Weeds and what I think of them...

So there's this plant....
 It's usually called the Weed.    And since I'm weeding the garden, my first inclination is to take it out. Then I look at the visitor on the flower.
 Its a honey bee.
 I decide to leave the flower because who am I to decide what the bees need?
  If she's there collecting nectar, she needs the flower more than I need that weed gone.

I leave a lot of weeds in my garden. I love how plants will self seed and place themselves right where they need to be.... besides, how do I know where is THE best spot to grow?
I can only determine what I want.

I also watched the wild song birds visit those weeds and eat the seeds, and I wonder... when did I decide I know better then what the wildlife needs???
 And so, now, I leave weeds in small patches somewhere to encourage all the wild birds to visit my garden to help keep the pest population in check.

Gardens are supposed to be alive with life. I'll let nature happen and just enjoy it. If I'm willing to observe and listen, I can learn from the visitors.

Vera
Artist,  gardener, mother, teacher and student. Living authentically

pottery parent and child

Pottery classes-  parent and child

Ages 9 and up if drop off or 6 and up for parent/child

Choose from 2 sessions

S1  4/7/2014-4/28/2014    Mondays for 4 weeks  1 parent, 1 child   (4 groups  or 8 student total) 4:30-5:30

S2  5/5-5/26      Mondays for 4 weeks  1 parent, 1 child   (4 groups  or 8 student total) 4:30-5:30

Hand building. Learn the basics of hand building, score, slip, coils, pinch pots, beads or any sort of sculpture, garden monsters, fairy dishes, gargoyles... Let your imagination guide you.

Vera will be teaching.  Call to register, come in or paypal for class. I have been working with clay for over 17yrs and been teaching it for 8 years to a small group of people, and now formally teaching. I studied under Dana Sanderson, (photographer, potter, archeologist) Dana taught at Southwest Community center and Alki bath house.

Class includes: 

1 bag with class sign up  ($15 bag for sale here if you need more)

glazes

firing

  

 We use only white clay at this studio.

4 classes per session.

We have clean up standards to keep in the studio, so please help to maintain cleanliness in the studio. We'll cover it in the first class.

Please park on Street

Questions, please call 206-819-8544

Village Green Perennial Nursery

10223 26th Ave Sw

Blacksmith workshop

April 5th and 6th  (two classes per session )     11-12:30  hammer iron and learn to make some useful household items. return students can choose a project, perhaps window treatment or towel holder...
1 child or adult $165 ea.  or  with a buddy  $275 
Sign up with a friend and save $22.50 ea.              (please call or email to confirm)
April 20th and 26th,   choose from 2 different time slots for 1.5 hr classes,  ($85 per person, per class) limit 2 students per class
S1,   11am-12:30
S2, 12:30-2
May 4th and May 11th   choose from 2 different time slots for 1.5 hr classes,  ($85 per person, per class) limit 2 students per class
S1,   11am-12:30
S2, 12:30-2



Must sing a waiver. Village Green is not responsible for any injuries
 
8 and up is best, adults are welcome to sign up!

Very basic introduction to blacksmith. 
Skill level, beginner to intermediate. We'll make an easy project, an S hook and a plant hanger.
**Return students will make a  fire poker, towel bar or coat hook. I am not a knife maker. That requires special heat treating and annealing, however we can make the shapes if return student would like to try it.
 
We'll hammer iron, learn proper posture and holding techniques, shop safety and more
I'll demo then you can try your 'arm and hammer'
Must wear canvas or denim pants, fitted cotton long sleeve shirt, wear layers. Flannel shirt, denim shirt, leather shoes. No synthetic materials. They can melt and burn skin.
Hair must be tied back. NO Fleece, no baggy clothes.
I would be willing to discuss the hourly rental of the studio with interested adults.
I have been a practicing blacksmith for over 15 years, taking classes from Scott Shattuck at the Duwamish trade center through SSCC, Continuing my education through weekend workshops with David Lisch, master damascus knife maker (I do not make knives,
we practiced other skills) and apprenticed for Shannon Buckner of 'Bent productions'

Vera 206-819-8544

10223 26th Ave SW Seattle Wa 98146 

Street parking. Shop is onsite at Village Green

Blacksmith workshop

 March 15 and 16  or March 29 and 30th (two classes per session )     11-2  hammer iron and learn to make some useful household items. return students can choose a project, perhaps window treatment or towel holder
1 child or adult $245 or  with a buddy  $460  ($230 each)
Sign up with a friend and save $15 ea.              (please call or email to confirm)

Must sing a waiver. Village Green is not responsible for any injuries
 
8 and up is best, adults are welcome to sign up!

Very basic introduction to blacksmith. 
Skill level, beginner to intermediate. We'll make an easy project, an S hook and a plant hanger.
**Return students will make a  fire poker, towel bar or coat hook. I am not a knife maker. That requires special heat treating and annealing, however we can make the shapes if return student would like to try it.
 
We'll hammer iron, learn proper posture and holding techniques, shop safety and more
I'll demo then you can try your 'arm and hammer'
Must wear canvas or denim pants, fitted cotton long sleeve shirt, wear layers. Flannel shirt, denim shirt, leather shoes. No synthetic materials. They can melt and burn skin.
Hair must be tied back. NO Fleece, no baggy clothes.
I would be willing to discuss the hourly rental of the studio with interested adults.
I have been a practicing blacksmith for over 15 years, taking classes from Scott Shattuck at the Duwamish trade center through SSCC, Continuing my education through weekend workshops with David Lisch, master damascus knife maker (I do not make knives,
we practiced other skills) and apprenticed for Shannon Buckner of 'Bent productions'

Vera 206-819-8544

10223 26th Ave SW Seattle Wa 98146 

Street parking. Shop is onsite at Village Green

Build your own planter box and grow your own food

$165 person all materials included
April 12th or 26th      10am-4pm    6 hr class
(2 separate classes) 8 students total each class

In this class we will measure, cut and assemble our own wooden planter boxes that we will then fill with soil, fertilizers and vegetable starts and discuss the many varieties of green and vegetables we can grow in this box, over the different seasons.

Included in the class

    ⁃    wood and nails to build 1 box per student
    ⁃    access to tools
    ⁃    1 bag and 1/2 of soil
    ⁃    fertilizers and worm castings (approximately 1 cup each)
    ⁃    up to 8 plant starts (2 packs) ranging from lettuce, kale, peas and spinach (availability)
    ⁃    1 pack of seeds for next planting, peas, lettuce, kale or spinach
    ⁃    discuss succession planting and timing and organics


PLEASE Bring eye protection, ear plugs and gloves if you have any or all of these items, it helps!
I have some to loan you, but it never hurts to have your own!

We will go over basic power tool safety and demonstrations. We will build our boxes together, taking turns on the chop saw, using drills and tools, helping each other along the way.
You will leave this class with a new confidence in using power tools, instructions on how to build this beautiful rustic planter, as well as your own handmade, planted container filled with seasonal greens to take home, nurture and harvest from, as well as a new group of friends to call upon to discuss the progress and planting with.
Bring your own lunch and water bottle.

Community building, connection and creativity. What more can you ask for?

Beginning Beekeeping classes at Village Green Nursery

Interested in beekeeping?

Want to connect with others and develop your network of fellow 'beeks'

A two part class to get you ready for bees in your garden in 2014.

The first class will introduce you to the life cycle of the honey bee and the basic tools and equipment needed to set up a hive or two in your yard. The second class will discuss the management of hive/s through the course of the year, honey harvest and preparation for winter.

The instructor, Christine Ranegger, has been a hobby beekeeper in Seattle for 5 years and is an Apprentice Level beekeeper as part of the Master Beekeeper Certification Program with the Washington State Beekeepers Association.

8 and 10 frame hives, frames and foundation plus some supplies to get you started will be available for purchase.
 

Class dates and times are

 Feb.  23 & March 23 1-3:30

  April  5th    12:30-pm-4:30

Cost for each class is $30 or $50 for both classes.