Relearning old skills
Community members gathered outside the Piecemakers Country Store in Costa Mesa on Saturday afternoon for lessons in singing, soap making, leather crafting and whittling, among other crafts.
The idea for the first-ever Family Day at the store was created by the late Piecemakers’ founder Marie Kolasinski, who was hoping to bring families back to teaching useful crafts, said Piecemakers member Kerry Parker.
“It’s been weird,” Parker said. “This was her idea. It’s just tough not to have her here to see it come through.”
John Ready was among the teachers at the event, demonstrating how to whittle a boot, Santa or bird away from a block of basswood.
“It’s mainly for the fun,” Ready said.
A whittler from Knott’s Berry Farm taught whittling at the Piecemakers store when Ready learned, and he said he immediately took to the craft.
“When we started learning, I got addicted,” he said.
Although the event was missing Kolasinski visiting and chatting with guests, Karen Fraser, who teaches ribbon embroidery at the store, said she didn’t think she was entirely absent.
“I think her spirit’s here.”
Twitter: @lawilliams30