This workshop is for you if:

  • ​You're at mid to late life and feel a sense of urgency and discontent with roles that no longer fit and you want to commit to your true self. You may have experienced a major upheaval in your life, in the form of a physical illness, or a life change such as a career change or retirement.
  • You have the sense that this upheaval has the potential to go in either direction, towards settling into inertia or even despair, or towards developing newfound meaning and inner strength. You've lived long enough to know that there is more to life than the surface and you want to seize life and live more fully.
  • You've maybe taken some creative classes and you might have learned some skills but you sense there is something deeper that these other experiences didn't touch.
  • Or maybe you haven't ever taken a creative class before.

In any case, you are curious about the potential in doll making for discovering and mirroring deeper sides of yourself. 

ON-LINE OFFER:

​Befriending Our Shadow 

A doll-making e-course about befriending our shadow, using tenderness and compassion to connect with all parts of ourselves. Flip dolls are two sided dolls connected at the waist. These two sided dolls have the capacity to capture divergent views of reality, dark vs light, joy vs sorrow, love vs alienation. In this course you will have the chance, through exploring and befriending your shadow, to discover hidden strengths within. And at the end of the course, your doll will represent and unite both shadow and light. And, important note, you do not need to know how to sew beforehand. This class is open to those at all levels of sewing ability. 
Through this course, you will: ​
  • discover how the shadow, an integral and sometimes scary part of our nature, can reveal hidden strengths
  • connect to your shadow as an ally and guide
  • bask in the healing power of group process, finding strength in working together with and being witnessed by others
  • learn the benefits of mistakes, how an intuitive, exploratory approach to creativity can free you to deeper, more authentic expression
  • explore the benefits and challenges of planning ahead (or not)-you will have the structure of a pattern to work from but may find yourself going off in your own personal direction and that's OK
  • learn about the historic flip doll and how it can help you to integrate dark and light in your life
  • experience the benefits of slowing down, through hand stitching and other meditative sewing techniques
  • discover the myth of the "ugly"-and how "ugly" (this word can sometimes turn up when we are just beginning to learn to create) is just a step along the path towards deeper exploration and possibly even greater hidden beauty
  • And you will ultimately have a "gem" of a doll that you will want to place in a prominent place in your house to serve and a mirror and reminder to you in all your dimensions 
Testimonial from a Befriending Our Shadow alumna: 

"I was drawn to the class because the exploration promised spoke keenly to my soul. I wanted to learn more about embracing the shadow side and expressing the journey in a doll. I found the experience to be exhilarating, terrifying, gratifying, and fun. 

This workshop series delivered on the stated goals, and more. Erika nurtured an environment of support, wisdom sharing, safe space, and creativity. We grew to trust one another with our fears, our ideas, and our deep thoughts. I never made a doll before. I never imagined making a doll before this class…Making my doll…forced me to think long and hard…In the end, the process helped me to find a modicum of peace and acceptance.

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this workshop series. I looked forward to our weekly meetings. Our time together was a combination of practical tips, meditation, sharing, coaching one another, and enjoying the company of talented, strong women. Erika’s facilitation style is supportive, gentle, and inviting. She valued every one of us. She welcomed our creativity and celebrated our outcomes. 

Angela Roberts

Slide Show of Dolls created by previous Befriending Our Shadow participants...


​Click here for more detailed testimonials

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • Do I have to know how to sew? No, you do not need to know how to sew ahead of time, though there is room for experimentation for more experienced sewers.
  • What is a flip doll and why are we making one in this class? Flip dolls (sometimes topsy turvy dolls) are two sided dolls connected at the waist. They have a long history which I will introduce you to in the class. But what makes them so relevant to this course is that they have the potential, with their two sides, to contain and connect opposites. This makes the flip doll an ideal way to explore, for instance, your shadow on one side and hidden strengths on the other. What I love about the flip doll is that it also brings the two separate ideas together in the middle, bringing them to a place of oneness.
  • Do I need to have made a doll before? No, again, the e-book provides detailed instructions on how to make a doll and you will be suppported through the process during the Zoom calls and in the Facebook group. You also have the option of signing up for a 1:1 session with Erika.
  • Do I have to buy a lot of supplies? No, we will engage with simple materials that you can mostly find around your house. To see the materials list go here.
  • Will I have the freedom to explore my own way of creating? Yes, by all means. The templates, videos and other teachings are just starting points for your own creative exploration. 
  • Do I have to participate in the Zoom calls? I'd rather just work on my own. No, you are not required to sign up for the Zoom calls. You will be able to choose your level of engagement, from fully participating in all calls and in the on-line forum, to using the videos and written guidance as a jumping off point for your own creative process. 
  • What if I'm not on Facebook? I understand your hesitation with Facebook. I too had some concerns about it. The advantage to Facebook is being able to see everyone's work as it develops over the course of the eight weeks and to be able to interact with and support each other during that time as well. If you really are not able to participate in Facebook, but can do the Zoom classes you will still get some of the group process. You may also consider signing up for an individual session with Erika for extra support. 
  • If I do want to be part of the Zoom calls, how long is the class? How often does it meet? The Zoom calls meet over a period of eight weeks, once a week for an hour and a half each session. For more details and dates and times, see below...(more details section)
  • How long will I have access to the different elements of the class (e-book, Facebook group, Zoom videos?) The e-book and videos that go along with it are for you to keep forever. The Zoom classes go for eight weeks, see below for exact dates and times. The Facebook group will remain open during the course of the class and for as long afterwards as there is activity in the class. After that, you may join an alumni group for previous participants in Befriending Our Shadow. The Zoom videos will be made available for download so that you can store them for yourself. Once the class ends, the download option will no longer be available. 
  • What if I want some individual attention from the facilitator? You can sign up for an individual session with Erika in addition to the other components of the class.
  • Can I share images from this class on-line? This is an intimate and private class where we recognize and support each others personal space, so please do not share images made by other participants on-line. However you can share your own work online but I would appreciate your mentioning Befriending Our Shadow. 
  • Can I share the e-book with others? I would greatly appreciate if you didn't do this. The e-book and videos represent a significant number of hours of work and this would prevent me from being able to be compensated for that work. Thank you. 
  • Once I sign up for this course can I change my mind? Sorry, but due to the digital nature of this class, refunds are not possible. 
  • I'm not in mid to late life but this really interests me. Would I be able to participate too? Yes, absolutely. If this material draws you in, then you're in the right place.
"'Befriending Our Shadow' with Erika Cleveland offers a unique and creative means to explore the process and construction of doll making. Initially, I was concerned that my limited sewing skills and lack of access to fabric supplies would slow me down. However, that was not the case….

Erika also created this workshop with access to a weekly Zoom group check in, brief meditations, supportive prompts, e-book instructions and a Group Facebook page. I found the weekly group (check in) particularly meaningful. Our group was able to share thoughts in a safe environment, which sometimes explored difficult and often painful realities. I believe our weekly meeting opened our hearts to be present and accept these complex feelings along with the fragility we have all been experiencing, especially during these past few months….

This workshop is not just about “making a doll.” Erika has carefully curated a multi- layered approach to guide each participant along their own unique path to self-discovery. 'Befriending Our Shadow' has opened me to many new ideas and insights, and will continue to inform my creative process."

Gail Saour

You will get the most out of this workshop if:
  • You are ready to dive deep to work with your shadow, this can be challenging (and even a bit scary) at first
  • You are willing (if you have signed up for the Zoom calls) to commit to participating in all the Zoom calls. These are precious and intimate sessions. The more we can all show up each week, the more safety there will be in the group
  • You are willing to try something new. You don't have to have experience with sewing or with doll-making but it helps if you are ready to suspend judgement and let the process develop
  • You are fully commited to supporting and witnessing others going through their own deep process in their own way, (either in the Zoom sessions or Facebook group or both.)   
Here are some words of advice from a participant in a previous class:
​
  • "Be prepared to delve into the shadow side. Embrace it, even if you are afraid, do it anyway. It is worth it. You will be in good company. There will be give and take, and you will be better for it.
  • Use Erika’s meditations as you ponder your own dark and light. They will focus you.
  • Do not be in a rush to finish your doll. She will grow as you grow. She will guide you. 
  • Be open minded. Be true to yourself. And know that you are gathering with incredible women.
  • I recommend this workshop highly. It was wonderful. You will learn and explore, and so will your creative ideas and skills."
MORE DETAILS

When you sign up, you will receive the e-book which includes links to videos that will take you through all aspects of making your own Befriending Our Shadow Doll. 

If you sign up for the live Zoom calls, there are two options for dates and times.  These groups will fill on a first come first serve basis. 

There is a limit of 6 spaces in each of the two Zoom sessions . It will fill up first come, first serve.

Early Bird Pricing: enroll before the deadline and get a discount for both either the basic level class, the full group engagement level or the private session level.

Sign up Deadline: To be determined for the next course

​Most materials for this E-course should be relatively easy to find around the house or to order from a fabric supply store such as Joanne Fabric. You can view the materials list HERE. Please contact me below if you have any questions. 
​
The class was really meaningful and transformative for me. I’d seen some of Erika’s work and was impressed by the Flip Doll grant project ​that she did for a local Fiber Arts Guild. I’d been looking for additional ways to process a recent traumatic family event, and I figured I’d make an alter ego doll…. And I thought I’d use a pattern and follow instructions, because I’d never ever made a doll before, and I had really limited experience with any 3D work. 

With Erika and my classmates’ support, I figured out something unique and true to myself and meaningful to me. The process of sharing with classmates was very powerful, and the work that they produced was amazing….so much more than making this journey by myself. The subject matter for these dolls was potentially very dangerous, and Erika did a great job of keeping me, and the others, from going off the rails. And now months later, I am still processing what happened in this class. It was very powerful and long-lasting. 

H. B.
What's included:

Three price levels...
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Sign up AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE to join the waitlist for the next Befriending Our Shadow class.

​Befriending Our Shadow can include: 

Basic Level
  • a companion e-book to the e-course with detailed descriptions and images about the construction of your doll, suggestions for guided visualizations, and written prompts.
  • a series of six videos, to go along with the e-book, and providing detailed instructions and encouragement for making your doll
  • a PDF with patterns for making two different Flip dolls
  • a private Facebook group to share your progress on doll-making and share with other doll makers​

Full Group Engagement Level:
  • Everything in the above level AND: 
  • 8 weekly intimate Zoom sessions for support from your Befriending Our Shadow classmates and from the facilitator.  With no more than than six participants in each series of sessions, the groups will be more intimate. There will be two available eight week sessions of Zoom calls at two different times.
  • Recordings of all Zoom sessions for your reflection afterwards. These will be safely and securely recorded and stored so that you can download them. 
  • A "Snail-mail" (stash/tiny stitched piece) exchange to build sense of community among group participants


Bonus Private Lesson:
  • Everything in the above two levels AND: 
  • Private session with group leader to focus on your doll in a more intimate way, to get additional witnessing, feedback and guidance from the facilitator. ​​

Prices:
Basic Level: $150

Full Group Engagement Level, every thing in basic level included: $`175
​
Additional Private Session: includes everything in basic and full group engagement level, plus one private one hour Zoom session: $200​

NOTE: There are no refunds once you have signed up for an e-course. I am a one woman show, doing my best to create a small group, intimate and nourishing experience for you. Thus I am unable to offer refunds. 

"I have enjoyed sewing since I was in middle school.. and have loved making cloth dolls for almost 25 years…When the pandemic hit, I found myself feeling the stress and anxiety of the time.   I started looking for projects to do to fill my time and that used materials I already had on hand - and would help me focus on something else than my fears.   When I read about Erika Cleveland’s Transformative Healing Dolls, I signed up for the class the same day….  

I loved the idea of bringing the psyche into the doll, consciously and intentionally….  
Erika began each class with a meditation - which I loved.  Her sample dolls were inspiring….seeing all the different “pairings” of consciousnesses….
I found I loved the hand sewing - it let me think about what I was creating and my intentions for the doll;  helping me to cement the ideas into my consciousness….  

I really liked having live classes and being able to see others work, which inspired and impressed me.  I was amazed by those who had never made a doll before.  The dolls were all so astounding and so individual, such unique styles….

The live Zoom classes also gave me deadlines to complete my work, which was motivational. I can't tell you how many unfinished projects I have sitting in my sewing room! I also thought the readings, poetry and philosophy shared in the meetings were quite thought provoking."

Naomi Zow

    This all sounds interesting but I have a question...feel free to ask your question here.

"I signed up for the class because of my interest in Jung and shadow work that has influenced my own personal journey. The flip doll seemed like a great vessel for exploring some thoughts that had come up for me involving my role as a mental health professional -- how I am able to offer healing space for others, but struggle to give myself the same compassion….

…The process of making was transformative experience in my inner journey. It opened up new paths to explore further and gave access to voices that needed to be heard. Doll making provides a unique opportunity to see, interact, and talk with a figure of your own making. I think we make the figure with whom we most need to have a conversation. As the doll begins to reveal it self - shifting, adapting, maybe becoming something totally new - the conversation also shifts and adapts to become the message that is most necessary to receive in that moment."

Kelly Jacobs