2024 BreyerFest Virtual Workshops Announced!

BreyerFest is so much more than just shopping for models! There are so many ways to participate in the model horse hobby, and BreyerFest aims to showcase them all – from shopping to showing and everything in between, including sculpting, painting, tack making and more.

BreyerFest 2024 will offer 30 workshops in-person at the event, but if you’re joining us online with your VIP, All-Access, or Online Traditional Access tickets, you’ll have access to view 17 amazing workshops this summer, which you can view on your own time throughout the weekend! Check out this summer’s awesome virtual workshop lineup below:

Advanced Carousel Horses ($10 fee)
Skill Level: Advanced
In this video workshop, long-time model horse artist and Breyer carousel ornament creator, Laura Rock-Smith, shows you how to take the next step from basic carousel trappings covered in her original How to Make a Carousel Horse video to more advanced techniques including fish scale armor, basic lattice work and using various cutters to create layers for trappings. These techniques will take your custom Breyer carousel horse from fantasy to looking like it stepped off a carousel! You'll also learn how to make your own tools to make these trappings.

Here is the supply list for Advanced Carousel Horses.

Please watch Laura’s original video, which we will be available again during BreyerFest weekend, as she does not re-cover the basics covered in that video before watching this one.  Here is the supply list for Carousel Horses.
 

Advanced Equine Head Sculpting (free to view)
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Horse head shapes vary in more than just length!  Equine sculptor Morgen Kilbourn is here to teach you how to assess the angles and shapes of some key facial landmarks for your breed type in order to up your sculpting and customizing game! Previous sculpting knowledge will be useful for this session.  This session does not have a supply list.
 

Carousel Horses (free to view)
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Join award-winning carousel and equine artist Laura Rock-Smith to learn how to create a historically correct carousel horse with a Breyer Freedom Series horse. We will be re-airing Laura’s 2023 session for folks getting started and for anyone who needs a refresher before diving into Laura’s new release for 2024 – Advanced Carousel Horses! You will learn the techniques used for everything from bridles to tassels along with tips and tricks to take your work to that next level. Laura will also cover a little of the history of American carousel figures, such as the "romance" versus "non-romance" side.  Here is the supply list for Carousel Horses.

Creating Kirins (free to view)
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
In this workshop hosted by Best Customs Contest finalist Janine Haq of Quequinox Art, viewers will learn how to turn their Breyer model into a fantasy Kirin! Janine will go through how to customize your model and share techniques on sculpting hair, scales, and horns in this fun fantasy lesson.  Here is the supply list for Creating Kirins.

Creating Light Boxes (free to view)
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
Franceyn Dare will be guiding viewers through the process of making a lightbox to upgrade your model horse photography. In this session, Franceyn will also show viewers how to paint their own backgrounds for their lightbox, and go through some tricks and tips to help you get the best from your photos.  Here is the supply list for Creating Light Boxes.
 

Creating Water Bases ($10 fee)
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
In this workshop, Vincent Lange (Best Custom Contest Performance finalist) will give you an introduction to creating water effects on bases and dioramas for your model horses. You will create a beach scene complete with waves and splash effects caused by the movement of the horse. Dive down deep into the magic of water effects to make your model horse stand out from the crowd!  Here is the supply list for Creating Water Bases.

Fleabitten! ($10 fee)
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
Join renowned finishwork artist Stephanie Blaylock as she teaches students how to paint an incredible fleabitten grey horse using pan pastels and acrylics. In this session, Steph will show participants how to prep their models, create the basecoat, and then move on to splattering the fleabites in this engaging tutorial.  Here is the supply list for Fleabitten!
 

Flower Blankets & Trophies (free to view)
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
Every horse is unique in their own way, but they all do one thing perfectly no matter what: bringing joy to our lives! Give those special ponies in your herd the reward they deserve by crafting your very own miniature trophies and flower blankets that are fit for a king. In this workshop, suitable for any skill level, instructor Trinity Honaker of Infinity Breyers will show you how you can bring a variety of trophies to life, as well as flower blankets that your Breyers can wear with pride knowing they earned them for being simply amazing!  Here is the supply list for Flower Blankets and Trophies.
 

From Clay to Play: Mold-Making 101 (free to view)
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
Expert equine sculptor Morgen Kilbourn will teach viewers about mold-making, from basic simple molds to complex two-part production molds. In this session Morgen will review a variety of mold types, present an overview of the materials and equipment, and cover the safety basics needed. Follow along from original sculpt through a week of mold-making to make a resin reproduction! Bas relief and 1:20 scale resin mold-making and casting will be demonstrated in this comprehensive overview.  Here is the supply list for From Clay to Play!
 

Let’s Start Customizing: Learning the Basics (free to view)
Skill Level: Beginner
In short, simple segments, artist and hobbyist Kristy Thiessen will show viewers how to start the process of customizing a Breyer model. She will guide participants through the process of taking three Freedom Series models and giving them new life! These three models will cover multiple skill levels, from very simple to a touch more customized. This video will include planning, paint prep, and slight modifications like adding manes and tails or using a heat gun to slightly move your model. This video was created with beginners who want to give this customization thing a shot in mind! Here is the supply list for Let's Start Customizing!

“Lucky Dice” Jump Standards (free to view)
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
Learn to make this fun jump to go with your Traditional scale Breyers! In this beginner friendly workshop, artist Laura Skillern-Sailer will walk viewers through some of the basics of building miniature props from wood as well learn how to add unique details to take your props up a notch.  Here is the supply list for "Lucky Dice" Jump Standards.
 

Making a Rose Garden-Inspired Jump (free to view)
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
Anne Field of Field of Dolls Studio is known for her incredible doll and prop-making skills. Join her in this virtual session to create a beautiful performance prop!  Elevate your over fences entry to the next level with this beautiful rose garden jump. Easy-to-follow instructions and inexpensive materials are all you need to make this fantastic jump. You don't need to break the bank to add this prop to your performance collection.  Here is the supply list for Making a Rose Garden-inspired Jump.

Pom-Pom Ponies (and Unicorns!) (free to view)
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
Join artist Christina Riley as she guides you through how to create these adorable Pom-Pom Ponies and Unicorns. Any skill level is welcome, and most of these supplies you may already have on hand. A fun craft for a party or rainy day!  Here is the supply list for making your Pom-Pom Ponies!

Sparkletastic Medallions (free to view)
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
In this video workshop, Anna Smith, a second-generation model horse shower and artist who is a resin dice and medallion caster, will show viewers how to amp up their medallions from the standard white they are normally cast in to fun and fabulous glitterific and sparkletastic colors. She'll show the products she uses along with all the steps used so you can create your own "sparkletastic" medallions from your molds.  Here is the supply list for making your Sparkletastic medallions.
 

Traditional Pony Pouches (free to view)
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
Not only will pony pouches keep your models safe when traveling to live shows, but they will protect your models at home from dust, sunlight, pet hair, and more! Learn how to sew a basic, easy-to-make pony pouch in this seminar with Lynn Isenbarger.  Here is your supply list for making Traditional Pony Pouches.
 

Seeing Spots! Painting Appaloosa Blankets ($10 fee)
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Didn’t make it into this session in-person?  Not to worry!  Join Darynn Bednarczyk of DeeJayBe Studios in the virtual version of her incredible workshop all about painting Appaloosas. You will learn the different patterns, their relation to hair growth and how to achieve realistic spots using various methods with acrylic paints.  Here is your supply list for Seeing Spots!

Weaving Chainmail (free to view)
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
In this tutorial Dani Boiko of Savvy Appy Studios will be teaching you how to weave 4-in-1 European chainmail ring by ring. This style of chainmail is commonly used in armor seen in fantasy movies and Renaissance Faires as a way to protect the wearer from harm. Horses have been known to wear sections of chainmail armor to keep them safe on the battlefield. Here is your supply list for Weaving Chainmail.