Make + Take

Many cultures and religions have their version of prayer beads (rosaries, malas, etc.). Not only are they useful for counting prayers or mantra, they also hold space as sacred adornment. This is only amplified when you choose your beads and infuse your prayer and love into the creation. We will be learning about the practice of using beads, meaning of certain stones, and create a mala bracelet for use in your own life.

$20 per person 15 participant limit

Born and raised in the Irish Hills, Vanessa has been apart of a journey of self discovery in the last few years. She found her way to yoga and has been apart of the growing community of souls inspired to share their light with the world here in Brooklyn.

From primitive skill applications to modern friendship bracelets and necklaces the ability to make cordage from natural materials will have you hooked, excitedly shouting out "Milkweed!" as you spot it while cruising the countryside. This workshop will focus primarily on the hands-on aspects of taking raw materials and turning it into functional and beautiful "2-ply" cord. There will of course be discussion and opportunity to learn about identification of good cordage materials and ethical harvest practices. There is no experience necessary and only your hands are required. Come empty-handed and leave with your own self made bracelet, keychain, or necklace for your favorite piece of jewelry.

Having grown up in the Irish Hills Silas developed an appreciation for the land and its natural communities exploring stream beds, traipsing along glacial ridges, and getting lost in the grasses of old farm fields. While maintaining these open ended explorations Silas also practices primitive and traditional skills, is an avid naturalist, hunter, and fisher and often finds himself in a canoe exploring local waterways.

Cost $0

Through the traditional art of botanical dyeing with whole plants and natural fibers, we can find yet another thread for deepening our connection and appreciation for Nature.  In this workshop we will explore the magical dance between the maker and the plant realm, the importance of sustainable clothing for all of earth-kind, types of fibers and mordants, and a few different techniques for bundle (steam) dyeing that will give you the confidence to make your own wearable eco-art at home.  Each participant will get to take home their own creation from the class.

$22 per person 20 participant limit

Corinne Denomme and Gaylyn Kaufman, from metro Detroit area, are self taught natural fabric dyers among other various skills and practices that marry self sufficiency and communal sustainability to wellness for the earth.  They are both students of Jon Young's 8 Shields Institute which aspires to reunite people and Nature on an intimate level through many traditional and intuitive practices. In their work together, Corinne and Gaylyn love to weave in time for gratitudes, story sharing and mentorship while creating safe containers that promote connection to self, Nature, and community.

The Paper Apothecary specializes in scented, handmade paper goods; each type crafted with a certain emotion or purpose in mind. We used organic, recycled, and found materials when making our products.

Depending on the amount of vines gathered, we will construct individual, or 1 group basket to be raffled off to one of the class participants. We will construct a random  weave basket from vines gathered on the Divine Pine Property. If you are a highly structured detail. Oriented person this is not for you. There is no pattern and there is a freedom in this type of weaving that I find to be a nice change. The basket pictured is the style of weaving, however, we will be using grapevines.

10 participant limit

Ruth Rushlow is a Nature Artist who lives in a small cabin on a river near Sanford, MI. She gathers most of her materials from nature and weaves baskets, makes cordage, paper,makes weavings from steel tire belts and found items, and also is a handspinner. She began basket weaving at the age of 14. Now, at 55 she has gained 41 years of experience. She looks forward to May every year because she can begin harvesting various barks and vines to incorporating into her works of art.