Pająki: Traditional Polish Folk Mobile Workshop
Pająki: Traditional Polish Folk Mobile Workshop
Join us for a hands-on workshop exploring the art of Pająki (pronounced pah-yawn-kee), traditional Polish folk chandelier mobiles crafted from straw, paper, and colorful yarn. Meaning “spiders” in Polish, these intricate hanging decorations were historically made in rural Poland during the winter months to celebrate the holidays, invite good fortune, and ward off bad spirits for the coming year.
Led by guest artist Bree Mobley, this workshop invites you to create your own contemporary interpretation of a Pająki using traditional techniques and vibrant materials. Through a process of cutting, threading, balancing, and assembling, you’ll construct a sculptural hanging mobile that blends geometry, ornamentation, and folk tradition.
In this session, we’ll guide you through the foundational structure of Pająki making, learning how to build lightweight forms using straw and string while incorporating layered tissue paper elements, pom-poms, and colorful decorative details. Participants will explore rhythm, symmetry, and movement as they assemble their suspended sculpture piece by piece.
Participants will follow along with Bree to create a beautifully designed Pająk using a specific mobile template developed for the workshop. Along the way, you’ll learn the foundational construction techniques and individual components that make up traditional Pająki. You will leave with the skills and understanding needed to continue exploring the craft on your own. By learning the modular building methods behind Pająki, you’ll gain the knowledge to experiment with creating larger, more elaborate, or fully original mobiles at home in the future.
This workshop is designed for all skill levels and focuses on experimentation, patience, and playful construction. As your mobile sculpture comes together, you’ll see how balance, repetition, and movement transform simple materials into an intricate hanging artwork.
At the end of the session, we’ll come together for a group review to share and celebrate each person’s work.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll leave with a finished Pająk sculpture ready to hang at home as a colorful decorative structural mobile.
Materials Provided:
Natural straw pieces
Colorful tissue paper and cardstock
Yarn, thread, and hanging materials
Pom-poms and decorative elements
Scissors and assembly tools
What You’ll Walk Away With:
One handmade Pająki folk mobile based on the template provided in class
Foundational techniques for traditional Pająki construction
About Kiki and Bouba Craft Lab:
About Kiki and Bouba Craft Lab: Kiki and Bouba is an experimental craft lab run out of our private studio in East Williamsburg. Artists ourselves, we spend our days tinkering so we can bring you exciting, new crafts you won't find anywhere else. Our classes are intentionally very small so you'll have your instructor's attention throughout the class. Questions are welcome at every step.
What to Expect at Our Workshops:
This is not a paint-and-sip. We specialize in 2–4 hour workshops that teach you the fundamentals of skills that have taken us years to hone. Classes are skill-intensive and hands-on, with a small seat capacity so everyone gets the attention they need. Come ready to embrace the learning curve. The skills and satisfaction you walk away with are always worth it.
Refund Policy:
Kiki & Bouba Craft Lab is a small, artist-run studio led by just the two of us, Adrianna and Zolzaya. Every ticket directly supports the materials, space, fees, and care that go into each workshop. Because of this, all ticket purchases are final and non-refundable, so we encourage you to book thoughtfully. If you’re unable to attend, you’re welcome to pass your spot along to a friend. Just email us at [email protected] so we can update the registration.
Photography & Video Notice:
We take photos and videos at our workshops for promotional use. By purchasing a ticket, you consent to being recorded and potentially featured in future marketing materials. If you prefer to not be included, please let us know in writing prior to your class. Thank you so much!
Please Note:
Participants will receive a liability waiver by email before the class begins, required to be completed prior to class. Please arrive on time to maximize your making time.