November 30, 2017 - When you’re out and about celebrating a Merry Mountain Christmas on Saturday, December 9 add the Mariposa Library to your list of places to go.  At 9:00 A.M. you can make colorful dichroic glass pendants (limit three per person) during a free workshop with local artisans Aubrey Simpson and Mary Foster. Each piece is unique and perfect for gift giving.

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.

(Pictured): Local artisan Aubrey Simpson prepares dichroic glass pendants for the kiln. The public is invited to make their own pendants at a free workshop at the Library on Saturday, December 9.

While your pendants are in the kiln and cooling, you can learn about the current status of the Mariposa Resource Recovery Facility and get tips about holiday recycling from Todd Storti, Mariposa County Solid Waste and Recycling Manager, who will give a presentation at 10:00 A.M. A question and answer period will follow the presentation.

To allow the adults quality listening and Q&A time, children can make beaded glass “spider” ornaments in the children’s room with the assistance of Foster, Simpson and the Library staff during Storti’s presentation. (Parents are welcome to stay with their children. Children five and younger must be accompanied by an adult.)

The workshops are being held in conjunction with the Library’s Green S.T.E.A.M. Makerspace program, which began last year through a grant from the California State Library. Simpson’s dichroic glass classes were very popular last year. Both she and Foster, who teaches classes in wire wrapping, beading, silversmithing and other jewelry making skills at the Mariposa Gem and Mineral Club and for local 4-H clubs, have donated the supplies and equipment for the Mariposa Library workshops.

Registration is not required for these workshops, but space is limited so early arrival is recommended. Pendants will be made on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information about these and other Library programs call (209) 966-2140 or email karen.dusek@mariposalibrary.org.