I teach online classes in miniature dollmaking and various other areas of miniature artistry.  I have received many requests for more information on how these classes work, so hopefully, this page will give you all the information and encouragement you need to join in the fun.   How do I register?? You can now register and pay your fees thru my shopping cart.  Simply purchase the class or classes of your choice, and make your payment via credit card or paypal, or you can mail a personal check.  All of my classes are limited in size, and sell out quickly. For this reason, if you are registering and choose to send a check as your method of payment, your spot will be held for you for 10 days to allow receipt of your payment. If your check is not received as promised, you will forfiet your place and it will be given to another student. Hat classes are generally open for registration 4 times a year. THis allows my students to select several months of classes and have the kits shipped to them in a single package. This saves my overseas customers a huge amount in postage. If you do not want to purchase that far ahead, you can wait till closer to the actual class date, but remember that once a class is sold out, no additional kits will be available until the next year.   Then what??? Prior to class time, you will receive in the mail a kit containing the project contents as described in the course listing.  Most kits are complete, and require minimal tools.  Sometimes a less expensive partial kit  is offered if the project uses common items that you may already have on hand.  You will receive email notices in the week before class to remind you of the date and time.  You will also receive an email giving you a link to the project tutorial, and the classroom location and login instructions. I suggest that you take time to review the online tutorial a couple of times shortly before your scheduled class to become a bit familiar with the project.  Make quick notes of any portion of the instructions that you might have questions about, and have them ready for the chat session.   The Classroom Experience The "chat" portion of the  class will take place in a private online chat room. This part of the class is totally optional.  It will be a brief review of the tutorial, and a question and answer period. It's also an opportunity for a fun get together! Most  classes involve projects that may take several days to complete. Some require drying time, etc. between steps.  Generally it is not recommended to try and work on your project and attend and participate in the chatroom class at the same time.  Glue and your computer keyboard are NOT a good combination. Online teaching is designed to give you all of the resources instruction, and support you need to complete the project successfully on your own, in your own timeframe, without the pressure of a classroom deadline, or the expense of travel, hotel, and meals that come with a live class.   "Class is over, and I'm all on my own???" No, not at all.  After the class, you are encouraged to print out the tutorial and pictures.    Additionally, you may email me at any time after the class if you have other questions or problems in completing your project.     Follow Up? I am always happy to schedule a "class reunion" back in our chatroom.  If the students in a class all commit to completing their project within a specific time frame, ( say two weeks for instance) we will schedule a get together afterward to discuss our projects, see if anyone ran into any unusual situations, and to congratulate each other on a job well done.  I will also be happy to post pictures of your finished projects online so that you can share your complete project with your fellow students during this reunion!   What if......????? ....I miss my class????? Or have something else planned for that day/time? The chatroom part of the class is entirely optional.  The online tutorial will provide you with all of the instructions that you need to complete the project.  If you run into any problems you are welcome to email me for additional help.  Many of my overseas students take these classes with no intention of ever joining the class chats because of the time difference, and find that they are able to complete the projects easily with the tutorial. ...The chatroom,  fails us on class day? (Technical malfunctions) The class will be rescheduled at another time and every effort will be made to accommodate your schedule.    Rest assured that your class will be made up in case of a major malfunction. Suggestions for Students... Make sure that you are able to receive emails from me! I have had many, many people inquire about classes, and respond immediately only to find weeks later that their spam filters have not allowed delivery of my email to them.  My email address is domain based, so those filters can really be brutal. I assure you that all of my outgoing mail is scanned by Panda Titanium Antivirus, the best on the market, so mail from me is safe to receive.  Please set your filters to allow my emails to get thru to you.  I can't send you class reminders, class fee or schedule information, etc. if I can't get thru to your  email box. When registering, tell me where you are!  I get lots of emails requesting registration and the amount to send for postage, but no address!  If you are out of the US, remember that I have no way of calculating your postage costs until you tell me what country you are in and your postal mailing code. Get into the zone!!  Remember that we are most likely all in different time zones.  When you are sent your class reminders, pay close attention to not only the date and time, but the time zone!!  If you need help in converting my time into your time, here is a link to an online converter!  We don't want you to miss your class! Time Zone Converter Here... Jump in and ask!!  Two of my standard class rules are :  There are NO dumb questions, and there are NO deep dark secrets.  If you ask a question, and I have the answer, I will give it to you.  My goal is for you to succeed in learning the techniques as well as completing the project.  I don't "hold back" my "trade secrets".  I don't believe in that method of  "teaching".  Having said that, if you want to know, just ask!  I know that chatrooms, internet groups, lists, etc. can be intimidating at first.  (Hence the thousands of online "lurkers" out there.) But remember, your class is just a small group of people  like you who want to learn,  have a great time, and make a great mini. (and the new friends you will make are just an added bonus!)   So check your inhibitions at the door, and type your little fingers off!!  LOL Be prepared. A review of the tutorial before class begins is always a good idea.  It helps you to know where we are going, and know ahead of time which areas you feel might be the most difficult for you. Follow the rules...  At the beginning of class, I will explain to you the classroom "rules".  This is just to explain to you  when the question/answer times will happen and how and when the students should  post.  This is not meant to be restrictive, it is only to help make sure that all of the students are able to post, without "chatting" over the top of each other, and to make sure that I don't miss any of your questions. I hope that I have anticipated your questions. However, if there is something that I have omitted, please don't hesitate to email me and ask.  (Good practice for class!!)