Befriending Our Shadow e-course

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:

"Carl Jung said 'The shadow is where the gold is.' The process of working on a flip doll in a community of doll-makers under the tutelage of Erika Cleveland was a wonderful way of accessing shadow parts of my personality, those parts of myself I have trouble acknowledging and seeing clearly.

The craft tutorials, lectures, book-making, visualizations, and group sharing all helped me manifest in form complexes that were latent in my mind. I was surprised and delighted by the doll I made and what ’she’ continues to teach me. Erika is gifted at guiding her students to the gold.

Joanne Rocky Delaplaine

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 starting points for your own creative exploration. You have the option of enlarging the doll-making pattern provided or to use your own inspiration as a guide.

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.

IMPORTANT: What is the difference between the Basic Level and Full Engagement Level course? This is important to understand. Some people prefer to participate in a weekly live (on Zoom) group process and if this kind of in-person (on Zoom) group interaction is very important for you, the Full Engagement level is for you. If however, for some reason* you don't want to be in the Zoom sessions, then the Basic Level is for you. (Reasons might be: you are less comfortable in a group, you want to work on your own timeline, you can't make any of the scheduled Zoom session times or any other reasons you might have.)

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.

I wanted to learn how to make a flip doll and was curious about an alter ego/shadow. Before taking the class, I had no idea that there are so many aspects about our shadow and found them very interesting. I liked our intimate group which made it easier to remember who they are and their stories. I enjoyed the reflective/meditative aspects of the Zoom sessions. It helped me focus on the present.

Reviewing the visualizations outside of class helped me see my thoughts from week to week and how they could be related to my shadow and discover topics to explore in the future. I used the e-book often to re-watch the video links to understand the specific techniques when creating my doll. I don't use FB very much but found watching the progress of other dolls helpful and interesting.

I grew both in self-awareness and in learning a new medium. I was surprised that Grabby became my dark side -- doing projects for organizations which has been a way of life for me since childhood. I realize now those projects need to come second to Grace, my light side of taking care of me so that I can care for and enjoy my time with family and friends.

I love my shadow doll!

Debra Lee
fiber artist, www.debramlee.com

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 technical aspects of making your own Befriending Our Shadow Doll.

If you sign up for the Full Engagement Level course, with Zoom calls, there are three options for dates and times, Tuesdays 4-5:30 PM, EST, Wednesdays 2-3:30 PM, EST or Saturdays 1-2:30 PM, EST. IMPORTANT: These groups will fill on a first come first serve basis. All efforts will be made to get you into the class time that you want, but if you sign up earlier, you will be more likely to get your chosen time.

There is a limit of 6 spaces in each of the two Full Engagement Level Zoom sessions . It will fill up first come, first serve.
IMPORTANT Note: The Basic Level course participants will have the option of attending the two Full Group Zoom sessions but will not have their own small group Zoom calls.

Early Bird Pricing: enroll before the TBA 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: TBA final deadline for sign up. Course starts October 5.

Again: Please read this clarification about the difference between the basic and full engagement levels. Some people prefer to participate in a weekly live (on Zoom) group process and if this kind of in-person (on Zoom) group interaction is very important for you, the Full Engagement level is for you.
If however, for some reason* you don't want to be in the Zoom sessions, then the Basic Level is for you. (Reasons might be: you are less comfortable in a group, you want to work on your own timeline, you can't make any of the scheduled Zoom session times or any other reasons you might have.) note: see testimonial below from one of the Basic Level participants, Sam Margarette to find out more about the experience of the basic level course.

Course dates and times: October 5-December 4, 2021. ( week of Thanksgiving off) Three sessions, Tuesdays 4-5:30 PM EST , Wednesdays 2-3:30 PM EST and Saturday 1-2:30 PM, EST (Note: you will be guided to a sign up to choose the day of your Zoom session once you register for the course.)

NEW: In addition, there will be two Zoom sessions for the entire Befriending Our Shadow Spring 2021 community (both Basic and Full Engagement Levels) one halfway through and one at the end of the course, to allow for sharing between groups.
First large group call: Thursday October 28 6-7:30 PM EST
Second large group call: Monday, November 29, 6-7:30 PM, EST

All calls will be recorded and will be made available to the participants within that subgroup.

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.

"I really wanted to explore my own current state of mind and I had a feeling that the class might encourage the deep dive I needed. These simple expectations were met and the more hidden expectations emerged and were met as well. The classes followed a path that was like a stairway down towards an internal place where the psyche and the soul met somehow....The structure of the class and the progressively deepening emphases (readings, guided imagery, etc) were great guideposts on the trip inward.

I really liked having the eight weeks — same reason as above: 8 weeks allowed for a kind of journey to unfold. Although I did not read or do everything, I chose what was important to me, and I allowed the readings, imagery, and discussion to stimulate my thinking but also to just seep into my daily life and my dream life...

For me, it was a great forum where there was a live attention to the art as well as lots of food for thought — about culture, history, aesthetics .... so much!

...The whole making of the actual doll was new technical learning. A lot of the learning was actually a consolidation and reemergence of some very early principles of artmaking taught by my original art therapy mentor Edith Kramer. These principles kept reasserting themselves as touchstones: that art is characterized by “an inner consistency, evocative power, and the economy of means.” The art work that was my doll kept insisting that I draw on those characteristics— nothing, even the elaborations, was superfluous..."

Barbara Sobol

What's included:

Themes for Each Week*:

Week 1 Introduction and Overview

Week 2 The Shadow from a Jungian Perspective, and the "Golden Shadow"

Week 3 Understanding the Shadow from Brain Perspective, Developing a "Resonant Self
Witness"

Week 4 Shadow in the Spiritual Realm, The "Dark Night of the Soul," Dealing with Grief
Shadows

Week 5 Shadow in the Spiritual Realm con't: Dark Goddesses, Dealing with Anger Shadows

Week 6 The Shadow in Fairy Tales: Dealing with Shadow Layers

Week 7 The Shadow/Dark in Nature and Our True Identity as Beings of Light

Week 8 Final Celebration: Blessing of and Sharing of Dolls

*Note: These are the topics for each weeks' discussion in the Full Group Engagement Level Zoom calls. These topics will be also covered in the second e-book, shared with all engagement levels.

Sign up AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE to get on the wait list for the next Befriending Our Shadow class.

Three Price Levels for Befriending Our Shadow:

Basic Level

two companion e-books to the e-course, one with detailed descriptions and images about the construction of your doll, the second with a detailed deep dive into multiple aspects of the shadow (see listing of topics for each week above), weekly optional exercises, links to recorded guided visualizations and more.
a series of six videos, included in 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
Two Full Group Zoom calls for all Befriending Our Shadow, Spring 2021 participants, halfway through the course and at the end.
Please note: This level does not include weekly Zoom calls, but participants will be invited to the two Full Group calls.

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 are three available eight week sessions of Zoom calls at three 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.
An optional "Snail-mail" (stash and/or tiny stitched piece) exchange to build sense of community among group participants, depending on group interest.

Full Engagement II, including Bonus Private Zoom Session:

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.

Important note: once you register for the course (full group engagement levels I or II), you will be guided to a sign up for the day of the week (Tues, Wed or Sat) that you prefer for your Zoom sessions. These will fill on a first come/first serve basis, so please sign up as soon as you register.

Prices:

Basic Level: Early bird $145, before TBD. Full Price, $170, after TBD

Full Group Engagement Level, every thing in basic level included: Early bird, $170 before TBD, Full Price, $190, after TBD

Additional Private Session: includes everything in basic and full group engagement level, plus one private one hour Zoom session: Early bird, $190, Full Price, $215, after TBD

IMPORTANT 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.

Basic Level Course

$170.00 $145.00

Clear and engaging videos, guiding you through all aspects of doll-making,
and a matching e-book with instructions, and background history of this unique doll form.
A second e-book with course material for all six weeks and including links to recorded guided visualizations, exercises and more.
Two downloadable flip doll patterns for your use.
Private Facebook group for community support-please note, this level does not include group Zoom sessions, except the two full community sessions mid-way through and at the end of the course.

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Full Group Engagement Level

$190.00 $170.00

TUESDAY SESSION NOW FULL-please do not purchase if you can only do Tuesday
EVERYTHING IN THE BASIC LEVEL COURSE (Clear and engaging videos, two e-books, downloadable flip doll patterns and private Facebook group) PLUS:
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 are three available eight week sessions of Zoom calls at three 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.
An optional "Snail-mail" (stash and/or tiny stitched piece) exchange to build sense of community among group participants, depending on group interest.

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Additional Private Session Level

$215.00 $190.00

TUESDAY SESSION NOW FULL, please do not sign up if you can only do Tuesday
EVERYTHING IN THE FULL GROUP ENGAGEMENT LEVEL COURSE, PLUS:
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.

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"... The biggest surprise I experienced was just how much peace the process and result brought me. It usually takes me a few months to totally unpack a new feeling or memory, but I processed through (or at least started the process for) a few rather large aspects of my life I either denied myself, or ignored entirely. It was a pretty raw experience that I couldn't quite put to words for a while...

As far as the spiritual part of the course, it helped give a face to and a place to speak with the Shadow, which was new for me. I usually talk to my reflection, but even then, it's just my surface self I'm talking to, not necessarily a deeper aspect of myself.

And with the technical part of the course, For the e-book specifically, the patterns were very accessible, regardless of skill level, and lent themselves perfectly to interpretation, additions, and alterations. A perfect seed of inspiration. For the FB group aspect, it was very helpful having things further explained to help refine ideas on how the construction process worked...

This class was definitely an exercise in Happy Accidents, whether it was from working the parts I damaged into the doll’s narrative, or from the accidental success of putting parts together curiously to see how they looked. I learned a new way to play and how to get out of my own head! I felt connected to the others in the group, in the sense that we were all there to create and accept ourselves and our circumstances more. As far as the learning materials, they were full of great mind food! Being able to think of some of those topics wound up making some neat mental images."

Sam Margarette

Sign Me Up For the Wait List Now!

"I have taken Erika's "Befriending the Shadow" class twice, the second time at the "basic" level. Erika is a wonderful teacher - delightful and real and a trusted "mirror" and witness throughout the process. Initially I was anxious going in, not sure what to expect and knowing that I have issues being vulnerable in group settings. I quickly relaxed after seeing how carefully Erika and the others were to keep the space dedicated to healing and support.

Erika set the tone for creating safety and connection between participants. The groups are kept small and intimate and provide a safe "container" to go deeper into scary places. I appreciated that she brought fresh material and insight to the second class so it still felt fresh. I highly recommend this class. Having Erika holding the flashlight allowed me to go much deeper into exploring the dark.."

Eileen McGarvey
www.instagram.com/e_mcgarvey/