And A Good Time Was Had by All

Yesterday, I had six hardworking ladies in my studio for a fun class on making silk and batik fabric beads.

Five of the women had had no previous experience, yet, after much painting, gluing, cutting and wire wrapping, everyone left with a unique necklace and pair of earrings of their own making.  They were very happy with their creations, and well they should be.



Speaking of classes, for anyone who had been interested in my upcoming (November 19th) class on making a "Steampunk" bracelet at Star's Beads in Vienna, but found it full, we have added a second class on Saturday, December 11, 10am-4pm, also at Star's.  Call (703) 938-7018 to register.  We had a long wait list from the first class and many of them have signed up, but there still may be space (eight person limit).

Where to Find My Jeweley

I am really pleased to announce a new venue for my jewelry, a wonderful new art gallery and studio in Great Falls called Avenue Beau Sejour. 

It is located in the space formerly occupied by French Country Living so it is quite spacious and bright. 

As a bonus, Avenue Beau Sejour is also a "coffee house" serving Starbucks coffee and fresh baked goods daily, yummy sandwiches and paninis. 

So, meet a friend for coffee and admire the more than dozen artists on display (including potters, sculptures, painters and jewelers).
 
Avenue Beau Sejour is located at 10135 Colvin Run Road in Great Falls  (Google Maps).  Owner Adrienne Kralick, a very talented portrait artist, is hosting a grand opening celebration on Saturday, November 20, 10am -5pm with live music and refreshments.  The Gallery will be open Monday to Saturday.
 
My other venue in Virginia is The Artisans in McLean in the Langley Shopping Center near The Color Wheel.  This is a great place to look for hand made gift items and cards.  Since all my pieces are one offs, each venue has its own unique selection.

Paris Flea Market Finds

My husband and I just returned from a two week Paris/Provence trip and wedding anniversary celebration. 

It's been about a half dozen years since we last visited and I can gratefully say that not much has changed EXCEPT that many of the roads and highways in Provence have been renumbered, resulting in endless confusion when trying to consult our fifteen year old maps.
 
My biggest accomplishment:  climbing the 400 steps to the top of Notre Dame.  What a glorious view of the entire city of Paris as well as a chance to get up close and personal with all those gargoyles. I also climbed the bell tower where Victor Hugo was inspired to write The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

My most fun jewelry-making foray was to the Flea Market at Porte des Vanves in Paris. It was there that I found old French franc rubber stamps, a vintage book of poems and a wonderful wooden geography puzzle of the different regions of France. 

Someday, hopefully sooner rather than later, I would like to go beyond jewelry-making and use the bits and pieces of memorabilia I've been collecting over the years (and especially at the antiques markets in Maine) and make some mixed media art such as shadow boxes or other constructs.