What Happens Next

Another Inspired Monday

 

Hard to believe it is Monday again already, but here it is... first week of October!

It is a truly gorgeous day in North Texas. Lovely Fall weather and the roses are blooming like crazy. Time to crank up the tunes in the studio and get to work!!!

So much to do, so many deadlines looming right now. It's almost too much excitement to take in, so we'll just tackle one day at a time and see where it leads us...

This is our loot from the bead show in Dallas this past weekend. It was not a very big show, and of course the "bling" is what caught our eyes! We are always inspired by crystal, vintage baubles and pearls, so of course these just had to come home with us.

And a fifty yard spool of tiny crystal chain?!? *faint*

 

 

These will definitely be featured in some very exciting projects being worked on right now. Shhhh... it's all very whispery and secret at the moment.

Almost too fragile to mention, lest we scare it all away. We will just try to keep our wits about us and work...

Be inspired this week. Make pretty things. Hug someone.

Be well.

 

A Gilded Gathering

 

UPDATE: SOLD OUT!!~ THANK YOU!!

 

This event completely sold out in Pre-Sale, but we have been so excited to share this weekend with you, that we have opened up four more spots!! If you would like to join us, please get your reservation in asap!!

We would love, love, love to see you in Dallas in October!!

We are pleased to share with you the details of our October Art & Communion event, "A Gilded Gathering"!!

October 23-24, 2010, with an optional day on October 22.

 

After much thought and careful consideration of projects, we have put together what we believe will be an amazing and inspiring weekend for everyone!

We have done something a little different this time, so please read the details carefully.

Here is our schedule:

Friday night, we will be having a "Welcome" cocktail party and vendor market, a little soiree to get the creative juices flowing!

Saturday, we will be starting at 10:30 with a continental breakfast and then begin our first class with Debbie. She will be teaching a gorgeous soldered "layered shadowbox" pendant. We will be using the most spectacular french beaded lace, sparkling pave charms and mother of pearl buttons. When the boxes are all soldered, we will move in to the second class of the day with Shea. She will be directing us through a multi-strand chain to complete our necklace project. By the end of the day, each one of you will have a stunning, one of a kind, soldered shadowbox necklace!
Breakfast, lunch, snacks and dessert included.

On Sunday, after a bountiful brunch, we will begin our "Crown-delier"™!! We will be constructing a magical crown mobile to adorn your "happy place"! From this mobile, we will be suspending the things that truly make us joyful...and GILDED! Think vintage cabinet cards, antique lace pieces, gorgeous costume jewelry. The sky is the limit on what we can use to gild our Crown-deliers™!
Brunch, snacks and dessert included.

By popular request, we will also be offering an additional Friday class. Our signature crown class will be available to those who have not yet taken it, or those who need to add to their collections!! We will be constructing (from the ground up) our very own crowns. What girl, especially a "Gilded Girl" couldn't use an extra crown to display, to gift, or to wear!!  
Lunch, snacks and dessert included.

Attached is the paypal link. Please read the following carefully so that you know which option works best for you.

Sat and Sun classes only   (with Fri. party/vendor fair)    $325
Friday crown class only     (with Fri. party/vendor fair)    $  85
All three days of classes   (with Fri. party/vendor fair)    $400

We hope to see each and every one of your beautiful faces at the "church" in October!!

SOLD OUT!!

 

 

Flea Market Fabulous

Sold Out!!

Have you ever wanted to ride on a luxury party bus to the World's Largest Flea Market in Canton, Texas?

Me, too!!

And now, we will have the chance to do just that on July 30th! We have a limited number of spaces available for this very special excursion... there will be refreshments, goodies, and special surprises...

Join us for the ultimate "Gilded Girl" day of flea market fun!!

Mad Hatter Tea Party

The baby girl has once again gotten a most coveted invitation to the Mad Hatter's Tea Party!

Oh, Vanessa, you have outdone yourself once again!!

The flowers have been chosen.

 

The decor has been gathered. A little faerie dust to set the mood.....

Some silver candlesticks for sparkle and shine.

The party lighting is always so important, of course...

  Oh, this one will do nicely!

So hard to choose a hat... a lovely pink crown, perhaps??

Or is this the perfect topper? The wee one is giving her nod of approval!

The table has been set.

But wait... oh, no!...

Someone has found the treats and started the party before the guests arrive!

The tiny culprit has been discovered!

But who could possibly deny her the sheer joy of a red velvet cupcake in her moment of pre-party anticipation?

Oh, not I! You see, she even saved me a bite... 

Let the party begin!!

Be sure to visit www.afancifultwist.typepad.com for a complete list of "guests" at the party of the season!!

Where Bloggers Create

We are so happy to be participating this year in a fabulous blog event, hosted by the lovely Karen Valentine!

"Where Bloggers Create"

There is something so wonderful about having a peek inside someone's creative work space, and to have literally hundreds of spaces to look at... well, it doesn't get much better than that!

So, let's have a little look around...

Our studio is just perfect for the two of us. We are on the third floor of an old church, and the space is surrounded by windows. The light at this particular desk is lovely in the daytime, and it is wonderful to look out at the treetops and the downtown skyline.

  This trim and thread cabinet is a favorite piece. We bought it years ago at an auction in Los Angeles. It weighs a TON, and it was not easy getting it up two flights of stairs. But we love it, and it looks like it was made for the space.

This angel mirror was a gift from Shea to me a few years ago. I love how she watches over us. The mannequin holds a collection of vintage brooches on her apron.

We are fond of keeping things in glass jars, even on the computer desk. Everything is visible, and it is easy to get inspired while gazing upon their contents.

We hope you have enjoyed this very tiny peek into our creative world. And we have news!!

This coming week, Jo Packham is coming to Dallas to shoot our studio for the February 2011 issue of Where Women Create, and we could not be more thrilled!! Jo is warm, gracious and beyond inspirational... we are literally pinching ourselves with excitement!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Please check back with us frequently for updates and further peeks... and feel free to join our journey on Facebook at "A Gilded Life".

Please don't forget to check Karen's blog for hundreds of fabulous spaces to drop in on!! Have a great time!!

Studio Sunday

The studio is very quiet today. Half of us (ahem) are in California, and my half has taken the weekend off from work... enjoying a visit from a friend and some truly spectacular weather in Dallas. 

Both were lovely and welcomed.

It looks like the dog was enjoying the day off, too. Although even during his day of leisure he is always willing to pose for a photo, with his usual "Regal yet Aloof" attitude.

He definitely benefits from the room's color story, don't you think?

 

This lack of physical activity and production in the space for these past few days has given me the urge to change a few things up. Rethink and refresh for Spring. Finish up some things that were always planned, but never quite completed.

 

There is definitely a need to "spiff up" this 24 foot run of white pegboard that we used to anchor our three 8' worktables together. It certainly does a great job of concealing tools and equipment, but falls a tad short of looking, well... finished. And it has many possibilities for added storage and display. 

Luckily, the projects that I have in mind are fairly minor, and of the quick and almost painless variety. But I think sometimes it is helpful to the creative process to freshen up your surroundings. Shake things up.

I'll keep you posted. 

Be Still My Heart

This is a preview we got today of a session a photographer friend did last weekend. The location is here.

Needless to say, this took my breath away. I feel so blessed to know people of such immense talent and generosity of spirit.

Thank you, Martha. I am speechless. And Tish, your family has once again opened their arms to us. 

Love.

Photos by Martha Schuster @ www.iseethemoonphotography.com

Bring It On

I am more than ready to bring on this New Year... this New Decade. 

There is a feeling of anticipation in the air tonight. Maybe it's the blue moon...

Do you feel it?

2010 just might be the year that it ALL finally comes together. For my part, I will work harder, pray harder, love harder. 

I wish you peace on this night, and unprecedented joy in the coming year. May we all be standing on the precipice, leaping headlong towards our heart's desire.

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined."  Henry David Thoreau

Happy New Year!!

 

Christmas Wishes

This Christmas Angel would like to join me in wishing you a very Merry Christmas! 

 

Love and blessings to each of you. May you find all the joy, peace and happiness the season brings! 

 

Bella Notte

We are slowly emerging from the fog of party euphoria around here. 

This past Saturday, we had the distinct pleasure of hostessing the Texas Bella Christmas Soirée.

And what a joy it was.

Girlfriends came from near and far. Lubbock, San Antonio, Waco, as well as all parts of the Dallas/Ft. Worth area... and although we had just seen most of them last month at Silver Bella, it felt like a reunion.

Lots of catching up and girl talk.

Cocktail hours hour.

Then, upstairs to the studio, where we began a paper ornament project.

A delicious holiday meal was served at around 7. "Thanks, Chef Anthony". I was clearly so involved in partaking of the meal, that I neglected to get a photo until this was all that was left. Red velvet cupcake wrappers..... and a few coconut cookies.

Time to head back upstairs and finish our projects.

Truth be told, some of us chatted entirely too much, and didn't finish until today. Ahem. Although, wowza, it is gorgeous, Shea!

And some of us still haven't finished. 

But I will.

Finally, it was time for an AMAZING gift exchange!! Everyone outdid themselves with their offerings! What fun we had.

Shannon draws #1, and gets the ball rolling. 
 

Heather looks happy with her gift.

Stacy looks worried that someone is going to take hers away. 

And they did. I hope she is consoled by the faerie dust.

I would like to thank Joanna, whose lovely gift I ended up with. 

And Alisa, your creation was also hotly contested. Well done!

 How blessed we are to be a part of this amazing network of women, bonded by a creative muse... who share their supplies, their dreams, their hearts, so openly. 

We absolutely loved having you here. It was magical.

*If I have missed linking to anyone who has a blog, please email and let me know!*