Join us every Saturday at 4 pm Eastern Time for a unique series of live, virtual carving classes led by Maria Dale, an expert carver with years of experience. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced carver, each class is designed to build your skills with hands-on techniques, in-depth demonstrations, and personalized guidance.
Upcoming Classes
1. Beginner’s Class: Carving a Ridiklis Doll
Learn foundational carving skills
In this entry-level class, get comfortable with carving knives and a Dremel. You’ll learn how to handle tools safely, sand effectively, and apply basic paint for a beautiful, beginner-level finish.
2. Advanced Class: Carving Hitty Dolls (NOW OPEN ENROLLMENT)
Master intricate carving techniques
Step up your skills with detailed carving techniques. We’ll focus on refining the face, hands, and feet of a Hitty doll, preparing you for more detailed projects in the future.
3. Intermediate Class: Creating Hitty Friends
Add character with simple modifications
Learn how to bring personality to your carvings by adjusting facial features, hair, and feet, and adding further details to hands and feet. This class is ideal for those looking to expand their Hitty collection with unique variations.
4. Advanced Class: Carving Raggedy Ann & Andy Dolls
Build on advanced carving techniques
These iconic dolls bring new challenges. You’ll work with advanced shaping methods, focusing on crafting recognizable characters with distinct features.
5. Expert Class: Carving Miss Hickory Dolls
Advanced jointing and finishing techniques
For seasoned carvers, this expert-level class will explore advanced jointing techniques. Learn how to create a fully jointed Miss Hickory doll, a challenging project that will elevate your skill set.
6. Master Class: Creating a Ball-Jointed Hitty Doll
Take your skills to the pinnacle of doll artistry
In this exclusive, expert-level class, learn the intricate techniques of creating a ball-jointed Hitty doll. This session will cover advanced carving and jointing methods that allow for full articulation, giving your Hitty lifelike movement and expression. These techniques can also be applied to convert any of the previously crafted dolls in the series, from the Ridiklis to Miss Hickory, into exquisite ball-jointed masterpieces.
Unlock a new level of artistry and versatility in your carving with this one-of-a-kind class designed for seasoned carvers seeking to push their skills to the highest level.
Bonus Class: Carving Bitty Hitty
For those interested in a smaller challenge, the series will also feature a Bitty Hitty Carving Class! In this unique session, you’ll learn how to scale down your carving techniques to create a miniature version of the classic Hitty doll. Bitty Hitty retains all the charm and detail of her larger counterpart but requires precise, delicate techniques that bring a new level of refinement to your carving skills.
This class is perfect for advanced carvers looking to test their abilities on a smaller scale or for those wanting to add an adorable companion to their Hitty collection.
Additional Classes: Furniture, House, and Hitty-Sized Accessories
Expand your carving skills with future classes that bring the world of Hitty to life! We’ll guide you through crafting a variety of Hitty-sized furniture and accessories, including:
- Hitty House and Roombox: Learn how to design and build a complete home or roombox for your Hitty dolls, creating charming, detailed environments.
- Hitty Desk and Bench: Bring functionality to your Hitty setup with custom furniture pieces, perfect for doll displays or imaginative play.
- Items from the Hitty Book: Dive into the classics with beloved items directly from the pages of the Hitty book.
- Hitty Clothing and Accessories: This series will also explore sewing and accessory-making techniques, helping you create outfits and personal items in the perfect “Hitty Size.”
Each class offers a step-by-step approach, ensuring that you gain both the skills and confidence needed to craft detailed miniatures.
Classes begin in January 2025
To ensure everyone has the materials they need, we’re opening up pre-registration now! By signing up early, you’ll help us prepare the right number of carving blanks for each session, ensuring all participants have a seamless, hands-on experience. Reserve your spot today and get ready to carve with confidence, knowing your materials will be ready and waiting for you.
One-Camera Fee: Bring Friends for Free!
Our virtual carving classes are designed for shared experiences, and the fee is based on one camera connection. That means if you have friends or family who’d like to join you in person, they can carve along with you for free! Just set up one camera for the group, and everyone watching can participate at no extra charge.
Whether it’s a small gathering or just you and a friend, we encourage you to share the learning experience and make it a fun, collective activity.
Request More Information
Interested in learning more about these classes? Whether you’re just beginning or ready for advanced techniques, there’s a class designed for you! Simply fill out the form below, and I will personally reach out to provide all the details you need, answer any questions, and guide you on how to join.
Get ready to start your carving journey or elevate your skills in this unique, interactive series. Don’t miss your chance to learn from a seasoned expert!
P.S. We’re also offering a FREE introductory class on creating Sunbonnet Babies for Hitty! This beginner-friendly session covers the basics of jointing and swaddling with a simple blanket. Crafted from fresh wood, these charming little figures will naturally crack and age over time, giving them a beautifully rustic, country feel. It’s the perfect way to get started and add a unique, vintage look to your Hitty collection. Don’t miss out—join us and see the magic of carving come to life!
