Free and open to all ages and art styles. A very queer- and neurodivergent-affirming regular crew. Drop in or stay the whole time! Please email hello@secondshapesbookstore.com to RSVP.

Many supplies offered and shared.

Masks encouraged!

Join Dr. Katie Kanda, DC and Robin Lanehurst, M.Ed. for a thoughtful container in which to write your birth story.

Write Your Birth Story

Our birth stories are left untold, the details smoothed over, the pain and the joy equally dulled. It can be hard to know where to begin and how to capture the singular experience of bringing life into the world. But stories are powerful - especially when they are vulnerable, fragile, or taboo.

Come join us in person at Second Shapes Bookstore in Kenton for a meaningful, magical morning to reflect on your birth experience.

Through creative exercises and somatic work, we will help guide you to tell your birth story in whatever way it needs to be told. Whether you are a brand new parent or your birth experience is years in the past, this space is for you. You will leave with a written record of your own unique birth story - and with the knowledge that you have a community of parents supporting and affirming you.

Full price tickets are $50, with sliding scale options available. 5% of proceeds will be donated to the Community Doula Alliance.

May Workshop: Exploring with Color and Texture

Creative Connection Practice this month is a practice in wrapping and weaving and creating with an array of colors and textures. The workshop will allow you to explore your feelings through color, texture and shapes.

Connect with your inner landscape through this free flowing experience in hands on engagement with your creativity.

Ticket pricing & details:

We believe in community-based pricing, where folks with greater means can contribute to making our services available to all.

Now priced as a sliding scale from $35-$65. Includes all supplies and Eventbrite fees. Please refer to this article from Hadassah Damien to learn more about sliding scale pricing and understand how our thinking is informed.

Supporter = $65. For folks who are financially comfortable and would like to support equitable sharing of resources with their community.

Standard = $50 - use code FIFTY. For folks who are financially stable and have some expendable income.

Community =$35 use code THIRTYFIVE. For folks that don't have a lot to spare.

At any of these three priced you can also bring a new to us friend for free - available to select at checkout on Eventbrite.

Registration on Eventbrite is requested. Otherwise reach out to us and we can hold a spot for you and make payment arrangements.

When you attend these Creative Connection Experiences you can expect:

• Get in touch with yourself, your inner landscape, and your intuition

• Relieve stress by getting messy and allowing yourself to be imperfect

• Improve brain function by learning and practicing something new

• Build community, Improve your relationships and make new connection to others

• As facilitators we will create a container for you to explore without judgment and guidelines

• You will be free to play with the materials and find what resonates with you

Three hours of beginner-friendly sewing instruction - threading, straight stitching, and everything in between. You'll leave with an adorable Sidecar Pocket and a pastry filled belly.

All materials provided. Fresh pastries by Sara Moskovitz of BISL Bakery.

Bookbinding 101: Paperback-to-Hardcover Conversion

Taught by Neil Cochrane

Create your own special editions of your favorite books! Students will learn how to measure a text block, create a hardcover case, and “case in” the text block to turn a paperback book into a beautiful hardcover!

Students should bring a paperback book no larger than 6” wide and 9” tall. All other materials and tools will be provided.

$80/person

Minimum 3, maximum of 6

This FREE Circle offers a chance to engage in a slow read of the All We Can Save anthology + meaningful discussion with a small group of climate-conscious folks seeking to combine hope, knowledge, and action. We will meet for 10 sessions on Monday evenings starting April 6 from 5:30-7:30PM at Second Shapes Bookstore in Kenton (8124 N. Denver Ave). 

REGISTER HERE: bit.ly/AWCSCIRCLE

The group will be capped at 12 people to ensure enough space for every member's voice. Please RSVP using this form to reserve your spot. All folks will receive an email confirmation after submitting the form. 

Hosted by Alexandra Schaffer (she/they), local writer, book & nature lover, and content creator. Peek inside their brain at @aschaffer_creative.

PLEASE NOTE:

Registration is FREE, but all participants will need to have a copy of All We Can Save before the first Circle on April 6. If you do not have a copy, please order via Second Shapes on Bookshop.org, borrow from the library, or support a local Portland-area bookstore with your purchase. If you need financial support to purchase a copy, please let Alexandra know in the optional short answer question at the end of the form.

Delicious baked goods, including bread, scones, cookies, and seasonal goodies! 12pm until sold out and they always do! :)

Free to attend! Register by emailing hello@secondshapesbookstore.com.

Bring your zine or collage project to work on! This is a casual hangout with snacks and drinks provided. We’ll have plenty of materials if you want to start a new project. No experience required.

Register by emailing hello@secondshapesbookstore.com

Register by emailing hello@secondshapesbookstore.com

This class looks to harness the collective group wisdom to change the cultural-narrative about being an Elder. Everyone ages, but only a few see & call themselves an Elder. The youth and the Elders have an unique connection. These topics will be discussed, allowing “olders” to potentially become Elders. A vastly needed resource rooted in meaning. All are welcome!

Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/events/s/becoming-an-elder/882641508084764/?mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=gDaK8tmyBeDss67x&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1GA6i4kdSE%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr#

Register by emailing hello@secondshapesbookstore.com

Come create a “low stress ball” in community with your neighbors. No special skill required. Bring your own sharp scissors if you have them!

Hosted by Kenton local, mixed media artist, book maker & improvisational fiber artist Molly Kovaka @mokovax_artist. $15 material fee. Please reach out if fee is a barrier to participation!

Free event! Please register by emailing hello@secondshapesbookstore.com

Free to attend! Register by emailing hello@secondshapesbookstore.com.

Bring your zine or collage project to work on! This is a casual hangout with snacks and drinks provided. We’ll have plenty of materials if you want to start a new project. No experience required.

Calling all literary single hotties! Alone this Valentine’s Day? No you’re not! Come pick out a $15 blind date with a book and join us for Silent Reading Hours from 12-6pm (or take your book home or on a date!). Each book comes with a mini dried floral bouquet from Backyard Bannan. All books lovingly picked out with Sierra from North Portland Queer Book Club.

This event is cancelled for illness! Stay tuned for the next crafting night with Carrot Flower Creative.

Join Tiny Deer Studio or a fun little charm party on Friday, February 6th from 6pm to 8pm!

Jessica will provide a ton of acrylic charms that she designed and cut in her Portland studio, along with various jewelry findings and tools, to allow you to make your own: 

• Hook Earrings

• Stud Earrings

• Bag Charms/Keychains

• Necklaces

• Zipper Pulls

• Suncatchers (larger charms!)

With Jessica’s guidance, you can make whatever you want during this 2-hour gathering! Most folks make at least one bag charm and one pair of earrings, but this varies based on how complex you choose to make your goodies. You can even take some charms home to play with in the end!

Light snacks and fizzy drinks will be provided. 

Join us for a cozy story time with cocoa for kids and coffee for parents. We’ll be reading The Old Sleigh and then have free play time with magnatiles, blocks, and animal figures.

RSVP by emailing hello@secondshapesbookstore.com