During the dark days of winter, I’m tempted to hibernate as soon as I return home from work. Resisting that incredibly powerful urge and heading out to zumba class or a literary lecture or an evening with friends can be so therapeutic.
Doing something creative on those cold, snowy evenings is even more therapeutic. That’s why I can’t wait for the next Hands-On Workshop series to start in 2014. Held the first Tuesday of every month at the Main Library, these free workshops are a chance to learn something new, use your hands and perhaps go home with a unique gift to give to friends and family.
In January, our very own Lisa from the Job & Career Education Center will teach us the wonders of glass etching. The results are so classy, but the steps are truly a cinch. Using contact paper and etching cream, plus some of your creativity, we’ll transform everyday glass containers into custom pieces.
Photo courtesy of Flickr user JamieMarie C via Creative Commons license.
We’ll provide number, symbol and alphabet stickers for etching names or numbers, as seen here:
Photo courtesy of Flickr user JamieMarie C via Creative Commons license.
These make great gifts, and can be given as personalized favors at weddings or showers. You’re welcome to bring your own glass items as long as the surface is flat – no quilted crystal jelly jars, for instance – or you can use some of the jars and containers I’ve collected, including this lovely pair:
Photo taken by Rita.
The fun doesn’t end there. What a great series of workshops we have in store for 2014!
Is threading a needle impossible for you? Do you want to keep your pants from dragging on the floor? When a button pops off your coat, do you throw up your hands and donate it to charity? If yes, then the February program, Mending 101, is for you. Taught by Jenn Gooch, owner of WERK studio in Lawrenceville, this workshop will show you the basics of sewing repair – no machine required.
Photo courtesy of Flickr user Markus via Creative Commons license.
In March, when winter still has its icy fingers wrapped around us, we can warm up with a tea tasting from Margaret Harris, owner of Margaret’s Fine Imports in Squirrel Hill. She’ll share the history and health benefits of tea, as well as how to prepare it. As with all of our Hands-On Workshops, you can register online for this event.
Photo courtesy of user Takkk on Wikimedia Commons.
Bring in your own lidded glass container or use one provided to build a terrarium with Master Gardener Susan Marquesen in April.
Photo courtesy of Flickr user fsamuels via Creative Commons license.
For a dollar or two, you can pick up some nice covered containers at thrift stores, or shell out a little more at stores like Marshall’s. I snagged this for a buck at Goodwill:
Photo taken by Rita.
As you can see from this picture, just about anything glass with a lid can be used to make a terrarium…
Photo courtesy of Flickr user Joelk75 via Creative Commons license.
Any good DIY aficionado in our fair city knows about the Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse. They prevent lots of items from going to the landfill, and promote reuse of these materials through crafting and other creative projects. Thanks to PCCR, we have hundreds of paint swatches that will make colorful wall art, banners, gift tags – you name it. You could even make a Mother’s Day card at our Hands-On Workshop in May using our paint chip trove.
Photo courtesy of user Iroc8210 on Wikimedia Commons.
And last but not least, in June we’ll learn about Japanese techniques of cloth wrapping such as furoshiki. Katsuko, who has volunteered with some of our Japanese programming, will share her expertise in this workshop.
Photo courtesy of Friedensreich Hundertwasser via Wikimedia Commons.
We’ll see all you makers and crafters in Classroom A at the Main Library in 2014!
-Rita
Eleventh Stack 