My ever-growing library of small world play accessories received a huge upgrade this week in the form of a DIY’ed community of multicultural peg doll friends. Though the project was a quick one for me to make on my own,…
One of my goals for barley & birch has always been to make creative learning projects with simple, earth-friendly supplies that are accessible to anyone. Over the years, I’ve developed a few green-crafting habits that have completely changed the way…
It’s unseasonably cold in the Twin Cities today. The VERY chilly breeze blew in a thick fog, the dog is back to curling up under the blanket on my bed, and I’ve just stuffed the fireplace with logs for tonight.…
Do you remember the first conversation you had about race? Do you remember who it was with? How old you were? What set it in motion? Earlier this month I ran across the Ted Talk below, given by Dr. Beverly…
The iconic image of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. leading the March on Washington for Jobs & Freedom – hopeful people as far as the eye can see – is one that’s so familiar, but never fails to inspire. Using…
For the past 7 years (7!!) fun kid crafts and parent DIYs have been a favorite feature on the barley & birch blog. As a graphic designer (and general tinkerer) putting together new projects and experimenting with materials is honestly one of…
In the grand tradition of all those activists and artists who have challenged, changed and inspired before us, we decided to LITERALLY take our messages to the street today! We have been guerilla-arting love and equality all morning with washable…
OK, world-changers – who is ready to DO? We’re big believers that you’re never too young to start changing our world for the better…but where to begin…? “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for…
UPDATE: This post was originally written by a different author almost 10 years ago, but today, the quote feels more timely than ever. Words fail to express the disgust and anger I feel over the brutal killing of George Floyd…
