Arts and crafts coffee evenings
The programme for this autumn’s sessions is as follows: 

7 October-Henna skin art – Humour and Amor

Henna skin art is a temporary tattooing method with a long history in oriental cultures, based on the natural colouring plant henna.  It was originally used on ceremonial occasions, in particular as a bridal decorationat weddings.  Darren Foreman will be demonstrating the use of henna, and guests can have sample tattoos painted on them. This is part of the Húmor og Amor project run by Reykjavík’s  cultural institutions.
Darren Foreman encountered skin art through a friend who had lived in Morocco. The cultural linkage, temporality and use of natural substances are what fascinate him about henna art.

4 November -Origami paperfolding

Origami is the ancient Japanese art of making amusing and beautiful objectsout of paper.  Most of us have seen frogs, birds and other small figures, but it is also possible to produce large 3-D structures by combining smaller units. Björn Finnsson will be demonstrating some of the basic origami techniques, and there will be some complex origami works on display.
Björn Finnsson is an origami enthusiast.  He has held origami classes for children and adults and compiled instructions on the subject.  He works as a project manager in the children’s division of Miðberg, a social and leisure centre for children aged 6-16.

2 December -Mmmm ...Home-made sweets for Christmas

For many people, home-made sweets are an integral part of preparations for Christmas.  There are numerous recipes, some straight forward, some more complicated.  Guðrún Sigríður (‘Sirrý’) will be making some of the simpler ones for guests to try at Gerðuberg’s arts and crafts coffee evenings, the main focus being on recipes that are fun to use and where all the family can take part. Guests will have the opportunity to try the results and to take recipes home with them. Guðrún Sigríður Ágústsdóttir, also known as ‘Sirrý’, is a trained chef but works as a salesman. For some years now, she has held courses for children at the Hringur Children’s Hospital in making Christmas sweets.