I teach classes for creating a variety of nichos (sometimes referred to as shrines or altars), plus all manner of poppets (figures or dolls that are often, but not only, used in ceremony and symbolism).
These classes are available on request, so please contact me for info, or watch The Briarwood Journal Newsletter for more information, in case someone else requests the one you want!
[email protected]
These classes are available on request, so please contact me for info, or watch The Briarwood Journal Newsletter for more information, in case someone else requests the one you want!
[email protected]

Sculpt a Rather Fabulous Rabbit (or squirrel)
Learn to create a bottle based animal figure, either skirted or robed, in this beginner-friendly playshop. Your figure need not be feminine just because no legs are sculpted in this process. Think of wizards, druids, Renaissance-ish or fantasy royalty, or Father Christmas!
Learn to create a bottle based animal figure, either skirted or robed, in this beginner-friendly playshop. Your figure need not be feminine just because no legs are sculpted in this process. Think of wizards, druids, Renaissance-ish or fantasy royalty, or Father Christmas!

Collaged Paper Sculpture AniMages
In a combination of collage and paper sculpting techniques, these skirted or robed nicho figures can create and illustrate a story within a story. Don't be intimidated by the story part of that! I don't usually know the story of anything I create when I start, even when I think I do. As we play with materials, colors, and imagery from magazines, calendars, old books, and clip-art, the choices we are drawn to reveal the story.
Next class date To Be Determined (by the next person to request it), but in the meantime, you may want to begin collecting calendars, old art books and ephemera, if you don't already have a stash. Check clearance bins for calandars that didn't sell back in January, everywhere from dollar stores to big-box-marts to national craft chain stores, or retailers that sell items related to your hobbies and lifestyle. For old art books, your library may have a section of books they are eliminating due to age or damage and, if not, check thrift stores. I know! We are trained from birth that books are valuable, but there comes a time when their value can be extended by cutting them up for art. It's okay, you will not be smote down by the God Of Words, nor by most librarians.
In a combination of collage and paper sculpting techniques, these skirted or robed nicho figures can create and illustrate a story within a story. Don't be intimidated by the story part of that! I don't usually know the story of anything I create when I start, even when I think I do. As we play with materials, colors, and imagery from magazines, calendars, old books, and clip-art, the choices we are drawn to reveal the story.
Next class date To Be Determined (by the next person to request it), but in the meantime, you may want to begin collecting calendars, old art books and ephemera, if you don't already have a stash. Check clearance bins for calandars that didn't sell back in January, everywhere from dollar stores to big-box-marts to national craft chain stores, or retailers that sell items related to your hobbies and lifestyle. For old art books, your library may have a section of books they are eliminating due to age or damage and, if not, check thrift stores. I know! We are trained from birth that books are valuable, but there comes a time when their value can be extended by cutting them up for art. It's okay, you will not be smote down by the God Of Words, nor by most librarians.

Tent Dreams Nicho
Explore assemblage, fabric manipulation, sculpting and other mixed media techniques while creating a dreamscape all your own.
Next class dates TBD. See newsletter info below to influence this!
Explore assemblage, fabric manipulation, sculpting and other mixed media techniques while creating a dreamscape all your own.
Next class dates TBD. See newsletter info below to influence this!

Outside-the-Box Quote & Figure Nicho
A dimensional and potentially mixed media way to bring a favorite quote or phrase to life.
Next class date TBD. See newsletter note below!
A dimensional and potentially mixed media way to bring a favorite quote or phrase to life.
Next class date TBD. See newsletter note below!
So many poppets, so little time to load them all here! Many more figures, including those in the header at the top of the page, are among the classes I teach.
See a project you would love to try that isn't currently available as a course? Subscribe to my newsletter and be among the first to know when I put it on the calendar. I promise the Briarwood Journal will always deliver some useful and entertaining compilation of goodies, like crafting tips, Briarwood clip art, little projects, journaling ideas, or a delectable recipe or two, along with Briarwood I*Magi*Porium news and special offers for subscribers.
I try to email once a week but I think my average is closer to once a month and, if there's a class coming up, I usually send a couple of emails in the two weeks before, all of which is meant to reassure you that you aren't going to get so much mail from The Briarwood that you toss it without reading it.
I try to email once a week but I think my average is closer to once a month and, if there's a class coming up, I usually send a couple of emails in the two weeks before, all of which is meant to reassure you that you aren't going to get so much mail from The Briarwood that you toss it without reading it.