Renaissance Ribbon and French General!

I am excited to announce that we are designing ribbon for Renaissance Ribbon and our first two patterns have come off the loom and are available for the holidays!  Amy Butler introduced me to Edith from Renaissance Ribbons last Spring and we have been working on our designs ever since.  Rural, colorful, French-inspired ribbon that is perfect for sewing projects or tying up pretty packages.  Here is a cute project that uses the French General ribbon along with Dena Designs to create a handy eye glass holder.  We will stock the whole line at French General soon, as well as have it available on our website.

What Winter Smells Like....

We are excited to have my sister Lisa Meng return to French General with her trunk full of aromatherapy oils and scents.  Join us for Lisa's second workshop and learn to make some of your favorite body and home products using 100% organic materials and essential oils.  Lisa will guide you through the process of learning all about oils that are good for the winter months, including orange blossom, peppermint, eucalyptus, and pine.  Students will each make up four to five full size products, including body cream, bath salts, lip balms and home sprays.  Lisa is a wealth of information and you will be surprised how much she can pack into a four hour workshop...everyone leaves feeling like they have truly studied aromatherapy!

Treat yourself to the Winter Oil Workshop at French General on 

Saturday, November 30th from 

11-3.

2014 Art of Craft Event

Once again, we are excited to announce our annual Art of Craft Event happening at French General in Los Angeles on January 10th, 11th and 12th, 2014.  We have gathered some of my favorite artists to visit French General and to teach their favorite workshops.  Filled with technique and beauty, the Art of Craft Workshops sell out fast and are always attended by friends and artists from near and far.  Come for one, two, three, four, five or six workshops....you chose your favorites!  Or, sign up for a Weekend Pass and come to all six workshops...there will be twenty Weekend Passes available.

Felt with My Heart by Evelyn Neily

We start the weekend, on Friday, January 10th with one of our favorite teacher's, Evelyn Neily, the master of wool felting.  Evelyn will be teaching a simple felted heart that you will be able to embellish with all sorts of hand-dyed ribbons and charms...a perfect token for you or a friend! 

Vintage Fleur Necklace by Kaari Meng

Friday evening will be a night of jewelry making as we learn to make layered flowers using vintage lucite petal, buds and leaves.   A garden-full of colors and materials will be available for oyu to make your very own Vintage Fleur Necklace or Bracelet.  Basic jewelry techniques will be taught, including flower making, jump ring work and wire looping.

Lovely Lettres and Cards by Brenda Walton

Saturday morning, January 11th, we welcome Brenda Walton, from Northern California, who will show us all how to use pen and ink to create artistic letters and calling cards and then embellish with antique papers and charms. 

Smocked Necklace by Liesl Gibson

Saturday afternoon, pattern designer and sewer Liesl Gibson visits us - all the way from New York City - to teach us her delicate smocked necklace workshop...you will love learning how to smock with embroidery floss and beads.

French Tapestry Cushion by Susan Fuquay

Sunday morning, my friend and wonderful artist, Susan Fuquay from Dallas, will show us how to warp a small tapestry loom and weave French stripes.  You will fall in love with wool weaving and have all the tools and information to continue making small tapestries.

Iconic Shrine by Molly Meng

Last but not least, on Sunday afternoon, our very own Molly Meng arrives with all of her antique ephemera and shows us how to create an iconic shrine - loaded with meaningful bits from the past. Learn to create a unique piece of history using antique hemp, linen, glass pearls, metallic thread and beeswax paper.

Friday afternoon we will serve afternoon tea and Friday evening we break out the Lillet and snacks. As always, a fabulous lunch will be served for students on Saturday and Sunday and we encourage all students to return for our Sunday evening Soiree held from 6-9pm.  The French General Soiree attracts all sorts of artists and friends that are in town for the Craft and Hobby Show held annually in Anaheim.  A great night for connecting with old friends and meeting artists that you have admired from a distance.

To sign up, or read more about each of our talented teachers visit us here:

French General 2014 Art of Craft Event 

Come for the Craft, stay for the day!