The Creative Alchemy Labs - Lauren G. Koch

07/03/2025

Back to Basics through an advanced lens…

It’s all about making “intelligent messes” right Myron?

Learn more about the amazing and learn to draw like the masters.

05/23/2025

I’ve always loved drawing and I’m excited to participate in the Summer Session of the course with Roger Brinker - starting in June.

Learn about the Golden Section and advanced drawing techniques used by the masters. Drop a ✏️ in the comments and I’ll send over the link or head over to the linked image in the highlights.

Stay tuned for how you can learn along with me and get behind the scenes art demos - on Patreon 💚

04/23/2025

May is Full of Magic, Creativity & Community!
🌸💐🌷🌼
I’m so excited to share what’s coming up:

May 1 & 2 (10–3) + May 3 (1–5)
The Messages of Love & Peace Bunting Project kicks off at !
Come by, say hello, and contribute to this collaborative community art installation inspired by Tibetan prayer flags. Add your own heartfelt message, artwork, or intention to the bunting!

May 4 | 1:30–5:30 PM
May the Fourth Be With You!
Join us for a Star Wars-themed Junk Journaling Crafternoon at the / - hosted by Gallery and of

Feel free to rock your favorite Star Wars gear (yes, cosplay is welcome!) and bring a snack to share.

Your journal doesn’t have to be Star Wars-themed—just bring your creativity and let’s play!

Hope to see you there!

03/23/2025

This morning, as I sipped my coffee and let my hands move freely across the page, I found myself deep in conversation with the energy of Spring.

The vibrant energy of daffodils and the Berkano rune emerged—bright greens and yellows bursting with renewal, fiery oranges flickering with transformation. A tangible whisper from the season itself.

Spring is a time of awakening, expansion, and possibility. It’s a call to shake off the stagnation of winter, to stretch toward the warmth of the sun, and to embrace the unfolding path ahead. Yet, as nature reminds us, growth isn’t rushed. It happens organically, in its own rhythm, in its own perfect time.

And so does creativity.

Personal expression doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t have to be for anyone but yourself.

Creativity can be a sacred act—a ritual, a reflection, a quiet (or sometimes wild) rebellion against the constraints of perfectionism and external validation. It’s a way of listening to ourselves, to the world around us, to something greater than words alone can express.

As the season unfolds, I invite you to explore creative mindfulness through the energy of Spring as well!

✨ Where is your energy ready to bloom?

✨ What colors, symbols, or sensations call to you in this season of renewal?

✨ How can you use creative expression—writing, sketching, movement, sound—to connect more deeply with your own unfolding journey?

I’ll be sharing a deeper 🌸Spring Energy Creative Alchemy Prompt 🌸 over on Patreon for supporters to dive into this month—whether through visual art, journaling, poetry, or movement. Let this be a time to release, explore, and reconnect with your intuitive creative voice. Be sure to tag if you share your explorations.

Ready to dive deeper? Join me Sunday, March 30, at 1 PM during the for Creative Alchemy of Sacred Art Workshop - where we’ll explore veneration art & creative mindfulness techniques to connect with the divine, the subconscious, and the nervous system through intentional creation.

STOP BREATHE FEEL CREATE

Drop a comment below: What does 🌱 Spring energy feel like to you right now?

03/05/2025

My trusty partner in crime Cat Barnstone Szafran from the Barnstone Studios and I had an absolute blast this weekend…

We kicked off the first of our quarterly Junk Journal collaborations with Frederick CUUPS this past Sunday!

So many creative minds and styles in one room - including a pan drum.

Be sure to put May 4th on the calendar for round 2 of Junk Journaling!!!

In the meantime be on the look out for Craft Club at Barnstone Gallery in Thurmont, MD - we’re about to post some Spring sessions very soon!

02/25/2025

Be sure to check out the Free Craft Supply Swap Downtown Frederick at Give Rise Studio on March 2 nd before you head over to Junk Journaling at Frederick CUUPS

The mountain of craft supplies for a week from today!!

Free Craft Supply Swap Downtown Frederick

There are still 3 days to drop off this week. See event details for times.

02/25/2025

Junk Journaling can be a lot of fun and can incorporate so many different styles - here’s some of my travel journals from my travels in 2015 to Italy 🇮🇹

It’s perfect if you like collecting ephemera such as ticket stubs, stickers, feathers, flower petals, and more.

Hope you’ll join and /gallery on March 2 for the first quarterly Junk Journaling Craft Club session at

We’re going to have an assortment of teas and coffee available - and hopefully I’ll make some sourdough treats to share - come and go as you please - feel free to bring any materials you would like to use and/or share - donation only - feel free to bring yummy treats to share.

01/15/2025

Ever heard of junk journaling?

It’s an eco-friendly, wildly creative way to turn everyday items—like scraps of paper, old photos, ticket stubs, fabric, and more—into personalized journals full of art, memories, and magic!

It’s about finding beauty in the mundane and transforming it into something uniquely yours. Whether you love writing, sketching, collaging, or simply exploring your creative side, junk journaling is the perfect way to reflect your story.

Ready to explore the art of creative alchemy with us?

Join us for this quarterly Junk Journaling collaboration between the / Craft Club at Barnstone Gallery / Frederick CUUPS

✨ experience camaraderie in a welcoming creative space

✨ Discover new techniques for repurposing everyday materials - tap into your inner crow!!!

✨ Leave inspired and ready to continue creating

The Creative Alchemy Labs is currently working on a book binding station - where you can learn about a variety of stitched, stapled, post, and folded bindings - with instructional handouts and supplies to bind you’re own mini junk journal.

🎨 All are welcome! This is a donation-based event (suggested $15–$30), designed to be inclusive and accessible to everyone.

Feel free to bring a sketchbook or journal you already enjoy working in, along with any personal supplies you’d like to personally use. That said, there’s no need to bring anything—just show up with a sense of curiosity and an open heart!

A craft supply buffet will be available for you to create from and feel free to bring any supplies you’d like to share and/or donate.

Looking for a deeper dive into bookbinding and printmaking - check out / .of.the.old.ways upcoming classes in March and October of 2025 at - reserve your spot today!!!

Drop a 🐦‍⬛ in the comments and I’ll send over all the information and links - or follow the link 🔗 in the bio to browse offerings on your own.

12/19/2024

✨ Stocking Stuffer Magic ✨

Looking for the perfect little treasures to tuck into stockings or share as heartfelt gifts?

This season and the Keeper of the Old Ways Apothecary is full of handcrafted, organic items that make perfect stocking stuffers to bring warmth, light, and intention to Winter holiday giving season.

🎁 Winter Solstice Candles
✨Soothe and Restore: the Magical Ache Away Magnesium Butter and the Healing Salve for Hardworking Hands and Feet 🎁
🎨 Creative Alchemy Lab Slow Stitching Kits, Mindfulness Aids, and more

🌟 Stock Up for the Holidays with these perfect stocking stuffers from Keeper of the Old Ways, offering moments of comfort and joy to you and your loved ones.

Limited quantities available because we are a small-batch herbal apothecary and creative — local pick up in Frederick, Md and delivery can be arranged in the region - shipping and gift wrap available.

Drop a 🎁 in the comments and I’ll send over the direct link - or browse the bio.

Select items are also available at in Gettysburg, PA, in Thurmont, Md, and in Frederick, Md.

12/14/2024

Love these kits so much - putting these together was so much fun!

12/09/2024

We had an absolute blast this afternoon making Krampus and Yule Ornaments this afternoon during Twisted Christmas themed Craft Club at Barnstone Gallery.

And what’s better than a bunch of besties swapping yummy treats, chatting, and crafting all afternoon - join us in February (theme TBA) and March 2nd at
Frederick CUUPS for Junk Journaling

12/02/2024

Having loads of fun today dyeing wooden beads and prepping more ornament templates for the Twisted Christmas: Krampus Ornaments and Goodies swap this weekend during Craft Club at & Gallery - we’re gonna have a blast.