Saturday 31 December 2011

More Than 25 Reasons Why You Should Write Pysanky!


It's the eve of a new year, and the impetus to reflect on 2011 is all around me.  Looking back not only on the past year, but also on the past 50 years, I consider all the things that pysanky have meant to me.  It makes me think about my grandmother and mother.  I remember my old friends for whom I made and gave pysanky as gifts.  I am grateful for my new friends who augment my collection.  I think about my grandparents who were Canadian pioneers and am thankful for my upbringing in a family that inspired me to be a pioneer on the world wide web.  I am rewarded with the reaction I get from people at my demonstrations and workshops.  My heart fills when children discover the magic they can do with eggs, beeswax and dyes.  My legacy is the writing and publishing of a children's activity book dedicated to my own child and I am proud of receiving a mark of distinction from the Library of Congress for my bibliography.  And, most recently, my foray into filming video clips has presented me with another experience.  I am astonished at the number of words that appear in my journal. These words describe why I love pysanky!
  1. relaxing
  2. therapeutic
  3. intricate
  4. creative
  5. inspirational
  6. energizing
  7. fascinating
  8. inheritance
  9. heritage
  10. custom
  11. tradition
  12. Easter
  13. Spring
  14. fun
  15. affordable
  16. artistic
  17. sensory
  18. unique
  19. spiritual
  20. talismanic
  21. symbolic
  22. colorful
  23. rhythmic
  24. calming
  25. rewarding
  26. pattern
I would love to hear what pysanky mean to you.  Comment with your own experience.

Happy New Year!

2012

Saturday 26 November 2011

About the Pysanka—It Is Written!

Responding to inquiries about my YouTube photo montage on the Pysanka Symposium, I have posted a video clip of the Book Launch and the resulting mark of distinction announced by the Library of Congress.  It's here for you to enjoy.

Post a comment to this blog, and I'll send you a Christmas present!



Monday 3 October 2011

Better Late Than Never!

It's been over 3 years since I attended the 2008 Pysanka Symposium and launched my bibliography, "About the Pysanka--It Is Written!" in Washington, DC.  The event and the city had such an effect on me that I vowed to return.  And I'm happy that my dream was fulfilled (see my March 30, 2011 blog).

In the meantime, I've put together a photo montage of the event and have posted it here for all to enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZFc1-fg-HY

Saturday 17 September 2011

Back to School

September means back to school, not only for students but also for teachers!  Now is the time to plan your upcoming pysanky workshops.  This activity is fun for all grade levels K to 12 and integrates with multicultural and language arts, social studies, math and science.

If you're a teacher and haven't received your Newsletter from Baba's Beeswax, here it is.  All the best for the 2011-2012 school year!

2011 Fall Newsletter

Saturday 27 August 2011

Keeping the Spirit of Pysanky Alive

This year, 2011, marks the 20th anniversary of Baba's Beeswax http://www.babasbeeswax.com/ and the 120th anniversary of Ukrainian immigration to Canada, both of which are dear to my heart.  Our community celebrations started at the European Festival in May, continued throughout the summer at the Canada Day Festival followed by the Ukraine Pavilion at Fusion Festival in July, and this month at the Arts Alive Festival.  These outdoor venues with their traditional performances, activities, street vendors, music and food married with people of all ages and terrific weather to make for fun family celebrating.  We plan to party for a few more months this year and will keep posting our photos and comments to keep the spirit of pysanky alive in 2011.  While surfing, be sure to check out more photos on our website link "In The Community".




Have a great day!