A break in the snow and my schedule allowed me to attend Blanche's holiday party. That's Blanche, in the middle and, oops, that is Wendy's back. So much for candid photos. That entire wall you see is devoted to Swarovski crystals, well, plus a few Czech seed beads. Hidden from view in the photo is the cabinet of shallow drawers that houses hundreds of rivolis of every size and color.
Diane and Hillary are caught between the racks Japanese seed beads and the wall of bead strands that include every flavor Czech dagger, flower, rondelle, faceted fire-polish and more. Diane is wearing the piece she finished making from her workshop with Laura McCabe. We barely gave Hillary a chance to unwrap her scarf so, we don't see what adornments she is wearing.

It was a treat to visit Yoshie Marubashi (center). You know her from the many articles written about her, her award winning beadwork, her first prizes at Bead Dreams competition and her appearing here in the blog when she dropped by Kinokuniya to say hello when I was there signing books. With her, right, is Masami Sato. This is the first we have met, though I am familiar with her name and her beadwork, which also won awards in Bead Dreams competitions and appears in magazines. She returns to Tokyo 3 times a year to teach in her studio. We spoke about perhaps, my one day timing a visit there to coincide with teaching for a day in her studio. Ah yes, always I dream about returning to Japan.

I didn't ask these beaders before posting this shot of them shopping. Hope I haven't blown anyone's cover. In the foregound on the right, see the beginning of the pearl and gemstone display. Behind the wall to the left is the classroom.
I displayed some felt rings (a couple are shown here flanking a polymer clay ring by Ronna Sarvas Weltman) plus additional Felt Component Jewelry to whet everyone's appetite for the workshop on February 6.

Some of the beaders here are also members of the Bead Society of Greater New York. Their holiday party is at the end of the month and I'm going as Pat's guest. Soliciting their opinions helped me decide not to buy a table at the BSGNY party, to sell my felt jewelry. Figuring this opportunity would be a foot in the door to selling, would actually amount to an hour or two with 100 beaders or so. Though my work has been exhibited in Japan, Europe and a couple times here in the U.S. but, I've never seriously pursued selling my work. This is a sweet mystery I intend to explore this year.

Yoshie Marubashi came to Kinokuniya Bookstore to say hello during my 4th of July beading workshop/book signing event. Here with us is John Fuller, store manager. Look at the beautiful cuffs these new beaders completed in class.

We scheduled two more workshop/booksigning events, to include a trunk show of my beadwork and felt: $25 registration fee includes instruction, materials and supplies!

October 25, 2-5pm. Registered participants will learn how to sculpt using wool and a felting needle. They can expect to finish a small item such as jewelry, ornament or decorative item.

November 15, 2-5pm. Registered participants will hand felt flowers using wet-feltmaking
technique and an array of fine merino wool. These are both wearable and decorative.

On my way from Grand Central Station to Kinokuniya I stopped at 70 West 40th St for a bite of lunch at Le Pain Quotidien . The comfortable and welcoming ambiance drew me in. The delicious and healthful cuisine offered this seasoned foodie a new treat: farro . Here is it offered as a salad in combination with raw beets and carrots and garnished with nori and sesame seeds. Yum. Did I say how charming and knowledgeable the waiter was? And...I had a macha latte that was so good. This morning I was eager to try my hand at making one at home, and did, and it too was yum!

From my seat at this huge communal table in the center of the dining room I could see the pastry case, blackboard of the day's specials and even catch a glimpse of the barrista at work.

When I returned to the Poughkeepsie train station, the entire station, all the platforms, and several surrounding blocks were teeming with people and cars and kids and dogs and everyone eager to take in the fireworks. Once the display was under way I was able to make it to my car in the parking garage and head through the congested streets towards home.

Mary Tynes came to the studio this week and put the finishing touches to her Ostara's Emerging Blossoms Necklace. She had been in the workshop at Beads By Blanche a couple weeks ago.

While at Blanches, we put the Flat Polygon Bracelet on the schedule for Tuesday evening 6-9 on September 22nd. Here is the one Beatrice made last week in the studio class. When Blanche posts it on her website, I'll offer a link.