Last weekend’s lantern making workshop was such a warm welcome to the new year. I loved getting to see old friends, make new friends, and talk about intentions for the year all while making something with our hands and sharing snacks.
The workshop was held at Otaku Manga Lounge, a place full of care and thoughtfulness owned by my friends, Brooke and Jordan. I loved getting to catch up with them during the event. I’ve been able to witness their space grow and evolve, and it’s been so special seeing how far they’ve come. I’m so proud of them and excited to see how it’ll continue to grow.
The workshop setup was casual. We began by assembling round lanterns, with everyone choosing from a range of colors. The simple act of just picking a color felt surprisingly joyful, even for me. It was a way to ease into the creative process and let curiosity lead the rest of the way.
We sat around one big table filled with supplies, chatting and creating. It felt less like a workshop and more like a cozy crafting gathering, the kind you’d host at home with friends. By the end, it felt like I’d known the people around me much longer than just a couple of hours.
As people began adding their reflections and intentions, each lantern took on its own personality. One person focused on simply surviving grad school, another on spending more time with family. Someone turned their lantern into a sweet little character, and there were even hopes of a wedding! Others followed intuition, decorating while enjoying the company around the table.
One of my favorite details was incorporating dried hydrangeas from my garden. They felt like a small piece of last year’s magic carried forward into the new year. I don’t have a green thumb, so these flowers grew naturally on their own, and I simply gathered them when the time felt right. I think that’s why I’m so attached to them.
One moment that especially stayed with me was a mother and daughter who attended together. The daughter surprised her mom with tickets as a way to spend time together. Her mom lives out of town, but came just for this. Moments like that feel like a reminder that goodness still exists all around us.
I’m reminded every time I do this how much I love teaching lantern-making workshops—but just as much, I love the relationships that form within them. The conversations, sharing moments, and the connections made over art feel just as meaningful as the lanterns themselves. I’m already looking forward to the next time I get to spend an afternoon creating with new friends. I hope you’ll join me there too.
Yours Truly,
Makara