Postal Parcels on Parade

Dear Everyone ~

I spent much of this past week assembling kits for my two upcoming (and newest) group workshops via Zoom. It was a bit of a marathon, but ultimately a case of Double Papery Happiness. My big table came close to overflowing, what with the whirlwind of measuring, trimming, counting, stacking, and then guillotining galore. A handful of students have signed up for both Introduction to Glueing Happiness (GH, not to be confused with a certain magazine) and Chic Cambridge Suite (CCS). Their pair of kits will arrive together in one perfectly papery parcel, the materials for each workshop swaddled in their own kraft wrap.

Kit assembly has taken on a new dimension (pun inevitable) at Bari Zaki Studio, as group workshops via Zoom have become the norm. In the pre-pandemic days, I was able to set each student’s place at my big table, somewhat like a dinner party, but with tools instead of silverware. And, I had the reserves of my entire studio close at hand, for the rare mishap or occasional glorious inspiration. Now, students have the pleasure of decanting their kits in the privacy of their own creative spaces, usually several days before their workshop. It thrills me when a student dashes off an email acknowledging receipt. These emails are incredibly restorative.

Lorraine in Canada is a Bookful six-timer, so she is certainly accustomed to receiving kits from me. Her choice of adjective this last time was a treat: “ Great instructions as always and it is lovely to receive the ready made scrumptious kits. ”

Michelle in Tennessee wrote, “ I opened my box of beautiful papers and trimmings from your lovely studio when it arrived the other evening, and did a quick peek. But I really like to sit down and savor the entire experience and your handwritten note. ”

Nancy in Vermont enthused, “ Writing to let you know my boxmaking kit just arrived and I couldn’t be more excited! All of the components were so carefully and beautifully wrapped, like lovely little gifts. Can’t wait for our class! ”

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As I write this, 40-ish kits have been wrapped, packed, and are now making their way to students on the East Coast, the West Coast, and between and beyond: three to Canada, one to Austria, and one to Hawaii. I continue to be enamored, even enraptured, with the technology that allows me to connect simultaneously with students in multiple time-zones.

If you’d like to register for Introduction to Glueing Happiness (Saturday, April 30) or Chic Cambridge Suite (Saturday, May 7), there’s still time to receive your kit. And if you’re tempted to take both workshops, you will receive a 15% discount for CCS. As always, please feel free to call or e me if you have any questions about the workshops, the kits, the cosmos. I look forward to hearing from you, and glueing & stitching with you very soon!