We studied how earlier in history, people would make small baskets with flowers and treats and deliver them to neighbors on May Day. The idea was to do something kind for someone without them knowing who did it. We wanted to get to know the neighbors around our school and our homes and thought May Baskets would be a great way to do it - and spread some positive energy.
We made over 100 small clay pots, fired them, and glazed them at a different meeting. We planned ahead because it takes time to get on the kiln schedule at our school. Because of the Covid 19 pandemic, we were not able to distribute the May Baskets as a group, but several members,using personal protective gear, did distribute a few of them. The remainder are waiting until we get the \"all clear\" sign and can pass them around in our town.
We planned in advance to get scraps of wasted clay. We revived it by soaking it in water for a month, pounding it to make it usable, and forming small May baskets. We then fired the vessels, at the next meeting we glazed them, fired them a second time. Our plan was stymied by the Covid 19 pandemic because we were unable to deliver all of the May baskets. However, a few members (5-7) did deliver some May baskets using personal protective gear and under supervision. We have the completed baskets and will use them when we are allowed to interact safely with the public.
It took SO MUCH EFFORT to turn discarded, dry clay into beautiful clay pots. We were excited to form them, paint them, fire them, but were really looking forward to delivering them. However, it is much more important that we stay safe and keep others safe during this global pandemic than it is that we deliver our "random acts of kindness."
Really, nothing, except not have Covid 19 interruptions.
Making something gorgeous out of things that no one else saw value in.
Our art teacher had little lumps of dried clay that we asked to have. We soaked them in water, covered in towels for a month until they became pliable. It was great to reclaim this clay.
