2026 Summer Founders Box
A box blooming with sunny delights
“A thing which is covered cannot respond to the sun’s rays, not because of any defect in the sun, which is shining all the time, but because the cover is an obstacle; if the cover be burnt away, this thing is open to the sun; more and more as the cover is consumed does it respond to the rays of the sun.”
St. Catherine of Genoa (1447 - 1510)
Welcome! Whether you’re a longtime friend or a new kindred spirit here (I recommend visiting the Village Green to get your bearings), I’m delighted to be a companion to you through the liturgical year.
Pax+bonum, Kristin.
Spoilers ahead! If you’re a Founding Member who hasn’t received the summer box yet (email me with questions!) or is waiting to open it, you may want to come back to this post later.
In this summer’s box, I’m thinking about the bright summer sun as a foundry: in the Church, a reminder of our greatest Light, the furnace of our transformation, the illumination that pervades all darkness.
Night will be no more, nor will they need light from lamp or sun, for the Lord God shall give them light, and they shall reign forever and ever.
Revelation 22:5 (NABRE)
We still see memories of that symbolic connection in Midsummer bonfires at St. John’s Tide (and so many other summer feasts). It’s in the bounty of this season, too: all of the flowers, herbs, produce...transformed by the light and warmth of the sun into beauty and nourishment, celebrated in the historic Church.
So, this summer’s box is filled with sunny delights that I hope will serve as a reminder of the brightest, warmest sanctuary of our own transformation.
UNPACKING THE BOX…
BOTANICAL CYANOTYPE KIT
by AtWater Designs (Sarah Bourne Rafferty) | Pennsylvania
This kit & booklet, created by cyanotype artist Sarah Rafferty, will help you to preserve summer blooms and summer sunlight alike. Using a solar printing process, you can make ethereal prints of natural elements using Sarah’s kit - and some good ol’ sunshine. (Sure to add a bit of warmth to winter days on the other side of the calendar...)
GOLDEN CREAMSICLE ELECTUARY
by The Local Wild (Taylor Parra ) | Pennsylvania
Friend/beekeeper Taylor Parra practices the ancient craft of electuary-making, blending powdered herbs with raw honey. Her summertime offering - Golden Creamsicle - combines raw honey, orange peel, vanilla, marshmallow root, turmeric, and tulsi for a nostalgic, bright flavor. Like sunshine in a jar.
RESTORE CANDLE
by Spír Candle Co / Washington
Again evoking the fiery sunlight of this season, the ‘Restore’ candle - inspired by a riverside campfire, with notes of smoke, leather, and vanilla amber - is a locally-crafted treasure made by a candle company that employs & mentors formerly-incarcerated men. Candlemaking is now part of their journey forward in recovery, and each candle has been signed by the young man who poured it.
SUMMER PRINT
by Hearthstone Fables (yours truly!) / Washington
I printed a whole array of prints, postcards, and cards with some of my favorite summer designs...each box has a surprise print in it!
THYME
by Jubilee Farm / Washington
Fresh-picked from the herb beds by my studio here on the farm! Flowering thyme feels quintessentially “summer” to me, especially fragrant on sun-warmed days.
Each box includes an antique hymnal page and The Foundry - a wee newsletter with a short article, a welcome letter, and more about the items in the box.
AND: I also put an ORIGINAL ink drawing into ONE box…a tradition I’m planning to continue!
Founders, what delights are you making with the electuary? Have you tried your hand at any cyanotype printing yet? I would love to see how you fold all of these into your own creative life…feel free to send me a note or share over in the Chat for our community to enjoy.
I hope each one of these artisan-made items helps you to soak up the greatest Beauty of this sunny season.
Pax et bonum,
Kristin