Sunday, 17 March 2019
Happy St. Paddy's Day
Just having some fun making these batik-style eggs for St. Patrick's Day. This adorable ovoid was decorated in a workshop I was hosting.
Friday, 15 March 2019
Pysanka Power Podcast - Episode 2
Last week we announced the debut of my Pysanka Power Podcast,
launched in collaboration with Nash Holos Ukrainian Roots Radio! It caused a lot of buzzzzz . . .
Listen to Episode 2 on Nash Holos Ukrainian Roots Radio tomorrow,
March 16 (Vancouver), and on Wednesday, March 13 (Nanaimo). It will also air on
the internationally syndicated edition which broadcasts to 20 countries around
the world on AM, FM, shortwave and satellite radio. 
Soon you’ll be able to listen to all the Episodes of my Pysanka
Power Podcast on your favourite platform.
If you miss the broadcast, you can catch the podcast of the show
at the Nash Holos website www.nashholos.com.
As well you can get the audio archives and Transcript of the Pysanka Power Podcast
at my website www.BabasBeeswax.com.
The first six episodes will cover the history, legends, and
symbols of these precious artifacts. On the practical side, with teaching
experience and conducting workshops since 1991, I’ve got more than enough information
on tools and techniques, hints, tips and do it yourself projects to tell you
about.
Last week, in Episode 1, we told you about the origins of this podcast.
Tomorrow, in Episode 2, we’ll tell you about the origins of pysanky and stories
told about them. You may want to curl up on your couch and listen to them.
In future episodes I’ll tell you about everything from technique
to history and symbolism, share more stories, legends and fun activities, and
provide you with resources to help you explore on your own.
Select this link to go to our website to access the Pysanka Power Podcast. I’ll
also post the transcripts there for those who would like to follow along.
And don’t forget, the
first six episodes of the Pysanka Power Podcast will
be broadcast on Nash Holos Ukrainian Roots Radio, from its debut on March 9 until
Easter. Tune in Saturdays at 6pm on AM1320 CHMB or stream online at www.am1320.com, and Wednesdays at 11am on CHLY 101.7FM in Nanaimo or
online at www.chly.ca.
I hope you’ll check out my Pysanka Power Podcast
either on Nash Holos or via my website. If you do, I’d love to get your
feedback. Please comment below with your impressions, questions, and
suggestions for future episodes.
Follow us:
https:/www.flickr.com/photos/iluvpysanky/albums
Saturday, 9 March 2019
Debut of first ever Podcast about Pysanky
We're thrilled to announce the debut of Joan Brander's Pysanka Power Podcast,
launching in collaboration with Nash Holos Ukrainian Roots Radio!
Soon you’ll be able to listen to all the Episodes of our Pysanka
Power Podcast on your favourite platform. You’ll also be able to hear it on
Nash Holos!
Pysanka Power will debut on the Vancouver edition of Nash Holos today and on the Nanaimo edition on Wednesday,
March 13. It will also air on the internationally syndicated edition which
broadcasts to 20 countries around the world on AM, FM, shortwave and satellite
radio.
If you miss the broadcast, you can catch the podcast of the show
at the Nash Holos website www.nashholos.com.
As well you can get the audio archives of the Pysanka Power Podcast at our website BabasBeeswax.com.
 |
| Saving the world one pysanka at a time . . . . ™ |
Wondering about the origins of this podcast? For several years, we’ve collaborated on many projects with our talented friend, Paulette MacQuarrie,
who just happens to be the host of Nash Holos Ukrainian Roots Radio. We’ve been
friends for decades!
She’s been podcasting her show Nash Holos since 2001, and for a
long time now has been encouraging us to get going on a podcast of our own on the
topic of pysanky.
Two other things got us motivated as well:
1. We want to keep current with popular social media trends such as
podcasting; and
2. There are no existing podcasts about pysanky!
After several brainstorming sessions, the Pysanka Power Podcast
was born! The first six episodes will cover the history, legends, and symbols
of these precious artifacts. On the practical side, with teaching experience
and conducting workshops since 1991, we’ve got more than enough information on tools
and techniques, hints, tips and do it yourself projects to tell you about.
The inaugural episode goes through the essentials—what supplies
are needed to get started and why they’re needed. In future episodes we’ll tell
you about everything from technique to history and symbolism, share stories, legends
and fun activities, and provide you with resources to help you explore on your
own.
Select this link to go to our website to access the Pysanka Power Podcast. We'll soon have links to
download or stream podcast episodes. As well, there will be a link to subscribe
to the podcast with your favourite podcatcher app. We’ll
also post the transcripts there for those who would like to follow along.
And don’t forget, the
first six episodes of the Pysanka Power Podcast will
be broadcast on Nash Holos Ukrainian Roots Radio, from its debut this Saturday until
Easter. Tune in Saturdays at 6pm on AM1320 CHMB or stream online at www.am1320.com,
and Wednesdays at 11am on CHLY 101.7FM in Nanaimo or online at www.chly.ca.
I hope you’ll check out our Pysanka Power Podcast
either on Nash Holos or via our website. If you do, we’d love to get your
feedback. Please comment below with your impressions, questions, and
suggestions for future episodes.
Follow us:
https:/www.flickr.com/photos/iluvpysanky/albums
Wednesday, 13 February 2019
Seasonal Greetings from Guy Kistka - February 14 Valentine's Day
Our whimsical mascot Guy Kistka is celebrating the Feast of
Saint Valentine and spreading the love of pysanky.
See his greeting here.
Every February 14 candy, flowers and gifts are exchanged
between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this
mysterious saint, and where did these traditions come from?
According to history dot com the story of this saint is
shrouded in mystery. We do know that February has long been celebrated as a
month of romance, and that St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains
vestiges of both Christian and ancient pagan tradition. Does this sound
familiar? Sounds like valentines and pysanky have something in common.
At least three different saints named Valentine or
Valentinus, all of whom were martyred, have been recognized. Like pysanky
legends, there are legends surrounding Valentine.
One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served
during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single
men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed
marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree,
defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret.
When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to
death.
Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for
attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons. According to one
legend, an imprisoned Valentine actually sent the first “valentine” greeting
himself after he fell in love with a young girl–possibly his jailor’s
daughter–who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is
alleged that he wrote her a letter signed “From your Valentine,” an expression
that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is
murky, the stories all emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic and–most
importantly–romantic figure. By the Middle Ages, perhaps thanks to this
reputation, Valentine would become one of the most popular saints in England
and France.
Visit our website to discover the magic of pysanky kits,
supplies and books published by Baba’s Beeswax:
http://www.babasbeeswax.com
If you like what you see, comment below. If you don't please
let us know how we can make improvements. We value all feedback.
Follow us:
Sunday, 13 January 2019
Turning Back the Pages to the 2008 Pysanka Symposium in Washington, DC
The dawn of a new year is a good time to reflect on the past and make dreams for the future. Tomorrow is New Years Eve
according to the Julian calendar, and for the team of pysanky experts at Baba's Beeswax it brings back memories of the First Pysanka
Symposium in Washington, DC eleven years ago. It was an engaging immersive retreat
for pysanka enthusiasts from all over North America. Pysanky specialists,
lobbyists and collectors gathered for the opportunity to meet other pysanka
artists, experience presentations from guest speakers and celebrate the art of
pysankarstvo. Perhaps it was the catalyst for other cities like Vancouver and
Toronto who are now following suit with their own events.
3. if you're a fan of photo albums, we have two on our flickr platform here:
The symposium included the following topics:
25th
Annual Pysanka Workshop, Easter Bazaar and Luncheon
Did you attend the symposium? What memories of it do you have?
Here are several places to check out videos, photos, and links. Do you recognize any people in these images?
1. this link for the newpaper article with photos from The Ukrainian Weekly (No. 17 April 27, 2008) by Olenka and Jurij Dobczansky
2. a photo montage on our YouTube Channel. Check it out here in the Events Playlist and remember to share it
Here are several places to check out videos, photos, and links. Do you recognize any people in these images?
1. this link for the newpaper article with photos from The Ukrainian Weekly (No. 17 April 27, 2008) by Olenka and Jurij Dobczansky
2. a photo montage on our YouTube Channel. Check it out here in the Events Playlist and remember to share it
3. if you're a fan of photo albums, we have two on our flickr platform here:
The symposium included the following topics:
Creation, Tradition,
Dissemination
- Jurij Dobczansky – welcoming remarks
- Dr. Andrew Sorokowski – introduction of speakers
- Helen Badulak – the life of a pysanka artist
- Joan Brander – author’s presentation About the Pysanka : It Is Written!
- the late Orysia Paszczak Tracz – the new and old in a new land, the pysanka in North America: from the sublime to the ridiculous
- Dr. Anrij Hornjatkevyc – Damian Hornjatkevyc’s pysanka collection
- Lubow Wolynetz – pysanky: collecting and exhibiting
Paths to the Pysanka
Exhibit
- Luba Chornodolsky, Baltimore, MD
- Jurij Dobczansky, Silver Spring, MD
- Olha Kurylas, Wheaton, MD
- Lesia Mandzia, Arlington, VA
- Ihor Masnyk, Potomac, MD
- Nadia O’Shea, Chester, MD
- Ihor Slabicky, Portsmouth, RI
- Sofika Zielyk, New York, NY
- Ulana Kushnir and her father the late Wasyl Ohar, developer of the electric kistka
- Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine of the Holy Family
- Divine Liturgy
- Easter Bazaar and Luncheon
- Workshop
If you like what you see, comment below.
If you don't please let us know how we can make improvements. We value all
feedback.
Follow us:
Visit our website for pysanky kits, supplies and books
published by Baba’s Beeswax:
Sunday, 6 January 2019
Seasonal Greetings from Guy Kistka – January 6 Ukrainian Christmas Eve
Tonight we will honour and remember the rich
traditions celebrated by our ancestors.
Guy
Kistka will join other children for Christmas carols (koliadky) in the likes of
an ancient folk opera: one carrying a lighted six-pointed star; another dressed
as a goat; while others prepared to collect gifts that people will give them.
Later
today children will look for the first star in the sky, another ancient ritual,
to indicate that it’s time for the Holy Supper (Svyata Vechera) of 12 lenten
dishes.
See his greeting here: https://youtu.be/PAJJlvP2Im0
Guy and
the team of pysanky experts at Baba’s Beeswax wish that the magic of Christmas
Eve leave its richest blessing in the hearts of you and yours.
Visit our website to discover the magic of pysanky kits,
supplies and books published by Baba’s Beeswax:
If you like what you see,
comment below. If you don't please let us know how we can make improvements. We
value all feedback.
Follow us:
Tuesday, 25 December 2018
Seasonal Greetings from Guy Kistka – December 25 Merry Christmas
This is the favourite season of our playful mascot, Guy
Kistka, as he can really show his true character. After all he’s a personal
friend of Santa! He’s a kid at heart and loves kids, and this is a winning
combination. But he also takes time to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.
Guy and the team of pysanky experts at Baba’s Beeswax wish
everyone an enjoyable and safe holiday season.
 |
| Seasonal Greetings from Guy Kistka - December 25 Merry Christmas |
Visit our website to discover the magic of pysanky kits,
supplies and books published by Baba’s Beeswax:
http://www.babasbeeswax.com
Santa If you like what you see, comment below. If you don't please
let us know how we can make improvements. We value all feedback.
Follow us:
https://www.facebook.com/BabasBeeswax/
http://iluvpysanky.blogspot.com/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/iluvpysanky/albums
https://www.linkedin.com/company/baba-s-beeswax/
 |
| Santa Loves Christmas |
Monday, 24 December 2018
Seasonal Greetings from Guy Kistka – December 24 Christmas Eve
The biblical Magi, also referred to as the
Three Wise Men or Three Kings, were distinguished foreigners who travelled to
Bethlehem to visit Jesus after his birth, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense
and myrrh. They are regular figures in accounts of the nativity celebrations of
Christmas and are an important part of Christian traditions.
Our whimsical mascot Guy
Kistka and the team of pysanky experts at Baba’s
Beeswax wish that the magic of Christmas Eve brings its richest blessing in the
hearts of friends, fans and followers.
See his greeting here: https://youtu.be/odgqBNo1Oxk
Visit our website to discover the magic of pysanky kits,
supplies and books published by Baba’s Beeswax:
If you like what you see,
comment below. If you don't please let us know how we can make improvements. We
value all feedback.
Follow us:
Friday, 21 December 2018
Seasonal Greetings from Guy Kistka – December Winter Solstice
It’s the longest day of the
year and our playful mascot, Guy Kistka, is having as much fun as he can—with
the time honoured sport of gliding down the slopes on a toboggan. Later, if he
has enough energy he’ll put on his skates or snow shoes, skis or mukluks! He’s enjoying
the snow because it won’t last long.
Guy and the team of pysanky
experts at Baba’s Beeswax wish everyone an enjoyable and safe holiday season.
If you like what you see,
comment below. If you don't please let us know how we can make improvements. We
value all feedback.
Follow us:
Visit our website for pysanky kits, supplies and books
published by Baba’s Beeswax:
Monday, 3 December 2018
Seasonal Greetings from Guy Kistka – Happy Hanukkah
Our whimsical mascot Guy Kistka joins friends as they bring
light, joy, and warmth to homes and communities as Hanukkah is celebrated with
lighting of the menorah, singing songs, and playing dreidel. Like the team of
pysanky experts at Baba’s Beeswax, he enjoys seconds (maybe thirds, too) of
those delicious potato latkes!
We wish you a festival of lights . . . . sparkling with fun
and lit up with smiles.
Share this video:
https://youtu.be/-d4pqH5iimM
If you like what you see,
comment below. If you don't please let us know how we can make improvements. We
value all feedback.
Follow us:
Visit our website to discover the magic of pysanky kits,
supplies and books published by Baba’s Beeswax:
Tuesday, 27 November 2018
Ostrich Pysanky - Decorating Ostrich Eggs the Ukrainian Way
This is a book that
addresses some of the unique challenges of working with ostrich eggs. They’re
SO BIG! Have you tried one?
Check out this link to
our Pysanka Power Video Clip published on our Baba's Beeswax YouTube Channel
for a book preview that flips through the pages:
Especially useful are
the chapters dedicated to suitable containers, amount of dye to use, submerging
the ostrich egg, sealing the hole and holding the ostrich egg while decorating.
We think it is an
eggs-cellent source of information to buy on its own or to add to your
collection. If you have any questions about it, please ask us.
 |
| Design Pamphlet previewed on Pysanka Power Video Clips |
We were proud and honoured to feature this book
in About the Pysanka
: It Is Written! A Bibliography by Joan Brander (Joan Brander.
Richmond, BC: Baba's Beeswax, 2007. ISBN 9781897253144).
http://www.babasbeeswax.com/AboutTheBook.htm
Visit our website to discover the magic of pysanky kits, supplies,
this book, eBooks, and other books published by Baba’s Beeswax: http://www.babasbeeswax.com
If you like what you see, comment below. If you
don't please let us know how we can make improvements. We value all feedback.
Follow us:
Saturday, 17 November 2018
'Twas the Night Before Christmas and other bedtime reading: This Was the Day! A Ukrainian Easter Story
A delightful story book to tuck into the
stocking hung by the chimney with care. Don’t forget the cookies and chocolate
milk (or wine and cheese).
Check out this link to our Pysanka Power Video
Clip published on our Baba's Beeswax YouTube Channel for a book preview that flips
through the pages:
In this story
author Ann Kmit tells us of little Katia who learns how to make pysanky from
her mother. This short story is woven in beautiful poetry and 23 pages of colorful
illustrations by Phyllis Haywa. Perfect for story time, especially as an
introduction of pysanky to kindergarten children. It’s just the right size for
little hands (6” x 9” / 15cm x 23 cm).
We think it is an eggs-cellent source of
information to buy on its own or to add to your collection. If you have any
questions about it, please ask us.
 |
| Children’s Story Book previewed on Pysanka Power Video Clips |
We were proud and honoured to feature this book
in About the Pysanka
: It Is Written! A Bibliography by Joan Brander (Joan Brander.
Richmond, BC: Baba's Beeswax, 2007. ISBN 9781897253144).
http://www.babasbeeswax.com/AboutTheBook.htm
Visit our website to discover the magic of pysanky kits, supplies,
this book, eBooks, and other books published by Baba’s Beeswax: http://www.babasbeeswax.com
If you like what you see, comment below. If you
don't please let us know how we can make improvements. We value all feedback.
Follow us:
Saturday, 10 November 2018
Seasonal Video Clip from Guy Kistka – November Remembrance Veterans Day
Remembrance Day or Veterans
Day is recognized on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh
month. It marks the end of hostilities during the First World War and an
opportunity to recall all those have served in the nation’s defence.
The team of pysanky experts at Baba’s Beeswax will take time out today to attend a Remembrance Day service at the cenotaph in our community. Our playful mascot, Guy
Kistka, takes time out from his usual pranks and antics, to stop during a 21
gun salute to pay respect to those who have fallen. Lest we forget.
Click here to see his animated greeting on
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iz_s9yNrBwA
Visit our website to discover the magic of pysanky kits, supplies and books published
by Baba’s Beeswax:
If you like what you see,
comment below. If you don't please let us know how we can make improvements. We
value all feedback.
Follow us:
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