Time: 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
This program is suited for attendees at All levels of experience.

I have collected dolls and made dolls my whole life. But in later years I have become increasingly interested in spirit dolls and santos, or cage dolls. Come spend two days with me as we explore combining found objects, wire, metal and an ancient material used by hunter/gatherer cultures the world over, hog gut or sausage casings to make our own spirit dolls.

Sausage casings are clean and packed in salt water, however they do emit a slight odor, much like the sizing in watercolor paper, or the family dog after a dip in the creek. But the beauty is they stick to themselves! So when used like paper mache no other glues are required. They also stretch and conform as they dry and create unusual and luminous effects over found objects and steel wire. The casings can be dyed, painted or inked when wet. Or after they dry, they can be written on, painted, sewn, stapled, anything you can do to paper. Sausage casing might be used to bind in a functional capacity or merely to adorn your doll.

Since I make jewelry and artwork with found object, I thought it would be fun to explore using this unusual media with all sorts of pieces of wood, metal bits, tin   you name it! I can teach you some joining techniques for metal such a riveting and making tabs. We can also just run wild with wire and bind our bits together. I often use Paperclay for the head, or face so we will try our hand at that. Speaking of hands, I made my dolls hands out of polymer clay, but hands could be made out of anything — whittled wood, or they could be abstract and symbolized by two dangling rusty washers! And of course adorning and embellishing your doll will be the delicious finale! While this class is not for vegans, or the faint of heart, trust your instincts and start dumping out your cigar boxes of rusty, forgotten treasure and come make a truly unforgettable art doll with us!

About the Instructor

Melissa Manley lives and works in southeastern North Carolina a few miles from Wrightsville beach. She received her BA in studio arts from University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Years later she went back to gradate school in Metals at East Carolina University. While there Melissa was fortunate to study with enameling master Linda Darty and the godfather of found object Robert Ebendorf. She earned her MFA in Metal Design at East Carolina University in 2006. Melissa now teaches metals and jewelry at Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington in addition to teaching workshops around the country in collage, book altering, watercolor and jewelry making for the past 7 years. Her work has appeared in Somerset Studio magazine, Belle Armoire magazine, Crafting Personal Shrines by Carol Owen, The Fine Art of Enameling by Linda Darty, Making Connections by Susan Lenart Kazmer, 500 Enameled Objects by Lark books, and Collage Lab by Bee Shay. Melissa winds down from the dizzy pace of making a living with her art by kayaking and beachcombing with her partner, kayak instructor Robert Smith, and her teenage daughter Meredith.

Studio and Material Fee

Material fee covers sausage casings and Peerless watercolors, extra tools for and wire for use , lots of doodads, fibers and stuff to share and miscellaneous studio supplies.  

Student Supplies

Students should bring the following supplies:

• Wire- I used mostly 18ga iron binding wire (sometimes called rebar wire) This wire will rust. If you do not want rust you could try copper or a plated wire it just needs to be sturdy, 18ga or more. You may also want different gauges to play with I sometimes also use a very fine gauge for visual effect.
• Found materials that could be incorporated into arms, legs, torso, hands, feet. I used broken ruler, broken paintbrush, fine picture frame moulding, wine cork, pencils. Pressed metal stampings made for jewelry such as Vintaj might be useful they can be sawn and manipulated. We can also shape and cut colored tin or pieces of copper to make bodices and the like. Recycled old roofing copper could be fun! I will bring some found objects to share.
• A small hand drill or dremel would be VERY useful. I will bring lots of drill bits but you may want a small assortment of your own.
• a small jeweler’s saw and a few blades ranging from 2/0, or thicker, if you plan on using lots of wood pieces or metal pieces. I will bring extras of the larger sizes as well.
• variety of pliers both heavy duty and jewelry types for working the wire- you will need cutters, round nose and probably some big sturdy hardware store needle nose.
• Tin snips for cutting metal
• a small plastic tub for water like a yogurt carton
• a package of Paperclay
• a package of polymer clay- if you want to make your hands or feet out of that
• scissors
• tweezers -these can come in VERY handy I often use a couple of different types, short and long
• Any paints, Adirondack inks or dyes you’d like to try. I will bring a few as well as Peerless concentrated watercolors. You may also want paints for your doll’s face. Cheap acrylic hobby paint works fine. Remember the casing can be written on with sharpies or pencils also
• Brushes or application materials for your pigments, wipes if you need them for your pigments
• Embellishments- Bring one “adornment” to put in our class share pile. Think fibers, beads, charms, found stones, bottle caps, keys, lotto coins, cereal box charms the possibilities are endless! I even used a piece of natural seafan in one of my dolls stitched on with red floss.
• You may want fibers for hair or other adornments, options might include: hemp, waxed linen, fine wire, wool roving, yarn, ribbon, silk

Optional Supplies

Vinyl or latex gloves (I don’t use them, some people prefer them), work gloves for working with sharp tin of bottle caps, magnification tool.

Additional Program Information

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Meals

Lunch is served in our community building at 12:30 p.m. and will be provided at an additional $15.00 per day.  You must make your lunch reservation in advance.  We pride ourselves in offering a healthy and organic lunch which will exceed your expectations. If you do not wish to make a reservation, please bring a sack lunch. Beverages will be provided. Some workshops have optional evening meal events, which must also be reserved in advance. Evening meal event prices vary, ranging from $15.00-$30.00 per meal.

Networking

A social hour is provided from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. following the first day of each program. Wine, cheese and a non-alcolohic beverage will be served in the community room for you to enjoy.

Policies

CANCELLATIONS: While we understand that circumstances can arise causing a change in your plans, we must adhere to a business policy. Because it is impossible for Valley Ridge to favor one individual situation or circumstance over another, we must adhere to our policy in all situations and can make no exceptions to our cancellation policy.

• 45 Days or More prior to a workshop: Full refund of tuition, less a $75.00 cancellation fee.
• 44 Days or Less prior to a workshop: No refunds or credits for any reason.

Registration Fees: The entire registration fee is due in full at time of registration. Valley Ridge Art Studio provides an advance deposit option to make it easier for those with financial constraints to participate in our programs. The advance deposit fee secures your workshop space, and is applied to your entire workshop registration fee. Payment for your fee/materials balance and any other optional meals will be charged to your credit card 45 days prior to workshop. Non-credit card payments will receive an invoice, which is due upon receipt.

Transfer Policy: You may transfer out of a workshop to another program in the same season. Transfer request must be received at least 45 days prior to a program. There will be a $50.00 transfer fee assessed on each transfer.

Credit Card Transaction Reversal: You intended to reserve a workshop and registered for one instead. You noticed your credit card was charged for the entire balance and only wanted to apply $75.00. You would like your credit card credited for the difference. We at Valley Ridge Art Studio are willing to reverse your transaction. There will be a $25.00 administrative fee per reversal request. Your balance will be due 45 days prior to the workshop.

Program schedule is subject to change.

Release/Waiver

I understand the risks associated with my attendance at the Studio and the use of various tools, equipment and products found in the Studio.  I voluntarily agree to assume the risk of injury or illness or property damage that may arise out of my attendance at the Studio and use of tools, equipment and products found in the Studio and hereby waive and release the Studio and its members, affiliates, employees, and agents and assigns from any and all claims, actions or losses which I may suffer as a result of my attendance at and use of the Studio.  I further agree to  hold harmless, defend and indemnify the Studio and its members, affiliates, employees, and agents and assigns from any and all claims, actions or losses arising out of my attendance at and use of the Studio or use of the tools, equipment and products found in the Studio regardless of the cause, including but not limited to the negligence of the Studio or its members, affiliates, employees, and agents and assigns.