Tassels and Pom Poms and Indigo...Oh My!

Join us this Saturday, October 26th for a Tassel and Pom Pom Workshop at French General!  Taught by master crafter Robert Mahar, this workshop will show you the ins and outs of wrapping simple pearle cotton and wool to make beautiful tassels and pom poms that you can tie onto gifts or use to hang in your home.  Robert will also be making up an indigo dye vat and will let you experiment with dip dyeing your cotton and wool pieces.  By slowly dipping your tassels into the dye vat at different increments, you can make beautiful ombre designs.  For more information or to sign up for this workshop visit us here.

A Few Vintage Kits....and a New Jewelry Book to Come!

After making jewelry for the past 20 plus years....I am always a bit surprised to find that I am still making jewelry and designing kits with vintage materials.  Walking into some of my favorite warehouses in New York and Los Angeles I am constantly surprised to hear the owner say "And look at what I uncovered last week...thought you might want these early Italian glass cameos"  Um...yes!

I started buying vintage glass beads twenty-five years ago, on a whim, because I liked the colors better than the new beads.  I never imagined that all these years later I would still be buying beads and designing jewelry...I really thought it was a hobby!  But, I guess that's the great thing about hobbies...if they turn into your life work...you are lucky!

One of my very favorite quotes is: Let the beauty of what you love be what you do...by the 13th century Persian poet, Rumi.  I have attempted to follow that quote in my day to day activity and I think it has turned into a wonderful ride...one that I am thankful for everyday.

Not only do we have some new limited vintage kits available on our website - in a retro Fall palette - we are also working on our next book....a jewelry book similar to our first book, French-Inspired Jewelry.  Filled with lots of colorful inspiration, this book will cover a year of jewelry making - highlighting all of the French holidays and festivities.

Meanwhile...if you need to learn how to make jewelry, check out the workshops at French General...we are always adding in a monthly jewelry workshop to keep you up to date on different techniques and styles.

Whooo's Felting Now?

We're excited to be hosting another Evelyn Neily Felted Workshop at French General on Saturday, October 12th.  I first met Evelyn while teaching at a CHA Workshop in Anaheim a couple of years ago...you can read all about that moving experience here.  So far, Evelyn has taught three of her charming animals at French General...and the Wooly Owl will make number four...for those of you that are collecting them all!  Evelyn also brings her collection of wooly friends and offers up a trunk show at French General all day on the day of her workshop.  Sign up for Evelyn's Workshop or stop by on the 12th just to see her beautiful work!