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Sunday, August 5, 2012

Always Begin With A Tea Party!

That's my advice this week....always begin the week with a tea party!


And be sure to include a sweet little Peanut (aka Gianna)....


Peanut and her mama Kelly,  and my dear Kiki, who helped make it all possible...
 And if you remember to include a little Peanut, then you can make PB & J tea sandwiches without guilt!
ham salad and tuna salad tea sandwiches as well
Sweet Kelly treated us with the most delicious lox and cream cheese spread tea sandwiches....
What's a tea party without some cucumber dainties??

We had a most delicious selection of teas ~ and everyone had their own teapot!

Of course, tea is even more delicious when accompanied by some tasty petit fours and brownie bites ~

This was the most wonderful and delicious way to start the week.  I'm told that recently Gianna asked when could she "play with Amanda's mommy again?"!!  So, I'll take that to mean our tea party was a great success!

Along with a fabulous start to my week, the week ended with a fabulous art class,  lead by a most fabulous instructor!

On Friday I traveled to Phoenix so that I could participate in Art Unraveled's retreat.
swag bag

swag in the bag

My class was titled "Framed" and it was taught by dear friend and artist and author and teacher,
Diane Cook.

You might remember that I recently took Diane's "Heart Strings" and "Etched and Layered" classes online, through Artful Gathering 2012.

We worked with a vintage image, vintage mother of pearl buckle, and enameling to create a most beautiful pendant.

The image I chose is one of my mom, age 6, and my aunt, age 10 taken at Bear Mountain State Park, NY in 1921.

The real excitement for me was enameling that beautiful back piece of copper metal...

Anne preps her piece



Diane helps with the firing


 Here's my first attempt ~ a little light in the center as you can see the copper peaking through ~ but that was perfectly fine as the top layers covered it.
 the color I used is Aquamarine
Finished pendant!!
I'm SO excited to turn this beautiful pendant into an heirloom necklace.

This was one of the most exciting classes I've ever taken ~ probably right up there with etching my own metal!


Speaking of finished work, I'll share a quick picture with you of another piece I recently finished, a brass etched and layered cuff, titled Pearls of Wisdom.  It references my rich and rewarding career as an elementary school teacher.



Today I will begin preparing for some great up and coming events:

  • My Trunk Show on Sunday, September 16th from 2-6pm
  • Unique Boutique, October 13th and 14th
  • Corpus Christi Fall Arts Boutique, October 27th and 28th

I'm taking another online class this week that involves broken china and soldering ~ so be sure to check back with me in the next week or two to see what I'm up to. It's all good!

I wish you cool breezes, icy sweet drinks, a shady spot to relax and all the blessings of the week ahead.
Thank you for taking the time to spend a moment with me!
xoxo
Karen

7 comments:

mrsthesun said...

I loved the tea party! What fun you have at your house! Your jewelry is, once again, to die for. I can't wait until your next trunk show. The girls and I have vowed to make it this time. Have a wonderful week.
Love you,
Nancy

Unknown said...

The tea party is the cutest! :D And the class looks like so much fun!!! Youve created a lovey piece! How cute is that?! :D

Hugs,

JansArtyJunk said...

I want to come to one of your tea parties Karen!!!! ;)
What a fabulous class ...Just adore your beautiful pendant and your cuff is pretty awesome too...Jan x

~*~Patty S said...

Your post today is bubbling over with goodness dear Karen

that tea party is fabulous along with the sweet happy faces!

You must be so pleased with your recent classes as each of the pieces you've shown us is spectacular and beautiful!

Creating with broken china sounds really amazing too!

thank you for sharing so much fun and creativity
oxo

Sue@creativetryals.blogspot.com said...

I need to put your advice into practice - love the tea party! You make beautiful jewelry Karen! You are an inspiration!

Diane said...

What a fun tea party...and what a beautiful daughter & grand-daughter to share it with!!
Loved having you in class...your pendant turned out beautiful =)
Thanks again for coming to my class! You are the BEST!! xo

Fran. said...

Hello Karen!! You have the grooviest parties!! Sim and I just returned from another week getaway! Last one for us til next year!! I am playing catch up!! I love the fact that you use pics of your Mom when she was little! It does make a apecial heirloom! You keep on growing girl cuz you are rockin out the jewerly!! I loe my special goodies from you! I so wish I could come to your trunk show! But at least I'll be able to see it through your blog!! Take care, XOXO Love, Fran.