Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Gifts for the Holidays

Yes, it's that time of year again. Can you believe it!? I swear, each year gets faster and faster. At least that's what the adults say, and I'm starting to believe they're right. All the more reason to take time to enjoy the finer things in life -- like a glass of superb wine from TheWineFeed.com. In fact, I'd like to go as far as to say that it is the season to extend this opportunity to slow down and enjoy to those you love too. I promise, almost none have ever received a gift so grand. A gift so thoughtful. A gift that truly keeps on giving. What am I talking about? I'm talking about a subscription of wine as a gift for 3, 6, or if you're really in the giving mood--12 months. This opportunity tells your friends and family that you care about their mental health and overall enjoyment of life. Now, for those friends and family under the legal drinking age of 21 in the US, sharing the gift of "slowing down and smelling the corks" will have to come in a different package. TheWineFeed.com requires that all deliveries of wine be received by an adult of 21 years of age or older. Who do you know that would enjoy such a delicious treat on their doorstep each month???

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Scholarship Auctions

The Penland Scholarship auctions occur every other Thursday and as each session concludes they serve as a great way to see what each class has been working on. So far I've been to two and my they are exciting! Emotions and energy levels are high--there's so much activity you can feel the it in the air. Here are some pictures to give you a better idea of the atmosphere of the night and pieces that sold.

Nancy modeling a beautiful Peacock feather hat made in Wayne Wichern's millinery class.

"How small is small" miniature books class taught by Gabrielle Fox.

A display of the evening's items up for auction.

A painting by Tilly Hatcher with whom I worked in Development.

Decorated clay piece by Jane Peiser.

Marvelous glass piece by raising artist Justin Turcotte.

Large-scale mask from the puppetry class.

Fired clay piece.

Blown glass vase by my friend Brad.

Mixed media piece.

Shall made by a student in Vincent Martinez's fashion class.

"Eve"-a collaborative class piece made in Mark Angus' class. I bought this piece along with "Adam"!



Sunday, June 6, 2010

We're Back & Running!

I'm very excited to announce that I've started my blog again! Now that I'm living in another exciting place that's worth writing about I'll make an effort to take pictures and share what I'm learning while I'm at Penland School of Crafts in the NC Mountains this summer :)

Nearly a month has past since I left Raleigh and I've settled into the life at Penland with the ease of a summer breeze. Classes for the first summer session started last week and those students will be moving on at the end of this week, making room for a new batch who'll arrive for the second session. So far I've met a lot of artists that are well developed in their craft and either live on campus or are visiting as instructors. Yoga is twice a day, the food is incredible, and I've got a great view of the mountains outside my office window. Things couldn't be better--minus the giant spider(s) living under the floorboards of my room. I've named one Freddy Krueger but I'm thinking about changing it to "Peanut" as I try to embrace this hopefully mutual relationship. Not for the arachnophobic!

Penland sits on Conley Ridge in the Mitchell County mountains and is surrounded by Spruce Pine, Bakersville, Burnsville, and Little Switzerland NC. Most GPS's can't find it, but it's here! Penland has a long history dating back to the early 20th century when Miss Lucy Morgan founded it as a weaving school for the community. Now it has turned into a nationally recognized awesome place for beginning and experienced artists alike to expand upon their craft! How fantastic!

So stick with me the next couple of months and I'll fill you in on all the great things that happen up here where the clouds fly west to east and the weather is unpredictable. Give me a holler if you're able to visit! <3

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

IAE-AIX Lipdub

Check out this great Lipdup video produced by my school in IAE, in Aix en Provence. Can you find me?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=092rrmeGZSQ

Monday, December 28, 2009

Well goodness! It has been a full month since I last wrote. Between now and then I've returned to the US from Aix and have been thrown into the holidays! The first semester of my master's program in France is finished but will always remain in my heart especially after meeting all of the wonderful international people at IAE. My next travel destinations include West Virginia for a New Year's Eve wedding, Boone & Charlotte, NC followed by a hopeful visit to NYC and Boston near St. Patrick's day. After that I'll be gearing up for another visit to Copenhagen for the summer conference with intentions of reconnecting with some folks from Aix! Stay with me now!

Friday, November 27, 2009

More GREEN, Genius!

From biodegradable super tall plastic trash bags to news & tips on how to be more green, this website is super cool to navigate and quite helpful indeed! Check it out:

Thanksgiving in France

Thanksgiving actually doesn't exist in France which makes sense considering the holiday commemorates a relationship between pilgrims to the New World and its native inhabitants. Still, we felt it necessary to reenact the celebration that most of us Americans have grown to love, by bringing a Thanksgiving meal to our natives in France!


It was really nice to share this tradition with international students because it was an opportunity to share American culture. I sat with some students from Germany who absolutely loved the food: butter biscuits, mashed potatoes, corn casserole, endless breads and desserts, and a chicken turkey-substitute!

"Oh wow, the US has more than just hamburgers and hotdogs!"

Our Thanksgiving evening's festivities consisted of a school wide bar trip and 'American' influenced beer-pong tournament organized by the student government. What a wonderful way to celebrate American culture :-)