Mon Petit Studio de Bijoux: My New Blog !!! and The Art of Spring

My New Blog

I have never blogged before. I have only read a handful of blogs. And never in a million years did I think that I would create my own blog. This last weekend I was in Dallas at the most incredible event I have ever been to. There, I met many new friends and was reunited with a few old ones. Two of these friends were "bloggers" and they suggested that I create my own blog. I laughed. What would I write about? Who would read it? Am I capable of writing anything that would possess a reader to take notice of my blog? I actually gave this some thought and... well I guess I'm about to find out.

So, I thought I'd begin with my incredible weekend. I'm not sure if readers (should I be fortunate enough to attract any) will even find it interesting. More than anything I'm thinking of this as a journal. I am documenting my experience so that I can remember it. After my first post I'll see what happens. You never know 'til you try, right?

The Art of Spring

It all started back in January at the French General in Los Angeles. Kaari Meng had hosted the "Art of Craft" (another wonderful event) where Shea Fragoso and Debbie Murray of A Gilded Life taught a class and where I met Julie B. Julie B. and few others were talking about an upcomming event at "The Church". All day I kept hearing about "The Church". "What is this Church thing?" I thought to myself. It just didn't sound like all that much fun to me... until I asked. "Shea and Debbie really know how to put on an event" they told me, "you don't want to miss this one". Shea then explained to me that they had purchased an old church, renovated it and now lived in and held events there. They were holding their last event there in June before moving to California. Julie B. was going so I would know someone there. The event was "The Art of Spring"- A three day art workshop which had well known artists teaching and attending classes and a day at the Canton outdoor air market. Intriguing to say the least, I was in. I just had to see this "Church".

My Arrival

An evening at Bandito's

After a long flight (which included NO food) I arrived at the Hotel Palomar. As soon as I walked in the door and into the lobby, there she was, Julie B. with a big smile on her face, happy and gleaming as she always is. She gave me a big hug and introduced me to the people she was with, immediately making me feel welcome. She just has that way about her. After settleing into our room (Julie B. and her friend Jenifer were my roomies for the weekend) we went down to the lobby to get a cab to meet up with the rest of the group at Bandito's Cantina. To my surprise, sitting in the lobby was my friend from the French General's "Art of Craft", Connie Freedman. Julie B., Connie Freedman and I reunited. The three of us along with a few other women called for a cab and headed for some Tex Mex.

Wendy, Suze, Amy, Connie, Jenifer & Julie B.

It was great to relax, have a bite to eat and a refreshing margarita. Women began to trickle in with the wonderfuly creative name tags they had made. We all met each other, some for the first time, others reunited.

It was really something to finally see all these women and put names to the faces after only hearing about them. Heather Ales passed out fans to stifle the heat. There were door prizes, yummy food, thirst quenching drinks, and a community of women having a great time. Then it was back to the Hotel Palomar for a little night cap, some catching up and a good night's sleep. Tomorrow was gonna be a big day!

Day 1

Canton, Outdoor Air Market

8:00 a.m. We all gathered in the lobby of the Hotel Palomar and waited for our bus to the Canton Flea Market. Shea, Debbie and Heather had coffee and scones waiting for us as we excitedly scurried for the bus once it arrived (like we needed caffeine). One by one we ascended the steps onto the airconditioned bus, equiped with toilet, and seached out our seats for the 1 hour ride to the flea market mecca. Amy, Connie, Julie B., Jenifer, Wendy, Earline, Toyette and I all headed for the back of the bus. As we found our places and settled in, the bus pulled away from the hotel and we headed down the highway in our luxery liner.

Road rushing under our wheels, we were on our way. After a lovely welcome from Shea, Heather came down the aisle with pretty little tote bags for everyone. Light burlap and blush ribbon filled totes with small items like sun screen, lip gloss, MnM's, chewing gum, facial serum and a mini manicure set. Wow! Are these ladies thoughtful. A little while later Shea came bearing a tray of lovely little hankies dawning some pretty fancy bling. These were our identification bracelets for the market to give us access to our private luncheon and dessert.

After about an hour, we were there. We exited the bus, grabbed a water provided by Debbie and Shea of course, and hit the road to go "Junkin'", as they say in Texas. Canton has a huge outdoor flea market. It would literally take 4 days to go through the whole thing (and a few moving trucks). I believe they sold everything from old salvage to food to brand new shoes and clothes.

Vintage Windows

Clothing and Accessories

Our first stop, per Shea's kind advice, was the Lace Lady, as I called her, better known as Saxton's Vintage Linens. Fabulous deals. I got a beautiful vintage lace table cloth for $8, and a bag full (and I mean full) of lace doilies and embroidered pieces for about $20. I got so caught up in the lace that I lost my friends and spent the next few hours alone,

Girls Gone Junkin's Store

but I secretly didn't mind because I knew I could take my sweet time. After shopping for a few hours we all headed to "Girls Gone Junkin'" for our private luncheon and our 20% discount (woohoo!!). And what a lunch it was. Chicken salad to die for, croissants, fruit scewers with a coconut, cream cheese a

nd whipped cream dip (also to die for) and wonderful little petite cupcake and brownies.

Cathy Guess & Deidra Morgan
of Girls Gone Junkin'

The ladies were the most gracious of hosts and delightful to visit with. And the shopping... have a look at the pictures and I need not say a word. Did I mention we got 20% off!

After lunch and our 20% discounted shopping, we went out and shopped some more. At around 4:30 it was time to meet up with the rest of the group and head back to our air conditioned haven.

On the bus and headed back to Dallas, delighted with our purchases but worn out, over heated and parched, we were served snacks of chips, crackers, iced coffee, water and fruit beverages. As if this was not enough, Heather had baked us all home made chocolate chip cookies in brown waxed paper bags with crown stamp seals. My gosh, does it ever end? I HOPE NOT!

Cathy Guess & Deidra Morgan of

"Girls Gone Junkin'"

Lovelies from Girls Gone Junkin'

I now own those three small gorgeous bottles in front

The Bling side of Girls Gone Junkin'

Day 2

Well of course it started with a short walk to Starbucks. Thank God there was one across the street from the hotel. You kind of had to risk your life to get it though - it was a REALLY busy street and those Texans just won't stop - but a girl needs her Starbucks!

At "The Church"

After our brush with death in our pursuit to fulfill our

caffeine addictions, we were off to "The Church".

The Church. What can I say? OMG. Just the outside of it is ominous enough, but then...you step inside and you've been transported into a wonderland of guilded pleasure. It is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. Antiques, gorgeous decor, lovely wood floors and fixtures, glittered banners. Beauty everywhere. And The Kithchen! I've never wanted to don an apron and whip out a Cuisinart so bad.

Once you get over the awe of where you are then you can actually focus a little.

"The Church"

Walking throug main room where our

tables were set up

The first thing you see as you enter the Church

for the days activites,

I spotted our name tags. Not the usual printed on cardstock, placed in a plasitc sleeve name tag. Oh No. Not with these ladies! Our name tags were beautiful - soldered, collaged with rhinestones and glass - name tags. I thought to myself, "I wonder if this is any indication as to what the rest of this week end is going to be like"? IT WAS.

These were our Name Tags!

On the back of our chairs hung a canvas bag, a sweet bow of seem binding ribbon, a pearl and rhinestone brooch attached with a label that read "A Gilded Life". This bag was full to the brim with free goodies. Craft scissors, paint, buttons, paper, templates, stamps, cards, etc. There was even jewelry in there. A gorgeous vintage ring from a company called EuroTrash.

(http://www.eurotrash.co/).

On the table at each place lay vintage papers, music sheets, glitter, glue and styrofoam shapes. Lesa Dailey was there to teach us how to make one of her Bethany Lowe Design Bird Boxes.

Before our craft we had to eat a little something. Shea and Debbie had a friend who had just graduated from culanary school, so they had her come to Dallas and cook for us. And cook she did. This particular morning was light. Home made granola with yogart, fruit and a quick bread with coffee and juice. Very delicious.

After breakfast it was time to craft. At my table sat Julie B., Jenifer, Connie, Shawn, Kadee and myself. For five hours we cut and painted and patted and glued and glittered until we had glitter in places glitter should never be. Finally, the end result was a beautiful vintage looking bird on a box. The amazing thing was that we all did the same bird but they all had their own unique look.

The Bethany Lowe Bird Boxes that Designer Lesa Daily
taught us how to make. What a FUN class!!

Somewhere in there we broke for a lunch of our choice of Pulled Pork or Chicken, Macaroni and Cheese, Salad, Fruit and rolls. Tea and water were always available.

Tired from concentration overload, it was time to break and allow the room to be set up for "Cocktail and Vendor Evening". So we cleaned up our tables and departed for cheese and crackers and a "make and take" craft in the Studio. Shea and Debbie's studio is truely something to behold. A crafters dream. It lacks nothing one would need to be creative and has SO much more. It is incredible!

A Beautiful Dress Form in
Shea and Debbie's Incredible Studio

In groups of 8 we worked on our "Make and Take". A twisted flower and crystal button brooch that was sponsered by Fiskars. Cheryl showed us how to use the various Fiskars products as we made our craft. She taught us how to make rolled cloth flowers and little paper flowers. So cute. Thanks Cheryl! Her lovely mother who was helping out, made sure we went home with a pairof scissors, compliments of Fiskars.

Once our craft was finished we went down stairs for margarita's and shopping. Jemellia Hilfiger of Jem Jam was there with her vibrantly colored hand made bags, aprons and other lovelies. Vintage Grace Designs had gorgeous hand made bags, decorated bottles and lace clothing items, one of which I purchased. Charlotte Perez had her beautiful jewelry. I am proud to say I am the owner of the lady with the red crown necklace. Christy Tomlinson had her incredible art work for sale and of course Debbie and Shea were selling their goods as well - Oh

how I love those goods!

Beads and other Goodies in the Studio

More of the Studio

Shea and Debbie's Studio

What do you do with an old lamp shade frame?
Shea and Debbie can show you.

This Studio was SO Beautiful I just couldn't stop taking Pictues

It had been a wonderful and wonderfillerd few hours and it was time to call it a day, or at least head back to the hotel and see what everyone else was doing. Connie, Amy and the others were tired and wanted to dine in, so Julie B., Jenifer and I found a great little Italian restaurant called Vapiano just across the street from our hotel. Kind of what you'd call high end cafeteria style. I know it sounds a little strange but the food was very good. The pizza was awsome! And the beer, well it was Peroni and that was just fine with me.

Day 3

"The Church" Shea's Bracelet

11:30 a.m. Jamellia was kind enough to offer Julie B., Jenifer, Connie and me a ride to the now very familliar Starbucks and then to "The Church". The Chefs had cooked up quite a meal for us: Artichoke, Onion and Vegetable Frittata, Bacon and Cheese frittata, Herbed Fried Potatoes, yogurt and granola, fresh fruit, Date Nut Bread, Croissants, Coffee and Orange Juice. I felt SO spoiled.

Each place at our tables was arranged with two free Magazines compliments of Jo Packham and Stampington & Company, Where Women Cook and Belle Armoire Jewelry There was a jewelry tray, jewelry kit and instructions in a beautiful net casing tied with matching seam binding ribbon AND a gift of seam binding ribbon from Paper Crown. Beautiful! And as if that wasn't enough, there was a hand decorated sugar cookie - a little pink dress with silver buttons - another gift from one of the ladies at Paper Crown. AM I A PRINCESS OR WHAT!!!

We patiently opened our kits and laid out our beads, separating each tiny bead and sparkling cyrstal from the eye pins and bead caps. Then we began creating. Throughout the day Shea and Debbie had been drawing names for the sponsor give-aways they had. Amazingly enough, our table (that we named Table 7 - ask Kadee Metzger) seemed to be winning a lot of prizes. There were six women at our table. The first to win was Jenifer. She won a Magnolia Pearl bag (GORGEOUS!!). Immediately after, Julie B. won a Jenny Bowlin Paper pack (COOL!). After a bit of time and some other women won something, Connie's name was called. She won a Jeanne Oliver top. Absolutely adorable and SO Connie! So I'm thinkin' Hey, maybe with a little Karmic energy I could win something too. So I start chanting my name, Julie Strohman, Julie Strohman. The others hear me and they chant along. And I kid you not, after the second chant they call Julie Strohman. We all screamed, in disbelief mostly, but wow, I won! My prize - a beautiul Charlotte Perez necklace. Now I own two. After my karmic luck we decided to try the same on Kadee. Up for grabs was a pair of baby blue Magnolia Pearl bloomers and low and behold, Kadee Metzger's name was called. I'm telling you, Table 7 ROCKS!

After a few hours of arranging, clipping, counting and attaching we had created the most beautiful of crystal bracelets. Walking around the room, I once again noticed how each womans creation differed from the others. We all had the same instructions but each added their own special touch. They were truely beautiful!

The day was coming to an end and it was time to say our goodbyes. I had had the most unbelievabley, incredibly,, amazingly, fantastic (is that enough adjective? - I don't know) weekend, I could hardly thank Shea, Debbie and Heather enough. As I said thank you and goodbye to these three ladies, I could not express in words what those three days had ment to me. I thought I was going to cry, so I said my goodbyes quickly.

Julie B. and Jenifer had already left for the airport as they had to be back at work Monday morning, as did many others. So that left just a few of us behind. Connie, Kadee, Suze and I decided to have dinner together at Nobu in the Rosewood Crescent Hotel, a five star work of art. This was a beautiful palacial hotel with marble everywhere. Pristine. The kind of place you dream of staying in. You know the kind - where you walk into the ladies room and there's a woman standining there waiting to take your used hand towel from you and you're just not sure what to do. Yes, that kind.

Dinner was fabulous. Connie and I shared a few items, split a Japanese beer and a cold Saki. We tried the Ahi in a lemon sauce, Spicy Tuna in soy paper (excellent) and Tuna Tacos. The food was so fresh and so flavorful, it was just delicious. The four of us had a really nice time eating and talking and learning more about each another.

Over the week end I made so many new friends, deepened friendships, was able to express and expand my creative soul and spread my wings. I came home a better woman. And I owe it all to Debbie, Shea and Heather and all my new Gilded Girlfriends.

Gild on my friends! Connie Freedman