The Sunday class

Sunday at the Church was all about jewelry

...yes girls...

JEWELRY!!  

I was extremely excited and had great anticipation for this class as I am NOT a jewelry maker...but would love to have that talent.  Shea was going to be teaching her wire wrapping method and I had heard she was a master at it!

These little jars, so wonderfully embellished, contained our class supplies for making 2 bracelets.  One would be a practice bracelet and one would be "the real thing"!  

Sterling wire, beautiful beads, jump rings, etc.  I poured the kit out and oohed and aahed over the beauty of each item and then wondered what in the heck I was supposed to do with all of it. 

Shea guided us through each step of wire wrapping, and putting the bracelet all together. 

This was our "practice" bracelet.  

Now let me tell you...this bracelet is GORGEOUS and I would have been very very happy just making this.  But Shea had other ideas....

THIS was "the real thing"!!!  

I know....too die for, right?

We punched letters into metal...yes, I put the husbands name...I know...corny...then we added blingy rhinestones around it.  We wire wrapped each bead and made a few mistakes (well I did anyway).  Shea was there,  peeking over our shoulders, just waiting to see if we needed help.  She was the most excellent teacher.

I am thrilled that I learned this technique and plan on playing with it more...soon.  I don't want to forget how to do it.

Cutie pie Mz. Stella

Nico and sweet Debbie

 

 

 

 

BIG HUGE THANKS  to Shea, Debbie, Robert, Stella and Nico for letting myself and all the other women take over their beautiful home for a few days.  These gals really know how to show a good time!!!  

You gals are the best!!  I wish I could hang out with you every day!

The Saturday Class

Saturday morning was met with these beautiful, happy, smiling ladies coming to the Church for their first class. 

Shea and Debbie pulled out all the stops.  The goodie bags alone were fantastic and filled with so many sweet and wonderful surprises.

I brought a collection of girls for inspiration.

Heather and Stacy helped me assemble my supply kits and get the table set up the night before.  

Thanks ladies!

I made a variety of styles of these bags to hold the supplies for the class.  Black and gold, cream, gold on gold, etc.  They were all made with vintage flocked wallpaper, dresden trim and old ribbon.

 Shea and Debbie had 4 sewing machines set up and they whirred continuously throughout the day.

 

  The ladies worked diligently all day long.  

 

And at the end of the day....it all paid off!

Thanks for such a warm, wonderful and inspiring day ladies.  You are all

 THE BEST!!

A big THANK YOU to Creative Paperclay for sponsoring this class.

Pure Gorgeousness...

The Gilded Nest Art Event was held at Shea Fragoso and Debbie Murray's strikingly beautiful home.  The mother/daughter duo (with an itty bitty bit of help from Shea's husband ; - }) turned a very old Church into their private residence.  You really have to see it to believe it.  I had seen pictures but never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined what it truly looked like in real life.  I am so thankful I had the opportunity to spend 4 wonderful days surrounded by the beauty of this place.  From the gorgeous stained glass windows, restored by Debbie herself, to the unbelievably fantastic kitchen....words cannot tell you.

A view from the far end of the massive living room, looking towards the kitchen.

This shot was taken from their studio that overlooks the living room.

The living room (or a small portion of it anyway)

Heather in the kitchen.

A peek at the kitchen, once the altar of the Church.

If you have the opportunity to attend one of their events (and a little gilded bird told me there was one coming in October)....you should do so.  No detail forgotten, surroundings that will knock your socks off and wonderful wonderful women to bond with.

Watch for the their studio to be featured in Where Women Create...the winter edition, I believe.  It is TO DIE FOR....but I'm not going to post any pictures as I don't want to spoil the fun.  Also, watch for their kitchen in the new, upcoming publication Where Women Cook.

To Die for

...I'm telling you...

you won't be disappointed.

They rocked the nest!

What a weekend!

Canton in the heat, workshops in the Church, ah-mazing food (and tons of it), making new friends, visiting with old ones and 2 tiny smiling faces ready to greet you in the morning.

 Our long weekend started with a few of the gals getting together for dinner.  There were fancy cocktails and some interesting desserts all around.

Friday morning was our trip to Canton.  Shea and Debbie had everything all planned out and the day went off without a hitch. 

 

They greeted each attendee with a handmade bag made by Jamelia, filled with the necessities of the day.  First and foremost a pen and pad of paper so you could write down where you left your treasures....to be picked up later in the day. ;--) There was lip balm, hand wipes and minty fresh gum. There were homemade scones, fresh Starbucks coffee and a huge basket full of snacks that you could take with you to have when you needed a burst of energy.  There were also band aids, tylenol and some, ah hem, other necessities that might be needed. No detail was missed.

Once everyone was greeted and on the beautiful, air conditioned bus there was lots of chatter.  There was so much excitement about the weekend ahead.  When we were about half way to Canton we had a flea market bag swap!  This was a great swap and so perfect for the day.  Those that signed up got to share with the person making their bag what style they preferred along with colors.  Each bag was so unique and perfect.

Valita's bag made by Debbie

Kim's bag

Heather's bag made by Alisa

Cheryl's bag

Debbie's bag made by Cheryl

Alisa's bag made by Kim

my bag made by Valita

Shea's bag made by me

Once we all oohed and aaahed over all the bags....and they really were quite amazing....we arrived in Canton.  

We all unloaded....

Took some quick pics...

Sweet Stacy and myself.

And headed straight to an air conditioned building!

Valerie, Stacy, Debbie and Cheryl digging in the bins.

This was one of the great booths inside the first building.  This gal had bins and bins and bins (did I mention all the bins) of linens.   There were tablecloths, doilies, hand towels and on and on.  Old quilts too!  Her prices were incredible and we all had a great time looking for bits and pieces to use in the workshop the next day.

After my stop at the linen lady I came around the corner to find this cutie digging in piles of cards.  It's funny how when one person gets excited about something....others catch on.  By the time we moved on from this booth there were about 4 other ladies sitting on the floor digging through the tubs of goods.

We had lunch at the Gypsy Pearl booth.  These gals were so great.  They catered a lunch for our entire group AND gave us a hefty discount on our purchases.  Don't miss them when you visit Canton.

The day ended with an air-conditioned bus ride back to Dallas, a relaxing shower and a cold one.  A perfect end to a fantastic day.  

Next up....the Church and workshops....