I found lessons!

Well, it's taken me a long time (years, in fact), but I finally found porcelain dollmaking classes in my area! I realize that this task may not sound difficult to some, but it definitely is. When you're talking porcelain dolls, many of the dollmakers and fans are of an older generation, and while they utilize the internet, they aren't up on it's more recent innovations. Many link lists are old, dead, or incomplete, whole internet discussion forums have gone quiet, and internet based groups are generally non-existent or unhelpful. All of this would be fine if the more traditional ways of finding someone weren't also made difficult by out of date or incomplete information. The index listings in the back of industry magazines, for instance, are incomplete since the majority listings are only from major cities, and shops and boutiques have to request to be listed. Many dollmakers have phone numbers that are either unlisted, or listed under their husband's names...making them even more difficult to track down, even if you were lucky enough to get a name. Most of the more well publicized classes are far away and expensive... you get the idea.

The good news is that I did finally find classes. I live in Wyoming, Michigan, and was looking for classes in the Grand Rapids metro area, near where I lived. After hitting a lot of dead ends, dead internet links, disconnected phone numbers, etc, I came across a list of classes that included a doll studio in Muskegon, Mi, only about 45 minutes from Grand Rapids. As I was so desperate, 45 minutes didn't seem like too terrible a commute for only a few times a month, so I called the number listed. Unfortunately the woman who had run the doll studio had decided to retire and move to Florida, and the classes were no longer being offered, but she did suggest that I track down "a woman in the Rockford area" who had taught classes for a number of years. So I set off to track down this mysterious lady without either a name or a phone number. I called the only shop in the Grand Rapids area that specializes in dollmaking supplies, and they knew of only one woman in the entire West Michigan area that taught classes. Yes, this woman lived in the Rockford area, they thought out near Belding Rd, and her name was Joann Morris. They didn't have any contact information, but I was sure I could track her down from there. Little did I know how difficult the task would be! There was no Joann Morris listed in the Grand Rapids phone book, and no Morris' listed as living on Belding Rd. By searching http://www.yellowpages.com/, I was able to search for Morris listings in the Rockford area with male first names, thinking perhaps she was listed under her husband's name. The list was still long, so I mapped each Morris and compiled a shorter list of Morris' who lived within a few miles of Belding Rd. This limited my list to only 5 people. I called each of the first four people, but none of them knew of any Joann Morris, or of any dollmaker in the area. Just as I was beginning to lose hope, I called the final Morris on my list. This man, a Mr. Kirk Morris, was understanding, polite, and happened to be the son of Joann Morris, Master Dollmaker. What luck! He of course knew exactly who I was speaking of, gave me a glowing review of her classes, and was able to give me a phone number. After calling several times (she doesn't have voicemail or an answering machine...see what I mean? This is work!), I finally got a hold of Ms. Morris, and found out the details of her classes. I am scheduled to attend my first class on October 8th! I'm so excited I can barely stand it!

She offers two classes. One takes place every Thursday evening from 7-10 p.m., the other the first two Fridays of every month in the mornings. As I have a day job, I decided on Thursday. The cost of the classes is entirely dependent on the doll you choose to make, as each doll requires different supplies at different prices, which are entirely supplied by Ms. Morris. Besides the cost of the doll, you are required to purchase your own brush, and an $8.50 fee for each attended class. Sounds like a bargain to me!

If you live in the Grand Rapids area and would like to take porcelain dollmaking classes from Ms. Morris, don't put yourself through the run around I did! I won't post her information here out of consideration for her privacy, but simply send me a message or comment containing an e-mail address or contact information and I will give you her phone number.

Here's to learning new things!