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Create a Healing Doll Companion: 

​A chance to create a one-of-a-kind doll to aid you in your healing journey

🧵 Create Your Own Healing Doll — In-Person Workshop with Erika Cleveland

Once again, after the success of last year, a chance to work with Erika in her intimate studio space, surrounded by her inspiring collection of dolls.
Last year's workshops were transformational and inspirational for the participants. Come again or join for the first time, this year! Remember: spots are limited!

✨ Workshop Overview
Spend the day in a small, supportive group of like-minded creative women. You’ll create a personal healing doll using natural materials and traditional hand-sewing techniques. This doll will reflect your inner needs, intentions, and healing journey. 
Whether you're new or experienced doll-maker, this workshop offers a powerful and grounding experience.
See below for more details. 

📅 Dates & Times
Two Sunday Sessions Available
Choose one or attend both (space permitting):

• Sunday, June 7th
• Sunday, June 28th

Time:
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Break
1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Sunday sessions offer free, unlimited street parking near the studio.
Place:
At my studio at the Jackson Art Center, 3050 R. St. NW, Washington, DC on the second floor, Studio 15A

👥 Group Size

• Limited to 4 participants per session
  (To maintain intimacy and due to limited studio space)

🎨 Benefits from this workshop:

• Create a Personal Work of Art
  Design a healing doll as a deeply expressive, symbolic artwork that reflects your inner world and emotional landscape.
• Engage in Intuitive, Process-Based Artmaking
  Explore spontaneous, hands-on techniques that emphasize process over perfection—fostering creativity, self-discovery, and personal insight.
• Work in an Intimate, Artist-Led Environment
  Receive thoughtful guidance from Erika Cleveland, a professional artist, in a studio surrounded by her evocative doll art.
• Join a Supportive Creative Community
  Connect with like-minded women artists in a small, nurturing group that encourages openness, curiosity, and experimentation.
• Expand Your Artistic Practice
  You will discover new materials, methods, and approaches to incorporating intention, healing, and narrative into your artwork.

🧶 Techniques & Materials
I will be providing instructions to create a stick armature doll, a simple and intuitive starting point. However, you should not feel limited to this approach. You may want to experiment with other doll-making techniques, such as soft sculpture dolls. Be aware, however that this is a one (or two) full day workshop and dolls take time and focus to complete. 

​Materials list suggestions include sticks, sewing supplies, quilt batting, fabric and something to make heads with. You will receive a more comprehensive materials list upon signup. I will give suggestions of other materials you might need to purchase if you would like to try another technique. 
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You will be asked to decide on a healing intention* before you come to the class. This can be related to healing for your body, for your life goals, or can have a spiritual focus. This is up to you. 

A healing intention* is a conscious and purposeful thought or focus aimed at promoting healing—physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually. For example, a healing intention might be:

• “May my body regain strength and balance.”
• “I release this pain and invite peace into my heart.”
• “I allow myself to heal from past wounds.”

The key is that the intention is set with clarity, belief, and presence, often as a way to guide mindset, influence behavior, or align with deeper healing processes.

❓ Common Questions

• Do I need any previous art experience? I'm not an artist—can I still participate meaningfully?
  You don't have to be an artist or have previous doll-making experience. The focus of this work is process rather than content. You will be guided along the way, as much or as little as you would like. You will learn from the group. 

 

• Will we be sharing our dolls or intentions with the group? Is sharing optional, or will there be opportunities for private reflection?
  This is one of the benefits of the small size of the group-if you feel reluctant to share within a large group setting. Participants are accepting and warm. You will have plenty of time to reflect on your own process, but you will be encouraged to share as much and in as much depth as you are willing to do.. 
  
  
• Can I bring my own materials or special items to incorporate into the doll? (e.g., fabric from a loved one’s clothing, found objects, personal symbols)
  Absolutely yes, In fact, this is strongly encouraged. 
  
  
• What should I wear or bring for the day? (Comfortable clothing, lunch/snacks, a journal, etc.)
  Wear comfortable clothes. The building isn't air conditioned, though there is an air-conditioning unit in my studio space, which usually keeps it cool enough. You may want to have layers. There are lots of options for lunch. You may bring your own lunch but there are also several restaurants within walking distance of the studio, where you can purchase a lunch. There is a garden (Montrose Park) across the street from the studio where you can eat your lunch if you choose to. 

• Is the studio accessible? 
  Please note: The studio is on the second floor and there isn't an elevator, so if you have mobility needs this might be a challenge. The bathroom is on the basement floor. (I get a lot of exercise in my studio going up and down to the bathroom.)
  
  
• Will there be time for discussion or journaling during the workshop? How much of the day is spent making versus reflecting or talking? 
  Yes, but in a fluid, integrated way. Discussion will naturally unfold as part of the creative process—think of it as talking while your hands are moving. We won’t set aside long periods just for conversation, but meaningful dialogue and shared insights often arise as we work. You’re also welcome to pause and journal or take notes at any point. With such a small group, we can be flexible and responsive to what the moment calls for.

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• What if I get emotional during the process?
  Please note: this is not therapy and is not being advertised as such. You may become emotional and this is a part of the process. The studio is a safe space and you will be encouraged and supported in sharing your emotions. However, if you are in crisis or struggling with unmanageable emotions, please make sure you already have a support system in place and consider your healing intention with this in mind. (In the latter case, Perhaps your intention is more about gathering support and developing inner resources, rather than delving deep into difficult feelings at this time.)

 

• Can I photograph my work (or others’ work)? Are there guidelines around documentation and sharing on social media? This work is private and you are expected to respect the privacy of others work. You may choose to share your own work if you like, but please do not share others work without permission. This also goes for what is shared in conversation-what is discussed in the group should remain in the group. Thank you!

 

• What if I can’t come up with a healing intention? Trust yourself. Trust your doll. Try asking the question with your dominant hand and then answering with your non-dominant hand. Do a brief check-in with your body. See where you feel tight or where you feel pain. Are these places where you might want healing? Set an intention to ask for healing and then do a free writing session for ten minutes and see what emerges. Don't worry, we will talk about this more during the session. 

 

• Can I bring a friend? Yes, but be aware that there are limited spots available in class. 

 

• Do I have to attend both sessions?
  No—each session stands alone. You can complete a doll, or at least get a good start on one, in one day. If space allows, you're welcome to attend both sessions.

 

• Will I finish my doll?
  Many participants will finish in one session, depending on how complex a doll you want to make and how large you want it to be.  You can continue your work in a second session if desired. 

 

• I understand that we will be making a stick doll. What if I want to make another kind of doll? The doll-making guidelines and prompts  that I will be providing are intended to inspire you and get you started. You can feel free to create another kind of doll if you like and are so inspired. 

 

• Are handouts provided?
  Yes, relevant handouts and links will be shared during the workshop.

 

• What happens if I have to cancel?
  Is there a refund or rescheduling policy? 
  Please note: Because this is a small business and it is just me, I cannot afford to give refunds unless there are extraordinary circumstances. 

 

• Additional questions? write to me at [email protected] to ask your question. 

💰 Cost & Payment

• $250 per session, if you respond by May 24th. After May 24th, cost of each workshop is $275.​

Payment:
Pay by credit card through the Transformative Healing Doll website link below. (Note: if you want to use PayPal, you have to go all the way through to the last payment option and a small icon for PayPal will show up)
Direct sign-up link below if you already know you are ready to sign up.  
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Healing Doll In-person workshop, Sunday, June 7th

$275.00 $250.00

FIRST SESSION, Sunday, June 7th

Workshop Overview

Spend the day in a small, supportive group of like-minded creative women. You’ll create a personal healing doll using natural materials and traditional hand-sewing techniques. This doll will reflect your inner needs, intentions, and healing journey. 

Whether you're a new or experienced doll-maker, this workshop offers a powerful and grounding experience. 

SIGN UP HERE

Healing Doll In-person workshop, Sunday, June 28th

$275.00 $250.00

SECOND SESSION, Sunday, June 28th

Workshop Overview

Spend the day in a small, supportive group of like-minded creative women. You’ll create a personal healing doll using natural materials and traditional hand-sewing techniques. This doll will reflect your inner needs, intentions, and healing journey. 

Whether you're a new or experienced doll-maker, this workshop offers a powerful and grounding experience. 

SIGN UP HERE

Deep Winter Visioning Workshop

$250.00

Tap into the energy of deep winter to create a small talisman black walnut head doll that can embody your vision for the next year. This is an in-person workshop, small in size to encourage safety and intimacy. It will take place in doll-maker and artist, Erika Cleveland's inspiring studio space located in Georgetown, DC.

SIGN UP HERE