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!