Fire up your imagination at the Green S.T.E.A.M. Makespace at the Library. Free workshops are offered for adults and children every month. This month two workshops will be held.
The first, on Saturday, February 4 from 9-11 a.m. features local artisan Aubrey Simpson, who will teach the simple art of making stunning dichroic glass pendants. People of all ages are welcome to participate and make one to three pendants. (The number per person depends on the number of people in attendance.)
Dichroic glass is defined as “glass which displays two different colors by undergoing a color change in certain lighting conditions.” The process involves melting bits of glass (discarded during the manufacturing process) in a kiln. Supplies are being donated by Simpson.
On Saturday, February 25 at 10 a.m., Renee Sedoo, a clothing “re-designer” from Groveland, will give a presentation on “Sustainability and Fashion Today.” Renee creates and sells one- of- a- kind women's apparel using cast-off materials and clothing that is given to her and that she finds at thrift stores.
Following the presentation, you will have an opportunity to "upcycle" and create with thrift store clothing donated by the Mariposa SPCA, including old t-shirts, wool sweaters, linens, bed sheets and curtains. Find inspiration and the "how to" knowledge to create something beautiful and new out of materials that are often thrown away.
Also at 10 a.m., while the adults are enjoying their program, children can learn about how the clothes they wear are made and make a puppet from an old sock. Bring your own adult-size sock or use one provided by the library.
The makerspace is open to individuals and fam on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and to teens on Thursday afternoons from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. Equipment and materials available free of charge for public use include sewing machines, looms, wood carving sets, bottle cutters, glue guns, various cutting implements, paper making supplies and a button maker. Used materials for upcycling, in keeping with the sustainability theme, have been supplied by the Mariposa SPCA and Mariposa County Solid Waste & Recycling. A 3D printer will soon be up and running and workshops on its use will be offered.
This project was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian. Sierra Telephone and Friends of the Mariposa Library have contributed to the purchase of a ventilation system for the 3D printer. Donations of other tools, equipment and supplies, such as wood working hand tools, nails, sandpaper, knitting needles, crochet hooks, paint brushes and yarn are being sought.
For more information about the makerspace program, go to the Mariposa Library website at MariposaLibrary.org, call the Library at 209-966-2140, or email karen.dusek@mariposalibrary.org.
