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Do you wish to start a business of your own, or to work with dolls as a hobby? With the skills you will learn in the workshop - the choice is yours. Many doll collectors maintain their collections with a minimum of  cost by doing the basic repairs themselves. JoAnn, the seminar instructor, began her enterprise with these basic skills. "I cannot promise that you will have a business of your own, but I do promise that your seminar experiences and new skills will start you on your way to achieve your doll repair goals".

From the first moment of class to the last, you will learn doll repair the old-fashioned way, by doing it yourself. The instructor uses demonstrations and personal attention to guide each student’s work. You will work on your doll('s) with few exceptions. Each student will take home at least one finished doll. Your class doll will forever be a remembrance of the occasion. You will receive a copyrighted seminar notebook for future reference.

To insure the best learning environment possible, I work with no       more than three students per instructor. I combine small class size,clear instructions and ample practice time during the workshop to insure that each student becomes proficient with each procedure.

Jo Ann Mathias -- Author of video, Restoration Techniques: Broken Bisque, Making Sleep Eyes and Other Eye Restoration Techniques, and a doll hospital owner-operator, Jo Ann is the Doll Conservator of the Daughters of the American Revolution Museum doll collection and  Past President of the Doll Doctors' Association. JoAnn’s restoration business, the Beach Doll Hospital, is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Phone: (757) 428-1609. E-Mail: dolldoc@gmdollseminar.com

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT PACKAGE*……$608.00 Right Handed

          (student discount only)               $628.00 Left Handed

Includes Paasche AB and H#1 Airbrushes, 6' Air Hose , 12 extra needles, D200R Compressor, Dr. Martin's selected paint set with iron oxide mineral included.*

*These items must be ordered and paid for four weeks in advance.

MOTEL……………………….. AT YOUR EXPENSE

MEALS……………………….. AT YOUR EXPENSE(4 lunches provided)

                                          Admiring their new working sleep eyes

Location Of the Course

JoAnn's studio in Virginia Beach, Virginia is located on the beach overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.  

WOW! Look an aircraft carrier!!!!

Accommodations for students are reserved at  the Oceanfront Inn located on the boardwalk with all rooms facing the ocean. 

The motel has an indoor pool, restaurant and is within walking distance to restaurants, drug and grocery store and, of course, souvenir shops.  Each room features a refrigerator, coffee maker, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, satellite TV with HBO &ESPN, data port phones,, complimentary newspaper delivered to your door each morning, and free wireless internet access.  Phone: 1-800-548-3879.  Website:  www.oceanfrontinn.com   Rates are:

            February                $39/night, plus tax

            April                        $64/night, plus tax

            October                   $74/night, plus tax

Transportation can be provided to those students who arrive by plane from the Oceanfront Inn to my studio for seminar.  For airport transportation, use the Airport Express: www.norfolkairportexpress.com 

  Materials Used In The Seminar

This course of study uses the following: POLYESTER, POLYMERS, EPOXIES AND THEIR CATALYSTS, ACETONE, WATER BASE ACRYLIC PAINTS, HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS,  WINDEX, 409, FANTASTIC, OLD TIME GLASS WAX, VARIOUS SOAP OR LIQUID CLEANERS, GLUES SUCH AS CONTACT CEMENT, RUBBER CEMENT, ELMER'S, MAGIC GLUES AND PLASTER OF PARIS. Tools used are small grinders, hair dryers and hair brushes.

All of the above are used in relative small quantities but most, if not all, carry product warnings. If you have any problem with using these products, for any reason, please do not register for the course. Professional doll repair done using these products is recognized as the best procedures today.

The hands-on workshop will be taught in the studio offering good ventilation. Dust masks and safety glasses will be provided as needed. 

  Smoking Policy

We do not smoke in our workshops. You may step outside anytime you wish to smoke.

  Rules Of The Classroom

Class hours are from nine to five daily. Dress code is casual as we will be working with chemicals and sanding. Lunch will be provided by the instructor.

Registration And Cancellation

It is important to register early by sending in an application and deposit. I accept students on a first come basis. Should you need to cancel, I will refund 80% under two conditions: (1) the cancellation is received a minimum of three weeks before start date of workshop, or (2) if cancellations are necessary closer than three weeks, I will refund the 80% only if your space can be filled by another student. There will be a 10-working day refund time.

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