Meet featured artist Patricia Carlson as she debuts her fall collection of gorgeous overdyed velvet scarves.   Patricia can explain her process and you can choose from a large selection of new scarves she’s produced especially for this event.  We’ll have refreshments and a door prize drawing as well, so be sure to stop by.

 Join us First Friday as we feature the work of Connie Engelbrecht of Brecht Studio in Eagle River.  Connie designs and creates sand etched glass light catchers and tiles with images inspired by life in Alaska.   A number of custom pieces will be available for purchase during the First Friday event.

Val Lord designs unique etched glass pieces in her Seattle studio.  She is shipping up a variety of pieces for this First Friday event so be sure to come by and see what is available.  You might even catch a Ninja, who knows!  Most of Val’s designs are inspired by nature but fanciful does have its place. Val uses high ball, pint and stemless champagne glasses made in the USA for her etchings.  They are easy to handle and fun to share.

We will also kick off our Fabulous February Pen Sale at this First Friday event.  We will feature deep discounts on selected pens, so come early while the selection is best.  Refreshments and a door prize drawing round out the evening.

 Join us for a very special First Friday as we feature two talented women.  Pauline Lian will be with us as our guest artist.  She’ll have her flower presses with her as well as limited edition and one-of-a-kind pressed botanicals.  So be sure to come by to see what’s new for fall and winter from her Iceworm Studio.

A trunk show will kick off our seasonal collection of designs by Betsy Balch.  She’s sending up a wonderful array of scarves in luxurious colors and fabrics from her studio  in Washington specifically for this event.  Our staff will model her wearable art throughout  the evening, so don’t miss this opportunity to choose your special wrap for the winter from this show!  Refreshments will feature foods from our 2009 Specialty Food Selection, and we’ll have a door prize drawing.

 Caralyn Kieckhaefer’s experience as a potter spans 40 years.  She has studied with a variety of potters including Carlton Ball and Jack Crouse.  Her work is influenced greatly by her travels.  In Korea, China and Japan she visited several potters and learned their techniques and sources of inspiration.  Caralyn has been a member of two pottery co-ops, and has exhibited in numerous galleries over the years.  Caralyn maintains her studio at Wildcat Lake in Bremerton, Washington where she is influenced by her natural surroundings.  

About the Pottery:  Porcelain pieces are designed by molding leaves, driftwood and water lilies from Wildcat Lake and high fired in an electric kiln.  They are airbrushed with lead-free glazes.  Ikebana Arrangers are available in both high fire and raku.  Raku glazes are fired in a propane kiln and reduced in a can with newspapers.  Wildcat Lake Pottery is food safe, oven proof and microwave safe. 

 Custom designed garden stakes are available in poppy, sunflower, and salmon .  They are one-of-a-kind pieces and are truly works of art.

12 May 2009 I’m tickled to announce that Laura Moore will present two workshops while she is in Fairbanks:  Introduction to Metal Clay  I  June 6, 2009 9:30-1:00 
Cost $70.00  Limited to 10 Participants; and Introduction to Metal Clay II June 7, 2009 9:30-5:30
Cost $120.00 Limited to 10 Participants

About the Artist: Laura Moore comes from a family with a strong tradition in arts and sciences. She is a level one Art Clay Certified instructor, and Rio Rewards certified in Precious Metal Clay.  She also has a degree in chemistry, and an AS in Ornamental Horticulture. Laura has worked in a wide variety of media such as textile arts, ceramics, and landscape design. Her latest expression is a line of jewelry featuring silver medallions made with impressions of plants and other elements from nature. Her medallions are hand crafted using Precious Metal Clay.

Laura’s work alludes to her life long love of nature; she concentrates on the fine details of the structure of plants and bugs. After creating a relief in silver clay, she uses various patinas and surface treatments to bring out the textural detail.
 
Recent exhibits include The San Clemente Art Fair, Descanso Gardens Botanical Bling, Claremont Village Venture, Serria Madre Wisteria Festival, The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, The West End Craft, Art and Design Fair, Edinburgh,  And the Owl and Lion Gallery, Edinburgh, Scotland.
 

Introduction to Metal Clay  I  Limited to 10 Participants
$70  June 6, 2009 9:30 – 1:00

An introduction to working with metal clay. You will learn how to handle Silver Clay along with forming techniques, firing and storage. We will make a pendant you will take home with you.

Materials included in the class fee are; 10g of Silver Clay, and the use of tools, stamps and textures. Please bring any interesting textures such as lace, fresh leaves, wallpaper use your imagination!  No prior experience necessary.
Introduction to Metal Clay II  Limited to 10 Participants
$120 June 7, 2009  9:30 – 5:30

This workshop introduces you to many of the possibilities of working with metal clay. We will make a pair of earrings and a stamped pendant. We will set a gemstone, make a custom bail, fire Silver Clay and learn finishing methods. We will make a texture plate for you to use on future projects.

Materials included in the class fee are; 15g of Silver Clay, a 3 mm Gemstone, molding material, findings for your necklace and earrings and the use of tools, stamps and textures.  Please bring any interesting textures such as lace, fresh leaves, wallpaper use your imagination!  No prior experience necessary.
To attend, reserve your space and pre-pay course fee.  For more information, give Rebecca a call at 452-6659.

 Join us  for a very special trunk show!  Guest artist Laura Moore will be here from California.  She will have several one-of-a-kind pieces at this show as well as a great selection of the standard designs we usually carry.  Come meet Laura, the designer and creator of Billy’s A Bad Kitty silver jewelry, get a first-hand look at our new offerings and join us for refreshments and a door prize drawing.  See Martha’s Diary below for information on the workshops Laura will offer on June 6 & 7th.

 Porcellana represents the shapes and textures found in an elegant French garden.  Skilled artisans in Limoges, France, create this fine porcleain collection.  Limoges pieces allow diffused light to pass through, creating the strong, yet delicate quality inherent in fine porcelain.  Microwave and dishwasher safe. 

Bella Bianca stemware embodies simplicity of form and handcrafted uniqueness.  These delicate pieces have fine rippled glass detail and elegant shapes.  Handmade in Italy.  These items are currently available as special orders.

 This winestopper will add a touch of whimsy to your outdoor party or indoor social event.  Whether you’re Alaskan to the core or a wannabe, the skeeter will remind you of summer on the Last Frontier!  Designed, patented and built by Doyle Letbetter, the tipsy skeeter is constructed of electro-plated stainless steel and made in the U.S.A.  Each comes carefully packed in its own box, easy for travel or gifting.

 19 February 2009 As the Yukon Quest Dog Teams head toward Fairbanks, I’m getting all geared up to hear those barks and yelps as they cross the finish line down here on the river!  I just LOVE this time of year.  The light is returning; it’s not as cold, and we can take full advantage of why we live in the Last Frontier.  I get goosebumps just thinkin’ about it!  Over across the river at the Big I, there’s a great skating rink and plans for Headlamp parties when those teams slide in next week sometime.  Pull on your skates and get ready to share in the excitement!

I’m tickled for other reasons as well. New merchandise is arriving every day at the store.  Right now, there is a burst of springtime color on the center table so bright I almost need my shades!  You’d better slide on in and see for yourself.  And don’t forget the Fabulous February Pen Sale continues; there are still some beauties available.