About the workshop:

Making Pająki, or mobiles from straw and paper, is a Polish tradition that goes back hundreds of years. Often made in the late Autumn in time for the Christmas season, and known for their eye-catching hues and ornate paper pompom techniques, they are made to decorate, protect, and bless the rooms in which they hang. Come be a part of this colorful craft revival and learn to make your own mobile to adorn your space!

Day 1: Our first day will start with history and cultural context, followed by material selection and basic paper pompom making techniques.

Day 2: We will focus on more advanced paper pompom styles, as well as other decorative elements such as paper flowers, dried peas, and various garlands. Students will leave with a completed pająk, as well as the skills and knowledge to source materials and keep creating.

Above-average fine motor skills are helpful for this craft, as students will be threading needles, folding small pieces of paper, and tying several small knots.

About the instructor:

Britt Malec is a visual artist and community song leader from Grand Marais, MN. Her work is informed by Slavic and Nordic folk art, botanical illustration, ethnobotany, and growing up in her grandmother's garden. She sees her work as the joyful task of weaving people into a relationship with place, craft, and one another.

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