Boomers Abroad

Description

Candle-making, weaving, organic soap-making, art, ceramics, woodwork, paper workshop

Beeswax and paraffin candles for indoor and outdoor use are produced in the candle-making workshop. Wax sculptures are also produced here and festive candles to celebrate Christmas and Easter are very popular amongst the community. It works in cooperation with a national petrol station chain and the Reykjavík waste authority, which collect candle waste from all over Iceland on behalf of Solheimar. (Ten percent of the candles are made from biodynamic bees wax).

The textile studio produces rugs, tablecloths, bags and other hand-woven products and is operated almost entirely on donated and recycled materials by shops, companies and the general public, as well as left over wool from woolen mills. From old hotel linens to scrap yarn to disused jeans - there is nothing that can't be used to make some sort of table cloth, scarf, or other textile!

Using traditional recipes and even experimenting with a wide range of organic herbs, the soap-making workshop is the most anthropological of all the workshops. In addition to making soap, this workshop also produces shampoos, face creams and hand wax.

A wide range of beautiful and unique products are made in the art workshop. The focus here is painting and the creation of art, for example from paper mache, made from recycled paper, wool and silk.From felted apples to recycled paper bowls, the work here focuses on creativity and letting everyone express their own individual ideas.

The ceramics workshop produces both functional items and art pieces. It is known for its bright colours and cheery work environment. Currently, the most popular sculpture of a distinctive character was created by a member of the community and a large amount of these are sold on a regular basis.

The craft of woodworking is a patient one. High quality instruments, toys, and decorations are made here. There is the freedom to create new wooden crafts that can be sold in Vala and with a wide range of tools, the possibilities are endless.

We are looking for an intern that has a background or great interest in any of the workshops mentioned above. The intern should be willing to learn and take directions from those around them but also to be independent and have many ideas of their own.

Sustainability of the Workshops
In the workshops, emphasis is placed on using natural, raw, and organic materials. Recycling is also an important factor and is essential to the operation of the weavery, the art workshop, and the soap-making workshop.