This Weekend - Batik Eggs, Learn to Sew, Make a Kite

Ukrainian/Batik Egg Decorating

Saturday, March 26, 9 am to 12 pm  

$40 includes all materials and eggs

I have been so looking forward to this weekend's egg decorating class. Our family started making Ukrainian-style eggs about four or five years ago and we still have some of those original eggs in our collection. I say Ukrainian-style because the process to learn the traditional designs takes LOTS of practice. We are a little more free-form in our designs, which we are just fine with.

Great example of what can be achieved

The traditional style has you decorating raw eggs, which get a nice coating of beeswax on them, which seals the contents inside. As long as there isn't a crack in the shell the egg inside should dry up over the years and the egg remains intact.

Busy working

Nice results!

Unfortunately, there are often small, unseen cracks that allow air to get inside the egg and do its work. So, over the years I will find broken, actually exploded eggs inside my container that I store them in. Not only is this messy and smelly, but disappointing because of all the work that goes into one of these creations. I have started to decorate and then blow my eggs, applying a coat of clear varnish to protect the dye from the egg whites. And, because they are lightweight after removing the contents, we can create these beautiful egg trees.

My cute egg tree

There is room in the class so call 965-7993 to register. This class is perfect for anyone 12 and up. Younger kids can learn the craft but keep in mind that we use an open flame and permanent dyes in the process.



 








Learn to Sew

Saturday afternoon 

April 26, 1 to 5 pm

$35 plus materials list

Agnes with her pillow

If you have been sitting on that sewing machine Aunt Bessie gave you ten years ago with every good intention of learning how to use it, then this class is for you. We will learn the basics of operation, threading the machine, winding the bobbin, straight stitch, zig-zag stitch, cutting the fabric, some hand stitching, plus you will leave the class with either a roomy tote bag or a throw pillow, whichever you want.
Gain the confidence you need to start making clothing and accessories for yourself and your family and friends.

Build a Kite - Parent and Child Class

Sunday, March 27, 1 to 5 pm

$30 for an adult and child pair

I didn't spend a lot of time with my dad growing up, but we used to make kites together and fly them. This is one of my fondest childhood memories. Our materials were sticks and string and newspaper, but those kites flew great. We will be using German made 'kite paper', hardwood dowels, and cotton cord. You will also have the opportunity to embellish your kites with cut out pictures, paper appliques, ribbon, glitter, and scraps of silk or fabric for the tail. Should be lots of fun. I am hoping for dry weather so we can try to fly our kites afterward. Let's hope for no rain on Sunday.

Soap Making, A Blast from the Past

I used to make soap all the time. Not the easy melt and pour variety, cheater soap I call it, but honest to goodness real soap. The kind that requires lots of preparation and somewhat foreign ingredients, like lye. I had never used lye before, not even in high school chemistry. Everyone wrote and talked about it like it was some sort of radioactive substance and that scared me. As a result, it took me several years, well at least months, to work up the courage to make my first batch of soap. I literally spent time staring at the items sitting on a shelf wondering when I was going to make room in my busy life to utilize these items I had invested money in.

I can now say, some 12 years and many batches of soap later, that my worries about the process were in vane. Sure lye is a caustic substance, but like lots of other things we work with in our daily lives you have to be careful with it. If you are, nothing bad will happen. Here's the most important lye mantra that I always say to myself and my students when making a batch of soap.

 ALWAYS POUR THE LYE INTO THE WATER. NEVER POUR THE WATER INTO THE LYE

If you remember this one important thing then everything else will work its way out. The other important thing I learned from once making soap in my garage with a poorly vented dryer running is that a high humidity environment is not a good location for soap making. Water acts like a magnet to lye and is a bizarre thing to see in action.

I am writing this post to let all of you know that this coming Saturday I am teaching a soap making class the crock pot way. This method has actually made soap making a viable activity for me once again as it is quick and easier and less messy than the cold process method I used to use. Both methods have their pluses and minuses but this method, hot process they call it, allows me to make soap again for my own use and I can do it without having to devote a whole day and my entire kitchen to the activity.

So if you have time on Saturday, you should come join us. Bring your crock pot, I have the rest of the stuff we need. You can use your crock pot again, because once you make soap, you just wash it out, because its soap.

Blogging . . . A New Adventure in the World of Technology

In my efforts to keep the world informed of the goings on at Craftology, I am creating a blog. I will hopefully be able to consolidate all of my thoughts on these pages and keep them updated.

Yesterday, Saturday, we had a guest teacher, Jennifer Tan, a very talented lady who owns Syrendell, teaching us the art of Tunisian crochet. It was a lot of fun and could become addictive, especially if you have a lot of little bits of yarn laying about as I do. I see many scarves, hats and blankets in my future. Thank you Jennifer for this gift. We will be bringing Jennifer back in a month or two to teach us how to make that fabulous poncho she has on display in the store.

Also, Justine Belson, of Justine Belson Photography came around while we were crocheting to take some candid classroom shots. Then afterward she spent time with Alicia and I getting profile pictures. We had to be relaxed and happy all at the same time. We took some nice indoor shots and also some outdoors. It was pretty cold yesterday afternoon, by Sacramento standards. Makes you have some sympathy for those models in scanty bikinis who have to look like they are enjoying themselves while posing on a beach somewhere freezing their behinds. I will post pictures as soon as I get them.