These felt flowers are great accessories you can use to spice up any outfit. No need to go shopping for a new winter wardrobe this year. Rather, add a flower, or several for that matter, to your old cardigans, drab pullovers, or even last year’s winter coat.

Materials needed: Two colors felt (single sheets run for about 25 cents at your local craft store); one safety pin, and a needle and thread (if you don’t sew, you can simply use some super glue to assemble your flower).

First, cut out your petals and center circle (as shown in Figure 1).
	Second, stack the circular cutout atop the two petal cutouts (as shown in Figure 2) and adjust the cutouts to your liking.
Third, sew the three pieces together, using the blanket stitch around the edge of the center circle (see Figure 3). Fourth, use a safety pin to attach your finished flower to your chosen piece of clothing and enjoy your new look.
Fourth, use a safety pin to attach your finished flower to your chosen piece of clothing and enjoy your new look.

For more information about Anise Stevens and her work, please visit http://www.anisemouette.com.

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Join us for Robin Dudley-Howes’s Treasure Necklace and Soldered Glass Charms class.

Where: Handmade Galleries
When: March 14, 2010
Time: 1-6pm
Cost: $65 teacher fee (includes some supplies)
Expertise Level: Beginning

Class Description:

A swath of fabric from a treasured garment, a petal from your wedding bouquet, a marble from your grandfather… these are treasures that are unique to you and will become forever preserved in this special class.

We will explore various techniques to encapsulate and preserve your precious treasures by learning to cut glass and solder it into charms and explore uncommon objects like miniature viles, dice, dominos, small china or bisque items (old doll arms etc), small pieces of a plate you couldn’t throw out… you get the picture.  This is a process-based class, great for beginners or those who want to hone their soldering skills. Bring in a box of your favorite treasures and we’ll see if we can make them into charms to begin your very own treasure necklace!

Robin will supply:
Glass, flat back marbles, extra copper tape, glass grinder, images, flux remover, sal amoniac., pliers, jump rings, wire, clothes pins, and other expendables.

Materials List:
Basic soldering kits can be purchased through http://volcanoarts.biz.   Local stained glass stores usually have most, if not all, supplies listed.  If not, they can usually order.

• Hakko 455 soldering iron  with stand (my personal favorite) OR a Weller soldering iron with stand.  Ask for a self-regulating iron, otherwise you will need to buy a rheostat to regulate the heat.
• Sponge
• Lead free solder
• Gel flux
• Pistol grip glass cutter with oil, (oil is purchased separately)
• 1/4 inch copper tape
• Flux brush
• Rubber tipped running pliers (glass breaking pliers)
• Flux remover (optional)
• Bone folder
• Metal cork backed ruler
• Black sharpie marker, thin
• Xeroxed or copyright free images to use for your charms, no bigger than a microscope slide or 2 x 2.  Do not bring real photos, only copies.  Real photos would be ruined. Pressed flowers are okay too.
• Small cutting mat
• Scissors and xacto knife
• Safety glasses
• Tweezers
• Jewelry pliers

Other Items to bring for your treasure necklace:

A chain for your charms, a small box of your own treasures (dice, wood game pieces, small pieces of fabric, velvet trim or lace bits, small glass vile and 2 or 3 tiny things to put into it, dominos, etc.) Photographs should be xeroxed (do not use real photos) and reduced to no larger than 2in. x 2in. to  fit into a small charm.  For reasons of space, please limit your supplies to only what you need and LOVE!   See the example above for ideas or visit Robin’s blog at robindudleyhowes.blogspot.com.  You may also email Robin at robin@powerline6.com.

Driven by a quest for the best sugar rush in Los Angeles (as are we!), the Sweets Truck has hand-picked LA’s tastiest treats and others from around the world and created a premier mobile cafe & bakeshop.

Enjoy their daily baker specials, seasonal and holiday favorites, nostalgic candy and their own Sweets Truck Signature treats. In addition, they also serve coffee and espresso roasted by Jones Coffee in Pasadena.

Come indulge yourself in sweets and shopping.

Date: Saturday, February 6
Time: 1pm-3pm
Location: Handmade Galleries

While you are on your sugar high, peruse special offerings from our artist Robin Dudley-Howes! For more information about Robin and her work, click here.