for some reason I imagined that with summer and me being home for 6 weeks.. I would have all of this magical free time. Yeah. Not so much :). I forget how much time we love to just spend at a family hanging out and doing fun things! Last week my husband and oldest son were out of town for a church TREK.. and so I took my other 5 kids on a little "adventure" of our own for 2 days.. It was SO fun. Spur of the moment and just fun. But now I am back.. and ready to get some work done!
So here is part two of the Art of Spring retreat!
If you missed Part one, about the amazing remodeled church, we spent the weekend in (Shea and Debbie's home).. you can read about it here!
I also am going to break this post down into a third part. As I mentioned before not only did we have 2 full day of classes, but we also took a day trip to Canton, Texas.. which is this amazing antique/flea market place. AND SERIOUSLY.. as i started going through photos, I think Canton just needs its own post entirely :)
So today's post is about the ARt of Springs classes that were also held at Shea's house. I showed you in the last post about this event.. how their house is set up normally, but for the event, they completely transform the living room into one big open art studio for all the students..
The tables were covered in antique tablecloths and Debbie made these brilliant lamp shades out of antique doilies to hang from their chandelier. CRAZY! these ladies go all out.
Each student was greeted with this amazing necklace that Shea, Debbie and Heather (their awesome assistant) made..
each necklace was soldered and made by hand. Seriously.. incredible! We also each received a bag, made by the wonderful Stacy.. (one of my roomies).. out of hand-dyed linen..
The bags were filled with all sorts of goodies from etsy stores, stamps companies, art companies.. it was amazing. They attention to detail was AMAZING.
They also had a wonderful breakfast and "welcome" message for us before we began..
Our first class was taught by the very talented Lesa Dailey, an awesome mixed media artist.. and of course, like everything else that the Gilded LIfe girls do.. the packaging for the class supplies were adorable!
The project we were making was a feathered bird, on a birdhouse.. it was playful and vintage and TOTALLY glittery. As you know.. I am all into the playful and vintage.. not so much the glitter lol. but I was ready to break out of my comfort zone and go for it! .. so as I sat down with Margie, Jo Packham, Shea and Debbie. (all at my table) we decided we were just going to have fun and go for it! (Margie, Shea and Debbie are all about glitter.. so this was their comfort zone.. me and jo.. Not so much :)). this is a picture of us seriously.. having SO much fun. I swear I haven't laughed that hard in a long long time..
This is part of the project in process.. we had to glitter A LOT OF THINGS.. :) and apparently I didn't know how to glitter correctly.. but I have learned how. You should never DIP your item into glitter.. you should only ever sprinkle the glitter on top :) so now you know :)
I elected to leave off some of the glittery stuff in some parts.. used book paper or antique papers instead.. just a little more me.. but here is how it turned out finished..
It's hard to see the feathered bird.. but he really did turn out cute. He sits on top of the birdhouse..
This is where I changed it up a bit. I added some of my own bits and baubles to go inside of the bird house (8 my favorite number.. my family is 8). I also opted out for the glitter garland that went around the opening of the birdhouse and used vintage paper that I crinkeled and pasted instead. a little more me.
It was actually super fun. Lesa REALLy has this unique sense of attention to detail. I mean the thought that went into this project.. even down to the birds feathers and eyes, and wings.. were amazing. She is super talented. This class took us all day to complete. But It was fun.
Day two.. was Shea's Jewelry class..
and again as we sat down the next morning, we had this adorable little package waiting for us at our tables..
We each were given our own little tray so we could sort all the jewelry bits and baubles .
I didn't take any pictures of the "process".. of making it.. which I wish I would have! It was SO fun.. it was right in my element.. as I love making handmade jewelry..
But this was my finished project..
It has 5 seperate strands that go around your wrist.. which I LOVE. Love how eclectic it is.. Shea is truly one talented girl. Here is picture of HER finished bracelet (she also gave us a watch and then bubbles to put on it.. you can see in more detail how the strands are seperate.I LOVE wearing mine!
The whole experience was just AMAZING.. They just truly went out of their way to make everything "special". Everything they did from the food, to the name tags, bags, supplies, our tables and chairs.. everything was simply what I call "Gilded". They just have an amazing sense of style and vintage and class. It was a cool experience for me, because I am So not gilded.. lol.. well you've seem my art studio.. and my messy art space. Not so gilded, so this was a serious Treat! I felt so blessed to have been invited as a guest. I can NOT WAIT for next summer.. to offer a special Art Retreat with them in Rome, Italy.. where you will get a little bit of us all.. The gilded life from Debbie and Shea.. Margie's unique Shabby Chic and my eclectic artsy urban. As I said before, it will be a week long retreat in a Castle in Rome.. lots of artsy projects, plus flea market shopping AND even sight seeing trips. AND authentic Italian cooking.. it's going to be AMAZING. It will include all of your meals, your room at the castle and of course all of the art projects and day trips we take. The only thing not included will be your airfare (though we are working with my dear friend Jamie on getting some REALLY good flight rates if you want to book through her). As soon as I have all the complete details.. I will let you know! We will only have about 15 spots.. It's going to be in the first part of july 2012. Can't wait!
Well Hope you all are having an amazing and fun artsy summer. I am SUPER excited.. Wednesday is the day I start my new "summer" series!! Artsy goodness! And you can join me too! It's gonna help you stay artsy and creative during this summer break! :)
Happy Monday!
Thanks sooo much for sharing - I needed this today. I feel like I am right there and everything is soo beautiful! You are all so talented and generous for sharing pictures with us.Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Posted by: Andrea | June 20, 2011 at 03:05 PM
your projects are beautiful!!
Posted by: Heather | June 20, 2011 at 03:29 PM
Oh my goodness! I am so amazed by all the glitter~ blinded by it!
I love this...so much great creative energy and so many wonderful things to fill up that inspirational well. I am on overload just looking at the pics~ Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Junelle | June 20, 2011 at 03:50 PM
its looks so perfect, everything all the packages the setting, I be afraid I would get the tablecloth dirty
Posted by: lee | June 20, 2011 at 05:44 PM
WOW! I would LOVE to go to Rome for that. Can't imagine what it will cost though....
Posted by: Leslie | June 20, 2011 at 07:06 PM
I am like you with the craft room, but I have loved my glitter! Not so much recently but enough to drool over everything. Told my dear husband about next July. We go to Hilton Head Island, SC every year for family reunion. He said, "Rome, Georgia?". My reply was "not hardly!". He rolled his eyes and sighed. I am on unemployment, but count me in!
Posted by: Jackie | June 20, 2011 at 07:44 PM
Rome? I'm in, I'll just have to sell a few more houses!!!
Posted by: Lisa Ciaravino | June 20, 2011 at 08:25 PM
the jewelry is my favorite. I don't know if I could pull that off (I'm not even remotely gilded!!) but I LOVE love LOVE it!
And seriously? Rome?
Posted by: Courtney Walsh | June 20, 2011 at 10:45 PM
I love Rome, I love art and I think it could be an amazing splurge...please let me know details as they become available. I am so excited to go to my FIRST art workshop at Spark and meet you fabulous ladies..this is just the beginning....
Posted by: carrie clayden | June 21, 2011 at 12:19 AM
OMG...a week long retreat in Rome is my idea of heaven...and since I am in Scotland not that far.. Your creations are amazing!!
Take care
Kirsti x x
Posted by: Kirsti | June 21, 2011 at 12:24 AM
Looks like a lot of fun and creativity. I could only dream of going to Italy for a week and doing art, shopping and being around great company! Looking forward to you summer art series and any on-line classes!
Posted by: Donna Lange | June 21, 2011 at 06:33 AM
Thank you for sharing your fabulous weekend in Texas with us. Looks like a great time was had by everyone. I can not wait to see your Canton,TX treasures! I love going there and my husband usually reminds me that we bring only one truck! Rome would be a dream come true.
Posted by: Carol | June 21, 2011 at 08:38 AM
I just read that post once, twice, three times! I feel energiged to go make pretty things, paint my house AND go to estate sales! Yummmyyyy....
Posted by: madjoy | June 21, 2011 at 04:26 PM
Christy, has anyone told you that you ROCK!
Posted by: Sue | June 21, 2011 at 04:57 PM
Great post. Sounds like it was a fabulous time.
I want to sign up for Italy!!! When will there be more info out? (like cost for instance)
Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Dawn B | June 22, 2011 at 11:18 PM
Wow. Very cool! How I'd love to spend a whole day in that environment! How wonderful for you and all who attended! Love your creations!
Posted by: Danielle | June 23, 2011 at 08:34 AM