Juanita offers workshops and classes throughout the year for beginners and experienced artists.

Workshops and Classes Overview

Juanita offers 4 different workshops and classes throughout the year for beginners and experienced artist alike.

1. Intro to Puppet Building (Sand Bag Puppet)

2. Advanced Puppet Building Workshop

   both of these Puppet classes are held at The Long Grass Studio

Also non-puppet / community classes for the creative soul seeking adventure.

3. Needle Felting For Fun

   Needle felting class offered at the Studio or in your location.

4. Seasonal Mask Wreath

   Wreath class at the long Grass Studio

Classes will be posted through out the year on this website as well as Instagram @juan_dawn, Facebook Juanita Dawn and on our Etsy online store (https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/TheLongGrassStudio)

You can also reach out with a request and if schedules allow you can book a class.

For the puppet classes - minimum 3, maximum 5 students.

For the community classes - Needle Felting minimum of 4 and a maximum up to 12, depending on the venue.

Seasonal Wreath Class - minimum 4, maximum 6

Please note that all the classes are 18 years of age and up. No children classes are offered.

Intro to Puppet Building

Make your own 'Sandbag' Puppet

Held at the Long Grass Studio and Workshop over three sessions.

Minimum 3 students, maximum 5 students

Price $265 all materials and tools included.

This class is a great introduction into making puppets, no experience needed. Take a look at this link to see a Sandbag Puppet in action: https://vimeo.com/480590634

This class will span three Saturdays or Sundays. If you have a private group booking we can choose another day of the week as long as there are at least three days between classes to allow drying time.

Learn to create a simple, expressive sandbag puppet in this three-session, hands-on workshop. Over the course of the program you’ll explore a range of practical skills including:

• Sculpting with clay

• Mold making and casting with different materials

• Simple woodworking

• Sewing

• Painting and finishing

Schedule

Session 1 — Sculpt and make Mold

10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (6–7 hours)
We’ll begin with a brief introduction to puppetry, then jump right into sculpting your puppet’s head in clay. You’ll learn how to create a simple one-piece plaster mold. This is the longest and most intensive day of the program—expect to get your hands dirty!

Session 2 — Pull your Mask & Build the Brace

10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (3–4 hours)
You’ll pull your cast mask from the mold and begin constructing a basic wooden brace to connect the puppet head to its body. We’ll work with simple woodworking techniques suitable for beginners and beyond.

If time permits and students are extra keen, a simple puppet hand and arm could be started in this class.

Session 3 — Paint, Hair & Final Assembly

10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (3–4 hours)
This is the most creative and satisfying day—painting, adding hair, assembling all the parts, and bringing your puppet to life.

What to Bring & What to Expect

• This is an active, working studio—wear clothes that can get messy and closed-toe shoes.

• All woodworking tools are available. Use of power tools will be supervised and approved by the myself or Pat. If you’re not comfortable with a tool, we’re happy to do any necessary cutting and drilling for you.

• If you have your own safety glasses or ear protection, please bring them. Otherwise, Long Grass Studio will supply what you need.

• Coffee, tea, and snacks are provided.

• Feel free to bring your own lunch or additional food and drinks.

Advanced Puppet Building Workshop

This class will run once a year so watch for the postings or if you have a group of 4-5 you can contact me for availability.

Held at the Long Grass Studio and Workshop over two weekends

(Fri evening, Sat & Sun)

Minimum 3 students, Maximum 5 students

Price $600 all materials and tools included.

Join puppet builder Juanita Dawn at Long Grass Studio for an immersive, hands-on experience in the art of puppet making. This is a class for people with a keen interest in learning skills to create functioning puppets. If you have never made a puppet but are passionate about the art form, have some experience with tools and are good with your hands this is the class for you.

This workshop offers 38 hours of instruction across two

weekends.

You’ll explore sculpting, molding, and assembly techniques

while creating your own fully jointed tabletop puppet. The methods you’ll learn can be applied to a wide range of puppet styles, giving you tools to keep experimenting long after the workshop ends.

Puppet making is an art form that grows and evolves over

time. Think of this as a chance to learn, play, and discover—

not to chase perfection. You may not leave with a “show-

ready” puppet, but you will leave with new skills, fresh

ideas, and lasting connections with fellow makers.

All materials are included (clay, plaster, wood, Warbla,

epoxies, and more), along with access to Long Grass Studio’s

fully equipped workspace.

• Fridays: 6pm–9pm

• Saturdays & Sundays: 9am–5pm

Location & Access

The workshop takes place at Long Grass Studio, just ten

minutes west of Calgary. If you don’t have access to a car, we’re happy to arrange pickup at the 69th Street CTrain

Station so you can join us with ease.

What to Bring

• Comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting messy

• Closed-toe shoes (required for safety)

• Safety glasses, if you have them (extras will be

available)

• A notebook/sketchbook and pen for jotting down ideas

• Any small hand tools you love to use (optional — the

studio is fully equipped)

• A curious spirit and a sense of play!

Spots are limited, so book early to secure your place!

Come curious. Leave inspired.Advanced Puppet Building Workshop

Needle Felting for Fun

Needle Felting for Fun is a 3-hour beginner workshop that teaches the basics of sculpting with wool. Classes can be at a local community centre, or occasionally at The Long Grass Studio.

Minimum 4 students, Maximum 10

Price $60

Every class includes a take‑home felting kit so you can keep creating. The kit includes: a foam felting pad, five 15g packs of roving wool (your choice of colours), and three needles.

Additional needles and a multi-needle tool are provided for use during the class.

Seasonal Mask Wreath

Held at The Long Grass Studio and Workshop

Minimum 4 students, Maximum 6

Price $185 all materials and tools included.

This class is one day of fun and creativity

• Witch Wreathes for Halloween

• Santa or Elf for Christmas

• Bunny in a warm hat for Easter

You can choose one from a selection of pre-made small masks.

Then the fun begins with painting the mask and adding details to make it uniquely yours.

Once it is attached to the wreath more decorative elements can be added including needle felted leaves, ribbons etc.

These classes will be posted on our Etsy Shop or you can contact me and book a private class (4 students min)