And the winner is

The winner of the JOY necklace was Sarah from Bedford TX.  Congrats Sarah.  


We are still running around the store like a pack of overworked elves, but all in the festive spirit.  Last Saturday I offered my services free of charge for helping you design and assemble your jewelry pieces of choice.  You kept me busy.  Except for grabbing a few bites of salad, I kept my pliers wrapping and twisting from 9AM-8PM when I finally shut the doors.  But I did return to my home studio continuing the work till 2AM.  Here is a sample of some of the designs we did together.  

 These 2 will be available at the store for sale later today.  

We also had a great time on Saturday as Deb Drager and her helper Kat held a painting workshop.  

We just want to wish you all a wonderful holiday season.  Joni, Mark and the O'Leary's Crew

January 2012 classes at Mrs. O's

So many have asked to see the January classes that we will be offering at the store that I'm going to post them here for all to see.  We will also be teaching in Jacksonville FL at "A Small Cleverness" early February, but the classes haven't all been selected as of yet.  There is also a possibility that we will be teaching in the Columbus OH and San Antonio TX areas sometime between Feb. and April.

Woven Bag - January 7

Enameled Bangles - January 14

Fairy Book - January 21

Fold Formed Copper Bracelet - January 28

                                   

They called me from the store yesterday and said they had already almost sold out of the 24 trees I had brought in the day before.  I stayed up till 2 this morning making another batch.  Maybe this will take us through the weekend.  Lots of new designs in the pile.  The little end wires haven't been clipped yet, but I'll have them at the store available today.  See the darling tiny earwires?  When you use a regular earwire finding, the trees hang so low they don't show their best, so I made these.  Our little tress need to show at their best so these have been filed, shaped and polished to perfection.  

Swarovski Crystal Christmas Trees

Sterling letter discs.  Shhh... it a birthday present for my daughter in law Brooke.

Holiday comment drawing

Remember to comment on our blog to get your name put in the hat for the holiday drawing on the 16th of this month.  Here is what you will be winning...

Santa and his elves - ho ho ho

 Oh we had so much fun last Saturday morning at our Holiday coffee that we decided to do it the next couple of weeks as well.  Thank you to all that came out in the rain.  It made it so cozy and jolly.   So this coming Saturday and next (10 & 17) we will open at 9 for a free coffee and treats Holiday Gathering.  Let us show you how shopping at home with friends can make your holiday experience a fun one.  Remember, this is the year to buy American.  We can help you make up a gift basket of any price with our delicious coffee, biscotti, vintage items and great handmade gifts.  Don't forget our once a year holiday cheer coffee is now available and it is ohhh... so good. 

Lights in the Window

 This Saturday from 9-10:30 I will be demonstrating bead stringing and wire wrapping.  We will have Christmas bracelets, watches, crystal tree charms to use as components for necklaces and earrings as well as all the supplies so you can make them yourself.  We will be glad to show you how. 

Swarovski Crystal Christmas Trees

Notice the doggy necklace?

And where would you find a one of a kind gift like this?  Adopt a Bots made right here by Mavis.  These will be on our web site by next week.  

Pigeon Toed Patty

      Mrs. O'Leary's

126 N. Mead, Old Town, Wichita, Kansas  ~ 316-262-0600

mrussell48@cox.net  www.mrsolearysart.com

“Open Workshop – Paper & Metal Smith Studio” You need to be familiar with a general working knowledge of the tools in the Paper-Crafting Studio and you will need to bring your basic tool kit.   Metalsmith Studio has prerequisite of basic metal class.  $5 gas fee if torches are used. Call ahead -  $10, paper & $10-$15 if using gasses. (metal basics class prerequisite of metal open workshop)­­­­ 

December 2011
Friday 9th  5:30PM	“Soldering Class Part 2” hands on (part 1 perquisite) – Those taking the   class for the first time can substitute the beveled glass for the crown for and additional $10.  If you have already taken my soldering class, come make the beveled crown $45, Joni
Saturday 10th 11AM	“Westbrook Men’s Club Cigar Box Book” This is the first book in the Artful Bookshelf series.  The book will be made from a deconstructed cigar book and will feature the altered  “steampunk” stamp designs from the collection of the Westbrook Men’s Club.   Joni $50 all day project
Saturday 17th   10-noon	“Deb Drager – Chalk Paint  Training, Demo & Chalk-Talks...a Great Gift Certificate idea “Chalk-n-Tell” just $65 Chalk-n-Tell participants will get to make a CoLOreD chalk board! PLUS, get a can of clear wax $24.95 value.  Make your own ChalkBoard in ANY of the Annie Sloan Colors Size: 12 1/2" x 1/2" x 8" Reserve your spot to learn more about the Annie Sloan line of Chalk Paint & Waxes.
Saturday 17th Afternoon	Last Minute Christmas Gifts…   Joni

Friday 30th 2-9

“Open Workshop – Paper & Metal Smith Studio”

January 2012
Saturday 7th	“Bag Weaving” Simple weaving techniques will let you make a stylish bag for your cell phone or anything else.  Kit (that you keep) comes with form and easy tools.  I’ll show you how to add layers, textures and embellishments as you go.  $20 plus fiber cost (an additional $15-$20) embellishments sold separately.  Joni

Saturday 14th 11	“Enameled Bangle Bracelet” Fabricate a copper bangle and enamel it inside and out.   Make several sized bangles and rings. $40
Saturday   21st  11	“Fairy Book” Graphic 45 Fairy Paper covers layers of various sized and shaped chipboard to make a gate book.  Lots of trims, ribbons, glitters and Smooch gives it the wow factor.  An extra little book sits on top of the main book.  Keep for yourself or give one or both as a gift to your special Valentine.  $55
Friday 27th 2-9	“Open Workshop – Paper & Metal Smith Studio”
Saturday 28th 11	“Form Folded Bracelet and Earrings” Learn this metalsmithing technique and then use your skills to make bracelets and earrings.  Bring your basic metal tools including sheers and bench block if you have them.  $40

Spread the word and enjoy a fun day with your friends in the classroom.

For every comment that is made to our blog now through December 15th, your name will go in a drawing for a one of a kind Heritage Adornments necklace.  We'll do the drawing on the 16th and get it out in the mail to you.  So be sure to email me your address if you don't want to post it on the blog so there won't be a delay in sending the piece in time for Christmas.  
I'll post a picture of the necklace in the next couple of days.  

Steampunk Christmas

Check out Ronda's creative way to use Artful Illusions steampunk rubber stamps for the holidays.
http://myartfulnest.blogspot.com/2011/11/merry-little-steampunk-christmas.html?showComment=1322677786036#c2381803082341452049

Holiday morning coffee

Betty, our own Christmas Queen

Our very own Queen of Christmas, Betty launches make & and  take cards starting this Friday.  Thursday evenings (starting Dec. 8) 3-7 and Fridays 11-4.  Cards are priced $2.50 - $4.  Bring your basic tool kit with adhesive of choice. 

Adopt-a-Bots by Mavis

Mrs. O'Leary's dressed for the holidays

 Holiday Greeting to one and all.  The season is upon us and I for one plan on making it a joyful one.  This Thursday evening we'll be open for shopping till 8PM.  The store is decorated and filled with crafts anew and vintage decor and gifts.  

front window

Heritage Adornments soldered jewelry

sea glass pendants

hardware bracelets

zentangled clay

dichroic glass

hot coco spoons

Mrs O'Leary's almond biscotti

O'Leary's happenings.

Ronda Dugan shared her artistic talents with us this summer painting murals for the store.  We are just now getting them installed as we wanted to make sure we could prepare them for the outdoor weather to which they will be exposed.  Check out Ronda's blog at myartfulnest.blogspot.com November, My Mural Masterpiece.  She also has done much artwork shown on her October posting "a bit of steam and a little more spook".  Ronda is a talented artist and many of her earlier postings show art work using the Artful Illusions stamps.  Thanks Ronda.

Time to give thanks, and we do.

I just wanted to share with everyone a bit of the store.

Galveston, Oh Galveston

I still hear your sea winds blowin'...

We have been away for the week showing at the TAEA (Texas Art Educators Show) show in Galveston TX.  We had a great show and met wonderful folks.  We had the great pleasure of meeting Gail and Stacey from Wired Design www.wireddesignsstudio.com and Carol from Stamp Antonio www.stampantonio.com.  We are making plans for teaching classes in both of these stores in 2012 (both in San Antonio).  So many asked us about classes at the show that I hope if your in the area you can check with these stores about attending.  We will have a wonderful time.  I'll be teaching the altered charm sampler and the copper transfer bracelet at Wired Designs and altered arts at Stamp Antonio.

Moody Gardens outside of the show location. 

I can still hear the rhythm of the ocean.  We had a balcony view of the gulf so slept
with the doors open so we could enjoy the water all night.  Just like a lullaby.

Our trip to Galveston Island was more than we could have wished for.  Not even the flat tire on the trailer or the overnight break in of our vehicle could dampen our spirits.  After the show work was over we took a VERY rare off day to explore the area.  We even took morning walks on the beach gathering shells for art work yet to be imagined.  But... talk about being in the right place at the right time - after shopping in the Historic Strand District, we were late to catch our harbor tour so had to return for the last one of the day an hour later.  As it turns out, the city of Galveston had just spent 25 million on redoing their pier/dock to accommodate the cruise ship Carnival Magic that will be sailing from that port.  Monday was their maiden voyage from Galveston.  To start the event off with a bang, the cruise line was offering a Maroon 5 concert for the thousands with cruise tickets and all the travel agents etc.  Our tour boat was docked next to the stage.  On the tour with us was one of the Galveston tourism directors.  We all agreed that the dolphins that we were going out to see were probably already asleep and wouldn't we rather see the concert instead.  So she talked the captain into staying dock side.  We all got to sit upper deck a few feet from the stage while sitting in the bay.  Only a glass of wine would have made it better.  That is one to put in the books!  Maroon 5 you were awesome!

Galveston Bay

View from our boat of the stage.

Adam Levine - Maroon 5

Finishing off the evening on the pier with a great dinner.  Golden tile fish, YUM!