Sunday, January 17, 2010

Waldorf Dolls- Learning from the Sage

Today, I spent a rainy afternoon in the warmth of the beautiful Berkeley Rose Waldorf School learning how to make Waldorf dolls from dollmaker extraordinaire, Christine Schreier. As many of you know, Christine is the proprietor of the wonderful Puppenstube. She also shares her incredible expertise with others in her dollmaking workshops.

Christine started the workshop with a candle lit in the middle of the table. In her own work, it is a practice that she does to invite the spirit of the beings that she is creating and to hold the focus of what she is doing in the highest intent. It reminds her that she is creating not only for her own benefit, but that the work she is doing is going out in the world representing something, in the case of a doll, a human being. She strives to put her best intention out towards that and it reminds her that creativity is a sacred gift.

She had brought pre-made bodies made out of velour for the Nicky dolls and wool for the Bunting Babies. One of the truly unique and wonderful aspects about Christine's methods of making dolls is her use of recycled materials when possible and normal every day items. It was nice to know that it's not necessary to buy specialty doll making supplies. I love that repurposed sweaters, skin colored knits (like t-shirts) and dental floss (for strong thread) are items that can be found locally and inexpensively.

We learned forming the body comes first, so that the dolls head can be made proportionally


I had been intimidated for quite some time on how to make a Waldorf doll head, but through Christine's teaching, found it to be not as daunting as I had feared. (Though I still was uncomfortable with sticking such a long needle into my "baby's" head!)

Adding features to our dolls

Christine's wonderful pincushion made from a recycled sweater.

Christine gave us a little peek into her basket where she keeps the dresses for her flower children in progress. We're hoping that can be another workshop in the future :)

I snuck off for a few moments to take a picture of the lovely space that is the Berkeley Rose School.
Berkeley Rose School




...and here is my new baby
she's very tired after a long day of being birthed :)

When I arrived home, Matteo instantly hugged the newest member of our doll family and asked if he could care for the new baby. It was as if he could feel the love that I had poured into making my first Waldorf doll. It was a magical day, getting to know some really lovely women, spending time with a dear friend and learning a new handwork skill to that instantly brought my child joy.

With much gratitude for the sacred gift of creativity,

Marina




31 comments:

FrontierDreams said...

Oh how lucky you are! What a wonderful experience (and the school WOW!).
Miss you!!!

Jane said...

Wow, Sounds like a magical afternoon in a gorgeous space. Your doll is so lovely and how sweet that it came home to some welcoming arms.

Nicola said...

oh! you told me this class might be coming! i wish i could have joined you.
you photos are lovely as usual. your teacher has such a warm smile and your new little friend turned out beautifully!
nicola
http://whichname.blogspot.com

Tan Family said...

Such a special experience with Christine! Your baby doll is lovely. Thank you for all of the amazing pictures of the doll-making and the school.

Joy said...

What a wonderful gift to attend a class with Christine! Your doll is lovely. Did Matteo name him? I'm only a wee bit jealous that you live so near a Waldorf community like that. :)

Anonymous said...

Oh, Marina, your new baby is absolultely beautiful! Are lucky you are to have had that experience. The school looks so calm and peaceful.

Annie said...

oh-my-goodness!! I want to move into that space :)

Aren't doll making workshops fabulous? I took one in dec. 2008 -- and i've been dreaming of making lots ever since... such a peaceful relaxing craft... that brings incredible joy to it's recipients :)

thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

what a wonderful workshop! so glad that you got to experience it...:)

xoxo

Anonymous said...

This is so, so special and neat and wow, I wish I could come out there and go someday! What a beautiful place to work too.

Anonymous said...

lovely doll. what a treat!
and the school....drool!

Carin said...

What a wonderful opportunity, and WOW, what a space! Your doll is precious!

Stacy said...

Thank-you for sharing. And what gorgeous photographs!

mamaraby said...

What a wonderful opportunity and special experience! I wish there were opportunities like that around where I live.

Andrea said...

Aww! So sweet! I wish I could have been there with you. I wish it REALLY badly!

renee ~ heirloom seasons said...

All so beautiful. How wonderful to have made your first doll. I'm sure she is so full of love!
Renee xo

Traumkraut said...

Dear Marina,
very nice pictures... and your babydoll is very beautiful. And many many thanks for your Birthday wishes.

Love,
Maike

P.S.: I also love the pictures of your boys in the post below. Looks very retro :-)

mommychick said...

Awww, she turned out so sweet.

* * said...

what a gorgeous post marina! i can feel the reverence and spirit that was taken in creating your doll. waldorf dolls are certainly magical and hold so much love. and i would really love to be a student right now at that school : )

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on the newest babe in your family! What a wonderful experience to have participated in such a lovely event. Your photos are wonderful, and capture the peaceful spirit of the class so well. Beautiful!

~Mellie

Heather said...

What a magical time yo spent. First, the school is extraordinary, and what a wonderful chance to create dolls with such a gifted artist.

Jen said...

Oh my. You can truly feel the love and magic. That first picture of Christine is so amazing, as though her soul comes through. If only each one of us were lucky enough to wear ours on the outside too.

Jessica said...

Congratulations! What a wonderful experience...she is absolutely dear!

Simple Mama said...

Christine is a such a lovely soul. How wonderful that you were able to learn about doll making from her. We love her little baby dolls here.


And...just because I don't tell the people who matter enough. I <3 you. Thank you for blessing me with your friendship

Unknown said...

oh, this is lovely, just lovely. and i'm about to embark on my own first doll-making, so couldn't be more timely. many thanks!
molly
http://www.remedialeating.com

*erin* said...

Wow, what a special experience! I LOVE that school room, how beautiful!

Knecht Ruprecht Dolls said...

Your first doll is lovely!
This looks like dollmakers paradise,
the invironment looks so peaceful and beautiful! I agree very much with the concept of the importantness of a good mindfulness during the process of dollmaking. Its a wonderful idea to light a candle.

ruprecht.etsy.com
KnechtRuprecht.dawanda.com
knechtruprechtdolls.blogspot.com

ECEstoryartsinstitute said...

your blog is lovely, and photos very inviting. this workshop looks like it was renewing and honoring of the process. Creating a doll for a loved one is a very heart filled and inward deed. Beautiful work!

Suzanne Down
http://www.junipertreepuppets.com
(my puppet blog is on my site)

Sono-Ma: Holly White-Wolfe said...

What a wonderful work of art this post is! Your pictures and words beautifully capture Christine and her essence.

Please read more about how Christine is touching lives in Sonoma County here:

http://sono-ma.blogspot.com/2010/02/meet-todays-artist-bodega-bay-artisan.html

Kelly said...

Oh my gosh, just came across your blog somehow through flickr. So lovely! I wish I would have known about this class, I would have jumped at the chance. Thanks for sharing...

Tahara said...

You are so fortunate to have had that class!...Your doll looks lovely and I have missed you :-)

CIELY FRANCO said...

Yo puedo sentir la alegría y la satisfacción al terminar la muñeca,porque también me gusta hacerlas y desearía estar en esa escuela tan apacible y llena de sabiduría.
Un saludo desde Colombia.
http://lasmunecasdechiquita.blogspot.com