BoxArtists First “Holiday Open House”

November 18 & 19, 11am - 3 pm, one of Rochester’s newest art colonies will be having our first annual “Holiday Open House.” There will be food, guest artists, live music and lots of holiday gifts. Come see all of the new studio spaces, many who have recently opened.

We are located at 100 Boxart St. in Charlotte. Just turn off Lake Ave. at the light at Boxart St. and go to the bottom of the hill. At the stop sign, drive straight into the parking lot. There is lots of parking, especially on the weekends when other businesses in the building are closed.

I will be open both days of the weekend, with guest artist Monica Simpson who has created gorgeous string lights and night lights from empty beer cans. These lights are absolutely gorgeous and not just for holiday decorating. They would make a nice accent on you front porch, deck or backyard patio.

I have lots of new potholders, the perfect gift for everyone. Who doesn’t need a new potholder to replace the dirty burned ones? And new this year are artist potholders: Frida, Van Gogh, Monet and Da Vinci. Also, lots of different RBG designs, pot leaves and gummy bears. Of course, I still have the popular pinup oven mitts. And lots of table runners, lap quilts and quilted holiday stockings.

If you are making your own holiday gifts this year, I just got in tons of new fabrics including 28 bolts of Tula Pinks’ Besties, Pom Pom and Tiny Dots lines. And Clothworks line Cheers! which is wine glasses, wine bottles, wine drops, grapes and corks. If you haven’t checked out my fabrics lately, I have about twice as much as I had at the Hungerford. Also, I have what I call D.I.Y. kits to make cork purses, embellished tea towels, wine gift bags, oilcloth tote bags and placemats.

So if you are out and about this weekend, stop by 100 Boxart St. and visit all of the new artists studios. Shop locally handmade this year! Keep art alive in Rochester.

The Art of Giving

Although the weather has felt like spring lately, the holidays of thanks and giving are just around the corner.

Friday, Nov. 3, from 6 - 9 p.m., I will be at Studio 402 at Anderson Arts Building with my fiber art quilts, runners, potholders, oven mitts, coasters and other fabric gifts for the annual “Art of Giving” First Friday opening event.

Artists representing a variety of mediums will share their art Nov. 3 -11. Check out locally handmade gift ideas from jewelry and ceramics to paintings, prints and photographs.

New this year, I have made soft eyeglass cases from a variety of novelty fabrics. I have also just completed lots of new potholders, including the newest art-themed designs featuring Monet, Van Gogh, Da Vinci and Frida Kahlo. My potholders now have larger hanging loops so that they fit around the neck of a wine bottle, making them a perfect hostess gift with a bottle of wine. Who doesn’t need a new fun potholder to replace their old dirty and burnt ones?

The hot guy and gal pinup oven mitts are always a welcome gift. They brighten any kitchen and amuse your guests. They make cooking and baking fun. All oven mitts and potholders are functional, decorative and washable.

I also have many new quilted coasters that are washable and protect your table from spills, or hot and cold drinks.

For a larger, more special gift, consider a table runner or lap quilt. Cooler weather is on its way and what better way to say, “I love you,” than with a lap quilt to wrap up in while sitting by the fire or watching an old movie on TV?

This holiday season give the gift of art. Shop local and shop handmade.

Cocktails & Crafts

Saturday, November 4, join us 1 - 3 p.m. for a cocktail while making a craft at the Mansion, 3456 State Rt. 54A, Keuka Park (in the former Esparanza). A $40 ticket gets you a cocktail, a snack and a craft kit. You can watch the demo and make the craft or take it home to complete. Ticket sales end October 28th. Call (315) 239-4800 or stop by the Mansion to get your ticket.

I will be showing two crafts, a fabric wine bag and an embellished tea towel. One ticket will get you a kit for both of my projects. Sewing machines and irons will be available for your use.

The wine bag features a ribbon tie and a matching gift card. Learn how to do a French seam to hide your raw edges.

The pre-made cotton tea towel has a hanging loop in the corner. Embellish it with your choice of cotton themed prints.

Both projects are quick and easy to make. You can pick one kit for each project with your admission ticket.

Other craft projects to choose from include a loop yarn wreath, a yarn tree and a wood project which will be taught by other crafters. Call (315) 239-4800 today to get your ticket!

Additional kits and crafts will be available for purchase.

Kick off your holiday season at the Mansion by attending this fun event!

New Location for 2024 Get-Away

We are returning to the Finger Lakes! In 2024, the Get-Away will be at The Mansion (formerly Esperanza) on the hill overlooking Keuka Lake. In addition to a gorgeous view of the lake, The Mansion has a spacious contemporary event space which is attached to the nearly 200-year old mansion.

For accommodations, you have a choice of a room in the mansion furnished with antiques or a room in the adjacent modern inn featuring lake house-style furnishings. All rooms are equipped with modern bathrooms, refrigerators, coffee/tea makers and Wi-Fi.

In 2024, the dates will be Friday, April 26 - Sunday, April 28, with an optional add-on day Thursday, April 25. You may also opt to add the night before your retreat begins or Sunday night to unwind after the retreat ends. The Get-Away includes 3 meals a day, except for Sunday, which includes breakfast and a box lunch since the retreat ends Sunday at 3 p.m.

The prices are also less than last year. The Mansion has offered us incredibly low accommodation prices. You need to make your accommodation reservation directly with The Mansion (315-239-4800) separate from the retreat. That way you can choose the number of nights you want. The prices are the same for a double room or a single room, regardless the number of people in the room. All of the inn single rooms have king beds. The room rates depend on the night of the week and whether you are in the mansion or inn. Room prices are as follows:
Prices at the Inn:
Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday - $79 per room, per night
Friday & Saturday - $109 per room, per night
Prices at the Mansion:
Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday - $109 per room, per night
Friday & Saturday - $159 per room, per night

The prices for the retreat, which includes all meals and snacks, retreat instruction, folder with patterns and information, ballroom rental, individual work stations, welcome bag, get-acquainted reception and all the things that make this Get-Away special, needs to be paid to me and are as follows:
Basic Retreat (Friday, April 26 - Sunday, April 28) $475 per person
Additional Full Day (Thursday, April 25) +$126 per person 

As always, I made the announcement first to retreaters from the last few years. Much to my surprise, the 2024 Get-Away nearly sold out in just 2 weeks, before I could even advertise to the general public. But if you were hoping to come for the first time in 2024, or delayed registering when I first announced the Get-Away, you can still be added to the wait list when the retreat sells out. Life happens and sometimes people need to cancel. I am working with the Mansion to see if we can add a few additional workstations in the ballroom so we can increase the number of retreaters. Also, if you add your name to the wait list, I will add you to my list of regular retreaters so you will get a notification of the 2025 Get-Away when it is first announced.

Find out more information on the Get-Away page of this website by clicking on the orange Get-Away button below.