February started with our first long weekend of the
year, the much-appreciated Family Day statutory holiday today, February 12th.
That marked our eventful annual Family Day workshops in our pysanky studio
conducted by Joan Brander where the love of the artform was shared by all. Our
perennial attendees were there, along with the added cultural infusion of
students from China and Brazil who were amazed with our tradition. We think
they’ll be back practicing for Spring and Easter. Look how proud they are of their creations!
Due to technical issues, it's been a while since we've posted on this blog.Thanks to GOOGLE we've got our blog back!
Our first order of business (after saying a belated Happy New Year) is to announce our first Workshops of the year.
BC Family Day Pysanky Workshops
The world needs more pysanky. Ancient legend says that "as long as pysanky are made, evil shall not prevail over good in the world". Learn how to make traditional Ukrainian Easter eggs with beeswax and dyes.
Link to a whimsical video clip announcing my annual spring workshops
With a few simple tools and the proper instruction, anyone from 5 to 95 can learn to make a beautiful pysanka the traditional way. This is a great activity to do with your family and friends. What is so unique about my workshops? I have been teaching pysanky since 1991 and over the years have amassed many, many teaching aids (samples, models, posters, etc.) handouts and best of all—empty eggshells—so that at the end of the workshop everyone takes home a pysanka that will last forever!
includes inspiring video, folk history and culture, traditional legends, teaching aids, clear and concise instructions, one-on-one attention, unique hands-on technique
February 10, 2018 – 9:30 am to 12:00 noon or 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm February 11, 2018 – 9:30 am to 12:00 noon or 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm February 12, 2018 –2:00 pm to 4:30 pm
all materials supplied
gift bag and certificate also provided
opportunity to see one of-a-kind Gallery and Library
pre-registration required 604-275-8169
all workshops at Baba's Beeswax Pysanka Studio, Richmond, BC
Baba's Beeswax is turning 25 and is celebrating with a dozen free roses to everyone who attends our Valentine's Workshops. We love giving away free things. These gorgeous 40 cm roses are freshly-picked in Kenya and are just waiting to open up in a vase. We have red, pink, orange and white. They're so gorgeous—it will be hard to decide which colour to choose. What better way to celebrate our birthday!
Thanks to a reliable admirer in Ontario, 31.39 grams
of 99.99% pure silver is on a long journey to a very revered place in my pysanka
collection. I'm so excited to be the recipient of the Traditional Ukrainian
Pysanka coin issued by the Royal Canadian Mint (2016). The coin is a first, but
regrettably, the mintage was only 4000.
Royal Canadian Mint 150664
The colourful egg-shaped pattern of a pysanka is one
of the most beloved forms of traditional Ukrainian folk art. I am proud to be
included in the 10% of Canada's population who are of Ukrainian heritage and
celebrating our 125th Anniversary of settlement from coast to coast
to coast.
The breathtaking design was created by Canadian artist
Ann C. Morash (reverse) and Susanna Blunt (obverse). It captures intricate
beauty with its rich symbolic meaning and colours: yellow for youth and purity;
red for the joy and passion in life; green for hope and renewal; and black
suggesting the darkest time before dawn.
At the top and bottom of the egg are large flowers
which symbolize love, goodwill and the beauty of nature. These are framed by
bands of waves that speak of water's life-giving properties. Beneath the waves
at the top are stylized depictions of the sun and stars, which symbolize life,
fortune and growth. A reinterpretation of these also appear in the centre,
where they alternate with evergreen boughs that represent eternal health and
youth. When combined, the colours and motifs result in a design that is open to
many interpretations, but that is nonetheless a vibrant celebration of a full
and colourful life.
Not only is Canada celebrating the 125th
anniversary of Ukrainian settlement, but also Baba's Beeswax is turning 25. We're
celebrating with lots of events, offers and gifts in the coming year.
The current state of the Canadian dollar may be weak,
but this $20 silver egg-shaped pysanka coin is priceless!
Sometimes you have to snoop around to find free things! Baba's Beeswax is looking for people of all ages who are fun-loving with a sense of humour to participate in the July 1st Canada Day Salmon Festival Parade with them. This is a great opportunity for high school and international students to earn volunteer hours at a non-charitable event while at the same time start off the summer with a blast. Of course you would have to know a little bit about pysanky in order to participate—and that is where the free workshop comes in! Everything provided.
Whether celebrating the year of the sheep, ram or goat, according to the Chinese zodiac it's Spring Festival / Lunar New Year time. The festivities start today and last to February 7, 2016. Isn’t this the cutest ram written by Aaron as we celebrated BC Family Day making pysanky in my studio on February 8, 2015? Very creative work Aaron. Whether it symbolizes the Chinese year of the sheep or the Ukrainian pysanka ram symbol for leadership, victory, and joy, I hope your pysanka brings you a year filled with happiness, good fortune, and egg-cellent grades in school.
As for me, I feel doubly lucky in 2015 as a Capricorn, and luvin' my goat symbol. Baaaaa . . . . .
