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The Bamboo Oracle is an elusive figure who hides in the bamboo forests of China, trying to avoid humans. But every once in a while someone catches this insightful sprite and demands a reading of the future.

As well as being a decorative doll, the Bamboo Oracle can be used as an eyeglass caddy. Keep your eyeglasses propped up on the curled toes of the Bamboo Oracle’s shoes while you are not wearing them – that way they are easier to find, especially without your glasses on!

The Bamboo Oracle’s bag holds a lens cleaning cloth and the “magic glass” through which she gazes is actually a tiny magnifying glass with optical screwdriver for tightening the screws on your spectacles. The Bamboo Oracle is a cloth doll standing 14” tall, without the added height of her sprouting bamboo hat which brings her total height to approximately 17” tall. The Bamboo Oracle’s construction is quite unique, with her body designed to fit in a bamboo shoot that we will be constructing. Her lower body is created using a wire armature that will be wrapped to create her legs, allowing the doll to be entirely free-standing. The upper body is sewn and stuffed with an extremely simple wire armature that attaches the upper body to the lower body through the bamboo shoot.

The opposable thumbs and separate neck allow for the greatest expression with body language. The head pattern includes side gussets and applied eyelids which are enhanced by the look of dramatic Chinese Opera style make-up. The curled-toe shoes are embellished with simple bead embroidery techniques and the simple, yet effective clothing is decorated with seed stitch. Over 5 technique-packed lessons, every detail of this doll is included from wefting her hair to creating her little felt satchel and the hat sprouting with bamboo.

Lesson 1

Sewing, stuffing, drawing, sculpting and colouring the face
Creating applied eyelids complete with false lashes
Creating applied eyebrows
Applying the Chinese Opera style make-up effect, plus an option to create a more natural looking face

Lesson 2

Sewing and stuffing the neck and torso
Creating a simple wire armature
Beginning the construction of the bamboo shoot

Lesson 3

Creating the legs from a wire armature
Creating stockings and trousers
Completing the construction of the bamboo shoot
Creating the curled toe shoes and decorating them with simple bead embroidery

Lesson 4

Sewing and stuffing the arms and hands, including the opposable thumbs Attaching the arms to the torso
Sewing the waistcoat, blouse and wrist cuffs

Lesson 5

Wefting hair
Creating the hat with bamboo sprouts
Creating the felt satchel

The supply list will be sent to all students one week before the class starts. Once you buy this class you will receive an email order confirmation, but you will not hear from us again until the supply list is sent.

A high speed connection to the internet is recommended for all students.

In order to participate in online classes at joggles you are expected to have basic computer and internet skills. You need to be able to browse the internet, know how to download and save a document to your PC's hard drive, and understand how to open and save email attachments. It is your responsibility to learn these skills before the class begins.

Please be certain you are comfortable with all of these skills. Class fees will not be refunded once the class has begun.