Agnieszka Nowak
Lalinda (Poland)
My name is Agnieszka Nowak. I was born in 1973. I live in Warsaw, capital of Poland and I'm a visual artist by school. Since 2011 I work under the name Lalinda (www.lalinda.pl). My adventure with Steiner dolls began in Waldorf kindergarten where my son attended. Now making dolls it's my full time job.
Sewing dolls become my deepest passion. I've learned a lot since I started. I was the first one in Poland who have a business with Waldorf toys so many techniques I needed to discover myself. Very quickly I was asked to share my knowledge with others and this way I started to provide workshops. My mind is always busy with searching for new techniques and materials which may enrich my work. It's ongoing process of self improvement for me as a person and my 'cloth children' as well. I create different toys - mostly dolls (big and small, girls, boys and baby dolls, simple Waldorf and sculpted), time to time animals (crocheted, felted, sewn) and suitcase sets with mini worlds inside. Although I'm getting fifty I still have a child inside and love fantasy stories. Creating unique toys allows me to share my fascination for natural materials with others. It's unbelievable what human imagination and two hands can do!
Workshop for Waldorf teachers
Hello! In just a few months, we will again have the opportunity to meet in an international group that shares a common passion - creating dolls. I am looking forward to this meeting, especially since it takes place after such a long break. It's so nice to be able to be in the company of people who don't get bored of dolls, clothes, fabrics or sewing techniques.
This year, my contribution to the Seminar will be just one workshop. It will be a three-day class exclusively for Waldorf teachers. This is my thanks for the adventure of a lifetime that creating Waldorf dolls has become for me. I myself learned this art in my son's kindergarten in 2010 and I am glad that several years later I can give a similar gift to people who carry Rudolf Steiner's mission.
As part of the course, I plan to sew two works - a pillow doll for younger children (1 day) and a classic Waldorf doll for preschool children (the next two days). However, I am open to the needs of this particular group. I have a lot of experience in sewing dolls. Not only because it has been my full-time job for over 10 years, but also because during this time I have conducted a lot of training and collected experience from other ladies. I know at least two ways to do each step of creating a doll. I understand the pros and cons of each method used. So if it turns out that the participants are interested in learning more techniques, e.g. making hair, sewing the head or attaching hands, or they prefer to learn how to make patterns for doll clothes, I am open to possible changes or (if the group will not be too large) running class simultaneously, during which everyone works on their own project. Here is a description of the workshop
Theme: Waldorf dolls for younger and older children
Duration: 3 days (6 sessions)
Group: minimum 6 people, maximum 12 / Workshop intended ONLY for Waldorf teachers (interested people can join only if no group gathers)
Expectations from participants: basic sewing skills
Needed tools: scissors, sewing and felting needles, crochet hook, tailor's measure, pins (these who can't bring needles and scissors because they will travel by plain please contact earlier so we can provide it on site)
Price: 300 EUR (all materials included)
During the workshop participants will make two dolls - a pillow doll for younger children and a Waldorf doll for preschool children (+/- 35 cm high). It can be a girl or a boy, in any available skin tone and hair style you want. To finish all work during six sessions some materials will be prepared earlier by a tutor (participants get a pattern for further use). Throughout the course students will learn how to form the head, cover it with fabric, make a wig, do embroidered eyes, make a pattern for a body, stuffing limbs, attach hands and finally combine all parts into a doll. Patterns for basic garments are included in workshop's materials but there will be an opportunity to buy some clothes for an extra charge to dress the newly created doll. Feel invited to join me in a doll making adventure!
If you have any questions, please contact me at anowak108@gmail.com I’ll be happy to answer.