Brass Ring Company

09/18/2025

I start by using games and opportunities for all kids to tell what they like to do, to begin creating our community of belonging. Providing structure for our sessions also gives all kids a way to feel safe because they know what to expect. Everyone is affirmed and when the project is completed, I lead an observation circle for each student to speak about something they like in each persons project - color, shapes, composition, whatever they notice. Everyone gets to hear positive feedback. My work as a Teaching Artist is very rewarding infusing SEL, kindness examples and opportunities for practice, and the language to create the community that supports us all. I seek to empower participants in their , with me and beyond!

09/18/2025

I'm proud to join my colleagues of Teaching Artists of the Mid-Atlantic (TAMA) in celebrating our career path and incredible contributions to our communities of all ages everywhere !

09/16/2025

Ai! I’ve been so busy for the past several
months and have neglected to share (I promise to do so very soon). But today I’m getting my on with the awesome Jana Sharp of Sharp Insight for a repeat training from Covid interruptus. Local DMV folks, this MORE Evaluation training is so impactful! Offered twice a year with Nonprofit Montgomery.

07/04/2025

Today, I'm delivering a workshop at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens and I've been so busy, I haven't promoted it here. But this morning, this Independence Day, I know so many people (including me) are fighting defeat and struggling to find their joy. My workshop is an adaptation of one of my residencies, Quilt Portraits: My Life Matters. "Normal" has slid off the cliff a while ago, and following the passage of the Big Bogus Bill, we will be in for a difficult time in so many ways. Locals, if you need uplift or want to quiet your spirit in community with others, please join us this morning as an alternative to the parades at 11am to 12:30pm at Kenilworth for a fun time. You matter, your life matters, and you are not alone. for your joy!

Join Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens for a free art workshop!

07/02/2025

Wow, I can't believe it's now July! I've been busy this spring delivering two residencies with Seniors of Quilt Portraits: My Life Matters; art workshops with elementary school agers; teen workshops of an adapted Quilt Portraits Collage; winning a grant for more teen workshops; delivering Juneteenth workshops and celebrating too, and wearing my arts admin hat in between all this good stuff, including planning and preparing for an Arts for Social Change summer camp for middle schoolers, "From Protest to Progress," and I'm very excited for this. I'm also doing a few workshops this summer and fall at the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens - more separately🙂

There have been a couple of celebrations too - my DD got her masters and a new job in her field, yay! I had a birthday too! And I've been a busy bee in the evenings making product for the Etsy shop I hope to launch later this month. More info to come, so excited! I'm getting my on and I hope you are too. for your joy, however small in these concerning times. These sparks help you to continue, day after day. I'm rooting for you, let me know if I can help💛☮️💛

05/22/2025

I’ve been attending several meetings lately that have focused on community needs and business collaborations and partnerships in the face of the federal turmoil and resource constrained times we are all experiencing. This morning, I’m at the Nonprofit Symposium for Montgomery County, MD hosted by the City of Rockville and Nonprofit Montgomery. Here are some comments and sage advice I’ve heard today:
“Nonprofits need to stop being so nice in the face of [loss of support]” -Sen. Cheryl C. Kagan

“Fiscal stewardship must drive equity in Maryland” -Comptroller Brooke Lierman

“We can get through a crisis when we reach out to our friends. But you can’t make friends when you need them”

“Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values for the City of Rockville and we are not going to back away from them”

“We need deep dives into shared services. In resource constrained times, what do those models look like? This can foster collaboration and our ability to thrive” -Brigid Howe, ED Nonprofit Montgomery

“Give ourselves permission to make mistakes, and have a commitment to radical candor. We’re going to learn from it, we’re going to get better.” -Brigid Howe, ED Nonprofit Montgomery

Lastly, a call to action and a rejection of apathy quote, “You are not obligated to complete the task, neither are you free to desist from it.”

Together we can to hurdle our current crisis and continue to thrive!

05/18/2025

It’s a beautiful day to come out to the College Park Street Fair - Today @ 1:00-4pm. Check out my BRC North Star Collection of earrings and framed for home decor. They make excellent gifts for yourself or someone special!

05/11/2025

Mothers, known by many names, figure things out to help us in our . Happy Mother’s Day🌸🌻🌺