Christmas in Krakow - The Tradition of the Szopka

Every December, the main square of Krakow, Poland hosts a contest of Szopki. The unique designs (pronounced "shopki" or individually, "shopka") are Christmas Nativity Scenes specifically made in the city. The tradition comes from the early 19th century in the late fall, when typically busy carpenters and masons spent their idle time making these cribs to earn extra income. Now, made by families, hobbyists, and enthusiasts from any background, UNESCO recognized the practice in 2018 as a part of the world's cultural heritage. The crèches are painstakingly made from colorful tinfoil and cardboard often planned many months in advance. The buildings are a representation of landmarks found in Krakow and may also depict something noteworthy from the area or in recent history.

Here is  my own personal szopka given to me as a gift from a family member who traveled to Krakow during the Christmas season. It is about 14 inches high - some of them are made to reach over 6 feet in height and require at least two people to carry them. Wesołych świąt!

 

Kipi Creative Artisanal Greeting Cards - October News

'Tis the season of giving and giving thanks! This year, I have added new Christmas cards, new sets, smaller card packs, even more images from a recent trip to Mexico, and a couple of pet sympathy cards after a very difficult search to find two of my own for a friend in the past few months. I've had so many customers tell me how great these greeting cards are for framing as works of art too. New shipping areas coming soon!

Christmas Candies - Set of 10 Handmade Greeting Cards

Corazón - Handmade Greeting Card

Mexico (Featuring Wrought Iron Cross) - Handmade Greeting Card

Faithful Companion - Handmade Pet Sympathy Card

Feline Friend - Handmade Pet Sympathy Card

Honoring the Ancestors - Sugar Skull Greeting Cards

This summer, looking for a much-needed change of scenery, I traveled to Mexico for a brief vacation. Our self-designed tour comprised a nice mixture of cultural events, food exploration, and shopping. In Mexico City, we learned about the murals of Diego Rivera, and navigated craft markets. There was an explosion of color (and handmade sugar skulls) everywhere! Even the hand painted designs of the black and white sugar skulls have so much dimension in their contrast. Here are some of my favorites that I have converted into greeting cards for this season of skeletons. 

Sugar Skulls, Mexico - Set of 10 Handmade Greeting Cards

Sugar Skulls (Black and White) - handmade greeting card

Newly Inspired Book Artwork - By Books and From Books

Inspired by some of the books I have lying around, I've started painting again. I'm looking at abstract painting by women Aboriginal artists, old medical books, mathematics, and the writings of Stephen Hawking. I have always been fascinated by pattern, nature, astronomy, and some of the recent findings from within and outside our own galaxy. Here are a couple of my latest original works on paper.

Double Arch, Gouache on recycled book, 2022

Nerve Endings, Gouache on recycled book, 2022

Collecting: Queen Elizabeth II Stamps

Above: A rainbow of stamps of different denominations features the Queen for the Royal Post. Below, a variety of other countries also featured Queen Elizabeth's image: Canada, Trinidad & Tobago, Australia, the Bahamas, and (perhaps) New Zealand. It will be interesting to see the re-branding of everything official under King Charles and the new Crown. Going forward, how many countries or territories will no longer wish to remain part of the British Commonwealth (as with the Bahamas recognized as its own sovereign, independent nation in 1973)? All stamps are from my own collection.

Christmas in July - New Greeting Card Designs

Here in the Northeast, we've survived this week's never-ending heatwave. I'm here in the studio celebrating Christmas in July with some new designs for the upcoming season. Stay cool!

Peppermints (also available as a Box of 10) - handmade greeting card

Winter Pine - handmade greeting card

Season of Joy - handmade greeting card