available throughout the six weeks, and after, to answer any questions. The class will meet weekly over Zoom to discuss progress and share work.

Please read through the FAQ if you have any questions, or contact me directly.

The Course:

Week 1 - Crafting a Faerie

Creating and wrapping a wire armature

How to shape and embroider an expressive face

Hand stitching a movable body

Week 2 - Creating clothing, hair, and wings

Playing with different fibers and patterns to dress your faerie.

Sewing on hair (we’ll talk about how to hand-dye mohair locks using natural plant dyes)

Antlers

Creating realistic wings

Week 3 - Felting foundations

Creating a wire armature for your hawk

Building up the form & sculpting your hawk with wool batt

Week 4 - Felting details

Needle felting your hawk’s face

Felting talons

Creating a felted stone and moss for your hawk to perch on.

Week 5 - Finishing your piece

Felting Feathers

Making wings

Week 6 - Finishing your piece

Finishing your hawk

Needle felting reins and a head piece

Seating your faerie rider

Tiny toadstools

What’s Included:

• 4-6 weeks of modules: comprising of video tutorials & photo/text (depending on whether you are doing the full class with doll making and felting or the felting only).

• Weekly Zoom meetings: Zooms are held every other Sunday throughout the course. They are an excellent opportunity to share work and ask questions.

• In-course support with me for the duration of the course: you can ask questions whenever you need via email or Facebook. I will also be available after the class if you are revisiting lessons and have any questions.

• Access to our private class Facebook group: This is a wonderful way of connecting with other students during the course, sharing photos of work, and getting/giving feedback.

• Permanent access to the course content (for as long as my site is online).

• 40% discount on most future classes: Applies to full classes - faerie & felting

**The felting technique for the hawk may be used to make and sell your own felting commercially. The Faeries may not be sold commercially; they can be made for personal use and as gifts. Doll making is a wonderful art form and this workshop is intended to help you build skills and learn techniques that are versatile and can be applied in all sorts of ways in your own doll making.