Take workshop classes taught by Ashley
Ashley Rae Callahan is an NYC based wig maker and hair designer. With seventeen years of wig making experience, she’s worked under multiple designers; honing her unique way of building a wig while being able to adapt to what each designer or department head needs. Ashley believes that we can only get better through sharing our knowledge and experiences. Every interaction is an opportunity to learn something new.
In her personalized classes, you’ll not only have access to her wealth of information but you’ll be encouraged to challenge and question the why behind all aspects of wig making.
What’s included:
A ventilating kit (if you already have a kit, you’ll be given a discount depending on what you have available)
Your own station with a Bassi stand for in-class use
Adjustable lamp (if a magnifying lamp or cradle is needed, that must be brought with you)
Location:
There will be a maximum of 5 spots per workshop for hands-on teaching and direction.
Workshop classes are held in-person at Ashley’s studio in Midtown, NYC. The address will be revealed to you once you’ve reserved your spot.
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Metal and plastic needle holders
German and Asian needles in various sizes
Pliers
Scissors
Marking pen
Invisible and colored thread
Tweezers
Measuring tape
Seam ripper
Magnet pad
Ball head pins
Flat pins
Block for your project
And the lace needed for the project
Kits come in a travel case to keep everything together and they’re fun colors so you have the option of pink, purple, blue, green or yellow.
Workshops
Basic Knotting & Direction
When
Tues, Sept 16 &
Wed, Sept 17
11am-5pm ET
Where
Reserve your spot to reveal the address
Price
$1250
To reserve your spot,
50% is required ($625)
Payment accepted: Zelle
Details
2-Day Workshop Class・In person・11am-5pm ET
In this course we will focus on the simple but refined skill of ventilating. We will spend time perfecting knots of all sizes before we graduate to double knots and long double knots. Once we get the physical knot under our belts, we will work through multiple directional exercises that are the foundation for all of wig and facial hair building.
This class comes with a kit containing the lace you will need to build. Spare hair is also available to use for these projects.
(The last day to register is Sept 7)
or
Email to reserve your spot: smashingdesignsnyc@gmail.com
Facial Hair
When
Thurs, Sept 25—
Sat, Sept 27
11am-5pm ET
Where
Reserve your spot to reveal the address
Price
$1950
To reserve your spot,
50% is required ($975)
Payment accepted: Zelle
Details
3-Day Workshop Class・In person・11am-5pm ET
In this class we will work on various aspects of building facial hair. How to take a tracing, then create the templates. We will cover the build of mustaches, soul patches, goatees, beards and eyebrows. Using different textures of hair to enhance and assist in the styling of the pieces.
This class comes with a kit containing the lace you will need to build the facial hair. Spare hair is also available to use for these projects.
(The last day to register is Sept 14)
or
Email to reserve your spot: smashingdesignsnyc@gmail.com
Fronting a Commercial Wig
When
Mon, Oct 20 &
Tues, Oct 21
11am-5pm ET
Where
Reserve your spot to reveal the address
Price
$1250
To reserve your spot,
50% is required ($625)
Payment accepted: Zelle
Details
2-Day Workshop Class・In person・11am-5pm ET
In this class we will front commercially purchased wigs. We’ll start with head wraps and measurements. We’ll learn how to pick the correct block for the wrap before we stuff them. We’ll go over how to source them. What to look for when buying one to quickly front. We’ll look at tips and tricks to make the front sit better so adding one will flow seamlessly into the base. We’ll talk through density and how to cover the join. We’ll also go over direction and how to accomplish various styles through different ventilating directions. In this class we will take a trip to a local beauty supply to source a base and hair for your project within the budget you set for yourself.
This class comes with a kit containing the lace you will need to build your wig. The hair and base will be sourced by you within your own budget as part of the class.
(The last day to register is Oct 12)
or
Email to reserve your spot: smashingdesignsnyc@gmail.com
Top, Front & Part a Commercial Wig
When
Wed, Oct 22—
Fri, Oct 24
11am-5pm ET
Where
Reserve your spot to reveal the address
Price
$1950
To reserve your spot,
50% is required ($975)
Payment accepted: Zelle
Details
3-Day Workshop Class・In person・11am-5pm ET
In this class we will top, front, and part a commercially purchased wig. We’ll start with head wraps and measurements. We’ll learn how to pick the correct block for the wrap before we stuff them. We’ll go over how to source them. What to look for when buying one when doing this customization. We’ll look at tips and tricks to alter the base should your performer have a very small or very large head. We’ll talk through density and how to cover the joins. We’ll also go over direction and how to accomplish various styles through different ventilating directions. In this class we will take a trip to a local beauty supply to source a base and hair for your project within the budget you set for yourself.
This class comes with a kit containing the lace you will need to build your wig. The hair and base will be sourced by you within your own budget as part of the class.
(The last day to register is Oct 12)
or
Email to reserve your spot: smashingdesignsnyc@gmail.com
Repairs & Alterations
When
Mon, Nov 3
11am-5pm ET
Where
Reserve your spot to reveal the address
Price
$650
To reserve your spot,
50% is required ($325)
Payment accepted: Zelle
Details
1-Day Workshop Class・In person・11am-5pm ET
In this class we will learn how to alter and repair wigs. It will consist of:
Ear extensions
Nape extensions
Refronts
How to replace weft on a commercial stretch back
Best way to take weight out of a wig
Repairing holes from wear and tear
Nape tucks for a better fit
Adding elastic to a commercial stretch back that’s seen better days
This class is all demonstration and lecture based.
(The last day to register is Oct 26)
or
Email to reserve your spot: smashingdesignsnyc@gmail.com
Full Wig
When
Mon, Nov 17—
Fri, Nov 21
11am-5pm ET
Where
Reserve your spot to reveal the address
Price
$3250
To reserve your spot,
50% is required ($1,625)
Payment accepted: Zelle
Details
1-Week (5 days) Workshop Class・In person・11am-5pm ET
In this class we will go through the entire process of building a completely hand-tied wig. This will cover:
What does the wig need to accomplish
What’s the style
Density and texture of the hair
How to construct the cap to best accomplish the style
We will start with measurements and a head wrap. Talking through different techniques for prepping the hair for a wig. We will go over finding the correct block for the headwrap and how to properly place and stuff the block. We will talk about sourcing hair and take a trip to a local beauty supply to look at the differences in hair and what we should and shouldn’t buy for wig making. We will also go over online retailers and work on the wig together so that by the end of the week you feel confident in making another wig on your own.
This class also comes with an hour of post class zoom or in-person review to go over the wig when it’s finished, help lay the foundation for the next one, or to simply ask questions you maybe didn’t think of during the rush of the week together.
This class comes with a kit containing the lace you will need to build your wig. The hair will be sourced by you within your own budget as part of the class.
(The last day to register is Nov 9)
or
Email to reserve your spot: smashingdesignsnyc@gmail.com
Male Presenting: Receded Hairlines & Toupee/Toppers
When
Mon, Dec 8
11am-5pm ET
Where
Reserve your spot to reveal the address
Price
$650
To reserve your spot,
50% is required ($325)
Payment accepted: Zelle
Details
1-Day Workshop Class・In person・11am-5pm ET
In this class we will learn how to best lay a front for a person with a receding hairline. We will do a headwrap together and discuss how the hairline can be altered or embraced for the character. We will also lay our own toupee/topper and discuss where that should fall to properly blend into the existing hair. This class will also cover short afro wigs and different techniques used to create a fully handtied wig for any male presenting performer. We will go over density and how different hair textures can accomplish different styles.
You must have taken the fully handtied wig course to do this extension. *Exemptions are if you have taken that class with another wig maker or have professional/school training in laying a fully handtied wig. Examples of cap building work must be sent for an exemption.
This class is demonstration and lecture based to cover the topic with as many tips and tricks as possible.
(The last day to register is Dec 7)
or
Email to reserve your spot: smashingdesignsnyc@gmail.com