{"id":18,"date":"2012-10-15T00:25:38","date_gmt":"2012-10-15T07:25:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/noelophile.com\/?page_id=18"},"modified":"2013-07-06T15:27:10","modified_gmt":"2013-07-06T22:27:10","slug":"artists-and-artisans-we-like","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?page_id=18","title":{"rendered":"Artists and Artisans We Like"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Never give a boring gift&#8211;at Christmas or any other time!\u00a0 Here are some independent artist\/entrepreneurs Noelophile<strong>\u2122<\/strong> discovered.\u00a0\u00a0 They create some seriously cool stuff, <em>and<\/em> some also teach workshops, in their area of expertise!<\/p>\n<p><ul class=\"lcp_catlist\" id=\"lcp_instance_0\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=21271\">Supporting Next-Generation Creativity<\/a>  February 27, 2026<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h6>\n<div id=\"attachment_21275\" style=\"width: 505px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=21275\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-21275\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21275\" class=\"size-full wp-image-21275\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/art_competition-e1771526494712.jpg\" alt=\"Poster with splotches of &quot;paint&quot; in red, blue, turquoise, green, gold and purple advertises &quot;2026 HARBOR WIDE STUDENT ART COMPETITION&quot;, with San Pedro Art Association logo in blue script at the top of the page.\" width=\"495\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-21275\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Graphic courtesy of San Pedro Art Association.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Brushes swirl color onto cream-colored sheets of drawing paper.\u00a0 \u00a0Small hands glue\u00a0 paillettes to cardboard boxes.\u00a0 \u00a0Canvases stand ready on wooden easels, as the scent of acrylic paint fills the air.<\/p>\n<p>Remember how much fun art class was when we were in school?<\/p>\n<p>Not only does San Pedro Art Association <em>remember&#8211;<\/em>they celebrate that creativity, every summer.<\/p>\n<p>And now is the time for students in the Harbor area to enter San Pedro Art Association&#8217;s fifteenth Harbor Wide All Grade Student Art Competition!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10162\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10162\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10162\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10162\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10162\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/San-Pedro.jpg\" alt=\"Student art hangs on the wall at CRAFTED facility\" width=\"600\" height=\"375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/San-Pedro.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/San-Pedro-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/San-Pedro-480x300.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10162\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(SPAA Student Art Show, 2015.)<\/p><\/div>\n<h4><strong>The competition<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>The competition is free to enter, and open to all students between the ages of 4 and 18 in the Harbor areas.\u00a0 These include, but are not limited to: Long Beach, Wilmington, Harbor City, Harbor Gateway South, Harbor Gateway North, Gardena, Torrance, Lomita, Rancho Palos Verdes, Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, South Los Angeles and Carson.<\/p>\n<p>Acceptable media include charcoal, pastel (chalk or oil), all drawing materials, all painting materials, photography (darkroom or digital.) and mixed media.<\/p>\n<p>A panel of professional artists will evaluate the work, and submitted art may be of any acceptable subject (at the judges&#8217; discretion).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12096\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12096\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12096\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/SPAA-new1.jpg\" alt=\"San Pedro Art Association, &quot;Art on the Edge&quot; banner, hangs from brown wooden rafters\" width=\"600\" height=\"241\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/SPAA-new1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/SPAA-new1-300x121.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/SPAA-new1-500x201.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><strong>How to enter<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Students have several ways to enter.<\/p>\n<p>The easiest: take a picture of their artwork, and text it to 310-612-1949.\u00a0 They can also email spaa@sanpedroart.org along with their name, grade and school, and a photo of the signed permission sheet.\u00a0 (Here&#8217;s the <a href=\"https:\/\/sanpedroart.org\/2026_SPAAStudentArtCompetition_English.pdf\">link to download it<\/a>!)<\/p>\n<p>As an alternative, entrants may drop off their art and entry forms at SPAA&#8217;s booth at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.craftedportla.com\/\">CRAFTED<\/a> (located at112 West 22nd Street, in San Pedro, and open Fridays through Sundays); at 376 West 14th Street in San Pedro; or at a school&#8217;s main office.<\/p>\n<p>AND, the <strong>deadline<\/strong> to keep in mind is <strong>April 30th, <\/strong>for participants delivering their work to their <strong>school&#8217;s office<\/strong>.\u00a0 \u00a0(For delivery to the <strong>two San Pedro locations<\/strong>, the deadline is <strong>May 3rd.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=14448\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-14448\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14448\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/art-show-sign1-e1592244925571.jpg\" alt=\"Blackboard sign, &quot;SPAA Student Art Show&quot;, with a white chalk arrow\" width=\"374\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Winners, from the competition&#8217;s three grade categories, will<br \/>\nbe displayed at Crafted, while all selected artwork will be displayed online.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, there are four cash prizes for First-. Second- and Third-Place winners, as well as Honorable mention, in all three categories.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, no one walks away empty-handed.<\/p>\n<p>Art supplies and student memberships in SPAA, through high school, will be given to all students whose work is accepted, into the Crafted exhibition <em>and<\/em> the online one!\u00a0 \u00a0They will also receive a ribbon and a Certificate of Recognition from the State Assembly.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_14450\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=14450\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-14450\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14450\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14450\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/painting-807992_1920-e1592245609215.jpg\" alt=\"Eight-year-old boy in orange T-shirt adds paint to a painting on which he's working, on an easel before him\" width=\"600\" height=\"401\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-14450\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by Paolo Ghedini from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Students whose work is accepted will be honored at a reception at CRAFTED on June 14th, at 2 pm.<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s the <a href=\"https:\/\/sanpedroart.org\/artcomp.html\">link for the competition rules<\/a>, size specifications and other details.<\/p>\n<p>Good luck to all entrants, and let SPAA see your best work!<\/p>\n<p>But, most of all&#8211;have fun.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=21271\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=21167\">As the New Year Approaches<\/a>  December 30, 2025<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h6>\n<div id=\"attachment_21177\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=21177\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-21177\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21177\" class=\"size-full wp-image-21177\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/fireworks-1924628_1280-e1767122765100.jpg\" alt=\"Gold fireworks with sparkles against a black sky\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-21177\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/geralt-9301\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=1924628\">Gerd Altmann<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Less than forty-eight hours left in 2025!\u00a0 Hope it&#8217;s been a great year for you.<\/p>\n<p>Normally, in this space, I&#8217;d share all the New Year&#8217;s Eve events going on in California tomorrow.<\/p>\n<p>But it looks like we&#8217;re in for some treacherous weather.\u00a0 And I&#8217;d like to start this by applauding <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cityoffullerton.com\/government\/departments\/parks-recreation\/city-events\/wednesday-certified-farmers-market\">the city of Fullerton<\/a>, for putting safety first.<\/p>\n<p>They announced this morning that they&#8217;re canceling their New Year&#8217;s Eve First Night Fullerton festivities due to the incoming heavy rains and high winds.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_21179\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=21179\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-21179\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21179\" class=\"size-full wp-image-21179\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/raindrop-6544618_1280-e1767122875834.jpg\" alt=\"Raindrops on a window with blurred sky and foliage beyond.\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-21179\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/nickype-10327513\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=6544618\">Nicky<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Instead, let me share some of the events they host throughout the year.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>City of Fullerton<\/strong><\/h4>\n<div id=\"attachment_21181\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=21181\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-21181\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21181\" class=\"size-full wp-image-21181\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/raspberries-378259_1280-e1767123009867.jpg\" alt=\"Closeup of baskets of raspberries for sale at farmers' market.\" width=\"700\" height=\"470\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-21181\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by Anja from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cityoffullerton.com\/government\/departments\/parks-recreation\/city-events\/wednesday-certified-farmers-market\">Fullerton Certified Farmers Market<\/a> happens every Wednesday, from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm.<\/p>\n<p>Currently in the planning stages is their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cityoffullerton.com\/government\/departments\/parks-recreation\/city-events\/spring-eggstravaganza\">2026 Spring Eggstravaganza<\/a>.\u00a0 No listed events as of yet, but in the past, face painting, arts and crafts, games and photos with a certain large rabbit have been part of the fun.<\/p>\n<p>When summer gets here, Fullerton&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cityoffullerton.com\/government\/departments\/parks-recreation\/city-events\/july-4th-celebration\">July 4th Celebration<\/a> features live concerts.\u00a0 Their 2025 edition also included\u00a0 contests and a car show&#8211;while 2026 (unsurprisingly) has not yet been posted, the inclusion of those seems a safe assumption.\u00a0 \u00a0Throughout August, they offer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cityoffullerton.com\/government\/departments\/parks-recreation\/city-events\/friday-night-live-concerts-in-the-park\">Friday Night Live free concerts<\/a> in the park.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_21182\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=21182\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-21182\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21182\" class=\"size-full wp-image-21182\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/santa-hat-4704748_1280-e1767123210570.jpg\" alt=\"Red Santa hat with a white fur trim and tassel on a green pine branch.\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-21182\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by Manfred Richter from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>And, for my favorite holiday, they have a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cityoffullerton.com\/government\/departments\/parks-recreation\/city-events\/letters-to-santa\">&#8220;Letters to Santa&#8221; event<\/a> where Santa writes back!\u00a0 As well as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cityoffullerton.com\/government\/departments\/parks-recreation\/city-events\/holiday-home-decorating-contest\">Holiday Home Decorating contest<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Those are just a few events that happen throughout the year, in Fullerton.\u00a0 And once again, a huge cheer to them, for their flexibility and caring.<\/p>\n<p>Let me follow their example here by telling you about some special events at venues I&#8217;d normally promote for New Year&#8217;s Eve.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=17564\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17564\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-17564\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Aquarium11-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1501\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Aquarium11-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Aquarium11-300x176.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Aquarium11-1024x600.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Aquarium11-768x450.jpg 768w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Aquarium11-1536x901.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Aquarium11-2048x1201.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h4><strong>Aquarium of the Pacific<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Long Beach&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aquariumofpacific.org\/\">Aquarium of the Pacific<\/a> hosts classes and special events year-round.<\/p>\n<p>They host a series of Saturday classes, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aquariumofpacific.org\/events\/info\/ocean_investigators\/\">Ocean Investigators<\/a>, for small future oceanographers, ages 7 to 12.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_17558\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=17558\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17558\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17558\" class=\"size-full wp-image-17558\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/clownfish11-e1684983632862.png\" alt=\"Orange clownfish swim in tank at Long Beach Aquarium.\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/clownfish11-e1684983632862.png 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/clownfish11-e1684983632862-300x200.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-17558\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Clownfish at Aquarium of the Pacific, May, 2019.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>These fall into the &#8220;why-didn&#8217;t-we-have-these-when-WE-were-small&#8221; category: two-hour classes with a guided gallery tour, interaction with the Aquarium&#8217;s animal-care staff and theme-related activities.\u00a0 \u00a0 These are listed on the Aquarium&#8217;s website as monthly events, January through May.<\/p>\n<p>The Aquarium&#8217;s numerous special events include their twenty-fourth annual <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aquariumofpacific.org\/events\/info\/african_american_festival\/\">African American Festival<\/a>, coming up in February.\u00a0 Storytelling, drum circles, dance performances and live bands will be featured.<\/p>\n<p>They also feature a regular Night Dive entertainment event, with DJs, music and art, for adults ages 18 and up.\u00a0 Early warning: these tend to sell out&#8211;if you would like to take your Valentine out for a special evening, here is the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aquariumofpacific.org\/events\/info\/night_dive\/\">link for information<\/a> for their February 13th and March 13th Night Dives.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_16108\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=16108\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-16108\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16108\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16108\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Chelsie-lighted-wheelchair-11-e1580363687390-1.jpg\" alt=\"Rollettes founder DHelsie HIll maneuvers her wheelchair in a dance move as lights flash on the wheels on the Festibal of Human Abilities' main pergormance stage\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Chelsie-lighted-wheelchair-11-e1580363687390-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Chelsie-lighted-wheelchair-11-e1580363687390-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-16108\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Chelsie Hill performs with the Rollettes, Festival of Human Abilities, January, 2020.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>And, one of my all-time favorite events of theirs is happening next month!<\/p>\n<p>The Aquarium&#8217;s twenty-third <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aquariumofpacific.org\/events\/info\/festival_of_human_abilities\/\">Festival of Human Abilities<\/a> happens during the weekend of January 24th and 25th.\u00a0 Musicians, dancers and artists teach workshops and offer performances in this special event celebrating the talents of creatives with disabilities.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_21184\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=21184\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-21184\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21184\" class=\"size-full wp-image-21184\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/architecture-1868265_1280-e1767124401244.jpg\" alt=\"Golden Gate Bridge in distance against pink clouds with ocean in the forefront.\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-21184\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/pexels-2286921\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=1868265\">Pexels<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<h4><strong>San Francisco Museum of Modern Art\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>How exciting is the perspective of modern museums, that art is to be created, as well as consumed, when we visit!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfmoma.org\/\">San Francisco Museum of Modern Art<\/a> certainly subscribes to this approach.<\/p>\n<p>They have an intriguing workshop series, MAKE! with SCRAP, which is free and open to the public.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_21185\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=21185\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-21185\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21185\" class=\"size-full wp-image-21185\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/colored-pencils-179167_1280-e1767124553738.jpg\" alt=\"Colored pencils, in rainbow colors, in a circle on a white surface.\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-21185\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/stux-12364\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=179167\">Stefan Schwelhofer<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Attendees transform ordinary materials into make-and-take art projects.\u00a0 \u00a0The January session is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfmoma.org\/event\/make-with-scrap-alejandro-cartagena-transportation-drawings\/\">&#8220;Transportation Drawings&#8221; with exhibiting artist Alejandro Cartagena<\/a>, exploring the ways residents move throughout the city.<\/p>\n<p>The museum also hosts <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfmoma.org\/for-families\/\">free &#8220;Family Sundays&#8221;<\/a>, in the Koret Education Center.\u00a0 Young artists get to create watercolors, children&#8217;s books are available to read and a play space with blocks is provided.\u00a0 \u00a0The next two listed &#8220;Family Sundays&#8221; are January 11th and January 25th.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_21186\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=21186\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-21186\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21186\" class=\"size-full wp-image-21186\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/painting-428387_1280-e1767124722611.jpg\" alt=\"Child's hand holding an orange drawing pencil as they create a starburst design on drawing paper.\" width=\"700\" height=\"464\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-21186\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay.)-<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Meanwhile, on June 14th, the museum will host &#8220;Free Family Day&#8221;, with hands-on art activities, storytelling and a scavenger hunt.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, for us &#8220;taller kids&#8221;, SFMOMA, which is one of the largest museums of contemporary art in the U.S., offers artist talks, film screenings and a playful-sounding &#8220;Photobook Speed Date&#8221; event, where guests bring a favorite art book or photo book and have a limited amount of time to share why it&#8217;s a favorite and what it means to them.<\/p>\n<p>AND&#8211;that&#8217;s it, for now!\u00a0 \u00a0Have a very safe and Happy New Year, rain or no rain.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=21167\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=21083\">Breaking New (Creative) Ground<\/a>  December 17, 2025<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile<\/h6>\n<div id=\"attachment_21084\" style=\"width: 570px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=21084\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-21084\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21084\" class=\"size-full wp-image-21084\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SPAA.png\" alt=\"Graphic shows booths at a Christmas market with stars around it and &quot;North Pomona Christmas Market, December 20, 2-10 pm&quot; in white lettering\" width=\"560\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SPAA.png 560w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SPAA-240x300.png 240w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-21084\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Graphic courtesy of San Pedro Art Association.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Heads up&#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sanpedroart.org\/\">San Pedro Art Association<\/a> will be in the Inland Empire this Saturday, December 20th, for the North Pomona Christmas Market!<\/p>\n<p>And SPAA will be represented by two gifted artists.<\/p>\n<p>Artist\/jeweler Carlos Boisselle paints some breathtaking seascapes.\u00a0 And I admit to oohing and aahing over some of his work in silver, at past crafts events.\u00a0 \u00a0Carlos makes special-order rings and sizes jewelry on the spot, and this will be his first time exhibiting his work in this area of Los Angeles County.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, SPAA Secretary Bill Boisselle is a mixed-media artist.\u00a0 \u00a0He&#8217;s going to bring along some of his acrylic pours and candleholders.\u00a0 \u00a0Looking at his Facebook page, I&#8217;m admiring a candleholder on a plaque with gorgeous, kaleidoscope-like waves of color&#8211;a unique gift that would be fun to give several people on my list this year!<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, the North Pomona Christmas Market sounds like a lot of fun, and a great shopping experience for the last Saturday before Christmas.\u00a0 \u00a0They&#8217;ll have live music all night, starting at 3 pm, as well as food vendors, photo opportunities with Santa, toy giveaways and, of course, great shopping, courtesy of local small businesses.<\/p>\n<p>Come say hi to Bill and Carlos, if you&#8217;re in the area, and wish them a Merry Christmas!<\/p>\n<h4><strong><em>The North Pomona Christmas Market happens this Saturday, December 20th, from 2 pm to 10 pm, at 2695 North Garey Avenue, north of West Magnolia Street.\u00a0 Admission is free.<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=21083\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=21048\">&#8220;Jackalope&#8221; Arrives in Burbank<\/a>  December 12, 2025<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h6>\n<div id=\"attachment_21049\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=21049\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-21049\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21049\" class=\"size-full wp-image-21049\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/unnamed7-e1765578076783.jpg\" alt=\"Red-and-green graphic advertises &quot;WINTER ARTS FESTIVAL&quot; in white lettering, with &quot;December 13-14, 2025&quot; in black lettering on a cream-colored background.\" width=\"700\" height=\"259\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-21049\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Graphic courtesy of Jackalope Arts, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Just thirteen more days till Christmas!<\/p>\n<p>And if you&#8217;re in Southern\u00a0 California, you still have time to have a lot of fun, this weekend, finding unique handcrafted gifts for all the special people on your gift list.<\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;s because, this Saturday and Sunday, December 13th and 14th, more than 170 artists and artisans will be in Downtown Burbank, courtesy of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jackalopeartfair.com\/burbank\">Jackalope Art Fair<\/a>, as they participate in the <a href=\"https:\/\/dtnbur.com\/events\/winter-art-festival\/\">Winter Arts Festival<\/a>!<\/p>\n<p>And not that I want to tempt you or anything, <em>but<\/em>&#8230;<\/p>\n<h4><strong>A glimpse of the vendors<\/strong><\/h4>\n<div id=\"attachment_21067\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=21067\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-21067\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21067\" class=\"size-full wp-image-21067\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/brush-96240_1280-e1765581909962.jpg\" alt=\"Paintbrush closeup on swirls of magenta, pink, orange and purple\" width=\"700\" height=\"465\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-21067\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/weinstock-25534\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=96240\">Uwe Baumann<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Colorful &#8220;art that makes you feel good&#8221; is the specialty of featured artist Armelle Ngo, of <a href=\"https:\/\/armellesatelier.com\/\">Armelle&#8217;s Atelier<\/a>.\u00a0 I especially like her hummingbirds and the bird-of-paradise flowers she&#8217;s painted near a seascape, as part of her exhibited murals and fine art.<\/p>\n<p>My waistline is very glad that I won&#8217;t be within a mile of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cottageconfectionary.com\/\">Cottage Confectionary<\/a>.\u00a0 Owner\/pastry chef Clarissa Effa has created the most incredible-looking &#8220;Festive Gift Box&#8221; filled with sweets&#8211;I&#8217;d grab that meringue snowman in a second!\u00a0 \u00a0(And her website also mentions that her &#8220;Holiday Macarons&#8221; are her favorite, and she&#8217;s currently taking orders.\u00a0 Can&#8217;t you just imagine the sifted chocolate on those mint ones, melting on your tongue!<\/p>\n<p>And, how utterly beautiful and wearable-looking are the dresses, tops, skirts and accessories offered by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.madebygoodkarma.com\/\">Made By Good Karma<\/a>!\u00a0 \u00a0Their handwoven and block printed creations are made by independent artists in India and Thailand.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>And then, there&#8217;s&#8230;<\/strong><\/h4>\n<div id=\"attachment_21068\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=21068\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-21068\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21068\" class=\"size-full wp-image-21068\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/common-holly-7672597_1280-e1765582095957.jpg\" alt=\"Closeup of red holly berries\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-21068\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/goranh-3989449\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=7672597\">Goran Horvat<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>OK&#8211;that&#8217;s a quick look at just three exhibitors!\u00a0 If you attend the Downtown Burbank Winter Arts Fair, though, you&#8217;ll also want to explore some additional activities.<\/p>\n<p>You&#8217;ll get to paint your own nutcracker ornament, free, courtesy of nonprofit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jackalopegives.org\/\">Jackalope Gives<\/a>, which connects families with the arts by offering free maker workshops at each Jackalope Arts fair.\u00a0 \u00a0Look for their DIY station right near the information booth.<\/p>\n<p>Like to take a Santa picture&#8211;free?\u00a0 Old Saint Nick will be on hand, from noon to 4 pm, both Saturday and Sunday, at the end of Olive.\u00a0 Bring the camera!<\/p>\n<p>Also, bring your good wishes to add to the &#8220;Holiday Wish Tree&#8221;, which will be located at Orange Grove, and look for a special deal from participating artisans on the &#8220;Artisan Deal Tree&#8221;, at Olive.<\/p>\n<p>And, last but certainly not least&#8211;bring your young artists to decorate and gift-wrap their own ornaments!\u00a0 You&#8217;ll find the ornament making station, courtesy of Media City Church, at Booth C, Palm Center.<\/p>\n<p>All this, plus live music, food and the opportunity to support gifted artisan\/entrepreneurs: Christmas shopping in Southern California can&#8217;t get much better!<\/p>\n<h4>The Downtown Burbank Winter Arts Festival happens Saturday and Sunday, December 13th and 14th, from 11 am to 5 pm daily, along San Fernando Boulevard from Magnolia to Angeleno.\u00a0 Admission is free; here&#8217;s the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jackalopeartfair.com\/burbank\">link for a map and directions<\/a>.<\/h4>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=21048\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=20943\">&#8220;Krazy Krafts&#8221; for All Ages<\/a>  December 10, 2025<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h6>\n<div id=\"attachment_21030\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=21030\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-21030\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21030\" class=\"size-full wp-image-21030\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/unnamed2.jpg\" alt=\"Smiling mom and her small daughter stand near a screenprinting vat as the child holds the print they've just made.\" width=\"700\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/unnamed2.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/unnamed2-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/unnamed2-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-21030\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of International Printing Museum, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Most of us love to make things.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.printmuseum.org\/\">International Printing Museum<\/a>, in Carson, celebrates that love, year-round&#8211;but never more so than at Christmastime.<\/p>\n<p>They&#8217;ll be hosting their annual &#8220;Holiday Krazy Krafts Day&#8221; this Saturday, December 13th&#8211;and you and any fellow kids of your acquaintance (short or tall) are invited!<\/p>\n<p>From 10 am to 4 pm, visitors will get to create all kinds of fun things.<\/p>\n<p>Gifts, decorations, and gift tags come to mind, as Museum volunteers will be offering hands-on workshops in book arts including papermaking, rubber stamping, calligraphy, letterpress printing, and typewriting.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_21029\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=21029\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-21029\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21029\" class=\"size-full wp-image-21029\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/unnamed3.jpg\" alt=\"Young girl, about eight years old, holds up the origami paper cranes she made while sitting at a table.\" width=\"700\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/unnamed3.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/unnamed3-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/unnamed3-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-21029\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of International Printing Museum, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<h4><strong>Crafts and inspiration<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Bookbinding will be among the crafts they&#8217;re exploring (wouldn&#8217;t a hand-bound journal or copy of your latest book make a great gift for someone special?).\u00a0 \u00a0So will origami (imagine a Christmas wreath with paper cranes or flowers!) as well as paper marbling (which could translate to unique card designs and giftwrap!).<\/p>\n<p>There will also be mini-tours of the Printing Museum, which houses one of the world\u2019s largest and most comprehensive collections of antique printing machinery and graphic arts equipment.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Staff will offer live printing demonstrations, and while you&#8217;re there, you might like to ask them about the full schedule of workshops, including printmaking, book arts and screen printing, which the Museum will be offering in 2026.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_21028\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=21028\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-21028\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21028\" class=\"size-full wp-image-21028\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/unnamed4.jpg\" alt=\"Multiple books bound in rainbow colors and a &quot;flip book&quot; with green and yellow pages.\" width=\"700\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/unnamed4.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/unnamed4-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/unnamed4-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-21028\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of International Printing Museum, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>That&#8217;s because they have <a href=\"https:\/\/checkout.square.site\/merchant\/CHJ138ZAKQDD3\/checkout\/4Z4VPO7HVL4IKFAPJKRK5C6H\">&#8220;Book Arts Gift Cards&#8221;<\/a> available&#8211;and wouldn&#8217;t one or more of these be fun to tuck into a Christmas stocking for someone special?<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, &#8220;Krazy Krafts Day&#8221; is likely to be a great memory-making part of Christmas season, 2025.\u00a0 \u00a0Come prepared to get some pictures (selfies or otherwise), and have a lot of fun.<\/p>\n<h4><strong><em>&#8220;Holiday Krazy Krafts Day&#8221; happens this Saturday, December 13th, from 10 am to 4 pm at the International Printing Museum, 315 West Torrance Boulevard, west of Main Street. in Carson.\u00a0 Tickets are available at the door ($15 each, and children 4 years and under are admitted free), but if you&#8217;d like to skip standing in line, you can <a href=\"https:\/\/checkout.square.site\/merchant\/CHJ138ZAKQDD3\/checkout\/STIENWANAGYZRR7GTLWWXXMK\">order them at this link<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=20943\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=20991\">SPAA&#8217;s &#8220;Santa&#8221; Tradition<\/a>  December 9, 2025<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile<\/h6>\n<div id=\"attachment_20993\" style=\"width: 551px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20993\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20993\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20993\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20993\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/unnamed1-e1765306115820.png\" alt=\"Flyer with trims of ornaments and toy soldiers advertises &quot;Harbor Interfaith Toy Drive&quot;\" width=\"541\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20993\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Graphic courtesy of San Pedro Art Association.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>You&#8217;re just in time to help some incredible artists make this Christmas special.<\/p>\n<p>This Thursday, December 11th through Sunday, December 14th, is the final weekend of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sanpedroart.org\/\">San Pedro Art Association<\/a>&#8216;s annual Harbor Interfaith Toy Drive.<\/p>\n<p>They&#8217;d like to invite you to come by their gallery at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.craftedportla.com\/\">CRAFTED<\/a>, and drop off an unwrapped toy or gift card for a child from a low-income or homeless family.<\/p>\n<p>The Harbor Interfaith Toy Drive is a proud tradition for SPAA.\u00a0 This Sunday is the final day of their 2025 Toy Drive&#8211;and some children in the Harbor area are going to wind up with exciting memories of Christmas, 2025, as a result.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, if &#8220;Santa&#8221; hasn&#8217;t quite filled his sleigh yet, for the people you love, be sure to browse San Pedro Art Association&#8217;s gallery at CRAFTED.\u00a0 You&#8217;ll find breathtaking paintings, ceramics, jewelry, needlework and much more.<\/p>\n<h4><em><strong>San Pedro Art Association&#8217;s &#8220;Harbor Interfaith Toy Drive&#8221; wraps up this weekend, with Sunday, December 14th, the final day they&#8217;ll be collecting toys and gift cards.\u00a0 Hours are Thursday, December 11th, 11 am to 5 pm, and Friday through Sunday, 11 am to 6 pm, at SPAA&#8217;s gallery in CRAFTED, 112 West 22nd Street (at Miner) in San Pedro.<\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=20991\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=20894\">Creativity Near the Coast<\/a>  December 4, 2025<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h6>\n<div id=\"attachment_20912\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20912\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20912\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20912\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20912\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/MBHAF-FLYER_2025_web.jpg\" alt=\"Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair poser shows five different types of crafts in star shapes against a red-and-gold background.\" width=\"700\" height=\"541\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/MBHAF-FLYER_2025_web.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/MBHAF-FLYER_2025_web-300x232.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20912\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Graphic courtesy of Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Sunlight sparkles off the surface of a sculpted orange vase.<\/p>\n<p>A fine artist with more than four decades of experience showcases her whimsical brass ornaments.<\/p>\n<p>The scent of full-grain leather greets you as a two-person team proudly showcases their handcrafted, small-batch leather goods.<\/p>\n<p>Further along, a smiling group of needlecrafters displays their signature designs for scarves, gloves and quilts.\u00a0 A few steps away, a team of community heroes offers products which will allow them to continue saving lives and protecting property.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20916\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20916\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20916\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20916\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20916\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/3_Sean-Alcala.jpg\" alt=\"Glass pendant on a chain shows blue ocean with white waves and the beach.\" width=\"700\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/3_Sean-Alcala.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/3_Sean-Alcala-300x293.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20916\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Glass art by Sean Alcala. Photo courtesy of Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>This moment of imaginative exploration has been brought you by <a href=\"https:\/\/muirbeachartsfair.com\/\">Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>However, if you&#8217;re going to be in the Bay Area this Saturday and Sunday, December 6th and 7th, you don&#8217;t have to settle for just <em>imagining <\/em>it.<\/p>\n<p>You get to experience it&#8211;as more than 40 local artists gather at Muir Beach Community Center for a beloved coastal tradition.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20914\" style=\"width: 496px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20914\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20914\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20914\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20914\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/9_Skye-Collier.jpg\" alt=\"Watercolor by Skye Collier shows a walkway leading to the beach.\" width=\"486\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/9_Skye-Collier.jpg 486w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/9_Skye-Collier-208x300.jpg 208w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 486px) 100vw, 486px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20914\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Watercolor by Skye Collier. Photo courtesy of Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<h4><strong>Tradition&#8211;and shopping &#8220;temptation&#8221;<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>For more than 50 years, Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair has celebrated the talents of their local communities.<\/p>\n<p>This year is no exception.<\/p>\n<p>More than <a href=\"https:\/\/muirbeachartsfair.com\/artists.html\">40 local artists<\/a> from Marin and the greater Bay Area will be on hand.\u00a0 Glassware, textiles, jewelry, woodworking, wreaths, garden-inspired gifts and much more, will all be included in their array of handmade fine art and crafts.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20915\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20915\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20915\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20915\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20915\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/8_MB-Quilters.jpg\" alt=\"Quilted ornaments, felt owls and fabric trees and fish by Muir Beach Quilters.\" width=\"700\" height=\"634\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/8_MB-Quilters.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/8_MB-Quilters-300x272.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20915\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Textile art by Muir Beach Quilters. Photo courtesy of Muir Beach Arts Fair, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The Muir Beach Quilters (who first came up with the idea of the community party which ultimately became the Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair!), will once again be on hand, with their scarves, gloves, and of course, their breathtaking, colorful quilts.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20911\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20911\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20911\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20911\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20911\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/5_MB-Volunteer-Firemens-Assoc.-2025.jpg\" alt=\"Logo of dot lifting its leg on canvas tote bag, blue cap, pink baby romper and steelware tumblers.\" width=\"700\" height=\"525\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/5_MB-Volunteer-Firemens-Assoc.-2025.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/5_MB-Volunteer-Firemens-Assoc.-2025-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20911\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Products offered by Muir Beach Volunteer Fire Department. Photo courtesy of Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Meanwhile, the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.muirbeachfire.com\/\">Muir Beach Volunteer Fire Department<\/a> invites you to come see their logo merchandise, which will include their logo caps, stainless steelware, T-shirts and totes.\u00a0 \u00a0Proceeds help to fund the operations of this 100%-volunteer organization.<\/p>\n<p>And the fair is also supporting the next generation of creators.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20918\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20918\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20918\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20918\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20918\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/6_Leslie-Riehl-2025-e1764886888662.png\" alt=\"Mixed media pillow of blue ocean with beige rocks\" width=\"700\" height=\"658\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20918\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Mixed-media pillow by Leslie Riehl. Photo courtesy of Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Once again, this year, Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair is partnering with the <a href=\"https:\/\/cca.edu\/?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=23173168696&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiA_8TJBhDNARIsAPX5qxSvCPGKLljJFsebrH2t56Mu8zIm5yTAljiCjKPnwqZCF71MPtKSv3saAmy8EALw_wcB\">California College of the Arts<\/a>, showcasing a wide selection of student artwork.\u00a0 \u00a0Food and beverages will be available for purchase, and a percentage of the proceeds will be donated to local community programs.<\/p>\n<p>Have fun supporting this amazing community, and finding new treasures&#8211;for Christmastime or any time!<\/p>\n<h4><strong><em>The 2025 edition of Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair\u00a0 will be held at Muir Beach Community Center (19 Seascape Drive)\u00a0 Saturday, December 6, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, December 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.\u00a0 Admission is free.<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=20894\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=20879\">SFMOMA Sparks Creativity<\/a>  December 2, 2025<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h6>\n<div id=\"attachment_20882\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20882\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20882\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20882\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20882\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/unnamed-1.jpg\" alt=\"Smiling woman and man examine gold handcrafted jewelry at a table at SFMOMA Makers Market\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/unnamed-1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/unnamed-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20882\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(SFMOMA Holiday Makers Market, December 8, 2024. Photo by Myleen Hollero.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>OK, change of plans.<\/p>\n<p>I was just about to write that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfmoma.org\/\">San Francisco Museum of Modern Art<\/a> is having a fantastic, free Holiday Makers&#8217; Market this Sunday, December 7th.<\/p>\n<p>BUT&#8211;they&#8217;re actually having TWO free special events this week&#8211;and you&#8217;re invited!<\/p>\n<p>First, mark your calendar for <strong>this Thursday, December 4th.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>From <strong>4:00 to 8:00 that evening,<\/strong> they&#8217;ll be hosting their First Thursday Gift Lab.<\/p>\n<p>This promises to be something special.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20891\" style=\"width: 648px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20891\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20891\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20891\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20891\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/necklace-2139594_12802-e1764721040385.jpg\" alt=\"Wreath necklace made of brown felt with red flowers and beads and a red bow at the top.\" width=\"638\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20891\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by Barbara Stefani from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>A series of drop-in workshops hosted by Bay Area artists and educators will guide you through creating unique treasures&#8211;for Christmastime or any time.<\/p>\n<p>Each station will supply all the materials needed, according to an email from SFMOMA.\u00a0 Areas covered will include felting, hand-pulled papers, weaving and painting on miniature canvases.<\/p>\n<p>And you&#8217;re invited to come solo or bring friends, for an evening of creating, having fun and leaving with something handcrafted, in your style.<\/p>\n<p>These workshops are free to all local residents; here&#8217;s the <a href=\"https:\/\/tickets.sfmoma.org\/tickets\/performance?date=2025-12-04&amp;type=ga\">link for information<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>And, this Sunday&#8230;<\/strong><\/h4>\n<div id=\"attachment_20892\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20892\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20892\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20892\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20892\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/handmade-soap-5079180_1280-e1764721214405.jpg\" alt=\"Two handcrafted soaps, one red one in the shape of a heart and one round green one, on a white lace cloth with a red bow on top of them.\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20892\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/van3ssa_-13670757\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=5079180\">Van3ssa<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Now&#8211;what about that Holiday Makers Market?<\/p>\n<p>Well,\u00a0 it&#8217;s going to feature more than 20 Bay Area artists and makers, and happens this <strong>Sunday, December 7th, from 10 am to 5 pm<\/strong> on Floor 2, in Helen and Charles Schwab Hall.\u00a0 Admission is free, with no tickets or reservations needed.<\/p>\n<p>A look at the exhibitors&#8217; listing page is enough to tempt anyone.<\/p>\n<p>There are far too many for me to do justice here, but if I were going, I&#8217;d probably come home with one or more of those incredible-sounding <a href=\"https:\/\/www.beoissue.com\/\">sculptural soaps from Beo<\/a>, courtesy of artist Gama Hsu.\u00a0 \u00a0Or a sunflower clock, complete with a bee on its second hand, from Douglas Chalk of<a href=\"https:\/\/cleverclocksusa.com\/clocks\/flower\"> Cleverclocks<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0And almost certainly a tote bag with a &#8220;San Francisco cat&#8221; from <a href=\"https:\/\/yanchako.com\/\">Yanchako<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>And that&#8217;s before I even start shopping for anyone <em>else!<\/em><\/p>\n<p>And, just in case you can&#8217;t get to San Francisco, as I can&#8217;t this week, you still have the opportunity to support SFMOMA and their gifted artists and educators.\u00a0 Check out their <a href=\"https:\/\/view.publitas.com\/sfmoma\/2025-sfmoma-museum-store-holiday-gift-guide\/page\/1\">Holiday Gift Guide<\/a> to buy online.<\/p>\n<h4><strong><em>San Francisco Museum of Modern Art hosts their First Thursday Gift Lab this Thursday, December 4th, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm, on\u00a0<\/em><em>Floor 4, Gina and Stuart Peterson White Box.\u00a0 San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is located at 151 Third Street, near Howard.\u00a0 Here&#8217;s the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfmoma.org\/visit\/#getting-here\">link for transit and parking information<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><em><strong>Also, their Holiday Makers Market, in Helen and Charles Schwab Hall, runs from 10 am to 5 pm, this Sunday, December 7th.\u00a0 Admission is free, and the event is open to the public.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=20879\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=20847\">Celebrating &#8220;Small Business Saturday&#8221;<\/a>  November 29, 2025<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h6>\n<div id=\"attachment_20848\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20848\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20848\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20848\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20848\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/heart-2365746_12801-e1764432793270.jpg\" alt=\"Woman's hands as she holds three painted ceramic hearts: a red, a white and a blue, each panted with smaller hearts, near a set of store shelves with additional merchandise.\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20848\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/systeriron-5528028\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=2365746\">systeriron<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>They have a dream that won&#8217;t quit.<\/p>\n<p>This passion leads them to take risks, sit up till 3 am finishing a project, and spend weeks organizing events that will promote their work.<\/p>\n<p>And today (but hopefully, every day of the year!) we get to celebrate small business owners.<\/p>\n<p>This Small Business Saturday, here are just a few small businesses you might like to support.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Patchwork Show and Modern Makers Festival\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9760\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9760\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9760\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Patchwork-Showmusic-stage.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Patchwork Show tent welcomes guests\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Patchwork-Showmusic-stage.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Patchwork-Showmusic-stage-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Patchwork-Showmusic-stage-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>This is one of the offshoots of talented Dear Handmade Life proprietor Nicole Stevenson&#8217;s imagination and initiative.<\/p>\n<p>Today, the show&#8217;s in Long Beach, from 11 am to 5 pm, with more than 200 vendors, food trucks and free DIY crafts activities at Marine Stadium!\u00a0 Here&#8217;s a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patchworkshow.com\/long-beach\/\">link for information<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Of note: Nicole also serves as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hellonicolestevenson.com\/\">creative coach\/mentor<\/a>, if you&#8217;re looking for a great gift to give a fellow artist, and her <a href=\"https:\/\/www.craftcationconference.com\/\">&#8220;Craftcation&#8221; conference for creatives<\/a> is scheduled for next April 8th through 12th in Ventura!<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Museum of Make Believe<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_20809\" style=\"width: 554px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20809\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20809\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20809\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20809\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1764258902357-44ca56dd-86eb-4108-afa6-7c1464293baf5x11_4-e1764432387512.jpg\" alt=\"Illustration of a dignified cat in full dress suit with &quot;Museum of Make Believe&quot; above him.\" width=\"544\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20809\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Illustration courtesy of Museum of Make Believe, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<p>Covered more at length in<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=20715\"> a previous post<\/a>, but today, Museum of Make Believe, the vision of husband-and-wife artist team Geoff and Amy Mitchell, is hosting their &#8220;Bluebird Market&#8221; from 10 am to 4 pm.\u00a0 \u00a0They&#8217;ll have a number of artists and storytellers onsite, exhibiting their creations and engaging visitors in creating something special.<\/p>\n<p>And year-round, Museum of Make Believe celebrates storytelling and creativity in their creative space that&#8217;s designed to look like an enchanted forest.\u00a0 Visitors will come away believing, or believing even more strongly, in magic.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Custom Crazy Candy Cakes<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20319\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20319\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-20319\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Jalene-Ressegue111.jpg\" alt=\"Custom Crazy Candy Cakes proprietor Jalene Ressegue smiles against an off-white background.\" width=\"700\" height=\"541\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Jalene-Ressegue111.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Jalene-Ressegue111-300x232.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>Jalene Ressegue starts with candy and creates something amazing.<\/p>\n<p>No &#8220;cake&#8221; involved, though.<\/p>\n<p>As we explored in our earlier post, what she&#8217;s creating are candy towers with themes, which are absolutely spectacular.<\/p>\n<p>And if you&#8217;re stuck for an office gift or something special to bring to a special occasion, you might like to check out her <a href=\"https:\/\/customcrazycandycakes.com\/\">Custom Crazy Candy Cakes<\/a> website and Instagram.\u00a0 She does custom orders, and you will be wowed!<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Ozarks Wood-N-Stuff<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_11420\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11420\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11420\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11420\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11420\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Booth2588-by-Freda.jpg\" alt=\"Artist J. Michael Evans in his art booth at a craft fair, surrounded by his hand-turned wooden pens, platters and bowls\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Booth2588-by-Freda.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Booth2588-by-Freda-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Booth2588-by-Freda-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-11420\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photograph courtesy of Freda Nelson Evans, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Artist J. Michael Evans creates hand turned bowls, pens, jewelry and much more with exotic and local woods.\u00a0 \u00a0His wooden bowls glow as if they&#8217;re lit from within the wood, and I love the cherry wood pen we bought from him a number of years ago.<\/p>\n<p>However, my favorite of his works is still his wooden finial Christmas ornament, which we hang in our doorway every year.<\/p>\n<p>Michael creates custom baby rattles and toys, and you can see some of his work on <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ozarkswood-n-stuff.com\/\">his gallery.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>And if you&#8217;d like to hear the story of his creative journey (he&#8217;s a self-taught artist!), here&#8217;s the <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=11415\">link to our 2017 interview<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>And&#8211;that&#8217;s it, for now!\u00a0 Happy Small Business Saturday, and have fun finding treasures and supporting our talented small business people&#8211;today and every day.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=20847\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=20715\">Magic Beyond &#8220;Make-Believe&#8221;<\/a>  November 27, 2025<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h6>\n<div id=\"attachment_20722\" style=\"width: 571px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20722\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20722\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20722\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20722\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-11-26-at-10-42-05-Instagram-e1764182612640.png\" alt=\"Enchanted forest ticket booth lit by gold lights, with a dragon, in blue lights, nearby.\" width=\"561\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20722\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of Museum of Make Believe, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Museum of Make Believe, in Laguna Beach, continues to spark enchantment.<\/p>\n<p>And they&#8217;d like to invite you to celebrate with them, on two special occasions, this Christmas season.<\/p>\n<p>Now, technically, Museum of Make Believe is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit: an art museum, dedicated to preserving the art of storytelling.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20737\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20737\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20737\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20737\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20737\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-11-26-at-11-47-17-Instagram-e1764186528181.png\" alt=\"Enchanted tree and &quot;cobblestone&quot; paved road lead into Museum of Make Believe.\" width=\"700\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20737\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of Museum of Make Believe, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>But with their enchanted setting, interactive events and crafts activities, throughout the year, that term doesn&#8217;t come close to doing them justice.<\/p>\n<p>This Small Business Saturday, you&#8217;re invited to experience their magic.<\/p>\n<p>On Saturday, November 29th, from 10 am to 4 pm, Museum of Make Believe will host their &#8220;Bluebird Market&#8221;.\u00a0 \u00a0Gifted local artists and authors with be onsite to meet you.<\/p>\n<p>Among them will be Jared Wilson, local author and creator of the \u201cPrincess Gwen\u201d series, who will personally sign copies of his books.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20720\" style=\"width: 571px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20720\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20720\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20720\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20720\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-11-26-at-10-37-00-1-Instagram-e1764182267924.png\" alt=\"Copies of &quot;Princess Gwen and the Room of Enchanted Bottles&quot;, in hardback, with orange and turquoise covers.\" width=\"561\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20720\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of Museum of Make Believe, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&#8220;His heartwarming stories will bring wonder to any child\u2019s stocking!&#8221; emails Museum of Make Believe Co-Founder Amy Mitchell.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, Amy says, you&#8217;ll get a chance to pick up a signed print from Elliot, creator of the Museum&#8217;s magical new postcard set.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20806\" style=\"width: 554px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20806\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20806\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20806\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20806\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1764258902357-44ca56dd-86eb-4108-afa6-7c1464293baf5x11_1-e1764259110700.jpg\" alt=\"Whimsical orange dragon with &quot;Museum of Make Believe&quot; over her and &quot;Fricka the Brave&quot; under her.\" width=\"544\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20806\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Graphic courtesy of Museum of Make Believe, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Teresa, from Bookish Delights, will offer her beautiful handmade bookmarks, featuring their magical characters.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20803\" style=\"width: 535px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20803\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20803\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20803\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20803\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/20251114_071742.jpg\" alt=\"Teresa fans bookmarks in front of her face like a deck of mystical cards.\" width=\"525\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/20251114_071742.jpg 525w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/20251114_071742-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20803\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of Museum of Make Believe, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>And their youngest vendor, Jasper, from Jasper&#8217;s Rock + Crystals Shop, with be onsite.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;He is always a popular stop for gifts!&#8221; Amy says.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20740\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20740\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20740\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20740\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20740\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-11-26-at-11-57-07-Instagram-e1764187076118.png\" alt=\"Jasper, who is approximately nine years old, stands behind a wooden sign saying &quot;Jasper's Rock + Crystal Gift Shop&quot;, with a pink canopy overhead and a board showcasing various crystal and rock pendants beside him.\" width=\"700\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20740\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of Museum of Make Believe, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Expect to find lots of treasures, in general.\u00a0 \u00a0A number of the docents and interns, at Museum of Make Believe, will be selling some of their work.<\/p>\n<p>But don&#8217;t count on simply <em>looking <\/em>at all the cool creations.\u00a0 \u00a0You get to create something special, as well.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We will have our friends from <a href=\"https:\/\/sidequestsartcafe.com\/\">Sidequests Arts Cafe<\/a> teaching crafts, including shimmering potion bottles to take home!&#8221; Amy explains.<\/p>\n<p>And in addition?\u00a0 Expect to see games, prizes, magic, treats&#8211;and maybe even a visit from a fantastical, old-world fairytale Santa!<\/p>\n<p>OK&#8211;that&#8217;s the first of Museum of Make-Believe&#8217;s special Christmas-season events.<\/p>\n<p>I did say <em>two<\/em>.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20738\" style=\"width: 571px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20738\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20738\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20738\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20738\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-11-26-at-11-50-36-Instagram-e1764186674513.png\" alt=\"Wooden carved cat ornament with big eyes next to a wooden cat silhouette with &quot;Museum of Make Believe&quot; engraved into it.\" width=\"561\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20738\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of Museum of Make Believe, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>On Friday, December 5th, they&#8217;re also participating in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lagunabeachcity.net\/government\/departments\/parks-recreation\/special-events-programs\/hospitality-night\">Hospitality Night<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Billed as &#8220;the best block party of the year&#8221;, Hospitality Night is jointly sponsored by Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce and the City of Laguna Beach.<\/p>\n<p>From 5:00 to 9:00 that evening, there&#8217;s going to be a party.<\/p>\n<p>Musical performances will take place.\u00a0 \u00a0 Caroling, crafts and refreshments will be offered.\u00a0 And Santa will arrive just before the Christmas tree lighting, at 6:10 pm.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20742\" style=\"width: 404px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20742\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20742\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20742\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20742\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-11-26-at-12-02-55-Instagram-e1764187412572.png\" alt=\"Lighted lantern with Christmas wreath against magenta background.\" width=\"394\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20742\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of Museum of Make Believe, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>And approximately 50 local vendors will have booths set up for shopping.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Our booth will be right on Forest Street,&#8221; Amy emails.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We always have one of the most brightly lit booths so it will be hard to miss us!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>And, she adds, they&#8217;re going to have gifts, games and more, as Laguna welcomes the festive season.<\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;re in the area, consider stopping by&#8211;this Saturday, November 29th, at the Museum, or at their booth on Forest Street on Friday, December 5th.<\/p>\n<p>You&#8217;re likely to come away with a measure of stardust.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20746\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20746\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20746\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20746\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20746\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Grungy-Paper_Texture-Effect-social-media-circlewords-copy-2.png\" alt=\"Museum of Make Believe logo with navy-blue background, cat in formal suit with cane in middle of a gold shield and &quot;Museum of Make Believe&quot; circling the shield in gold letters.\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Grungy-Paper_Texture-Effect-social-media-circlewords-copy-2.png 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Grungy-Paper_Texture-Effect-social-media-circlewords-copy-2-300x200.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20746\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Logo courtesy of Museum of Make Believe, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<h4><strong><em>Museum of Make Believe hosts their &#8220;Bluebird Market&#8221;, this Small Business Saturday, November 29th, from 10 am to 4 pm.\u00a0 Here&#8217;s the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.museumofmakebelieve.org\/visitus\">link for information<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0Museum of Make Believe is located at 1590 South Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 5, near Bluebird, in Laguna Beach.<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><strong><em>And?\u00a0 Also look for them on Forest Street, in Laguna Beach, on Friday, December 5th, as Laguna Beach celebrates their 2025 Hospitality Night!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=20715\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=20543\">&#8220;Jackalope&#8221;&#8216;s Undampened Magic<\/a>  November 13, 2025<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h6>\n<div id=\"attachment_20577\" style=\"width: 570px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20577\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20577\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20577\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20577\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/unnamed-1-e1763082689986.png\" alt=\"Poster shows &quot;Jackalope Pasadena rescheduled to Nov. 22nd &amp; 23rd&quot; over a background of white tents with the &quot;Hackalope&quot; in the middle, wearing Christmas lights on its antlers.\" width=\"560\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20577\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Graphic courtesy of Jackalope Arts, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Great news!<\/p>\n<p>Shoppers get to enjoy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jackalopeartfair.com\/old-pasadena\">Jackalope Art Fair&#8217;<\/a>s winter show in Pasadena without having to slosh through heavy rain, mud or otherwise-unfestive weather conditions.<\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;s because, due to the storm forecast for this weekend, <strong>Jackalope Art Fair&#8217;s winter show in Old Town has now been rescheduled from this Saturday and Sunday to NEXT weekend: November 22nd and 23rd.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>And once the predicted rain is over, the sun&#8217;s going shine on two days of great shopping, from more than 200 booths of curated vendors showcasing their handcrafted work.<\/p>\n<p>Just three of the listed exhibitors:<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20565\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20565\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20565\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20565\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20565\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/art-2554227_1280-e1762990461646.jpg\" alt=\"Variety of paintbrushes resting on a collection of artists' supplies.\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20565\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/bru-no-1161770\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=2554227\">Bruno<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.danyparagouteva.com\/\">Dany Paragouteva<\/a>, whose airy and dreamlike paintings evoke a sense of enchantment.\u00a0 Two of her paintings are also available as floor puzzles&#8211;although, not surprisingly, her\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.danyparagouteva.com\/puzzle\">&#8220;Circus Above the City&#8221;<\/a> is listed as &#8220;sold out&#8221;.\u00a0 \u00a0It&#8217;s colorful, imaginative and a personal favorite.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_20566\" style=\"width: 1290px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20566\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20566\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20566\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20566\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/sewing-kit-5063401_1280.jpg\" alt=\"Bobbins on multicolored thread, mainly blues, greens and aqua with one red, one black and two purple, on top of which a small pair of embroidery scissors are sitting.\" width=\"1280\" height=\"854\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/sewing-kit-5063401_1280.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/sewing-kit-5063401_1280-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/sewing-kit-5063401_1280-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/sewing-kit-5063401_1280-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20566\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by<a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/webentwicklerin-5523\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=5063401\"> Gabriele Lasser<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lalovie.com\/\">La Lovie<\/a>.\u00a0 While she creates adorable all-handcrafted dolls and stuffed animals, another of her creations is likely to tempt gift-shoppers most: her DIY kits!\u00a0 These include stamped fabric or fully-equipped kits for dolls young crafters can cut out and sew.\u00a0 \u00a0Her mermaid doll, frog doll and bee and butterfly dolls are especially whimsical and fun.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_20569\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20569\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20569\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20569\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20569\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/cosmea-3791929_1280-e1762990990268.jpg\" alt=\"Deep pink, yellow and purple cosmos flowers against a blue sky.\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20569\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/couleur-1195798\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=3791929\">Couleur<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.monabotanicaljewelry.net\/\">Mona Botanical Jewelry<\/a>.\u00a0 Technically &#8220;custom pressed-flower jewelry&#8221;, this description doesn&#8217;t come close to doing justice to the colors and varieties on her <a href=\"https:\/\/www.monabotanicaljewelry.net\/gallery\">website gallery<\/a>.\u00a0 She crafts custom jewelry out of real flowers, preserved in resin, that can last for decades to come.\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.monabotanicaljewelry.net\/forget-me-not\">Forget-me-not earrings<\/a> and her beautiful topaz-colored <a href=\"https:\/\/www.monabotanicaljewelry.net\/queen-anne-lace\">Queen Anne Lace pendant<\/a> are my favorites, but she also crafts pieces to order.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In addition, visitors will get to &#8220;get crafty&#8221; with some hands-on activities!\u00a0 \u00a0Nonprofit Jackalope Gives will be hosting a free pinwheel decorating and wooden mushroom painting, just outside the information booth.\u00a0 (Can we say &#8220;cute Christmas ornaments&#8221; here?)<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_12527\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12527\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12527\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12527\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12527\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Crowd-e1541888967305.jpg\" alt=\"Smiling shoppers walk among white tents in Pasadena's Central Park during Jackalope Pasadena\" width=\"600\" height=\"401\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-12527\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Shoppers peruse the Pasadena Jackalope Indie Artisan Fair.<br \/>(Photo courtesy of Gil Riego Photography, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Additional activities will include &#8220;make-your-own-slime&#8221; workshops, courtesy of Sparklez Slimez; custom poetry about you by Los Angeles Street poet Bryan Mahoney (he whips these up on vintage typewriters!), free live custom screen printing by Print Renegades (you can bring an item from home to be printed, or have them screen print something from the artisans on-site!) and Face Painting by Linda (who does glitter tattoos, face painting and nail art for all occasions, and has garnered rave reviews!).<\/p>\n<p>Live music will be featured, both days, courtesy of instrumentalists\/vocalists Rusty Perez, Ricky England and Paul Falcon.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20573\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20573\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20573\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20573\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20573\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/fried-lobster-with-vegetable-salads-5211494_1280-e1763082053754.jpg\" alt=\"Fried lobster with vegetable salad and tongs on a plate.\" width=\"700\" height=\"415\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20573\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free photo by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/sidhick-16516301\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=5211494\">Sidhik Keerantakat<\/a>h from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>And as far as the artisan food and drink?\u00a0 In a word&#8211;YUMMMM!<\/p>\n<p>Maine lobster, Indonesian fusion dishes, Sinaloan tacos, and\/or real fruit ice cream appeal to your imagination?<\/p>\n<p>Thought so!\u00a0 Me, too.<\/p>\n<p>Admission is free for Jackalope Pasadena (as is true for their shows in all seven of their locations) and you might like to see their Old Town Pasadena <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jackalopeartfair.com\/old-pas-event-map\">map of vendors, which you&#8217;ll find on their website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20574\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20574\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20574\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20574\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20574\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/rainy-day-4932203_1280-e1763082228332.jpg\" alt=\"Potted palm in silhouette against a rain-covered window with gold-lit urban office buildings in the distance.\" width=\"700\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20574\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/imaginedv-15043821\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=4932203\">Simon Hu<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Meanwhile, as we hunker down and listen to the rain this weekend, you and I have another\u00a0 opportunity.<\/p>\n<p>Through their nonprofit, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jackalopegives.org\/projects\">Jackalope Gives<\/a>, Jackalope Arts hosts free art-making opportunities.\u00a0 They&#8217;d welcome donations&#8211;either financial or donations of art supplies.\u00a0 For the latter, here&#8217;s the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/hz\/wishlist\/ls\/1AJRDB2NLAO3N?ref_=wl_share\">link to their wish list<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><em><strong>Jackalope Arts&#8217; winter show in Old Pasadena has been rescheduled to Saturday and Sunday, November 22nd and 23rd, due to weather conditions.\u00a0 Show hours are 10 am to 4 pm, both days, in Central Park, 245 South Raymond (at Del Mar) in Old Pasadena.<\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=20543\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=20442\">Talent Times 99&#8211;Plus<\/a>  November 6, 2025<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h6>\n<div id=\"attachment_20359\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20359\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20359\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20359\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20359\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Torrance-Faire-crop-e1760914097957.jpg\" alt=\"Red background with snow and a snowman for a graphic advertising &quot;Torrance Craftsmen's Guild 56th Annual Arts &amp; Crafts Fall Faire&quot;.\" width=\"700\" height=\"525\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20359\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Graphic courtesy of Torrance Craftsmen&#8217;s Guild, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Ninety-nine gifted artists and artisans.\u00a0 Music, food, and support of the next generation of crafters.<\/p>\n<p>And all of this by a talented nonprofit group who are having fun growing their creative gifts as they give back to their community.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/torrancecraftsmensguild.org\/\">Torrance Craftsmen&#8217;s Guild&#8217;<\/a>s fifty-sixth annual &#8220;Arts and Crafts Fall Faire&#8221; is happening next weekend, and you&#8217;re invited!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10970\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10970\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10970\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Arts-ad-Crafts-Faire12.jpg\" alt=\"&quot;Arts and Crafts Faire Today&quot; sign under a white arch\" width=\"600\" height=\"342\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Arts-ad-Crafts-Faire12.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Arts-ad-Crafts-Faire12-300x171.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Arts-ad-Crafts-Faire12-500x285.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>According to Torrance Craftsmen&#8217;s Guild President Heidi Bartlett, great artists will be everywhere at the Ken Miller Rec Center that weekend.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Toyota Meeting Hall, Torino Plaza, Ken Miller Auditorium, East Room, and several will be on the Front Lawn,&#8221; Heidi emails.<\/p>\n<p>DJ Ozzie will be on hand, once again, adding a festive sound to the proceedings with some great music.<\/p>\n<p>Now, what might you expect to see from the 99 members of nonprofit Torrance Craftsmen&#8217;s Guild who will be participating?<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20319\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20319\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-20319\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Jalene-Ressegue111.jpg\" alt=\"Custom Crazy Candy Cakes proprietor Jalene Ressegue smiles against an off-white background.\" width=\"700\" height=\"541\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Jalene-Ressegue111.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Jalene-Ressegue111-300x232.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Be sure to look for Jalene Ressegue, proprietor of &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/customcrazycandycakes.com\/\">Custom Crazy Candy Cakes<\/a>&#8220;.<\/p>\n<p>Where others see candy, she sees an artistic medium.<\/p>\n<p>There&#8217;s no actual &#8220;cake&#8221; involved in her &#8220;candy cakes&#8221;, which are spectacular works of art.<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s my <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=20344\">earlier interview<\/a> with her, about the story of her small business&#8211;and be sure to check out her <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/customcrazycandycakes\/?hl=en\">Instagram<\/a> if you want to be absolutely wowed at her work!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20453\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20453\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20453\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20453\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20453\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/quilt-716838_1280-e1762451656307.jpg\" alt=\"Closeup of patchwork quilt with multicolored triangles in a &quot;tree&quot; pattern\" width=\"700\" height=\"465\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20453\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/candacehunter-844056\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=716838\">Candace Hunter<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<h4><strong>A roster of talent<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>While I don&#8217;t have specifics of other artists who will be exhibiting, I can make a pretty fair guess.<\/p>\n<p>Before this COVID mess forced me to isolate and admire the work of nonprofit Torrance Craftsmen&#8217;s Guild remotely, I never managed to leave one of their shows without:<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20451\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20451\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20451\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20451\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20451\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/soap-8295355_1280-e1762451497372.jpg\" alt=\"Stacks of handcut pink and white soaps on a table with purple and white flower petals\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20451\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by Raimondas Zavackis from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Scented soaps (my total weakness);<\/li>\n<li>Earrings (dichroic glass is a personal favorite, but you&#8217;re likely to find some gorgeous work in silver and crystals);<\/li>\n<li>Needlework of some type (the patchwork quilts are a favorite!);<\/li>\n<li>And, of course, at least one Christmas ornament.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>And if that isn&#8217;t enough to tempt you, you might like to get a look at their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TorranceCraftsmensGuild\/\">Facebook page<\/a>, as well.\u00a0 Jewel-toned ceramics, cute crocheted cats, scented candles and numerous other treasures are all in their wheelhouse.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20454\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20454\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20454\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20454\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20454\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/knitting-4639828_1280-e1762452232348.jpg\" alt=\"Closeup of young woman's hands as she pulls a crochet hook through a stitch on her rose-pink crocheting project.\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20454\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/ua_bob_dmyt_ua-8820017\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=4639828\">Bob Dmyt<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>In the community<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, TCG continues their support of the community, with their Meghan Newman Memorial Scholarship program, open to high school seniors annually.<\/p>\n<p>Their <a href=\"https:\/\/torrancecraftsmensguild.org\/scholarships\/\">website<\/a> explains that these scholarships are open to Torrance High School seniors interested in the area of arts and crafts, and that scholarship awards vary from $1000 to $2000.<\/p>\n<p>If you have a high-school age crafter in your household, and you&#8217;re in the Torrance area, be on the lookout.\u00a0 Applications for the scholarships go out to the TUSD high schools in January.\u00a0 \u00a0Winners receive their awards in May at the guild\u2019s annual officer installation and scholarship award program.<\/p>\n<p>And by the way, since Torrance Craftsmen&#8217;s Guild is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, there&#8217;s an additional, and delicious, way that you might like to support them.<\/p>\n<p>They&#8217;re currently doing their See&#8217;s Candy fundraiser, to support their programs throughout the year.\u00a0 Here&#8217;s the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.yumraising.com\/store\/winter-2025-torrance-craftsmens-guild-holiday-2025-a8ce\/JenCho9384\">link for information<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>And if you go to the 56th Annual Fall Arts and Crafts Faire, bring your gift list for Christmas 2025.<\/p>\n<p>You&#8217;re almost certain to find something special for all the special people in your life.<\/p>\n<h4><em><strong>Torrance Craftsmens Guild&#8217;s 56th annual &#8220;Fall Arts and Crafts Faire&#8221; runs from 10 am to 3 pm, Saturday and Sunday, November 15th and 16th at\u00a0Torrance Cultural Arts Center, at Madrona and Torrance Blvd.<\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=20442\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=20344\">Delicious Creativity<\/a>  October 19, 2025<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h6>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20319\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20319\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-20319\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Jalene-Ressegue111.jpg\" alt=\"Custom Crazy Candy Cakes proprietor Jalene Ressegue smiles against an off-white background.\" width=\"700\" height=\"541\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Jalene-Ressegue111.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Jalene-Ressegue111-300x232.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-20344-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/audio\/Noelophile_1_Jalene_Ressegue.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/audio\/Noelophile_1_Jalene_Ressegue.mp3\">https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/audio\/Noelophile_1_Jalene_Ressegue.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>Smiles, joy and candy are <a href=\"https:\/\/customcrazycandycakes.com\/\">Custom Crazy Candy Cakes<\/a> proprietor Jalene Ressegue&#8217;s specialties.<\/p>\n<p>Her unique creations are work-intensive, colorful and a lot of fun.<\/p>\n<p>But there&#8217;s one misconception: &#8220;cake&#8221; is not part of the equation.<\/p>\n<p>Jalene starts with a theme, chooses different types of candy and arranges the confections, accordingly, on a layered base.\u00a0 \u00a0Her &#8220;cakes&#8221; are actually candy towers, and they&#8217;re customized for Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, birthdays, graduations, Valentine&#8217;s Day&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>&#8230;as well as any other themes that appeal to her clients, with whom she works closely to bring their ideas to life.<\/p>\n<p>And the results&#8211;as you&#8217;ll see on her <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/customcrazycandycakes\/\">Instagram<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@customcrazycandycakes\">TikTok<\/a> channels&#8211;are spectacular.\u00a0 \u00a0(I personally loved her <em>Wicked-<\/em>themed candy cake and her Girl Scout cookie one, but you&#8217;re likely to find some of your own favorites!)<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20359\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20359\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20359\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20359\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20359\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Torrance-Faire-crop-e1760914097957.jpg\" alt=\"Red background with snow and a snowman for a graphic advertising &quot;Torrance Craftsmen's Guild 56th Annual Arts &amp; Crafts Fall Faire&quot;.\" width=\"700\" height=\"525\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20359\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Graphic courtesy of Torrance Craftsmen&#8217;s Guild, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Jalene, who is a member of nonprofit <a href=\"https:\/\/torrancecraftsmensguild.org\/craft-fairs\/\">Torrance Craftsmen&#8217;s Guild<\/a>, will be exhibiting her work at their 56th Annual &#8220;Arts and Crafts Fall Faire&#8221;, on Saturday, November 15th and Sunday, November 16th.\u00a0 Admission is free, and you will be wowed by her creations&#8211;as well as the work of the numerous additional talented members of Torrance Craftsmen&#8217;s Guild!<\/p>\n<p>Jalene shared the story of Custom Crazy Candy Cakes, offered a closer look at her creative process, and even offered a Christmastime decorating tip, based on her talents for coordinating colors to create something magical!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=20344\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=20262\">Opening Doors to Creativity<\/a>  August 4, 2025<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile<strong>\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=8415\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8415\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8415\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Patchwork-show-festival_edited-1-e1445669147415.jpg\" alt=\"tablecloth advertises &quot;Patchwork Show&quot; by Dear Handmade Life\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/h6>\n<p>&#8220;Let&#8217;s keep opening doors,&#8221; emails artist and Patchwork Show Co-Founder Nicole Stevenson.<\/p>\n<p>And she&#8217;s doing exactly that.<\/p>\n<p>As Patchwork Show Makers Market and Community Festival <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patchworkshow.com\/pw-vendor-app\/\">opens applications for their round of autumn shows,<\/a> something brand-new has been added: a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patchworkshow.com\/patchwork-show-vendor-scholarship-application\/\">scholarship, for LGBTQ, BIPOC and first-time in-person market vendors!<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=4287\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4287\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-4287\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/patchwork-show1.jpg\" alt=\"Visitors stroll through Patchwork Show, Santa Ana, 2013.\" width=\"600\" height=\"606\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/patchwork-show1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/patchwork-show1-297x300.jpg 297w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h4><strong>The details<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Scholarship applications are open from now through Saturday, August 30th.\u00a0 These scholarships cover the cost of a standard Patchwork Show booth fee, according to the Patchwork Show website.\u00a0 \u00a0Up to seven scholarships will be given out, every season.<\/p>\n<p>Scholarship recipients are responsible for the costs of their own travel and lodging, as well as meals and materials.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to welcoming LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC makers, Patchwork Show encourages makers who have never participated in ANY craft show or in-person pop-up event, to apply.\u00a0 \u00a0And yes, according to their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patchworkshow.com\/patchwork-show-vendor-scholarship-application\/\">FAQs<\/a>, if you&#8217;ve sold online but never in-person, you are eligible!<\/p>\n<p>Scholarship recipients will be notified on September 8th.\u00a0 \u00a0And if your scholarship application isn&#8217;t approved but you&#8217;d still like to apply to be a vendor, you&#8217;re encouraged to do so.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11147\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11147\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11147\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Patchwork-Show-DIY-area.jpg\" alt=\"Patchwork Show DIY area\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Patchwork-Show-DIY-area.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Patchwork-Show-DIY-area-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Patchwork-Show-DIY-area-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><strong>The shows<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Patchwork Show&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patchworkshow.com\/#upcomingshows\">five autumn events<\/a> take place in both Northern and Southern California.\u00a0 \u00a0The first of these happens on Sunday, November 9th, in Redwood City.\u00a0 Subsequent shows take place in Ventura, Oakland, Long Beach and Tustin.<\/p>\n<p>The shows I&#8217;ve had the good luck to attend, pre-COVID, were nothing short of celebrations: live music, great food, DIY areas and, of course, the chance to shop for unique, and beautiful, creations by talented independent makers.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=834\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-834\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-834\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/Nicole-Stevenson.jpg\" alt=\"Nicole Stevenson with her creations\" width=\"465\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/Nicole-Stevenson.jpg 465w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/Nicole-Stevenson-232x300.jpg 232w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 465px) 100vw, 465px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h4><strong>A mission of encouragement<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>&#8220;We need to keep creating,&#8221; Nicole says, of the current challenging times.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;(We started the scholarship) to support people who are showing up and making things, even when the world feels heavy.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>How about you?\u00a0 Would you like to show up with what you&#8217;ve created, and add color and beauty as you support a community of creative, fantastic artists?<\/p>\n<p>Patchwork Show&#8217;s website mentions that vendor applicants will know if they&#8217;ve been accepted within about a week after applying.<\/p>\n<p>And here&#8217;s a little more good news.<\/p>\n<p>I don&#8217;t yet see a specific deadline (will add it here as soon as I know!), BUT&#8211;the website lists &#8220;Early Bird Discounts and Perks&#8221; if you apply early!<\/p>\n<p>Enjoy, keep creating, and keep inspiring!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=20262\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=20224\">&#8220;Jackalope&#8221; Prepares for ARTWalk<\/a>  July 7, 2025<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h6>\n<div id=\"attachment_20243\" style=\"width: 477px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20243\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20243\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20243\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20243\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/DSC05039-e1751930365977.jpg\" alt=\"Shoppers browse a street of artisan booths under a blue sky with green trees and buildings in the background.\" width=\"467\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20243\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of <a href=\"http:\/\/26pmllc.com\">Connor Terry<\/a>, Instagram @ct26photos.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>OK, so we <em>did<\/em> just get into summer.<\/p>\n<p>But before your schedule gets &#8220;packed&#8221; for September, I&#8217;d like to give you two dates to keep in mind:\u00a0 Saturday and Sunday, September 20th and 21st.<\/p>\n<p>Those are the dates of the 17th annual Pasadena ARTWalk!\u00a0 And innovative indie handcrafted goods festival organizer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jackalopeartfair.com\/\">Jackalope Arts<\/a> is producing it, in partnership with the Playhouse Village.<\/p>\n<p>More than 180 hand-selected artisans will be on hand, showcasing their work.<\/p>\n<p>With a focus on fine art, these exhibitors will be offering handcrafted jewelry, original fashion designs, home decor, photography, visual art, housewares, food and much more.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20245\" style=\"width: 477px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20245\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20245\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20245\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20245\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/DSC05147-e1751930815760.jpg\" alt=\"Musician stands on outdoor stage while playing acoustic guitar and singing into a mic with city building and Green Street sign in the background\" width=\"467\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20245\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of Connor Terry, Instagram@ct26photos.)<\/p><\/div>\n<h4><strong>A sneak preview<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>And Jackalope Arts ARTWalk lead Gloria Baghdassarian has very kindly emailed us a preview of three artists whose work will be exhibited!\u00a0 Be sure to look for:<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20250\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20250\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20250\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20250\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20250\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/woman-1839998_1280-e1751932280823.jpg\" alt=\"Woman with a professional-grade camera takes a photograph with a mountain range and road in the background\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20250\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/pexels-2286921\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=1839998\">Pexels<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heathercmorrowphotography.com\/shop-art\">Heather C. Morrow Photography<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>According to her <a href=\"https:\/\/www.heathercmorrowphotography.com\/about-the-artist\">website<\/a>, photography has been a passion for Heather since the 1970s.<\/p>\n<p>That passion shines through her work: her photographs range from ooh-and-ahhh-gorgeous pink roses to breathtaking landscapes and golden hummingbirds captured mid-flight.\u00a0 \u00a0And just when any viewer would think, &#8220;wow, serious gallery stuff,&#8221; she gets playful&#8211;with a photograph like her <a href=\"https:\/\/www.heathercmorrowphotography.com\/polar-bears\">&#8220;Dancing Polar Bears&#8221;<\/a>!<\/p>\n<p>Heather&#8217;s website lists the various media in which her work is available, including canvas prints, canvas matte and greeting cards.<\/p>\n<p>Gloria also mentions in her email that Heather is an Eaton Fire Survivor, and Jackalope Arts is honored to have her join the show.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20251\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20251\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20251\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20251\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20251\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/leather-wallet-7006894_1280-e1751932426831.jpg\" alt=\"Leather hand-tooled wallet lies on a leatherworker's table with tools around it.\" width=\"700\" height=\"510\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20251\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/lehafedor86-24086713\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=7006894\">lehafedor86<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.claudesignla.com\/\">Clau<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Industrial designer Christine Lau, a\/k\/a Clau, is a highly gifted leatherworker.\u00a0 On her <a href=\"https:\/\/www.claudesignla.com\/\">website<\/a>, she explains that each item she creates is unique, from the design to the cutting to the stitching.<\/p>\n<p>But each creation will have a signature addition: the &#8220;Clau Knot&#8221;, which, she explains, is her version of the knot button found on traditional Chinese clothing.\u00a0 Her addition of the knot, she says, is both a homage to her heritage and a way of challenging her skills.<\/p>\n<p>And she crafts some beautiful artifacts: bags, card cases, wallets, keyhooks and even jewelry, using her &#8220;Clau Knot&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>I personally really like her red envelope charm, inspired by the traditional red envelopes given for special occasions, and her &#8220;k(not)&#8221; hand-stitched leather tote.\u00a0 However, you&#8217;re likely to find your own favorites.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20248\" style=\"width: 477px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20248\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20248\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20248\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20248\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/DSC04889-e1751931224858.jpg\" alt=\"Painted posted says, &quot;Take care of your soul. Hold the hand of the one you love. The rain outside your window can wait until tomorrow.\" width=\"467\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20248\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of <a href=\"http:\/\/26pmllc.com\">Connor Terry<\/a>, Instagram @ct26photos.)<\/p><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reidgore.com\/\">Reid Gore<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Tragically, multimedia artist Reid Matthew Gorecki passed away in 2023.\u00a0 \u00a0His work carries on his legacy.<\/p>\n<p>In his 18 years, Reid produced an incredible volume of work: sketches, videos, ceramics, paintings and mixed media.<\/p>\n<p>His graphics are edgy, and can range from unflinchingly dark to wide-eyed innocence.\u00a0 Much of his work is highly thought-provoking.\u00a0 \u00a0A sense of humor comes through in his ceramics and paintings, and his final video project, &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.reidgore.com\/videos\">Coming of Age in Los Angeles<\/a>&#8220;, is a skate video that reveals a fun-loving and playful aspect of his talents.<\/p>\n<p>Reid&#8217;s illustrations have been reproduced, and are available for sale, on items including shirts, stickers, hoodies, crewnecks, magnets, and archival art prints.<\/p>\n<p>My personal favorites are his &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.reidgore.com\/product-page\/dalmation-mouse-gender-neutral-tshirts-and-crop-tops\">Dalmatian Mouse<\/a>&#8220;, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reidgore.com\/product-page\/blue-costume-reid-gore-sticker\">blue costume sticker pack<\/a> for Halloween, and the print of his ceramic sculpture, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reidgore.com\/product-page\/carry-1-matted-archival-print-on-velvet-fine-art-paper\">&#8220;Carry #1&#8221;<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20253\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20253\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20253\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20253\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20253\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/painting-911804_1280-e1751932662974.jpg\" alt=\"Table with paints and drawing pencils laid out in readiness\" width=\"700\" height=\"394\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20253\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/bodobe-1222375\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=911804\">Bodo Bertuleit<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Of note: during his lifetime, according to his <a href=\"http:\/\/Reidgore.com\">website,<\/a> Reid was passionate about the healing power of art.\u00a0 \u00a020% of purchases made from the &#8220;Reid Gore Store&#8221; will be donated to supporting youth mental health.<\/p>\n<p>Reid&#8217;s talent lives on, and his story continues, in this legacy, and in his artist statement:<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;&#8230;Art is relaying the human experience through creativity&#8230;If someone is able to connect to something I have made, or if <span class=\"wixui-rich-text__text\">the work speaks to even one person, I am satisfied. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"wixui-rich-text__text\">&#8220;I know art helps me to feel connected, not alone and that is important for everyone.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div>\n<div>\n<h4><strong><em>The 17th annual Pasadena ARTWalk happens Saturday and Sunday, September 20th and 21st, from 11 am to 6 pm on <span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Green Street, between Los Robles and El Molino. Use 561 E Green St. for navigation to a mid point of the event.\u00a0 Admission is free.\u00a0 Here&#8217;s a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jackalopeartfair.com\/artwalkmap\">link to the event map.<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=20224\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=20196\">A Summery Festival<\/a>  June 6, 2025<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile<strong>\u00ae<\/strong><\/h6>\n<div id=\"attachment_20200\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20200\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20200\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20200\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20200\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/ducks-7126904_1280-e1749251528539.jpg\" alt=\"Ducks on the lake in Irvine\" width=\"700\" height=\"493\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20200\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/zacharycrespin-25816995\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=7126904\">Zachary<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>When is the best time for Christmas shopping?<\/p>\n<p>June, July and August.\u00a0 Without a doubt.<\/p>\n<p>Sunny, summery days mean you can take your time and have fun choosing gifts for everyone.\u00a0 And if you love outdoor crafts shows, you&#8217;re in for a great time this season&#8211;starting with tomorrow!<\/p>\n<p>I don&#8217;t know how this managed to sneak up on me, but TOMORROW, June 7th, is the <a href=\"https:\/\/cityofirvine.org\/arts-irvine\/studio-arts-festival\">31st Annual Studio Arts Festival, in Irvine.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>More than 100 local and regional artists will be exhibiting their work in a beautiful outdoor setting: Heritage Community Park.\u00a0 Ceramics, fine art, photography, jewelry and glasswork will be included among the media on exhibit.<\/p>\n<p>And one of my favorite artists will be there.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_11420\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11420\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11420\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11420\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11420\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Booth2588-by-Freda.jpg\" alt=\"Artist J. Michael Evans in his art booth at a craft fair, surrounded by his hand-turned wooden pens, platters and bowls\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Booth2588-by-Freda.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Booth2588-by-Freda-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Booth2588-by-Freda-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-11420\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photograph courtesy of Freda Nelson Evans, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>J. Michael Evans, of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ozarkswood-n-stuff.com\/\">Ozarks Wood-N-Stuff<\/a>, crafts hand-turned bowls and plates, made from exotic and local woods.\u00a0 \u00a0 He also creates pens, seam rippers and mechanical pencils, with similar pride in his craftsmanship.<\/p>\n<p>And every one-of-a-kind creation gleams in a way that makes you want to reach out and touch the rich, polished surface.<\/p>\n<p>But my all-time favorites, among Michael&#8217;s work, are his Christmas ornaments.\u00a0 I hang up a gleaming finial he designed in our doorway, every year.<\/p>\n<p>Thanks to Michael&#8217;s wife, Freda Nelson Evans, who is an artist in her own right (she&#8217;s a talented actress and singer, who portrays Mrs. Santa Claus annually!), for the alert on the show.\u00a0 \u00a0Look for Ozarks Wood-N-Stuff near the gazebo, Freda emails, and they&#8217;ll be right near the lake.<\/p>\n<p>Freda mentioned that Michael has made lots of new bowls,\u00a0 as well as his writing pens, mechanical pencils and seam rippers.<\/p>\n<p>No word on whether he&#8217;s made any more Christmas ornaments, this time&#8211;but it&#8217;s certainly worth asking him!<\/p>\n<p>And plan to spend the day.\u00a0 \u00a0It&#8217;ll be a great day for browsing the other 99+ artists&#8217; exhibits.<\/p>\n<p>The Festival&#8217;s website also mentions they&#8217;ll have a &#8220;Create a Button&#8221; DIY activity inside the Irvine Fine Arts Center, adjacent to the park.\u00a0 \u00a0There&#8217;s also a 2 pm storytime, courtesy of the Irvine Public Library, scheduled inside Heritage Park Community Center.<\/p>\n<p>But\u00a0 if you can avoid buying any of the beautiful items you see at the Festival, you&#8217;re a better shopper than I am.<\/p>\n<h4><em><strong>The 31st Annual Studio Arts Festival happens Saturday, June 7th, from 9 am to 5 pm in Heritage Community Park, adjacent to the Irvine Fine Arts Center, 14321 Yale Avenue, near Walnut, in Irvine.\u00a0 Admission and parking are free.<\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=20196\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=20122\">&#8220;Jackalope&#8221;&#8216;s Spring Inspiration<\/a>  April 12, 2025<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile<strong>\u00ae<\/strong><\/h6>\n<div id=\"attachment_20124\" style=\"width: 570px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20124\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20124\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20124\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20124\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/jackalope-e1744410396708.jpg\" alt=\"Poster advertising &quot;Jackalope, April 26 and 27, Old Pasadena&quot; shows honeycomb pattern with different types of creations, including ceramic mugs, artisanal ice cream and a fabric shawl, in the &quot;cells&quot;\" width=\"560\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20124\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Graphic courtesy of Jackalope Arts, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Springtime is all about hope and renewal.<\/p>\n<p>And that&#8217;s exactly what <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jackalopeartfair.com\/\">Jackalope Arts<\/a> is demonstrating&#8211;both currently and in their upcoming &#8220;Jackalope Pasadena&#8221; Spring Fair.<\/p>\n<p>On April 26th and 27th, more than 200 juried artists and artisans will be showcasing their work in Old Pasadena&#8217;s Central Park, for the springtime version of Jackalope Indie Artisan Fair.<\/p>\n<p>As the Altadena and Pasadena communities rebuild from the devastating Eaton Fire, Jackalope Pasadena&#8217;s free springtime event will give locals a chance to support artists and artists those who lost their homes and businesses, while celebrating their creativity and resilience.<\/p>\n<p>Jackalope&#8217;s vendor listing, now live on their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jackalopeartfair.com\/pasadenavendors\">website<\/a>, includes <a href=\"https:\/\/forbiddenboutiqueus.com\/\">Forbidden Boutique<\/a>&#8216;s delicate hair ornaments, jewelry and handbags, inspired by traditional Chinese handicraft and culture.\u00a0 As well as whimsical handcrafted dolls, teddy bears and an adorable cat doll from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lalovie.com\/\">La Lovie<\/a>. \u00a0 And unique feline-inspired\u00a0 lapel pins, magnets, stickers and more from <a href=\"https:\/\/whisker-dreams.com\/\">Whisker Dreams<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20138\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20138\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20138\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20138\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20138\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/california-poppy-2319032_1280-e1744472810806.jpg\" alt=\"Closeup of California poppy\" width=\"700\" height=\"525\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20138\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/makamuki0-1102736\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=2319032\">Marc Pascual<\/a>, from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<h4><strong>Creativity plus giving<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Of special note will be exhibitor <a href=\"https:\/\/altadenamaid.com\/\">Altadena Maid, a provider of California wildflower seed packets, seed balls and bark.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Proprietor Rene Amy, who lost his home, will be offering three seedbark products.<\/p>\n<p>According to an email from Jackalope Arts, he&#8217;ll have a California-native inland\u00a0<wbr \/>wildflower mix, named &#8220;Altadena Strong&#8221;; a California-native coastal wildflower mix, called &#8220;Palisades Strong&#8221;; and &#8220;Monarch Strong&#8221; a California-native milkweed mix.<\/p>\n<p>Jackalope Arts Co-Founder Sara Diederich emails that Rene will be donating 20% of his sales toward replenishing native wildflowers in the burned areas.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, Rene will have created some &#8220;found art&#8221; pieces from items salvaged from his property.\u00a0 He&#8217;s calling the series &#8220;Melting Pot&#8221;, and will be donating a percentage of his profits to numerous charities, including Habitat for Humanity and Altadena Community Garden, according to the email.<\/p>\n<p>Be sure to stop by and say &#8220;hi&#8221; to Rene if you go&#8211;and I want some of those wildflower mixes!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20139\" style=\"width: 1290px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20139\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20139\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20139\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20139\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/flower-3389145_1280.jpg\" alt=\"Closeup of orange California poppy with pink poppies in the background\" width=\"1280\" height=\"817\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/flower-3389145_1280.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/flower-3389145_1280-300x191.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/flower-3389145_1280-1024x654.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/flower-3389145_1280-768x490.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20139\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/mrgajowy3-7396567\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=3389145\">Teodor Buhl<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<h4><strong>And, the fundraiser<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Now for the &#8220;current&#8221; part.<\/p>\n<p>While Jackalope&#8217;s Pasadena fair is still two weeks away, Jackalope Arts have a new 501c3 nonprofit, &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.jackalopegives.org\/\">Jackalope Gives<\/a>&#8220;.\u00a0 Currently, they have an online fundraiser, in support of Jackalope artisans affected by the fires.\u00a0 Six artists are listed, and proceeds will be divided equally among them.<\/p>\n<p>The fundraiser goal: $14,000, and so far, people have donated more than $11,000.<\/p>\n<p>Would you like to help them reach their goal?\u00a0 Here&#8217;s the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gofundme.com\/f\/jackalopeartsfirerelief\">link<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>And, when you go to Jackalope Pasadena, be sure to check out the activities, including introductory art classes and slime making and face painting for the young artists among us!\u00a0 As well as enjoying live music and an open mic session, both days, for solo musicians.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s time to celebrate renewal&#8211;and resilience.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><strong><em>Jackalope Pasadena happens Saturday and Sunday, April 26th and 27th, from 10 am to 5 pm in Central Park, 275 South Raymond (near Del Mar) in Pasadena.\u00a0 Admission is free.<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=20122\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=20073\">Springtime, SPAA and Talent<\/a>  March 20, 2025<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h6>\n<div id=\"attachment_20074\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20074\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20074\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20074\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20074\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/SPAA.png\" alt=\"Graphic of multicolored small hands, with hearts in the palms, raised in the air and the words, &quot;San Pedro Art Association 2025 Harbor Wide All Grade Student Art Competition&quot;\" width=\"650\" height=\"464\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/SPAA.png 650w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/SPAA-300x214.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20074\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Graphic courtesy of Bill Boisselle-Schalaba\/San Pedro Art Association, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sanpedroart.org\/\">San Pedro Art Association<\/a> is welcoming Spring by celebrating student creativity!<\/p>\n<p>And they&#8217;ve just brought back another very pleasant memory.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>A springtime class<\/strong><\/h4>\n<div id=\"attachment_20094\" style=\"width: 535px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20094\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20094\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20094\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20094\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/flower-3192423_1280-e1742512294144.jpg\" alt=\"Purple hyacinth with green leaves against a white background.\" width=\"525\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20094\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/lisntowind-8220756\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=3192423\">lisntowind<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<h4>The setting: a classroom in the early 1960s.\u00a0 The first-grade teacher has passed around construction-paper mosaic pictures, one for each student.<\/h4>\n<p>It&#8217;s a hyacinth, in a pot.\u00a0\u00a0 And now, the students&#8217; &#8220;job&#8221; is to decorate their hyacinths.<\/p>\n<p>Diligently, the teacher shows the students how to cut a small rectangle of purple or yellow crepe paper, twist it in the middle so it looks like a bow, and glue it onto the hyacinth with white glue.<\/p>\n<p>I still remember the red flowerpot, green construction-paper stalk leaves and popsicle-shaped bloom to which we glued our handiwork.\u00a0\u00a0 And how much fun we had&#8211;not to mention how proud everyone was to bring their springtime &#8220;masterpieces&#8221; home.<\/p>\n<p>And somehow, in the ensuing years, looking at craft supplies&#8211;or even found materials&#8211;would spark ideas.\u00a0 &#8220;Oh, I could make&#8230;&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><em>That<\/em> is the gift which Miss J.&#8217;s art class gave me.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s also the gift which San Pedro Art Association gives students, annually.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Creativity, 2025 edition<\/strong><\/h4>\n<div id=\"attachment_20092\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=20092\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-20092\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20092\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20092\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/crayon-4766037_1280-e1742511879683.jpg\" alt=\"Child's hand with an orange crayon drawing on paper with a young girl drawing in the background.\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-20092\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"http:\/\/(Royalty-free imaga by Alicja from Pixabay.)very year, SPAA hosts the free &quot;Harbor Wide All Grades Student Art Competition&quot;, for students in the greater Harbor area.\u00a0\u00a0 There are three competition categories: Elementary, Middle and High School.\">Alicja<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Every year, SPAA hosts the free &#8220;Harbor Wide All Grade Student Art Competition&#8221;, for students in the greater Harbor area.\u00a0\u00a0 There are three competition categories: Elementary, Middle and High School.<\/p>\n<p>Their fourteenth annual competition is happening now.<\/p>\n<p>Entrants may work in charcoal, pastel (chalk or oil), all drawing materials, all painting materials, or submit either darkroom or digital photography.\u00a0\u00a0 According to SPAA&#8217;s guidelines, art should be done on paper, canvas, canvas board, or other surfaces appropriate for the chosen medium.<\/p>\n<p>Entering is easy; students may take a photo of their artwork and text or email it to SPAA, along with the signed permission form.\u00a0 They may also leave their entries, with completed forms, at their school office for San Pedro Art Association to pick up.\u00a0 (Here&#8217;s the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sanpedroart.org\/artcomp.html\">link with more information<\/a> and contest rules.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Be sure to fill out all the requested information!)<\/p>\n<p>All artwork must be flat form, and one of the sizes listed in SPAA&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sanpedroart.org\/artcomp.html\">&#8220;Rules and Entry Form&#8221; guidelines.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>And please, secure &#8220;loose&#8221; materials, such as chalk or pastels, by spraying them with a proper fixative.\u00a0\u00a0 No artist likes to get their work just right&#8211;and then have it &#8220;shed&#8221; multicolored dust!<\/p>\n<p>Submission deadline is May 1.\u00a0 Student artists have a little time to bring their creative vision to life, but now is the time to get them spinning their ideas!<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Awards and honors<\/strong><\/h4>\n<div id=\"attachment_10160\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10160\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10160\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10160\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10160\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Wilmington-Middle-School.jpg\" alt=\"Student art work with ribbons hangs on the wall in CRAFTED art market, San Pedro.\" width=\"600\" height=\"448\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Wilmington-Middle-School.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Wilmington-Middle-School-300x224.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Wilmington-Middle-School-402x300.jpg 402w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10160\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(SPAA Student Art Show, 2015.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>A panel of art professionals will judge the entries, and hand-select the winners.\u00a0\u00a0 Award-winning artwork will be professionally framed and displayed at CRAFTED, in San Pedro.\u00a0 Meanwhile, all accepted artwork will be displayed online, and each student receives\u00a0 a 150- piece art set, an award ribbon, a Certificate of Recognition from the State Assembly and student membership with SPAA through high school.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, San Pedro Art Association emails that, in 2024, they also gave out over a $1300 in cash prizes to their talented young participants.<\/p>\n<p>So, Happy Spring!\u00a0 And may all of SPAA&#8217;s student artists have as much creative fun, exploring shape, color and ideas, as we did, in that long-ago classroom.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=20073\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=19894\">Aglow With Enchantment<\/a>  December 24, 2024<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile<strong>\u00ae<\/strong><\/h6>\n<div id=\"attachment_19916\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=19916\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-19916\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19916\" class=\"size-full wp-image-19916\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/7-e1735071525811.jpg\" alt=\"&quot;Tree of Make Believe&quot; in the enchanted-forest setting of Museum of Make Believe.\" width=\"700\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-19916\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of Museum of Make Believe, and used with permission.0<\/p><\/div>\n<p>What does magic look like?<\/p>\n<p>At Christmastime, especially?<\/p>\n<p>At The <a href=\"http:\/\/Christmastime, especially\">Museum of Make Believe<\/a>, in Laguna Beach, that question has a wide variety of answers.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Throughout the museum, you&#8217;ll find golden lanterns,&#8221; emails Museum Co-Founder Amy Mitchell.<\/p>\n<p>Each of these, she explains, is a miniature world, created by the museum&#8217;s Creative Director, Geoff Mitchell.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_19918\" style=\"width: 1935px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=19918\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-19918\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19918\" class=\"size-full wp-image-19918\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/15-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Small stuffed dog in a DIckensian jacket with a sled\" width=\"1925\" height=\"2560\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/15-scaled.jpg 1925w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/15-226x300.jpg 226w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/15-770x1024.jpg 770w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/15-768x1022.jpg 768w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/15-1155x1536.jpg 1155w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/15-1540x2048.jpg 1540w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1925px) 100vw, 1925px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-19918\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of Museum of Make Believe, and used withpermission._<\/p><\/div>\n<p>A look inside reveals enchanting scenes: snow-covered lanterns, vintage toys and teddy bears, and a bluebird perched atop frosted pine cones.<\/p>\n<p>The magic doesn&#8217;t end there.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>A spider on the tree<\/strong><\/h4>\n<div id=\"attachment_19914\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=19914\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-19914\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19914\" class=\"size-full wp-image-19914\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/30-e1735071736240.jpg\" alt=\"&quot;Spight&quot; the spider, with googly eyes, looks out from a branch of the &quot;Tree of Make Believe&quot;.\" width=\"700\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-19914\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of Museum of Make Believe, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Upon arrival, guests get to admire the &#8220;Tree of Make Believe&#8221;, with its twinkling lights and whimsical ornaments.\u00a0\u00a0 And be sure to look for a spider!\u00a0 That would be Spright, the Storytelling Spider, which Amy and Geoff introduced to their garden during the Halloween season.<\/p>\n<p>As a husband-and-wife creative team, Amy and Geoff are celebrating their first Christmas in their new physical space.\u00a0 As mentioned in my earlier post, after four years of fundraising, the Museum of Make Believe had its grand opening this summer.<\/p>\n<p>Amy, who describes herself and Geoff as &#8220;lifelong Christmas enthusiasts&#8221;, says the tree has special significance.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The &#8216;Tree of Make Believe&#8217; was the very first thing we built in our cozy 1,000-square-foot immersive storybook forest,&#8221; she says, &#8220;and it represents the spirit of our full-scale vision, which we are working hard to bring to life through ongoing fundraising.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h4><strong>More than simply &#8220;looking&#8221;<\/strong><\/h4>\n<div id=\"attachment_19915\" style=\"width: 535px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=19915\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-19915\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19915\" class=\"size-full wp-image-19915\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/8-scaled-e1735071841376.jpg\" alt=\"Scene of &quot;Starlight Park Theatre&quot; shows a machine with golden dragon eggs.\" width=\"525\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-19915\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of Museum of Make Believe, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>That full-scale vision is the dream of making art accessible to all, by creating an enchanted space geared towards storytelling\u00a0 imagination, and hands-on activities.<\/p>\n<p>Visitors to the Museum of Make Believe can stop at the gift shop and take home their own &#8220;Spright&#8221;, to craft and enjoy.\u00a0 The museum offers a &#8220;Treasure Hunt Experience&#8221; for &#8220;kids&#8221; of all ages&#8211;including us taller ones!\u00a0\u00a0 Amy explains that they have a photo scavenger hunt, with a simpler version for children just learning to read. where the children search for colors at each location.\u00a0 Meanwhile, we &#8220;big kids&#8221; can look for clues to spell out a magical word.\u00a0 There is a &#8220;bonus question&#8221;, and for everyone who completes the experience, there are prizes!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_19921\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=19921\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-19921\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19921\" class=\"size-full wp-image-19921\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/ai-generated-8890555_1280-e1735072399836.jpg\" alt=\"Enchanted forest with gold lights sparkling through blue sky.\" width=\"700\" height=\"394\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-19921\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/cromacita-17016701\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=8890555\">cromacita<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>There&#8217;s also a &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/feverup.com\/m\/160158\">VIP Stardust Experience&#8221;<\/a> available (which strikes me as a great gift to give someone!).\u00a0 Entry to the exhibit, a golden dragon&#8217;s egg from the prize machine, and a collectible Ghost Stories &amp; Fairy Tales book to take home are included in the package.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We had so much fun transforming our exhibit with holiday decor this year,&#8221; Amy says, describing herself and Geoff as &#8220;lifelong Christmas enthusiasts&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Geoff even wrote and composed an entirely new soundtrack fo the holiday season, and I know he had a wonderful time writing it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Christmas, continued<\/strong><\/h4>\n<div id=\"attachment_19917\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=19917\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-19917\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19917\" class=\"size-full wp-image-19917\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/2-e1735071958503.jpg\" alt=\"Painting of a blue woman ghost in an enchanted forest\" width=\"700\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-19917\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of Museum of Make Believe, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>And when Christmas Day is past&#8211;the festivities aren&#8217;t.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The decorations stay up until Twelfth Night&#8211;January 6th!<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;My father, who has been a part of many of our virtual holiday shows, celebrates his birthday on January 6th,&#8221; Amy says.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Because of this, we&#8217;ve always continued our celebrations through Twelfth Night, and this year, we&#8217;ll be keeping our decor up until the very last day!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Like to visit?\u00a0\u00a0 They&#8217;re decorated for Christmas and open this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, December 27th through 29th, from 11 am to 7 pm, and then from Thursday through Sunday, January 2nd through 5th, from 11 am to 7 pm.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Community&#8211;and &#8220;u&#8221;<\/strong><\/h4>\n<div id=\"attachment_19036\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=19036\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-19036\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19036\" class=\"size-full wp-image-19036\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/magical-forest-7443157_1280-e1712954209708.jpg\" alt=\"Pink and green lights glow in the sky beyond a forest of enchanted pine trees as pink bursts of light travel down the path amonth them.\" width=\"700\" height=\"400\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-19036\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by Hishametto from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Perhaps the most magical part of all of this?\u00a0 The effect The Museum of Make Believe is having on the community.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;&#8230;None of this would be possible without the incredible support we have received!&#8221; Amy writes.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;In the seven months since opening, we&#8217;ve had the privilege of welcoming diverse groups&#8211;senior citizens, special needs adults, Girl Scout troops, homeschool students and more.\u00a0 Each visit has been an opportunity to share our imaginative world with people of all ages, and one of the most heartwarming comments we&#8217;ve received was, &#8216;his is what was missing in my live, and I didn&#8217;t even know how much I needed it.'&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s exactly what we hope to create: a place of magic, respite, imagination that brings people together.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_19912\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=19912\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-19912\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19912\" class=\"size-full wp-image-19912\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Grungy-Paper_Texture-Effect-social-media-circlewords-copy-e1735072017999.png\" alt=\"Museum of Make Believe graphic with cat in the center of a gold shield against a black background\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-19912\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Graphic courtesy of Museum of Make Believe, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Now, how would you like to help?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 There are several ways you can!<\/p>\n<p>Currently, the Museum is having an end-of-year fundraiser.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If you&#8217;d like to donate to help them grow, <a href=\"https:\/\/givebutter.com\/c\/preview\">here&#8217;s the link<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, come see them!\u00a0 &#8220;Visit our &#8216;Ghost Stories and Fairy Tales&#8217; exhibit,&#8221; Amy encourages.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;&#8230;Our exhibit is run entirely by volunteers so that every ticket helps us grow!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>And, if you love the museum, be sure to tell your friends and family.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Share the magic,&#8221; Amy says. &#8220;We can&#8217;t wait to welcome you into our world of make <em>believe.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<h4><em>The Museum of Make Believe, located at 1590 South Coast Highway Ste 5, in Laguna Beach, is open Thursdays through Sundays, from 11 am to 7 pm.\u00a0 Here&#8217;s their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.museumofmakebelieve.org\/visitus\">link for more information<\/a>&#8211;and if you&#8217;re doing last-minute shopping you might also like to see their online <a href=\"https:\/\/www.museumofmakebelieve.org\/emporium\">Emporium<\/a>!<\/em><\/h4>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=19894\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=19662\">Salute to Small Business Saturday<\/a>  November 29, 2024<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile<strong>\u00ae<\/strong><\/h6>\n<div id=\"attachment_19671\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=19671\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-19671\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19671\" class=\"size-full wp-image-19671\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/open-8032746_1280-e1732923249363.jpg\" alt=\"Sign on store door shows &quot;OPEN&quot; in green letters.\" width=\"600\" height=\"899\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-19671\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/timmossholder-2282482\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=8032746\">Tim Mossholder<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Tomorrow is Small Business Saturday!<\/p>\n<p>And if you&#8217;re looking for handcrafted specialty gifts made with a lot of love and talent, there are only about a thousand-plus possibilities.<\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;m actually a little hesitant to write about them, because I&#8217;m sure to miss someone!\u00a0 But here are just a few of my favorites:<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/littlemusedesigns?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=Search_US_DSA_GGL_ENG_Jewelry_Categories_All&amp;utm_ag=Jewelry-Catch%252BAll&amp;utm_custom1=_k_CjwKCAiA6aW6BhBqEiwA6KzDc-sOz4gS9EjdcLwXNoO08igQQ_j4HxAd80onoJBspYzyEQOi702sXhoCd5MQAvD_BwE_k_&amp;utm_content=go_1781375500_75040300248_714812697490_aud-2211704521876:dsa-41052322647_c_&amp;utm_custom2=1781375500&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiA6aW6BhBqEiwA6KzDc-sOz4gS9EjdcLwXNoO08igQQ_j4HxAd80onoJBspYzyEQOi702sXhoCd5MQAvD_BwE\">Little Muse Designs.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=7577\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-7577\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7577\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Anthe-of-Little-Muse.jpg\" alt=\"Artist Anthe Wocszyna smiles in front of her sign, &quot;Little Muse Designs&quot;\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Anthe-of-Little-Muse.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Anthe-of-Little-Muse-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Anthe-of-Little-Muse-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Talented jewelry artists Anthe Wosczyna weaves beads in mandala designs to create her unique jewelry.\u00a0\u00a0 She&#8217;ll be exhibiting at Flintridge Bookstore tomorrow, for Small Business Saturday.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ellielieberman.weebly.com\/\">Acorn Tops.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10483\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10483\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10483\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Ellie-with-her-book1.jpg\" alt=\"Ellie Lieberman with her books\" width=\"600\" height=\"398\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Ellie-with-her-book1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Ellie-with-her-book1-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Ellie-with-her-book1-452x300.jpg 452w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Versatile proprietor Ellie Lieberman crafts fairy-inspired creations to add magic to her buyers&#8217; worlds!\u00a0 And no, the fact that the above link is to her books, is not an accident.\u00a0 She and the fairies are taking a short break to concentrate on her writing&#8211;which, by the way, is equally enchanting!\u00a0\u00a0 My favorite of all of her books remains <em>Society&#8217;s Foundlings<\/em>, but her Christmas stories, including <em>The Memory Tree, <\/em>are not to be missed.\u00a0 She also has some new books which I may just have to check out&#8211;for research purposes, of course.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/stores\/Barbara-Lieberman\/author\/B00NHI7PT6?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&amp;qid=1732920754&amp;sr=8-1&amp;isDramIntegrated=true&amp;shoppingPortalEnabled=true\">Barbara Lieberman.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10945\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10945\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Barb-with-her-new-book1.jpg\" alt=\"Barbar Lieberman holds up her book Love in the Middle\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Barb-with-her-new-book1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Barb-with-her-new-book1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Barb-with-her-new-book1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Technically, Barb is also the proprietor of a small handmade business: The Enchanted Wren, with handcrafted gifts inspired by nature and magic.\u00a0 As an artist and maker, there&#8217;s very little she<em> can&#8217;t<\/em> do.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11385\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11385\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11385\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Barb-with-her-painting-21_edited-11.jpg\" alt=\"Barb Lieberman with purple flower painting\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Barb-with-her-painting-21_edited-11.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Barb-with-her-painting-21_edited-11-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Barb-with-her-painting-21_edited-11-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>And like her daughter, Ellie, she&#8217;s also a highly gifted author.\u00a0 Since I don&#8217;t see current Enchanted Wren items, the above link will direct you to her books.\u00a0\u00a0 <em>Message on the Wind <\/em>is my favorite of hers so far, but you&#8217;re also highly likely to fall in love with her Christmas stories in the anthology, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Enchanting-Yuletide-Jena-Baxter\/dp\/0692982876\"><em>Enchanting Yuletide.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Books-Evangeline-Duran-Fuentes\/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AEvangeline+Duran+Fuentes\">Evangeline Duran Fuentes<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Like to read another great Christmas book?\u00a0 Or other great books in general?<\/p>\n<p>Evangeline Duran Fuentes has you covered, with <em>A Tumbleweed Christmas.\u00a0 <\/em>And her book, <em>A Cry on Hallows Eve<\/em>.\u00a0 <em>And <\/em>her book <em>Finding Erin.<br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p>And those are just her books for us &#8220;big kids&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>Angie has also published several children&#8217;s books, including <em>Waggles<\/em> and <em>I Am Monarch<\/em>.\u00a0 And for <em>Friends Across the Border<\/em>, she&#8217;s created a coloring book to spark her youngest fans&#8217; creativity!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/kardsbyangie.com\/christmas\">Kards By Angie<\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_14511\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=14511\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-14511\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14511\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14511\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Angela-Jackson-e1601677258419.jpg\" alt=\"Angela Jackson smiles from her booth with a &quot;Kards By Angie&quot; sign in the background\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-14511\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of Torrance Craftsmen&#8217;s Guild.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Look at those handcrafted Christmas and Hanukkah cards!\u00a0 I personally love the red holly-berry card and the more traditional &#8220;Merry Christmas&#8221; message, but you are certain to find your own favorites in her collections.\u00a0 And, she also takes custom orders&#8211;not just for Christmas but any occasion!<\/p>\n<p>Anything from <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sanpedroart.org\/\">San Pedro Art Association<\/a>!<\/p>\n<p>From 12 noon to 6 pm, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, their members showcase their work at <a href=\"https:\/\/craftedportla.com\/\">CRAFTED<\/a> in San Pedro.\u00a0 In the past, they&#8217;ve had: woodcarving, paintings, jewelry, ceramics and needlework.\u00a0\u00a0 AND, they&#8217;re currently hosting their &#8220;Harbor Interfaith Toy Drive&#8221; for underprivileged youth!<\/p>\n<p>Similarly, anything from <a href=\"https:\/\/dearhandmadelife.com\/\">Dear Handmade Life!<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Proprietors Nicole Stevenson and Delilah Snell host the <a href=\"https:\/\/dearhandmadelife.com\/patchwork-show\/#upcomingshows\">Patchwork Show<\/a>, currently in its winter tour of California.\u00a0 Their next show happens in Chino Hills this Sunday, December 1.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, every Spring they host the week-long <a href=\"https:\/\/dearhandmadelife.com\/craftcation-conference\/\">&#8220;Craftcation&#8221; conference<\/a>, which strikes me as an amazing gift to give a maker or artist you love.\u00a0 If we ever get rid of COVID and the budget allows, I really want to give this gift to&#8230;myself.<\/p>\n<p>And, last but never least, anything from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jackalopeartfair.com\/\">Jackalope Arts<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Their next appearance is next weekend, December 7th and 8th, at the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.jackalopeartfair.com\/visitburbank\">\u00a0 Downtown Burbank Winter Arts Festival,<\/a> and they have shows scheduled for Pasadena and Burbank next spring, with Colorado and Minnesota shows forthcoming.\u00a0\u00a0 With their juried selection of innovative artists and free and paid DIY workshops, they&#8217;re always fun.<\/p>\n<p>And-that&#8217;s it for now!\u00a0\u00a0 Again, just a few of the small businesses you might like to support, this Small Business Saturday, or any time.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=19662\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=19562\">SPAA Seeks &#8220;Santa&#8217;s Helpers&#8221;<\/a>  November 22, 2024<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h6>\n<div id=\"attachment_19566\" style=\"width: 570px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=19566\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-19566\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19566\" class=\"size-full wp-image-19566\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/SPAA-toy-drive-e1732207381831.jpg\" alt=\"Poster from SPAA advertises &quot;Harbor Interfaith Toy Drive&quot; with a border of Christmas symbols: ornaments, greenery, cards, a Santa and a pickle.\" width=\"560\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-19566\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Graphic courtesy of San Pedro Art Association, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>There she was, under the Christmas tree.<\/p>\n<p>The Barbie doll I&#8217;d dreamed of for weeks.\u00a0 With clothes for every occasion.<\/p>\n<p>From that Christmas morning in my seventh year, up through my growing-up years, Barbie and her friends were a very special part of my childhood.\u00a0\u00a0 They had all kinds of adventures, traveled everywhere, had careers ranging from Broadway stars to international secret agents, and were generally a great catalyst for creative imagination.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sanpedroart.org\/\">San Pedro Art Association<\/a> remembers that magic.<\/p>\n<p>And this Christmas season, they&#8217;d once again like to invite you to help them create it.<\/p>\n<p>Their &#8220;Harbor Interfaith Toy Drive&#8221; for underserved families starts one week from today.<\/p>\n<p>Starting Friday, November 29th, plan on dropping off one or more new, unwrapped toys at their gallery in CRAFTED, Fridays through Sundays from 11 am to 7 pm.\u00a0\u00a0 Or, if you&#8217;re pressed for time or not sure what to buy, a gift card is a great alternative.\u00a0 And you can help support them right up until mid-December: the final day to donate is Sunday, December 15th.<\/p>\n<p>Oh, and while you&#8217;re at CRAFTED?\u00a0 Take a look at the creations by SPAA&#8217;s talented artists, in their gallery.<\/p>\n<p>You may just need to buy <em>yourself<\/em> a gift.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><strong><em>San Pedro Art Association&#8217;s &#8220;Harbor Interfaith Toy Drive&#8221; runs Friday, November 29th through Sunday, December 15th, at their gallery at CRAFTED, which is open Fridays through Sundays, from 11 am to 7 pm.\u00a0 CRAFTED is located at 112 West 22nd Street, at Miner, in San Pedro.<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=19562\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=19503\">Where Festivity Meets Creativity<\/a>  November 21, 2024<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h6>\n<div id=\"attachment_19538\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=19538\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-19538\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19538\" class=\"size-full wp-image-19538\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/image0011-e1732134707739.png\" alt=\"Banner shows, &quot;Eat, drink, shop and be merry--Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair, December 7th and 8th, 2024&quot;, with two stars on the left and a twining red ribbon at the top\" width=\"700\" height=\"302\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-19538\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Image courtesy of Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>OK, I admit it.\u00a0 I&#8217;m sitting here oohing and aahing.<\/p>\n<p>And that&#8217;s just from looking at some of the <em>pictures<\/em> of work by exhibiting artists in the upcoming Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair!<\/p>\n<p>Details first: on Saturday, December 7th, and Sunday, December 8th, Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair will showcase the work of more than 40 local artists from Marin and the Bay Area.\u00a0\u00a0 Admission&#8217;s free, and their hours are 10 am to 5 pm on the 7th, and 10 am to 4 pm on the 8th, at Muir Beach Community Center.<\/p>\n<p>But the previous paragraph doesn&#8217;t really do justice to the fact that this is something special.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_19550\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=19550\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-19550\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19550\" class=\"size-full wp-image-19550\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Muir-Beach-Quilters-2024-e1732137450629.jpg\" alt=\"Pictures of four types of quilted Christmas ornaments, including fish, owls, trees and hearts.\" width=\"600\" height=\"544\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-19550\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of Muir Beach Arts Fair, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair, started in the 1970s by the group that today is the Muir Beach Quilters, began as a community Christmas party, with local artists exhibiting their work.\u00a0\u00a0 (In fact, you can meet the current members of Muir Beach Quilters this year, as they exhibit their scarves, gloves, and quilts for sale.)<\/p>\n<p>Decades later, that sense of community remains at the heart of their special event.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Involved and creative<\/strong><\/h4>\n<div id=\"attachment_19551\" style=\"width: 650px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=19551\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-19551\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19551\" class=\"size-full wp-image-19551\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/painting-5496987_640.jpg\" alt=\"Artist's palette with a myriad of colors on it: turquoise, yellow, purple and green--against a studio background.\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/painting-5496987_640.jpg 640w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/painting-5496987_640-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/painting-5496987_640-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-19551\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/sreeguru-15641113\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=5496987\">Sher Singh<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>This year, Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair is partnering with the California College of the Arts, showcasing some student work, in addition to the creations of their established professionals.<\/p>\n<p>A portion of the proceeds from sales will go to help fund various community events.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_19554\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=19554\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-19554\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19554\" class=\"size-full wp-image-19554\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Muir-Beach-Volunteer-Firemens-Assoc.-20243-1.jpg\" alt=\"Cap, bag and baby romper with Muir Beach Volunteer Fire Department logo\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Muir-Beach-Volunteer-Firemens-Assoc.-20243-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Muir-Beach-Volunteer-Firemens-Assoc.-20243-1-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-19554\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>And, once again, the Muir Beach Volunteer Firefighters will be on hand, selling various items with their popular dog logo, to fund their department.<\/p>\n<p>Would you also like to know about a few of the exhibiting artists?<\/p>\n<p>Well-ll-ll&#8230;<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Talent on display<\/strong><\/h4>\n<div id=\"attachment_19542\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=19542\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-19542\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19542\" class=\"size-full wp-image-19542\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Rachel-Levy-2024-e1732135645522.jpg\" alt=\"Hand-hammered metal cuff bracelets in copper, silver and gold colors.\" width=\"600\" height=\"596\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-19542\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Metalsmith <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rachellevybenchetonstudio.com\/\">Rachel Levy-Bencheton<\/a> was born in Morocco, and <span class=\"dig-1hicw9p1_3-8-0 dig-1hicw9p0_3-8-0 dig-ekabin0_3-8-0 dig-Theme-vis2023 dig-Theme-vis2023--bright dig-Mode--bright In-Theme-Provider\">her art was first inspired by the rich tradition of metalworking in North Africa.<\/span>.\u00a0 She handcrafts her beautiful and unique pieces without the use of wax or a mold&#8211;so no two are ever alike!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_19543\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=19543\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-19543\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19543\" class=\"size-full wp-image-19543\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Austin-Moore-2024-scaled-e1732135867489.jpeg\" alt=\"Watercolor of a small boat on water, near a rock.\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-19543\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dig-1hicw9p1_3-8-0 dig-1hicw9p0_3-8-0 dig-ekabin0_3-8-0 dig-Theme-vis2023 dig-Theme-vis2023--bright dig-Mode--bright In-Theme-Provider\">Watercolor artist Austin Moore is currently in his junior at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he&#8217;s studying landscape architecture. Austin&#8217;s bio says his water colors of his home town of Muir Beach and Marin are inspired by his growing-up experiences, including being a Junior Muir Beach Voluntary Fireman.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_19545\" style=\"width: 459px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=19545\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-19545\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19545\" class=\"size-full wp-image-19545\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Jie-Lee-Grady-2024-e1732136456106.jpeg\" alt=\"Black vest with lacy black-and-white pattern and coattail sides.\" width=\"449\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-19545\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dig-1hicw9p1_3-8-0 dig-1hicw9p0_3-8-0 dig-ekabin0_3-8-0 dig-Theme-vis2023 dig-Theme-vis2023--bright dig-Mode--bright In-Theme-Provider\">&#8220;Designing clothes has been a passion all my life,&#8221; writes artist Jie Lee Grady in her bio.\u00a0\u00a0 Jie Lee draws on her eclectic background for her creations.\u00a0 Born in north China, she first studied design in her home country&#8211;then attended the Fashion Institute of Japan, in Tokyo, and the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. \u00a0 Jie Lee enjoys combining bits of all the cultures she&#8217;s studied to design outfits that are uniquely her own.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_19547\" style=\"width: 270px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=19547\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-19547\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19547\" class=\"size-full wp-image-19547\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Jr.-Artisans-Vincent.jpg\" alt=\"Christmas tree with dog ornaments made of wood or paper\" width=\"260\" height=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Jr.-Artisans-Vincent.jpg 260w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Jr.-Artisans-Vincent-122x300.jpg 122w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 260px) 100vw, 260px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-19547\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>And, I also really like these ornaments, created by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.muirbeachartsfair.com\/detail-ja.html\">Muir Beach Community Junior Artisans!<\/a><\/p>\n<p>But, those are just a few of the 40-plus artists who are carrying on a beloved tradition of more than 50 years in Muir Beach.\u00a0 You&#8217;re sure to find some new favorites.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>T<em><strong>he Muir Beach Holiday Arts\u00a0 Fair happens Saturday, December 7th, from 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday, December 8th, from 10 am to 4 pm, at Muir Beach Community Center, 19 Seascape Drive, southwest of Pacific Way, in Muir Beach.\u00a0 Admission is free; masks are encouraged.<\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=19503\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=19457\">Sparking Enchantment<\/a>  November 15, 2024<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h6>\n<div id=\"attachment_19473\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=19473\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-19473\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19473\" class=\"size-full wp-image-19473\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/snowman-7651080_1280-e1731697673731.jpg\" alt=\"Painting of a snowman in a red cap, in a moonlit forest surrounded by deep-green pines as snow falls.\" width=\"700\" height=\"584\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-19473\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/betidraws-23986844\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=7651080\">Betidraws<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>2024 has been a landmark year for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.museumofmakebelieve.org\/\">Museum of Make Believe<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>This summer, they achieved a long-held dream.<\/p>\n<p>After four years of fundraising while making art and imagination accessible through pop-up events, and some virtual ones during the pandemic, husband-and-wife creative team and museum co-founders Amy and Geoff Mitchell opened their physical space, in the heart of Laguna Beach.<\/p>\n<p>And they&#8217;d like to invite you to come and celebrate with them&#8211;with TWO upcoming events.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_19475\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=19475\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-19475\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19475\" class=\"size-full wp-image-19475\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/candle-6813163_1280-e1731698758673.jpg\" alt=\"Gold jar candle lighted and surrounded by other camdle flames and gold sparkles\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-19475\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/geralt-9301\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=6813163\">Gerd Altmann<\/a> from Pixabay._<\/p><\/div>\n<p>On Saturday, November 30th, they&#8217;re hosting an outdoor holiday market, from noon to 4 pm, according to an email from Amy, who is the Museum of Make Believe&#8217;s Executive Director.<\/p>\n<p>Amy says the featured guest artisans will be local community members, promoting their work.\u00a0\u00a0 (As the Museum has just put up Thanksgiving decor after an imaginative and lively Halloween season, they&#8217;re understandably still determining who will be exhibiting.)<\/p>\n<p>And a week later, on Friday, December 6th,\u00a0 look for Amy and Geoff as they participate in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitlagunabeach.com\/events\/hospitality-night\/\">Laguna Beach Hospitality Night<\/a>!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_18059\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=18059\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-18059\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18059\" class=\"size-full wp-image-18059\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/christmas-market-550323_1280-e1700179844468.jpg\" alt=\"Red glass Christmas ornaments hang from the rafters in European Christmas market\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-18059\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by G.C. from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>This is going to be a street party&#8211;with lots of talent.<\/p>\n<p>According to the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lagunabeachcity.net\/government\/departments\/parks-recreation\/special-events-programs\/hospitality-night\">Laguna Beach website<\/a>, the downtown streets will be closed, with the celebration starting at 5:00 pm.<\/p>\n<p>And it&#8217;s going to be a blast!<\/p>\n<p>Local performances groups will offer entertainment.\u00a0\u00a0 Crafts and activities will be happening in the Peppertree Lot.\u00a0\u00a0 Caroling and tempting food will be a part of the program, as will the arrival of a certain gentleman in a red suit, who will help to light the tree at 6:10 pm, and will be onsite in his Beach House, afterwards, to listen to children&#8217;s Christmas wishes.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_19478\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=19478\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-19478\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19478\" class=\"size-full wp-image-19478\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/isolated-1056550_1280-e1731706834463.png\" alt=\"Smiling Santa in a red suit waves a white-gloved hand as Mrs. Claus smiles next to him.\" width=\"700\" height=\"393\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-19478\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/schwarzenarzisse-128813\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=1056550\">Holger Grybsh<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Be sure to stop by and say &#8220;hi&#8221; to Geoff and Amy in their new space, and congratulate them on making a magical dream come true.\u00a0\u00a0 Maybe, if you&#8217;re lucky, Geoff will even have crafted some of his enchanting miniature versions of &#8220;A Christmas Carol&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>And I can&#8217;t wait to tell you more about the Museum of Make Believe, as they continue creating magic for Christmas Season 2024.<\/p>\n<h4><em><strong>The Museum of Make Believe, located in Suite 5 of 1590 South Coast Highway, near Bluebird Canyon Drive, is open Thursdays through Sundays .\u00a0\u00a0 Come visit them for their outdoor holiday marketplace, from noon to 4 pm on Saturday, November 30th, and during Long Beach Hospitality Night on Friday, December 6th.\u00a0 Here&#8217;s the <a href=\"https:\/\/feverup.com\/m\/160158\">link for more information.<\/a><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=19457\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=19390\">A &#8220;Jackalope&#8221; for Pasadena<\/a>  November 7, 2024<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile<strong>\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11033\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11033\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11033\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Jackalope-sign11.jpg\" alt=\"Jackalope Art and Craft Fair sign outside Pasadena's Central Park\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Jackalope-sign11.jpg 400w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Jackalope-sign11-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/h6>\n<p>&#8220;Jackalope&#8221; spotted, on the horizon!<\/p>\n<p>And once it gets to Pasadena, it&#8217;s going to be fantastic.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jackalopeartfair.com\/visitpasadena\">Jackalope Indie Artisan Fair<\/a> comes to Pasadena&#8217;s Central Park, this Saturday and Sunday, November 9th and 10th.<\/p>\n<p>More than 200 handmade artisan booths, highly tempting food, music and DIY activities are all on the program.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_12527\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12527\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12527\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12527\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12527\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Crowd-e1541888967305.jpg\" alt=\"Smiling shoppers walk among white tents in Pasadena's Central Park during Jackalope Pasadena\" width=\"600\" height=\"401\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-12527\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Shoppers peruse the Pasadena Jackalope Indie Artisan Fair.<br \/>(Photo courtesy of Gil Riego Photography, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Guests will get to explore their creativity through watercolor-painting workshops, screen printing and designing with dried flowers.\u00a0\u00a0 The youngest artists on hand will get to engage in a kids&#8217; clay activity.<\/p>\n<p>And in an email, Jackalope Arts advises families to arrive early on Sunday, November 10th.\u00a0\u00a0 That&#8217;s when &#8220;Miss Harriet&#8221; will be onsite, with play activities and childhood music for the smallest attendees.<\/p>\n<p>Now, what might you get to see as you shop Jackalope Pasadena?<\/p>\n<p>Just a few of the exhibiting artists include:<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_19400\" style=\"width: 474px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=19400\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-19400\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19400\" class=\"size-full wp-image-19400\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/leather-wallet-7006897_1280-e1731015786560.jpg\" alt=\"Leather wallet on wooden workbench with leather-carving tool.\" width=\"464\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-19400\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by<a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/lehafedor86-24086713\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=7006897\"> lehafedor86<\/a> from Pixabay.,)<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cisele.net\/\">Cisele Handcrafted Leather<\/a>, with their beautiful handtooled bags and wallets (and their website mentions that they have many more items available than they&#8217;re displaying!);<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_19401\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=19401\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-19401\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19401\" class=\"size-full wp-image-19401\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/yarn-6541851_1280-e1731016032936.jpg\" alt=\"Square basket of a dozen skeins of yarn in different colors--blue, pink, rust, gray, brown, orange--with two crochet hooks.\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-19401\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"http:\/\/(Royalty-free image by amilovedesign from Pixabay.)\">ian<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Capycrafts,\u00a0 I&#8217;ve never seen hand-crocheted flowers before!\u00a0 Check these out, they are beautiful!\u00a0\u00a0 And you&#8217;ll see some of these on hairclips and crocheted bags.\u00a0 I would suggest a closer look at the crocheted toy cats, but unfortunately (and not surprisingly!) the website shows them as &#8220;sold out&#8221;.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_19402\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=19402\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-19402\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19402\" class=\"size-full wp-image-19402\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/ink-1602896_1280-e1731016202671.jpg\" alt=\"Four vats of silkscreening ink: red, yellow, blue, and a fourth rim with indeterminate color.\" width=\"700\" height=\"465\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-19402\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/zivica-1088666\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=1602896\">Andre Zivic<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/storyspark.com\/?srsltid=AfmBOoqKvdpPLZ4iRRRqwnCafTytaQLd_GvXJFixeaQiPpLgEOwy8m0P\">Story Spark<\/a>.\u00a0 These are T-shirts with original graphics, blending technology, pop culture and art.\u00a0 The &#8220;Volt Dragon&#8221; is my favorite, but there&#8217;s a wide selection that will allow you to find the perfect quirky design that reflects you or a special gift recipient in your life.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=8590\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8590\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8590\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/ali1-e1447485659482.jpg\" alt=\"Accessory Alchemy proprietor Ali Krajewski displays her miniature Christmas-tree pendant in front of a banner that says &quot;Accessory Alchemy&quot;, at her Jackalope Pasadena booth\" width=\"600\" height=\"337\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>And I&#8217;m delighted to see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.accessoryalchemy.com\/\">Accessory Alchemy<\/a> exhibiting!\u00a0\u00a0 Admittedly, proprietor Ali Krajewski&#8217;s work is a longtime favorite.\u00a0 Her steampunk jewelry pays tribute to the Victorian era, and manages to be both eye-catching and fun.<\/p>\n<p>Here, Ali displays one of her miniature Christmas tree necklaces, under a tiny glass display dome.\u00a0 I lost count of how many of these wound up being just right for someone on my gift list, and a tiny green tree with red ornaments is now a favorite Christmastime addition to whatever I decide to wear in December.<\/p>\n<p>Then, there&#8217;s the food.<\/p>\n<p>Maine lobster, kogi and ice cream will be among the food-truck offerings, while artisan foods to take along and surprise a favorite &#8220;foodie&#8221; include Middle Eastern fare, small-batch cookies from around the world, preserves and nut butters.<\/p>\n<p>All in all, Jackalope Pasadena sounds like a &#8220;feast&#8221; for the senses and an excellent, soul-renewing way to spend a weekend.<\/p>\n<h4><em><strong>Jackalope Pasadena runs Saturday and Sunday, November 9th and 10th, from 10 am to 4 pm at Central Park, Pasadena, 275 S Raymond Avenue near Delmar.\u00a0 Admission is free.<\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=19390\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=19243\">Creating At the Energy of Light<\/a>  October 17, 2024<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=19245\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-19245\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-19245\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Brandi-LaPointe-e1727373483920.jpg\" alt=\"BeeClectic proprietor\/artist Brandi LaPoint smiles against a dark-blue Zoom background.\" width=\"700\" height=\"383\" \/><\/a><\/h6>\n<p>At the core of artist Brandi LaPointe&#8217;s work is&#8212;magic.<\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-19243-2\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/audio\/noelophile_1_brandi_lapointe.mp3?_=2\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/audio\/noelophile_1_brandi_lapointe.mp3\">https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/audio\/noelophile_1_brandi_lapointe.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>Through her handmade small business, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/beeclecticgoodes\/\">BeeClectic Goodes<\/a>, Brandi creates beautiful and intentional items, designed to create light in her customers&#8217; lives&#8211;both literally and figuratively.<\/p>\n<p>For her, the creative process is also a spiritual one.<\/p>\n<p>Brandi says she uses the magic of the earth, as she crafts her scented intention candles, hand-wrapped jewelry, resin suncatchers, pyramids and other unique and beautiful items she offers at local crafts fairs and on her Instagram and Facebook pages.\u00a0 (And she does take custom orders, but contact her early!\u00a0 Her intention candles are bestsellers.)<\/p>\n<p>And Brandi will be displaying her work at a number of crafts fairs this autumn, including at the &#8220;Halloween Bash&#8221; Pop-Up Shop in Irvine on Saturday, October 19th, AND at the Long Beach edition of the <a href=\"https:\/\/dearhandmadelife.com\/patchwork-show\/long-beach\/\">Patchwork Show<\/a> on November 24th!<\/p>\n<p>Brandi talked about her creative process, shared the story of BeeClectic Goodes and offered a closer look at some of the gift items she&#8217;ll have available for Christmas season 2024.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=19243\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=19044\">SPAA Looks Forward to Student Creativity<\/a>  April 30, 2024<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=14448\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-14448\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14448\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/art-show-sign1-e1592244925571.jpg\" alt=\"Blackboard sign, &quot;SPAA Student Art Show&quot;, with a white chalk arrow\" width=\"374\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><\/h6>\n<p>Standing at an easel, you swirl colors onto paper.\u00a0\u00a0 Time seems to melt away as you bring your vision to life.\u00a0 All too soon, the bell rings.<\/p>\n<p>In those art classes, during our school years, you and I had the opportunity to explore our creativity.<\/p>\n<p>This summer, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sanpedroart.org\/\">San Pedro Art Association<\/a> once again celebrates that exploration&#8211;by welcoming the next generation of artists to enter their twelfth annual &#8220;Harbor Wide All Grades Student Art Competition and Exhibition&#8221;!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10162\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10162\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10162\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10162\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10162\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/San-Pedro.jpg\" alt=\"Student art hangs on the wall at CRAFTED facility\" width=\"600\" height=\"375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/San-Pedro.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/San-Pedro-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/San-Pedro-480x300.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10162\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(SPAA Student Art Show, 2015.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Students in the Harbor area, in elementary, middle school and high school, are invited to enter.<\/p>\n<p>Accepted art mediums, according to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sanpedroart.org\/artcomp.html\">SPAA&#8217;s website<\/a>,\u00a0 will be: charcoal, pastel (chalk or oil), all drawing materials, all painting materials, and photography (darkroom or digital).<\/p>\n<p>A panel of art professionals will serve as judges.\u00a0 Submitted artwork may be of any appropriate subject matter, at the judges&#8217; discretion.<\/p>\n<p>Winning competition entries receive cash prizes, and winning entries will be professionally framed and exhibited at CRAFTED, where San Pedro Art Association exhibits their work, year-round.\u00a0\u00a0 Selected student works will also be featured in an online exhibition, shown throughout the year.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_19060\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=19060\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-19060\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19060\" class=\"size-full wp-image-19060\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backdrop-772501_1280-e1714496104954.jpg\" alt=\"Small girl reaches out her arms towards an abstract of paing splashes of different colors surrounding her.\" width=\"700\" height=\"560\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-19060\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/natureworks-878540\/\">Ken<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>In addition, every student who enters will receive a 150-piece art set, as well as an award ribbon <em>and<\/em> student membership with SPAA through high school.<\/p>\n<p>Nonprofit San Pedro Art Association has just celebrated 80 years of serving artists in the San Pedro and surrounding Harbor communities.\u00a0\u00a0 Since 1936, they&#8217;ve been in continuous operation, with classes, exhibits, art walks, exhibits (including their weekly Melrose Trading Post appearances and their ongoing displays at CRAFTED) and, of course, the Student Art Competition.<\/p>\n<p>The competition is free to enter, but heads-up: the entry deadline, May 9th, is coming up fast!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_8088\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=8088\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8088\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8088\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8088\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/work-and-ribbons.jpg\" alt=\"Student art pieces, professionally framed, hand on a white wall with blue ribbons next to them.\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/work-and-ribbons.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/work-and-ribbons-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/work-and-ribbons-451x300.jpg 451w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-8088\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">SPAA &#8220;Harbor Wide Student Art Exhibit&#8221; exhibitors, 2014<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Entering, says SPAA,\u00a0 is &#8220;super easy&#8221;.\u00a0 Students may take a photo of their artwork and send it in by text or email: here is the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sanpedroart.org\/SPAA%20Student%20Art%20Competition%202024%20rules.pdf\">contact information<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0 Submissions must be accompanied by the student&#8217;s name, grade, school and a signed permission form.<\/p>\n<p>SPAA volunteers can also pick up entries and forms at the entrants&#8217; school.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, entries may be dropped off in two locations in San Pedro: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sanpedroart.org\/SPAA%20Student%20Art%20Competition%202024%20rules.pdf\">here is the information. <\/a><\/p>\n<p>Spread the word, and let&#8217;s encourage the next generation of gifted artists as they develop their talent!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10506\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10506\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10506\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/SPAA-new1.jpg\" alt=\"Banner reads, &quot;San Pedro Art Association, Est. 1936&quot; with sun, ocean and bridge logo\" width=\"700\" height=\"282\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/SPAA-new1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/SPAA-new1-300x121.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/SPAA-new1-500x201.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h4><strong><em>San Pedro Art Association&#8217;s twelfth annual &#8220;Harbor Wide All Grades Student Art Competition and Exhibition&#8221; is accepting student entries from now through Thursday, May 9th.\u00a0 Entry is free, and students in elementary, middle and high school, in the San Pedro and Harbor areas, are eligible to enter.\u00a0\u00a0 Here&#8217;s the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sanpedroart.org\/artcomp.html\">link for information.<\/a><\/em> <\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=19044\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=19023\">Opening New Worlds of Imagination<\/a>  April 12, 2024<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h6>\n<div id=\"attachment_19028\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=19028\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-19028\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19028\" class=\"size-full wp-image-19028\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Museum-of-Make-Believe.jpg\" alt=\"Black-and-white Museum of Make Believe logo in the center of a magical landscape with enchanged trees, an orange pathway and lights overhead.\" width=\"700\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Museum-of-Make-Believe.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Museum-of-Make-Believe-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Museum-of-Make-Believe-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-19028\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Graphic courtesy of Museum of Make Believe, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Watching dreams come true for gifted artists, is one of life&#8217;s most magical experiences.<\/p>\n<p>On Thursday, April 25th, in Laguna Beach, you&#8217;ll get a chance to experience that magic.<\/p>\n<p>At 5:30 that afternoon, Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce invites you to the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.museumofmakebelieve.org\/\">Museum of Make Believe<\/a> hosts their inaugural exhibit, &#8220;Ghost Stories and Fairy Tales&#8221;, in their brand-new, 1,000-square-foot creative space!<\/p>\n<p>And it&#8217;s going to be enchanting.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_19036\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=19036\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-19036\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19036\" class=\"size-full wp-image-19036\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/magical-forest-7443157_1280-e1712954209708.jpg\" alt=\"Pink and green lights glow in the sky beyond a forest of enchanted pine trees as pink bursts of light travel down the path amonth them.\" width=\"700\" height=\"400\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-19036\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/hishametto-339367\/\">Hishametto<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=15653\">Since 2020, artists Amy and Geoff Mitchell<\/a> have been celebrating imagination and creativity.<\/p>\n<p>As co-founders of Museum of Make Believe, they&#8217;ve hosted a number of\u00a0 immersive and interactive pop-up events.\u00a0\u00a0 They&#8217;ve made art accessible, with workshops, parties, puppetry, and even an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.museumofmakebelieve.org\/starlightparkradio?fbclid=IwAR0OhYrWkrM7Z6Z4SY3qKD81GitUQwEuJFlNRS2e7ov2Hv_StHldQ0qjSlw_aem_AZ6wDcXP6Vy0-R8sZnAw0so-NTJcr6QMqQvekOMWPSQQTJVYxRCmRzcbVOqGN6-hNV81t0y1dsfH1rLukwNEYZLW\">original radio drama, &#8220;Strange Secrets of Starlight Park&#8221;!<\/a><\/p>\n<p>All along, their vision has been to bring their magic to a permanent location.<\/p>\n<p>Now, they&#8217;re seeing that vision become a reality.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_19026\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=19026\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-19026\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19026\" class=\"size-full wp-image-19026\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/1-e1712952531967.jpg\" alt=\"Young girl in Victorian clothes with an archway in the distance, in a green-tinted graphic with the Museum of Make Believe logo and the words, &quot;A Strange Magical World&quot; in rainbow letters.\" width=\"700\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-19026\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Image courtesy of Museum of Make Believe, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>For this inaugural exhibit, Museum of Make Believe has created a magical woodland.<\/p>\n<p>Think twinkling fireflies, mystical trees and a handpainted cobblestone path.\u00a0 Throughout them will be\u00a0 a variety of paintings, miniatures and sculptures&#8211;each of which tells its own story.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_19037\" style=\"width: 489px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=19037\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-19037\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19037\" class=\"size-full wp-image-19037\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/forest-7697734_12801-e1712954373195.jpg\" alt=\"Magical tree appears to have lights around its base and through its leaves against a mystical blue background.\" width=\"479\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-19037\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/ga_webz-18678546\/\">Ga_Webz<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&#8220;The Museum of Make Believe is a nonprofit organization&#8230;dedicated to preserving the timeless art of storytelling,&#8221; said Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce CEO Erin Slattery in a recent press release.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This new immersive <em>Ghost Stories &amp; Fairy Tales<\/em> exhibit offers guests a way to step back into nostalgia and experience an older kind of magic.&#8221;<em><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p>For the Grand Opening, the magic will include free admission, make-your-own puppets for the smallest magic practitioners in attendance, refreshments on the patio, door prize drawings and a fundraiser raffle.<\/p>\n<p>Can&#8217;t make it to Laguna on the 25th, but you&#8217;d like to explore the enchantment at a later date?\u00a0 Tickets are available <a href=\"https:\/\/feverup.com\/m\/160158\">at this link<\/a>!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><em><strong>Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce hosts a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony celebration for Museum of Make Believe as they open their first permanent space on Thursday, April 25th, at 5:30 pm at Suite 5 of 1590 South Pacific Coast Hwy, near Bluebird Canyon Drive, in Laguna<\/strong> <strong>Beach.\u00a0 The Museum&#8217;s inaugural event, &#8220;Ghost Stories and Fairy Tales&#8221;, will be open at no charge to all attendees for this special event.<\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=19023\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=18987\">SPAA&#8217;s &#8220;Crafty&#8221; Springtime Welcome<\/a>  March 7, 2024<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h6>\n<div id=\"attachment_18990\" style=\"width: 463px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=18990\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-18990\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18990\" class=\"size-full wp-image-18990\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/SPAA-Easter-e1709686406693.jpg\" alt=\"Poster advertises &quot;Easter Craft Fair&quot; with pink and white flowers on one side and a listing of crafts: fine art, handcrafted jewelry, needlepoint, pet gifts, crochewt, woodwork, handmade soaps and more\" width=\"453\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-18990\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Graphic courtesy of San Pedro Art Association, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Move over, bunny&#8211;<a href=\"http:\/\/sanpedroart.org\/\">San Pedro Art Association<\/a> is inviting everyone to an Easter egg hunt!<\/p>\n<p>But the &#8220;treats&#8221; they&#8217;re offering, are even nicer than chocolate eggs and jelly beans.<\/p>\n<p>On Saturday, March 16th, SPAA hosts their &#8220;Easter Craft Fair&#8221; on the corner of 25th and Western, in San Pedro.<\/p>\n<p>Expect to find all kinds of incredible handcrafted treasures.<\/p>\n<p>Mike Piper will be on hand, with his imaginative lamps.\u00a0 These are crafted from cameras and musical instruments!\u00a0\u00a0 Needlepoint artist Ann Gray will offer a number of her stitchery creations, as well as dog gifts.\u00a0 And don&#8217;t miss Dan Tregarthen&#8217;s\u00a0 hand crafted wood items!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_19002\" style=\"width: 1290px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=19002\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-19002\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19002\" class=\"size-full wp-image-19002\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/rabbit-373691_1280.jpg\" alt=\"Cute brown rabbit against a gray background.\" width=\"1280\" height=\"853\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/rabbit-373691_1280.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/rabbit-373691_1280-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/rabbit-373691_1280-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/rabbit-373691_1280-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-19002\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/simonar-29780\/\">Simona Robova<\/a>, from Pixabay.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>As if that isn&#8217;t enough to tempt you, you can also find handmade scented soaps (these have a tendency to jump into my shopping bag, how about you?), jewelry and fine art.<\/p>\n<p>The latter have wowed me, multiple times, when I&#8217;ve stopped by to visit one of SPAA&#8217;s craft shows or exhibits, pre-pandemic.\u00a0\u00a0 My favorites, hands down, are the breathtaking seascapes&#8211;but expect all kinds of perspectives on the world from their talented artists.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_13256\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=13256\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-13256\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13256\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13256\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/easter-3165469_960_720-e1555804773107.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"401\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-13256\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image courtesy of Pixabay and free for commercial use. Check them out at pixabay.com.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>And in every booth (while supplies last), they&#8217;re hiding Easter eggs.<\/p>\n<p>Specifically, these will be paper Easter eggs, which you can exchange for eggs filled with goodies, while supplies last.<\/p>\n<p>And SPAA (which, by the way, represents over 150 artists and gallery owners!) says you do <em>not<\/em> have to be a child, to participate in the egg hunt.<\/p>\n<p>An almost-Springtime salute to them, for recognizing the &#8220;big kid&#8221; in all of us!\u00a0\u00a0 And if you&#8217;re going to be in the San Pedro area a week from this Saturday, consider coming down to support them.<\/p>\n<p>They&#8217;re almost certain to make you &#8220;hoppy&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><strong><em>San Pedro Art Association&#8217;s Easter Craft Fair happens Saturday, March 16th, from 10 am to 4 pm at the corner of 25th and Western, in San Pedro.\u00a0 Admission is free.<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=18987\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=18531\">&#8220;Crafty&#8221; Before Christmas<\/a>  December 11, 2023<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h6>\n<div id=\"attachment_18532\" style=\"width: 551px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=18532\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-18532\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18532\" class=\"size-full wp-image-18532\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/SPAA-Craft-Fair-e1702334857572.png\" alt=\"Pink poser with Christmas stocking, holly and poinsettias\/candy canes advertises &quot;CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR&quot;.\" width=\"541\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-18532\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Graphic courtesy of San Pedro Art Association, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Yayyyy!\u00a0 They&#8217;re back!<\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;m talking about <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sanpedroart.org\/\">San Pedro Art Association&#8217;s<\/a> craft fairs.<\/p>\n<p>They&#8217;ve started them up again&#8211;with a Christmas edition coming up this Saturday, December 16th!<\/p>\n<p>Getting to explore SPAA&#8217;s craft fairs, in the past, I&#8217;ve always found something special.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_18544\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=18544\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-18544\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18544\" class=\"size-full wp-image-18544\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/painting-6392282_1280-e1702338299563.jpg\" alt=\"Closeup on an artist's hand with a paintbrush, as they add a red sky above a cityscape.\" width=\"700\" height=\"428\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-18544\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/lillolillolillo-21633244\/\">Marco<\/a> from Pixzabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>For example, the breathtaking seascapes which <a href=\"https:\/\/sanpedroart.wixsite.com\/san-pedro-art\/carlos-anthony-boisselle\">Carlos Anthony Boisselle<\/a> paints. \u00a0 (He also creates some striking jewelry&#8211;and 2023 was a landmark year for him.\u00a0 Carlos hosted his first solo show in Buena Park City Hall this summer.\u00a0 AND, earlier this month, the Hugo Rivera Gallery, in Laguna Beach, invited him to show his handcrafted fine jewelry during the Laguna Beach Holiday Art Walk!)<\/p>\n<p>Carlos currently has four mixed-media paintings in Hugo Rivera Gallery, and SPAA secretary (and fellow artist!) Bill Boisselle-Schalaba emails that he will also be onsite at the gallery on the first Thursday in January, weather permitting.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_18543\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=18543\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-18543\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18543\" class=\"size-full wp-image-18543\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/mountain-6538890_1280-e1702338128367.jpg\" alt=\"Swirls of multicolored paint in an abstract mountain.\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-18543\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/leolo212-15013188\/\">Antonio Lopez<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>And speaking of <a href=\"https:\/\/sanpedroart.wixsite.com\/san-pedro-art\/bill-boisselle-schalaba?pgid=kdmnxjw6-d98bdc37-74ff-4ce0-9886-56c42f42c97c\">Bill Boisselle-Schalaba<\/a>&#8211;he&#8217;s another artist whose work deserves a mention.\u00a0 Multitalented Bill creates whimsical mixed-media work, including playfully-styled picture frames, boxes and wooden handbags.\u00a0\u00a0 He has also done photography and created acrylic-pour pieces.\u00a0 I especially like his abstract, with its jewel colors, created in this style.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_18554\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=18554\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-18554\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18554\" class=\"size-full wp-image-18554\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/needlework-4639780_1280-e1702492092899.jpg\" alt=\"Woman's hand closeup as she stitches an eight-pointed star on a needlework canvas.\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-18554\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by Bob Dymt from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Bill was kind enough to mention, in his email, two other artists who&#8217;ll be exhibiting this weekend.\u00a0 Ann Gray is a needlework artist, creating blankets and needlepoint gifts.\u00a0\u00a0 And <a href=\"https:\/\/www.loralinengel.com\/\">Loralin Engel<\/a> works in a unique medium: she handcrafts mandalas on vinyl records, and on CDs!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_18546\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=18546\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-18546\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18546\" class=\"size-full wp-image-18546\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/drechsler-3394311_1280-e1702338572176.jpg\" alt=\"Closeup on artist's hand as he turns wood.\" width=\"700\" height=\"393\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-18546\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/juergen_sieber-7527139\/\">Juergen Sieber<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/sanpedroart.wixsite.com\/san-pedro-art\/spaa-artist-of-the-month\">David Jinda<\/a> is a woodworker whom I haven&#8217;t yet had the pleasure of meeting&#8211;but he&#8217;s recognized on SPAA&#8217;s website as their &#8220;Artist of the Month&#8221;.\u00a0 His inlaid pieces, which he creates with a lathe, make me want to reach out to touch them, to feel the smoothness.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, SPAA emails that this particular craft show is the only time they allow artists who are not in their membership, to set up their work and sell with SPAA members.\u00a0 Hot sauce and food gifts, fine art and needlework and more, from some new friends, are sure to be a part of the show.<\/p>\n<h4><strong><em>San Pedro Art Association&#8217;s &#8220;Christmas Craft Fair&#8221; happens next Saturday, December 16th, from 9 am to 3 pm in the B of A parking lot, 25th and Western, in San Pedro.\u00a0 Admission is free.<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=18531\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=18312\">A Sense of Enchantment<\/a>  December 1, 2023<div class=\"lcp_content\"><div id=\"attachment_18352\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=18352\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-18352\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18352\" class=\"size-full wp-image-18352\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/christmas-8385559_1280-e1701403453763.jpg\" alt=\"Lighted Christmas tree in wood-paneled room\" width=\"700\" height=\"479\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-18352\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/fantasy_games_archives-16890996\/\">Radoslaw Salaga<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-18312-3\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/audio\/Noelophile_4_Ellie_Lieberman.mp3?_=3\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/audio\/Noelophile_4_Ellie_Lieberman.mp3\">https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/audio\/Noelophile_4_Ellie_Lieberman.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>&#8220;The entire season is just so magical,&#8221; says author and artist Ellie Lieberman, proprietor of small handmade business <a href=\"http:\/\/acorntops.weebly.com\/\">Acorn Tops.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Ellie captures that magic in her <a href=\"https:\/\/ellielieberman.weebly.com\/books.html\">books<\/a> and handmade fairy creations.<\/p>\n<p>Most recently, she&#8217;s presented it in her enchanting new children&#8217;s book, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.barnesandnoble.com\/w\/book\/1144300576\"><em>The Way the Cookie Crumbles<\/em>.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>The Way the Cookie Crumbles<\/em> is the third in Ellie&#8217;s &#8220;Basil Basset&#8221; children&#8217;s series, starring Brigid and her lovable pet, Basil, who tends to get into trouble and is partly inspired by Ellie&#8217;s first basset hound.<\/p>\n<p>Ellie, who both writes and illustrates her books, is also the <a href=\"https:\/\/ellielieberman.weebly.com\/\">author of a number of books and short stories for adults<\/a>&#8211;including her just-released new novel, <em>An Impossible Dream.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>(And of course, Ellie is no stranger to Christmas stories!\u00a0 As you check out her author page, be sure to get a look at her short story, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/1092885501\/\"><em>The Memory Tree<\/em><\/a>.)<\/p>\n<p>Ellie talked about her Basil Basset series, offered a preview of An Impossible Dream and shared some of her favorite elements of wonder and magic for the Christmas season.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=18312\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=18280\">Festive by the Sea<\/a>  November 29, 2023<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h6>\n<div id=\"attachment_18303\" style=\"width: 477px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=18303\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-18303\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18303\" class=\"size-full wp-image-18303\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/jairo-gonzalez-d51bw0alKlc-unsplash-scaled-e1701211890388.jpg\" alt=\"Coastline at Muir Beach against blue sky\" width=\"467\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-18303\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free photo by Jairo Gonzalez on Unsplash.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>What could be better than Christmas shopping by the beach?<\/p>\n<p>How about: supporting talented artists, celebrating a great community and encouraging some gifted students&#8211;while Christmas shopping by the beach?<\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;s exactly what you&#8217;ll get an opportunity to do, if you&#8217;re in Northern California this weekend.<\/p>\n<p>This Saturday and Sunday, December 2nd and 3rd, the <a href=\"http:\/\/muirbeachartsfair.com\/\">Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair<\/a> returns to the Muir Beach Community Center!<\/p>\n<p>For more than 40 years, the Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair has been a Christmastime tradition.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_18307\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=18307\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-18307\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18307\" class=\"size-full wp-image-18307\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/ceramics-1276609_1280-e1701212700853.jpg\" alt=\"Colorful long-stemmed ceramic flowers stand on the floor in brown earthen pots.\" width=\"700\" height=\"525\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-18307\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/zartamo-2274831\/\">Juan Torres<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>More than 40 gifted artists from all over the Bay Area showcase their work.\u00a0 Exhibits sparkle with Christmas ornaments, wreaths, home and fashion accessories, hand-made jewelry, gifts from the garden and much more.<\/p>\n<p>As you browse, be sure to look for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.muirbeachartsfair.com\/detail-mbvfa.html\">Muir Beach Volunteer Firefighters<\/a>.\u00a0 They&#8217;ll be selling their <a href=\"http:\/\/www.muirbeachfire.com\/shop.html\">dog logo accessories, clothing, hats, and stainless ware<\/a>, and your purchases\u00a0 help fund their goal: building a new firehouse!<\/p>\n<p>And a don&#8217;t-miss, is the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.muirbeachartsfair.com\/detail-mbq.html\">Muir Beach Quilters&#8217;<\/a> display.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_18305\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=18305\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-18305\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18305\" class=\"size-full wp-image-18305\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/quilt-716838_1280-e1701212394789.jpg\" alt=\"Patchwork quilt with triangle pattern, close up.\" width=\"700\" height=\"465\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-18305\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/candacehunter-844056\/\">Candace Hunter<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Not only do they have their beautiful quilts, scarves and gloves for sale, but this year, they have some brand-new handstitched Christmas ornaments!<\/p>\n<p>In addition, they&#8217;re the original innovators who started the fair&#8211;as a big, informal community party, in 1972!\u00a0\u00a0 According to the <a href=\"http:\/\/muirbeachartsfair.com\/history.html\">Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair&#8217;s website<\/a>, the Muir Beach Quilters ran the Fair up until 2013.\u00a0\u00a0 When the Quilters decided not to continue the Fair following that year&#8217;s event, community members kept the tradition going.<\/p>\n<p>Today, the Muir Beach Arts Fair operates with two purposes.<\/p>\n<p>First, to donate a portion of their proceeds to fund local community events, including concerts, summer and winter solstice celebrations and the kids&#8217; Halloween Party.<\/p>\n<p>And second, to give their local creative artists a chance to sell their work.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_18309\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=18309\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-18309\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18309\" class=\"size-full wp-image-18309\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/muir-beach-3916284_12801-e1701212841788.jpg\" alt=\"Railed walkway in Muir Beach leads along a cliff overlooking the ocean.\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-18309\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/pixexid-4729217\/\">Ralph Nas<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Once again, this year, the Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair has partnered with the California College of the Arts, showcasing the work of some of their students.\u00a0\u00a0 Meanwhile, some future California College students may very well be exhibiting&#8211;the Fair offers a Junior Artisans\/Kids table, where younger exhibitors can showcase and sell their creations.<\/p>\n<p>With food and beverages available throughout both days, and its community and creative atmosphere, Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair will welcome the first weekend in December as it first did in 1972: with a party.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><em><strong>The Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair runs from 10 am to 5 pm, Saturday, December 2nd, and 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday, December 3rd, at The Muir Beach Community Center, 19 Seascape Drive, in Muir Beach.\u00a0 Admission is free.<\/strong> <\/em><\/h4>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=18280\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=18188\">Spotlighting Small Business Saturday<\/a>  November 25, 2023<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h6>\n<div id=\"attachment_18204\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=18204\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-18204\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18204\" class=\"size-full wp-image-18204\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/flower-shop-644602_1280-e1700879404223.jpg\" alt=\"Flower shop with open door and various topiary and flower arrangements around the front stairs\" width=\"700\" height=\"465\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-18204\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by kweuffen0 from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Today is Small Business Saturday!\u00a0\u00a0 Here are just a few of the talented artists and artisans currently selling their work through their small businesses, whom you might like to support as you do your Christmas shopping.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/AcornTops\">Acorn Tops<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=14629\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-14629\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14629\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Ellie1-1.jpg\" alt=\"Ellie Lieberman, in purple with purple fairy wings, smiles against a backdrop of bookshelves\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Ellie1-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Ellie1-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Author and artist Ellie Lieberman takes a magical approach to creativity.\u00a0\u00a0 Her handcrafted fairy doors for all seasons, along with her star sachets and fabric pumpkins, are my personal favorites.<\/p>\n<p>And her <a href=\"https:\/\/ellielieberman.weebly.com\/books.html\">books<\/a> have an excellent balance of darkness and magic.<\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;m looking forward to reading her just-published &#8220;An Impossible Dream&#8221;, while her first book, &#8220;Society&#8217;s Foundlings&#8221;, remains one of my all-time favorites.<\/p>\n<p>Ellie also writes and illustrates an enchanting children&#8217;s series, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Basil-Basset-Books\/dp\/B09H7L6GYZ\/ref=sr_1_4?crid=Z1TR424QPFIG&amp;keywords=Basil+the+Basset&amp;qid=1700874981&amp;sprefix=basil+the+basse%2Caps%2C191&amp;sr=8-4\">&#8220;Basil the Basset&#8221;<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0 You may just want to pick up a copy of her latest book in the series, &#8220;The Way the Cookie Crumbles&#8221;, to slip under the tree for a favorite small person in your life.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thepickybookworm.com\/product-category\/candles\/\">The Picky Bookworm<\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_17798\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=17798\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17798\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17798\" class=\"size-full wp-image-17798\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/a-book-1950451_1280-e1698272474535.jpg\" alt=\"Open book with pages on each side meeting in a heart shape next to a lit candle.\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-17798\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free images by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Bibliophile\/reviewer\/editor Pamela Willson is a talented artisan, with a new angle on creating scented candles.<\/p>\n<p>Pamela crafts scented candles inspired by books by her favorite independent and self-published authors!<\/p>\n<p>As mentioned in <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=17792\">our earlier interview<\/a>, Pamela currently has more than 30 scented candles available, with scents like sea salt mixed with orchid, gingerbread with dark chocolate and citrus with sriracha.<\/p>\n<p>Two other pluses here:<\/p>\n<p>Pamela has currently been working with Ellie Lieberman, above, to create gift sets which include scented bookmarks, a scented candle and a copy of the book which inspired it, and a bar of chocolate.\u00a0 Sounds like a fantastic gift for any reader on your gift list!<\/p>\n<p>In addition, Pamela is a highly-talented editor.\u00a0 If you know an author who&#8217;s looking for editing and proofreading services, she may well be available to edit and proof their work. (A note card in a beautifully-wrapped box, telling your recipient that you&#8217;ve engaged Pamela&#8217;s editing services for their current manuscript, would be a fantastic Christmas gift for any writer!)<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.birdofvirtue.com\/\">Bird of Virtue<\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_17974\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=17974\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17974\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17974\" class=\"size-full wp-image-17974\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/nk1704_ulla_model__38-scaled-e1699565989338.jpg\" alt=\"Bird of Virtue proprietor Linnea Oliver smiles as she opens an iron gate.\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-17974\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of Icarian Photography, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Linnea Oliver&#8217;s jewelry designs incorporate the clean lines of her Scandinavian heritage, along with the fun and colorful basic shapes of midcentury design.\u00a0\u00a0 As we discussed in <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=17973\">an earlier interview<\/a>, there really is something for everyone among her creations.<\/p>\n<p>Her inlaid tie bars for men put a new slant on the striped tie, while her hatch cuff links have a quiet elegance that will please any hard-to-shop-for male on your list.<\/p>\n<p>I personally love her earrings and necklaces, though.<\/p>\n<p>While I&#8217;d originally planned to mention her diamond-shaped art deco necklace and &#8220;Vera Arch&#8221; earrings as two favorites that would make great gifts, she now has new Christmas jewelry!<\/p>\n<p>Check out her <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birdofvirtue.com\/collections\/merry-bright\">Christmas tree designs<\/a>, along with her studs, which would be fun to slip into a stocking or give as a &#8220;secret Santa&#8221; gift.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/kardsbyangie.com\/christmas\">Kards By Angie<\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_14511\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=14511\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-14511\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14511\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14511\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Angela-Jackson-e1601677258419.jpg\" alt=\"Angela Jackson smiles from her booth with a &quot;Kards By Angie&quot; sign in the background\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-14511\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of Torrance Craftsmen&#8217;s Guild.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Angela Jackson, as mentioned in previous posts, says she&#8217;s never had formal art training.<\/p>\n<p>But if she hadn&#8217;t told me that, I&#8217;d never have believed it.<\/p>\n<p>Angie can custom-design just about any type of greeting card, invitation, note cards, etc. that you might have in mind.<\/p>\n<p>For Christmas 2023, I&#8217;m admiring her green holly-leaf star, and her minimalist Christmas tree against a white background.<\/p>\n<p>But she has no less than fourteen Christmas designs on her webpage, along with a Hanukkah card design and a <a href=\"https:\/\/kardsbyangie.com\/variety\">mixed-variety of special-occasion cards<\/a>.\u00a0 Definitely give her website a look for any occasion you have in mind, this Christmas and for the coming year.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/ColdwaterCanyon?ref=profile_header\">Coklwater Canyon Provisions<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=8580\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8580\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8580\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/rondo1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/rondo1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/rondo1-300x282.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/rondo1-320x300.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Oh, yummm!&#8221; may well be the reaction from a favorite foodie on your list, if you give them Rondo Mieczkowski&#8217;s raspberry jam, tarragon cherries or his six-pack of gourmet vegan foods.\u00a0 Those bread-and-butter pickles certainly have MY mouth watering!<\/p>\n<p>I met Rondo a number of years ago, during one of the first Jackalope Arts fairs in Pasadena, and he explained that he handcrafts small batches of his gourmet foods from both family and heirloom recipes.<\/p>\n<p>And his website mentions all the awards he&#8217;s won for his all-vegan, 100% gluten-free creations, made with kosher ingredients.\u00a0 Among them: the <span data-inplace-editable-text=\"announcement\" data-endpoint=\"DataPost\" data-key=\"message\" data-placeholder=\"Use this space to share important, up-to-date information with buyers. You can mention new products and special promotions. Just keep it short so they can start shopping!\" data-add-class=\"display-block\"> 2019, 2017 AND 2013 national Good Food Award for his Tarragon Cherries, in the Pickled Foods category; as well as &#8220;Best In Show- All Jams and Jellies&#8221;\u00a0 at the 2010 California State Fair, for his Strawberry-Rhubarb Jam.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Prefer to meet Rondo in-person, and see what he has to tempt you?\u00a0 His <a href=\"https:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/ColdwaterCanyon?ref=profile_heade\">Etsy shop listing<\/a> says he&#8217;s at the <a href=\"https:\/\/hollywoodfarmersmarket.org\/\">Hollywood Farmers Market<\/a>, every Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>And&#8211;that&#8217;s it!\u00a0 Just a very small percentage of the gifted and talented artists and artisans I&#8217;ve had the pleasure of meeting, who are currently selling their work.<\/p>\n<p>Happy Small Business Saturday, and may you find some amazing treasures as you shop.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=18188\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=18009\">SPAA&#8217;s Star Turn as Santa<\/a>  November 14, 2023<div class=\"lcp_content\"><div id=\"attachment_18027\" style=\"width: 553px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=18027\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-18027\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18027\" class=\"size-full wp-image-18027\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Untitled-1-e1699982781129.png\" alt=\"Holiday Toy Drive psoter with pictures of truck, train, doll, ball and sailboat\" width=\"543\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-18027\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Graphic courtesy of San Pedro Art Association, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Remember the magic of Christmas morning?\u00a0 I certainly do.<\/p>\n<p>You had to eat breakfast first (no meal ever lasted longer in the history of time!).\u00a0 Then the parents went into the living room to light the Christmas tree.<\/p>\n<p>And FINALLY, finally&#8211;it was time to see what Santa had left under the tree.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_18033\" style=\"width: 606px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=18033\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-18033\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18033\" class=\"size-full wp-image-18033\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/christmas-4695973_1280-e1699983560678.jpg\" alt=\"Lighted vintage Christmas tree with packages under it\" width=\"596\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-18033\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/jasongillman-1088827\/\">Jason Gillman<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Now, how would YOU like to help create that magic this year, for local children in the San Pedro and Wilmington areas?<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/sanpedroart.org\/\">San Pedro Art Association<\/a> kicks off their 8th Annual Harbor Interfaith Holiday Toy Drive, benefiting local youth in San Pedro, this Friday, November 17th.<\/p>\n<p>For SPAA, which has been serving artists since 1936, this toy drive is special.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12421\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12421\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12421\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/SPAA-new1.jpg\" alt=\"San Pedro Art Association banner on a wooden wall background\" width=\"600\" height=\"241\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/SPAA-new1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/SPAA-new1-300x121.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Started in 2015, by SPAA Secretary (and gifted artist!) Bill Boisselle-Schalaba, the Harbor Interfaith Holiday Toy Drive has collected thousands of dollars&#8217; worth of toys for kids in the San Pedro\/Wilmington area.<\/p>\n<p>SPAA emails that Bill started this particular toy drive because he felt that other toy drives didn&#8217;t ensure that the donations were kept local.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 SPAA, however, focuses on bringing the magic of Christmas morning to local kids.<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s how you can help.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_18036\" style=\"width: 427px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=18036\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-18036\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18036\" class=\"size-full wp-image-18036\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/isolated-1007767_1280-e1699984432575.png\" alt=\"Santa made of felt on a burlap sack filled with wrapped packages and a candy cane.\" width=\"417\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-18036\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by Schwarzenarzisse from PIxabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Please consider dropping off one or more new, unwrapped toys to SPAA&#8217;s donation area, in their gallery inside <a href=\"https:\/\/craftedportla.com\/\">CRAFTED<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0 Bill says, in addition to toys, they always need gift cards for teens, such as cards for Starbucks or Claire&#8217;s.\u00a0\u00a0 The deadline for toy donations is December 10th.<\/p>\n<p>SPAA&#8217;s hours are Friday through Sunday, 12 noon to 6 pm, and as you&#8217;ll see on the flyer, they have extended holiday hours, 11 am to 7 pm.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=696\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-696\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-696\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/CRAFTED-sign-cropped-use-this1-e1466207806426.jpg\" alt=\"CRafted EMBLEM\" width=\"493\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>(And of course, as you&#8217;re having fun being Santa, don&#8217;t forget to check out the work of their talented exhibiting artists!\u00a0\u00a0 You may just wind up with gifts for a few people on YOUR Santa list, as well.)<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><em><strong>San Pedro Art Association&#8217;s 8th Annual Harbor Interfaith Holiday Toy Drive runs Friday, November 17th through Sunday, December 10th.\u00a0 Drop off new, unwrapped toys and gift cards at SPAA&#8217;s gallery at CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles, 112 East 22nd Street, near Miner, Warehouse 10, every weekend from 11 am to 7 pm, Friday through Sunday.<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/em><\/h4>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=18009\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=17973\">Where Creativity Soars<\/a>  November 9, 2023<div class=\"lcp_content\"><div id=\"attachment_17974\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=17974\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17974\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17974\" class=\"size-full wp-image-17974\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/nk1704_ulla_model__38-scaled-e1699565989338.jpg\" alt=\"Bird of Virtue proprietor Linnea Oliver smiles as she opens an iron gate.\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-17974\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of Icarian Photography, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-17973-4\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/audio\/Noelophile_2_Linnea_Oliver.mp3?_=4\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/audio\/Noelophile_2_Linnea_Oliver.mp3\">https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/audio\/Noelophile_2_Linnea_Oliver.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Clean lines.\u00a0 Cheerful retro shapes.\u00a0 Striking accents against contrasting colors.\u00a0\u00a0 Eye-catching motion, and a sense of fun.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s all a part of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birdofvirtue.com\/\">Bird of Virtue<\/a> proprietor Linnea Oliver&#8217;s artistry.<\/p>\n<p>Linnea&#8217;s handcrafted jewelry is inspired by her Nordic heritage, as well as mid-century design and the shapes and colors she encounters in nature&#8211;and in everyday life.<\/p>\n<p>And if you&#8217;re looking for unique gifts, you&#8217;ve found them.\u00a0 Linnea creates her jewelry from acrylic and American hardwoods, then meticulously handpaints her creations.<\/p>\n<p>Among Linnea&#8217;s collections is her &#8220;Virtue necklace&#8221;&#8211;on which she&#8217;s written a word pertaining to a virtue to which she aspires, in Braille.\u00a0\u00a0 Many of her pieces are inspired by Scandinavian design, while collections such as her &#8220;Abacus&#8221; earrings offer a new slant on the colors and shapes of the 1960s.<\/p>\n<p>I particularly like her <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birdofvirtue.com\/collections\/tie-bars\">tie bars<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birdofvirtue.com\/collections\/cuff-links\">cuff links<\/a> (who <em>doesn&#8217;t<\/em> have a man on their gift list, for whom finding something special can be a challenge?).\u00a0 Another favorite: her cute, affordable <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birdofvirtue.com\/collections\/stud-earrings\">studs<\/a> (can we say &#8220;secret Santa&#8221; and &#8220;stocking stuffers&#8221; here?).\u00a0 Then there&#8217;s\u00a0 her gorgeous, limited-edition &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.birdofvirtue.com\/collections\/necklaces\/products\/solvej-necklace\">Solvej Geo Rays<\/a>&#8221; pendant.<\/p>\n<p>And, she&#8217;s recently begun creating <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birdofvirtue.com\/collections\/home\">home goods<\/a>, as well!<\/p>\n<p>Linnea talked about her background, how &#8220;Bird of Virtue&#8221; came about and her creative process.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=17973\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=17792\">On the &#8220;Scent&#8221; of Great Reads<\/a>  October 27, 2023<div class=\"lcp_content\"><div id=\"attachment_17798\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=17798\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17798\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17798\" class=\"size-full wp-image-17798\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/a-book-1950451_1280-e1698272474535.jpg\" alt=\"Open book with pages on each side meeting in a heart shape next to a lit candle.\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-17798\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free images by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/myriams-fotos-1627417\/\">Myriams-Fotos<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Pamela Willson takes a unique approach to creating her scented candles.<\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-17792-5\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/audio\/Noelophile_1_Pamela_Willson.mp3?_=5\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/audio\/Noelophile_1_Pamela_Willson.mp3\">https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/audio\/Noelophile_1_Pamela_Willson.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>With a lifelong passion for reading, Pamela is <a href=\"https:\/\/thepickybookworm.com\/\">&#8220;The Picky Bookworm&#8221;<\/a>.\u00a0 Through her Tulsa, Oklahoma-based company, she offers proofreading and editing services, and publishes book reviews of indie authors&#8217; work.<\/p>\n<p>And one day, the idea struck her: why not create scented candles inspired by some of her favorite authors&#8217; books?<\/p>\n<p>Today, Pamela has created <a href=\"https:\/\/thepickybookworm.com\/product-category\/candles\/\">more than 30 unique scented candles<\/a>.\u00a0 The fragrances evoke the worlds the authors have created, and can be based on a scent a character might wear, an important element in a story, the general atmosphere of a book&#8211;or all of these.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, Pamela currently has four <a href=\"https:\/\/thepickybookworm.com\/product-category\/gift-sets\/\">gift sets<\/a> available.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_17799\" style=\"width: 476px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=17799\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17799\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17799\" class=\"size-full wp-image-17799\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/pocket-watch-6003027_1280-e1698272780224.jpg\" alt=\"Candle burns next to wo books stacked under a sprig of holly and next to a vintage pocket watch.\" width=\"466\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-17799\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/hilda_smith-20231267\/\">Hilda Smith<\/a> from Pixabay._<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Three of these sound like an amazing gift for anyone who loves to read.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 They contain the book which inspired the candle, the candle itself, a scented bookmark by Acorn Tops proprietor Ellie Lieberman, and&#8211;chocolate.\u00a0 Tempting!<\/p>\n<p>The fourth?\u00a0 A <a href=\"https:\/\/thepickybookworm.com\/product\/fall-scented-halloween-candles\/\">limited-edition set of three Halloween candles<\/a>, with a choice of six different autumn scents.\u00a0\u00a0 These fragrances sound almost good enough to eat!<\/p>\n<p>Pamela also hosts The Picky Bookworm Podcast, where, every week, she talks with authors, fellow book bloggers and anyone else for whom books and reading are a passion.\u00a0 (Warning: great show, and it will give you A LOT more to add to your &#8220;must-read&#8221; list!)<\/p>\n<p>Pamela talked about her work, the genesis of her candlemaking venture and her vision for The Picky Bookworm for the future.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=17792\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=17801\">&#8220;Patchwork&#8221;: A Season of Talent &#8211; Part 1<\/a>  October 26, 2023<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile<strong>\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9915\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9915\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9915\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/best-patchwork.jpg\" alt=\"Attendees ente Patchwork Show through a white tent\" width=\"600\" height=\"451\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/best-patchwork.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/best-patchwork-300x226.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/best-patchwork-399x300.jpg 399w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/h6>\n<p>Here it comes&#8211;Christmas shopping season, 2023!\u00a0\u00a0 (Some might argue that it&#8217;s already here!)<\/p>\n<p>And <a href=\"https:\/\/dearhandmadelife.com\/patchwork-show\/#upcomingshows\">Dear Handmade Life&#8217;s Patchwork Show and Makers Market Community Festival<\/a> is ready to welcome you, with six exciting shows, up and down the state.<\/p>\n<p>Their fall season of shows starts off this weekend&#8211;in <strong>Long Beach<\/strong>&#8216;s Marine Stadium.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=7584\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-7584\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7584\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/patchwork-show-booth.jpg\" alt=\"Patchwork Show blue tablecloth atop entrance table\" width=\"700\" height=\"453\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/patchwork-show-booth.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/patchwork-show-booth-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/patchwork-show-booth-463x300.jpg 463w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>This <strong>Sunday, October 29th,<\/strong> Patchwork Show&#8217;s largest and longest-running craft show, returns to Long Beach.\u00a0 More than 250 talented makers will be onsite, along with live music, food trucks, DIY activities and more.\u00a0 And if you&#8217;re a &#8220;crafty&#8221; somebody who&#8217;d like to make a handcrafted gift for someone special in your life (or yourself!), you&#8217;ll get that opportunity, with a hand sewing project, several jewelry-making workshops and candle <em>decorating listed among the DIY workshops.<\/em><\/p>\n<h4><strong><em>Patchwork Show Long Beach happens Sunday, October 29th, from 11 am to 5 pm in Long Beach&#8217;s Marine Stadium, 490 Bayshore Avenue Parking, near East Paoli Way.\u00a0 Admission and parking are free<\/em>.\u00a0 <em>Here&#8217;s the <a href=\"https:\/\/dearhandmadelife.com\/patchwork-show\/long-beach\/\">link to their event and parking maps.<\/a><\/em><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9927\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9927\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9927\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/patchwork-sign-2014.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"476\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/patchwork-sign-2014.jpg 476w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/patchwork-sign-2014-238x300.jpg 238w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 476px) 100vw, 476px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h4><strong>Art with an ocean view<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Then, the following <strong>Sunday, November 5th<\/strong>, Patchwork Show heads north&#8211;with a new location in downtown <strong>Ventura.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>More than 50 vendors will be onsite, on a palm-lined street from which you can see the ocean!\u00a0\u00a0 DIY workshops will include ornament painting, creating your own bath salts and making holiday dinos!\u00a0\u00a0 Plus, the new location will be within walking distance of a number of local shops and restaurants<\/p>\n<h4><strong><em>Patchwork Show Ventura happens Sunday, November 5th, from 11 am to 5 pm at California and East Main Street, in downtown Ventura.\u00a0 Admission and parking are free<\/em>.\u00a0\u00a0 <em>You&#8217;ll find event and parking maps <a href=\"https:\/\/dearhandmadelife.com\/patchwork-show\/ventura\/\">here.<\/a><\/em><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Unique and historic<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9906\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9906\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9906\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/food-trucks-2_edited-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"536\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/food-trucks-2_edited-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/food-trucks-2_edited-1-300x268.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/food-trucks-2_edited-1-336x300.jpg 336w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>And the following <strong>Sunday, November 12th<\/strong>?\u00a0 Look for Patchwork Show in their newest location&#8211;historic Old Town <strong>Tustin<\/strong>!<\/p>\n<p>For this one, more than 100 vendors will be on hand.\u00a0\u00a0 Food trucks and DIY activities will be part of the festivities.\u00a0 And while the schedule of crafts and other activities has not yet been posted, I&#8217;ve had the pleasure of attending a number of Patchwork Shows and they <em>never<\/em> disappoint.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, Patchwork Show&#8217;s website mentions that this show will be located in an area surrounded by historic buildings, shops and restaurants.\u00a0 Old Town Tustin&#8217;s Main Street dates back to 1868 and includes some very tempting-sounding independently-0wned shops and restaurants.\u00a0\u00a0 A lavender boutique, independent bookstore and authentic Italian restaurant that&#8217;s been around for more than half a century?\u00a0 Yes, please!<\/p>\n<h4><strong><em>Patchwork Show Tustin happens Sunday, November 12th, from 11 am to 5 pm in the Farmer&#8217;s Market Lot, at 245 El Camino Real in Old Town Tustin.\u00a0 Admission and parking are free<\/em>.\u00a0 <em>Maps and event schedules will be posted closer to the event date.<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Those are the Southern California dates for Patchwork Show, and the first of their three Northern California shows happens Saturday, November 18th, in Oakland.\u00a0 I&#8217;ll post more information as their schedules and maps are available.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=17801\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=17763\">Start the Presses<\/a>  October 20, 2023<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile<strong>\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=2515\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-2515\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2515\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Intl-Printing-Museum.jpg\" alt=\"International Printing Museum sign above the Museum's doorway\" width=\"600\" height=\"452\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Intl-Printing-Museum.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Intl-Printing-Museum-300x226.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Intl-Printing-Museum-398x300.jpg 398w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/h6>\n<p>Charles Dickens knew the importance of presentation.<\/p>\n<p>By all accounts, his classic <em>A Christmas Carol <\/em>was beautifully bound.\u00a0 The end papers were hand-colored, the pages gold-edged, and one of the best artists of his day created the illustrations.<\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;re looking for something special for a loved one this Christmas season, you don&#8217;t have to go quite <em>that<\/em> far.\u00a0 In fact, you may only want to go as far as Carson, this weekend&#8211;for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.printersfair.com\/\">2023 Los Angeles Printers Fair<\/a>, at the International Printing Museum!<\/p>\n<p>This Saturday and Sunday, October 21st and 22nd, 80 talented artists will be onsite, displaying their work.\u00a0\u00a0 In addition, if you are a letterpress or printmaking artist, there will be printing and type equipment for sale.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_17775\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=17775\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17775\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17775\" class=\"size-full wp-image-17775\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/printing-press-3391580_12801-e1697760023156.jpg\" alt=\"Letter type blocks for antique printing press\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-17775\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/sweetmellowchill-8503012\/\">SweetMellowChill<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>And you&#8217;ll get a chance to browse hand-printed cards, custom posters, hand-made paper and much more.\u00a0 Not to mention check out the letterpress and book arts demos, happening throughout the Fair.<\/p>\n<p>Looking over their 2023 vendor listing, I really like those handbound journals and sketchbooks from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/jumpingwhalebooks\/?etsrc=sdt\">Jumping Whale Books<\/a>.\u00a0 And <a href=\"https:\/\/doublenutkin.com\/\">Double Nutkin&#8217;s<\/a> handmade prints.\u00a0 And <a href=\"https:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/twohanddesign?listing_id=814044551&amp;ref=simple-shop-header-name\">Two Hand Design&#8217;s<\/a> cheerful, folk art-inspired notecard packs and notebooks.\u00a0 And&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>OK, OK.\u00a0 I&#8217;ll let you discover your <em>own <\/em>favorites&#8211;there are sure to be plenty!\u00a0 As well as special tours of the International Printing Museum, which houses one of the world&#8217;s largest and most comprehensive collections of working antique printing equipment.\u00a0 All proceeds from the Los Angeles Printers Fair go to support the Museum, which is a 501 (c)3 nonprofit dedicated to bringing the history of books and printing to life for their visitors.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_17776\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=17776\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17776\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17776\" class=\"size-full wp-image-17776\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/bookbinding-4288838_1280-e1697760172523.jpg\" alt=\"Four bookbinding fillets with wooden handles, in a row, with a gold border.\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-17776\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by Stefan Schweihofer from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Meanwhile, if you are currently working on your own novella, book of poetry or other passion project, you may want to ask about the Museum&#8217;s Book Arts Institute!\u00a0\u00a0 Their next bookmaking class begins on November 18th, and runs through January 6th.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>The 2023 Los Angeles Printers Fair happens Saturday and Sunday, October 21st and 22nd, from 10 am to 4 pm at the International Printing Museum, 315 West Torrance Boulevard (west of Main Street) in Carson.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=17763\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=17737\">More Stardust in the Making<\/a>  October 17, 2023<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00aeM<\/h6>\n<div id=\"attachment_17757\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=17757\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17757\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17757\" class=\"size-full wp-image-17757\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Museum-of-Make-Believe11-e1697511660823.png\" alt=\"Museum of Make Believe logo in gold against a black background\" width=\"700\" height=\"645\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-17757\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Graphic courtesy of Museum of Make Believe, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Here&#8217;s some fantastic news&#8211;and some okay news.<\/p>\n<p>The fantastic news first.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.museumofmakebelieve.org\/\">Museum of Make Believe<\/a> are hard at work on their inaugural exhibit, for their soon-to-be brand-new physical museum space, in Laguna Beach!<\/p>\n<p>They&#8217;re set to open later this autumn.<\/p>\n<p>While they haven&#8217;t yet announced a specific date, this is going to be absolutely magical.<\/p>\n<p>You&#8217;ll recall from <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=15653\">our previous interview with artist Amy Mitchell<\/a> that she and her husband Geoff first created the Museum of Make Believe in April, 2020.\u00a0 Since then (and despite the pandemic) they&#8217;ve hosted all kinds of pop-up events to spark the imagination.<\/p>\n<p>Technically, Museum of Make Believe is an art museum.\u00a0 But that term doesn&#8217;t do it justice.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Putting the &#8220;magic&#8221; in imagination<\/strong><\/h4>\n<div id=\"attachment_17748\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=17748\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17748\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17748\" class=\"size-full wp-image-17748\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/book-2929646_12801-e1697496519997.jpg\" alt=\"Girl stands on a hill in pages from a book with a blowing red kite and a red tree blowing in the wind in the background.\" width=\"700\" height=\"411\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-17748\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/51581-51581\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=2929646\">51581<\/a> from <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/\">Pixabay<\/a>.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The goal here, Amy explains, is to encourage visitors to explore their creativity through art and storytelling.\u00a0 Events are interactive, hands-on and whimsical.<\/p>\n<p>And my personal favorite so far has been &#8220;Winter Wonderland: A Vintage Christmas&#8221;, last December.\u00a0 This was one of the most imaginative and fun virtual events I&#8217;ve ever experienced.<\/p>\n<p>All along, though, the vision has been to open a physical space.<\/p>\n<p>Expect plenty of magic when the doors open.\u00a0 Museum of Make Believe&#8217;s fundraising page says the new space will be a storybook forest setting.\u00a0 Their inaugural exhibit is entitled, &#8220;Ghost Stories &amp; Fairy Tales&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>(Sounds Christmasy to me!\u00a0 After all, isn&#8217;t Dickens&#8217; <em>A Christmas Carol<\/em> the ultimate &#8220;Christmas ghost story&#8221;?)<\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;ll look forward to sharing more details with you as they become available.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>And next&#8230;<\/strong><\/h4>\n<div id=\"attachment_17751\" style=\"width: 535px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=17751\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17751\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17751\" class=\"size-full wp-image-17751\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/ai-generated-8315842_1280-e1697497439416.png\" alt=\"Black cat in a Gothic-framed window with a red rose and gree leaves\" width=\"525\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-17751\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/freefunart-8472313\/\">FreeFunArt<\/a> from <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/\">Pixabay<\/a>.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Now&#8211;on to the okay news.<\/p>\n<p>Since there are only twenty-four hours in every day, Museum of Make Believe won&#8217;t get to &#8220;Halloween&#8221; with the community as they normally do.\u00a0 They will be missed!<\/p>\n<p>However&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>They&#8217;d like to invite you to enjoy their past festivities.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.museumofmakebelieve.org\/events?mc_cid=69b34b021c&amp;mc_eid=568f66b8f4\">Here&#8217;s where you can enjoy all their past Halloween events<\/a>, this Halloween!\u00a0\u00a0 You&#8217;ll get to see their \u201cHallows\u2019 Eve Curiosity Show\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0 The recorded live stream from their \u201cHeadless Horseman\u2019s Hallows\u2019 Eve\u201d is likely to send a few tingles up your spine.\u00a0\u00a0 And don&#8217;t miss their floats from the previous years&#8217; \u201cAnaheim Halloween Parade\u201d! \u00a0 Their creations include Rose the Fox Princess, Fricka the Dragon, the Moon Rabbit, and the Light Queen of the Enchanted Forest.\u00a0\u00a0 Not to mention their three witches trapped in birdcages!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_17753\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=17753\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17753\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17753\" class=\"size-full wp-image-17753\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/fantasy-4904160_1280-e1697497830402.jpg\" alt=\"Girl and witch in a magical woods as witch displays a wand with a glowing gold tip\" width=\"700\" height=\"664\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-17753\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/willgard-4665627\/\">Willgard<\/a> from <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/\">Pixabay<\/a>.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Now, are you in a position to help support them as they achieve their dream?<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s a link to their <a href=\"https:\/\/givebutter.com\/c\/preview?mc_cid=69b34b021c&amp;mc_eid=568f66b8f4\">fundraiser<\/a>, where you&#8217;ll see a video of some of their past work.<\/p>\n<p>Imagine what they&#8217;ll do when they have a permanent physical space!<\/p>\n<p>After all, now is a great time to start imagining enchantment.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=17737\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=17595\">An Almost-Summer Roundup<\/a>  June 15, 2023<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=4287\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4287\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-4287\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/patchwork-show1.jpg\" alt=\"Visitors stroll through Patchwork Show, Santa Ana, 2013.\" width=\"600\" height=\"606\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/patchwork-show1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/patchwork-show1-297x300.jpg 297w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/h6>\n<p>The best time for Christmas shopping, is <em>now.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>I know, it&#8217;s the middle of June!\u00a0 And that&#8217;s exactly why.<\/p>\n<p>With summertime crafts events happening, now is a great time to discover handcrafted treasures for the important people in your life.\u00a0 Including <em>you!<\/em><\/p>\n<p>With that in mind, here are just a few of the venues where you&#8217;re likely to find special things, courtesy of some highly gifted artists and makers.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9760\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9760\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9760\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Patchwork-Showmusic-stage.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Patchwork Show tent welcomes guests\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Patchwork-Showmusic-stage.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Patchwork-Showmusic-stage-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Patchwork-Showmusic-stage-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Patchwork Show Makers&#8217; Market and Community Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dearhandmadelife.com\/patchwork-show\/ventura\/\">Downtown Ventura, California and Main<\/a>, this Sunday, June 18th, 11 am &#8211; 5 pm.\u00a0 Free admission.<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>More than 50 vendors in a beach town setting, DIY activities and live music make this a community celebration!\u00a0\u00a0 Patchwork Show hosts seasonal shows up and down the state of California in late spring\/early summer, with their autumn round of craft fairs starting in November.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=7590\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-7590\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7590\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Patchwork-show-sign-2015.jpg\" alt=\"Sign welcomes visitors to Patchwork SHow\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Patchwork-show-sign-2015.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Patchwork-show-sign-2015-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Patchwork-show-sign-2015-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>THEN, they move on to&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dearhandmadelife.com\/patchwork-show\/santa-rosa\/\">Santa Rosa, Old Courthouse Square<\/a>, Sunday, June 25th, 11 am &#8211; 5 pm.\u00a0\u00a0 Free admission.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This show features more than 75 vendors, according to host company Dear Handmade Life&#8217;s website.\u00a0\u00a0 Look for their DIY activities to include hand stamp jewelry making, dried-flower creations with locally-grown blooms, AND a &#8220;Patchwork Junior&#8221; section for the next generation of makers!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11149\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11149\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11149\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Patchwork-Show-DIY-area-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Patchwork-Show-DIY-area-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Patchwork-Show-DIY-area-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Patchwork-Show-DIY-area-1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>And, for their final show of Summer 2023:<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dearhandmadelife.com\/patchwork-show\/elsegundo\/\">El Segundo, The Works<\/a>, Sunday, July 2nd, 11 am &#8211; 5<\/strong> <strong>pm.\u00a0\u00a0 Free admission.<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>According to host company Dear Handmade Life&#8217;s website, special DIY activities and a parking map will be posted soon.\u00a0 What I can tell you, so far, is that (a) they have more than 60 vendors scheduled; and (b) from past great experience, pretty much anything host company\/dedicated small artists&#8217; business Dear Handmade Life produces, is going to be amazing!<\/p>\n<p>And, then there&#8217;s&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=7685\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-7685\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7685\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/OVLF-lavender2-by-Diana_Hatcher-e1434818269764.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"466\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/santabarbaralavenderfestival.com\/\"><strong>Santa Barbara Lavender Festival<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Old Mission Santa Barbara, Saturday, June 24th, 10 am &#8211; 4 pm.\u00a0 Free admission.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A celebration of creativity and all things lavender, I&#8217;m thrilled to see this show continue!\u00a0 We know this as the &#8220;Ojai Lavender Festival&#8221;, and kudos to the new organizers for keeping it going.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9785\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9785\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9785\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Ojai-Lavender-Festival-overall.jpg\" alt=\"Shoppers browse tented exhibits in Libbey Park during Ojai Valley Lavender Festival\" width=\"600\" height=\"336\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Ojai-Lavender-Festival-overall.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Ojai-Lavender-Festival-overall-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Ojai-Lavender-Festival-overall-500x280.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>While I don&#8217;t have a specific listing of this year&#8217;s vendors, exhibiting artists are encouraged to incorporate lavender and lavender themes into their work as much as possible.\u00a0\u00a0 When we visited before, that translated into some gorgeous paintings, fantastic soaps and even lavender ice cream!<\/p>\n<p>Also, local entertainment is featured, and the bands we heard were both top-notch and having a great time sharing their talents.\u00a0 This year&#8217;s entertainment lineup has been published on the Festival website, and is an intriguing-sounding, eclectic program which includes jazz music, Irish dancing and hula.<\/p>\n<p>And, last but NEVER least&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=5059\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5059\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5059\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/SPAA-sign..jpg\" alt=\"San Pedro Artists' Association sign\" width=\"700\" height=\"290\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/SPAA-sign..jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/SPAA-sign.-300x124.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/SPAA-sign.-500x207.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/sanpedroart.org\/\"><strong>San Pedro Art Association<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Supporting artists since 1936, this nonprofit group of talented artists exhibit in multiple venues, in Southern California.<\/p>\n<p><strong>CRAFTED, 112 East 22nd Street, Friday &#8211; Sunday, noon &#8211; 6pm<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_15030\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=15030\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-15030\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-15030\" class=\"size-full wp-image-15030\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/crafts-4371679_1920-e1624575883249.jpg\" alt=\"Orange-and-yellow sunflower necklace handcrafted from beads against blurred abstract background\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-15030\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by Pedro M\u00e1rquez from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>According to their newsletter, more than 35 of their members exhibit their work weekly in their booth at <a href=\"https:\/\/craftedportla.com\/crafted-marketplace\/\">CRAFTED Marketplace<\/a>, in San Pedro.\u00a0\u00a0 Photography, watercolor, jewelry, woodcarving and metalworking are just a few of the media in which they share their gifts.<\/p>\n<p>Closer to Buena Park?\u00a0 Look for SPAA at <strong>Buena Park Farmers Market, in the Buena Park Mall every Saturday, 9 am &#8211; 2 pm.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Or, if you&#8217;re in the L.A. area, find them at <a href=\"https:\/\/melrosetradingpost.org\/\"><strong>Melrose Trading Post<\/strong><\/a><strong>, Fairfax High School, on North Fairfax at Clinton, every Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>And&#8211;that&#8217;s it for now!\u00a0 Have fun exploring and Christmas shopping!<\/p>\n<p>And please, don&#8217;t leave gift wrapping till the last minute, like someone you (ahem) may know, but who shall remain nameless.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=17595\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=17485\">A Mother&#8217;s Day DIY Experience<\/a>  May 4, 2023<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=16237\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-16237\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-16237\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/woodtype-ga12a58f29_640.jpg\" alt=\"Woodtype blocks arranged on a tray to spell &quot;LOVE&quot; as they sit in a compartment of wood type blocks of all shapes and sizes\" width=\"600\" height=\"399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/woodtype-ga12a58f29_640.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/woodtype-ga12a58f29_640-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/h6>\n<p>What have been some of your most special times with your Mom?<\/p>\n<p>For Mother&#8217;s Day, 2023, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.printmuseum.org\/\">International Printing Museum<\/a>, in Carson, would like to help you plan another one.<\/p>\n<p>On Mother&#8217;s Day, Sunday, May 14th, they&#8217;ll be hosting their &#8220;Mother&#8217;s and Makers Letterpress Type Slam&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">This is a four-hour workshop where you can learn to create and print custom posters.\u00a0\u00a0 On the curriculum: some of the history of letterpress printing, how to select wood type from the Museum\u2019s collection of vintage printers, and how to lock up a form in a chase, ink, and print.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_16370\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=16370\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-16370\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16370\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16370\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/orchid-4837017_1920-e1651698866192.jpg\" alt=\"Cluster of white orchids with magenta centers and yellow stamens\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-16370\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Royalty-free image by Manfred Richter from Pixabay<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"\">And you&#8217;re invited to come join them, to create custom posters as a gift for your Mom or a mother figure in your life.\u00a0\u00a0 Or simply for fun.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">But also, if you mother is local, you&#8217;re invited to bring her and learn together, for a special Mother&#8217;s Day afternoon.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">This is a very hands-on, active workshop, which culminates in a print exchange where you can take away a portfolio of prints made during the course.<\/p>\n<p>Never done printing before?\u00a0 All levels are welcome, and it&#8217;s going to be fun!\u00a0\u00a0 However, class size is limited to 10 students, so now would be the time to find out more.\u00a0 Here&#8217;s the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.printmuseum.org\/mothersday\">link for registration<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><strong>The International Printing Museum is located at 315 West Torrance Boulevard, east of the Harbor Freeway in Carson.\u00a0 Their &#8220;Mother&#8217;s and Makers Type Slam&#8221; happens this Sunday, May 14th, from noon to 4 pm, and the course fee is $75 per attendee.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=17485\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=17469\">An SPAA &#8220;First&#8221;<\/a>  April 13, 2023<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=5059\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5059\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5059\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/SPAA-sign..jpg\" alt=\"San Pedro Artists' Association sign\" width=\"700\" height=\"290\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/SPAA-sign..jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/SPAA-sign.-300x124.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/SPAA-sign.-500x207.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/h6>\n<p>This weekend, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sanpedroart.org\/\">San Pedro Art Association<\/a> breaks new ground.<\/p>\n<p>Tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday, they&#8217;re hosting their first annual &#8220;Recycled Art Festival&#8221;, at CRAFTED in San Pedro!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=4413\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4413\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-4413\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/CRAFTED-6.jpg\" alt=\"Front door of CRAFTED at the Port of L.A. with its round sign and orange chairs on the porch\" width=\"600\" height=\"382\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/CRAFTED-6.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/CRAFTED-6-300x191.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/CRAFTED-6-471x300.jpg 471w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>And it&#8217;s going to combine all the best elements of SPAA,\u00a0 with caring for our planet.<\/p>\n<p>You&#8217;ll get a\u00a0 chance to support the artists and purchase all kinds of cool creations.\u00a0 The art will have started off as items that would otherwise have been discarded, as SPAA&#8217;s talented artists &#8220;give trash a second chance&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_17478\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=17478\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17478\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17478\" class=\"size-full wp-image-17478\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/brush-96240_1280-e1681399401454.jpg\" alt=\"Paintbrush swirls magenta paint on a canvas with lavender and orange abstract areas.\" width=\"600\" height=\"399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/brush-96240_1280-e1681399401454.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/brush-96240_1280-e1681399401454-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-17478\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/weinstock-25534\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=96240\">Uwe Baumann<\/a> from <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/\">Pixabay<\/a>.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>You&#8217;ll also get to exercise your own creativity.\u00a0 There will be a &#8220;make and take&#8221; table for kids&#8211;and for us &#8220;tall kids&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>On Saturday, April 15th, there will also be live music.<\/p>\n<p>And especially, you&#8217;ll get to learn more about recycling and upcycling, as you visit with exhibiting artists and organizations as they work to make a difference.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_17480\" style=\"width: 1290px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=17480\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17480\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17480\" class=\"size-full wp-image-17480\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/earth-7150263_1280.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Planet Earth in black spacw\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/earth-7150263_1280.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/earth-7150263_1280-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/earth-7150263_1280-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/earth-7150263_1280-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-17480\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/colbey-13402865\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=7150263\">Colbey Miskech<\/a> from <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/\">Pixabay<\/a>.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Proceeds from SPAA&#8217;s Recycled Art Festival help to benefit nonprofits Angel Gowns, Birdie&#8217;s Kids, Heal the Bay, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium and Marine Mammal Care Center.<\/p>\n<p>As Earth Week begins (April 14-22nd, with Earth Day 2023 happening on April 22nd), you&#8217;re invited to be a part of this eco-friendly celebration of creativity and our blue home.<\/p>\n<h4><strong><em>SPAA&#8217;s first annual Recycled Art Festival happens Friday through Sunday, April 14th through 16th, from 9 am to 5 pm at CRAFTED in San Pedro.\u00a0 CRAFTED is located at 112 East 22nd Street, at Miner.<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=17469\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=17340\">SPAA&#8217;s New &#8220;First&#8221;<\/a>  January 11, 2023<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=5059\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5059\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5059\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/SPAA-sign..jpg\" alt=\"San Pedro Artists' Association sign\" width=\"700\" height=\"290\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/SPAA-sign..jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/SPAA-sign.-300x124.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/SPAA-sign.-500x207.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/h6>\n<p>Attention, artists!\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/sanpedroart.org\/\">San Pedro Art Association<\/a> is looking for you, right now.<\/p>\n<p>They&#8217;d like to have you take part in something new and exciting.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_17346\" style=\"width: 650px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=17346\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17346\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17346\" class=\"size-full wp-image-17346\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/nature-g3cc7fcfeb_640.jpg\" alt=\"Hand holding an earth-shaped translucent glass globe against a background of greenery\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/nature-g3cc7fcfeb_640.jpg 640w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/nature-g3cc7fcfeb_640-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-17346\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/anncapictures-1564471\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=3289812\">annca<\/a> from <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/\">Pixabay<\/a>.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>In April, SPAA hosts their first annual Recycle Festival.\u00a0 Currently, they&#8217;re recruiting recycle and assemblage artists, to participate in this three-day event.<\/p>\n<p>Dates are April 14th, 15th and 16th, and the place is CRAFTED Port of LA marketplace.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Playing With Trash Has Never Been So Fun&#8221; is the slogan for the SPAA Recycle Festival.\u00a0\u00a0 And it certainly does sound like a blast!\u00a0\u00a0 Activities they&#8217;re listing include DIY make and takes, as well as exhibitions of recycled artwork.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_17348\" style=\"width: 650px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=17348\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17348\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17348\" class=\"size-full wp-image-17348\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/caps-gf98aeade5_640.jpg\" alt=\"Multicolored bottle caps against a tan background\" width=\"640\" height=\"425\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/caps-gf98aeade5_640.jpg 640w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/caps-gf98aeade5_640-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-17348\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/articonn-312751\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=743216\">Artur Konik<\/a> from <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/\">Pixabay<\/a>.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>So&#8211;what could that plastic bottle or glass jar become, besides a plastic bottle or glass jar?\u00a0\u00a0 What are the possibilities for that empty egg carton?\u00a0\u00a0 Those cardboard boxes?\u00a0\u00a0 That&#8211;well, you get the idea.\u00a0\u00a0 (And in all probability, will come up with some unique answers!)<\/p>\n<p>The cost to participate in the Festival is $20 for each artist&#8217;s table, with $10 of that amount going to support a great cause: the SPAA Harbor Wide All Grades Student Art Competition, happening this summer!<\/p>\n<p>Like to know more?\u00a0\u00a0 SPAA says if you call Debbie Sue, at (310) 612-1949, she&#8217;ll fill you in on the details.<\/p>\n<h4 align=\"left\"><em><strong>San Pedro Art Association&#8217;s first annual &#8220;SPAA Recycle Festival&#8221; happens Friday, April 14th through Sunday, April 16th, at Crafted Port of LA, 112 East 22nd Street (at Miner), in San Pedro.<\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n<div align=\"left\"><\/div>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=17340\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=16637\">Talent and Tradition By the Sea<\/a>  November 27, 2022<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h6>\n<div id=\"attachment_16662\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=16662\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-16662\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16662\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16662\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Hilary-Gross-e1665186441591.jpg\" alt=\"Red, pink and blue dried flowers in circular black frames make an enchanting set of minisature decorations.\" width=\"700\" height=\"582\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-16662\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Artwork courtesy of Hilary Gross, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>More than 40 talented artists greet you.\u00a0 The scent of freshly-brewed coffee fills the air.\u00a0 You walk along, admiring handcrafted ceramics, jewelry, wooden Christmas ornaments and innumerable other unique gift items.\u00a0 Gingerbread, popcorn and chocolate brownies tantalize you as you walk by a refreshment area. Music from a topnotch local band fills the air.<\/p>\n<p>Further along,\u00a0 a beloved local crafting group, the Muir Beach Quilters, invites you to inspect their handiwork.\u00a0 As you browse their intricately-created quilts (wouldn&#8217;t that one look fantastic in your bedroom?), you notice that they&#8217;ve also made gloves and scarves.\u00a0\u00a0 Meanwhile, at a nearby table, a member of the Muir Beach Volunteer Fire Department patiently answers questions from a wide-eyed five-year-old who wants to be a firefighter when she grows up.\u00a0 The five-year-old beams as she tries on a &#8220;MBVFD&#8221; logo cap.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_16660\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=16660\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-16660\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16660\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16660\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Debra-Allen-scaled-e1665186572605.jpg\" alt=\"Three silver &quot;stars&quot; made of wood stand on a table\" width=\"700\" height=\"525\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-16660\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Artwork courtesy of Debra Allen, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Sound like a highly tempting Christmas shopping experience?\u00a0 That&#8217;s only because&#8211;it is.\u00a0 The Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair. a Christmastime tradition for more than forty years, returns to the Muir Beach Community Center, the first weekend in December.<\/p>\n<p>Admission is free, and the show is happening both Saturday, December 3rd, and Sunday, December 4th.<\/p>\n<p>Started in 1972, the Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair was initially an informal event, according to their website.\u00a0 Held at a local resident&#8217;s home, this first fair was envisioned as a big community party.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_16658\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=16658\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-16658\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16658\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16658\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/MB-Quilters-scaled-e1665186705181.jpeg\" alt=\"Patchwork quilt sits on a frame in the center of a room with quilted picture on the walls\" width=\"700\" height=\"525\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-16658\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Artwork courtesy of MB Quilters, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Along the way, though, the fair would evolve into the Muir Beach Quilters Fair. \u00a0 And it would serve as a vehicle for accomplishing their threefold mission.<\/p>\n<p>The first aim, as written in their mission statement, was simply to host the aforementioned party for the community.<\/p>\n<p>But in addition, the Arts Fair would become an annual showcase for local artisans&#8217; work.\u00a0\u00a0 And the third goal: to raise money for a community center.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_16661\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=16661\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-16661\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16661\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16661\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Craig-Eichenbaum-1-e1665186562582.jpeg\" alt=\"A painting of an older couple: a man with a white beard tie and cap stands near a smiling woman with gray hair and glasses.\" width=\"700\" height=\"728\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-16661\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Artwork courtesy of Craig Eichenbaum, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Today, that community center, built in 1978, hosts the Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair.\u00a0 After the Muir Beach Quilters discontinued their event following the 2013 show, local residents stepped in to continue the tradition.<\/p>\n<p>And today, the Fair has two goals.<\/p>\n<p>First, to raise money to for Muir Beach&#8217;s local community district.\u00a0 All year long, community events, including concerts, a children&#8217;s Halloween party and summer and winter solstice celebrations, are funded by proceeds from the Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair.<\/p>\n<p>And secondly, the original objective: to showcase the work of the gifted local artists and artisans, giving them a chance to sell their work and make some extra money during the Christmas season.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_16659\" style=\"width: 476px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=16659\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-16659\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16659\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16659\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/MB-Garden-Club-e1665186586856.jpeg\" alt=\"A Christmas wreath made of succulents hangs on a tree trunk\" width=\"466\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-16659\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Artwork courtesy of MB Garden Club, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Of course, the festive atmosphere continues.\u00a0 And so does a sense of &#8220;giving back&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>If you stop by &#8220;Cafe Q&#8221;, you&#8217;ll be treated to a free coffee or tea.\u00a0\u00a0 Community groups, such as the MBVFA, Quilters &amp; Garden Club get offered a free table at the Fair.\u00a0 And you&#8217;ll see a Junior Artisans&#8217;\/Kids&#8217; table, where the youngest creatives get a chance to sell their handiwork.<\/p>\n<p>All this, plus the breathtaking views of the area, three miles from Muir Woods, might just add up to a great start for your California Christmas season.<\/p>\n<h4><strong><em>The Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair happens Saturday, December 3rd, <\/em><\/strong><strong><em>from 10 am to6 pm, and Sunday, December <\/em><\/strong><strong><em>4th, from 10 am to 4 pm, at the Muir Beach Community Center, 19 Seascape Drive, southwest of Shoreline Highway.\u00a0 Admission is free.<br \/>\n<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=16637\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=17036\">Salute to &#8220;Small Business Saturday&#8221;<\/a>  November 26, 2022<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile<strong>\u00ae<\/strong><\/h6>\n<div id=\"attachment_17047\" style=\"width: 650px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=17047\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17047\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17047\" class=\"size-full wp-image-17047\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/miniature-g546387d5c_640.jpg\" alt=\"Miniature of small independent shops with shopers and Christmas poinsettias in front of them\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/miniature-g546387d5c_640.jpg 640w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/miniature-g546387d5c_640-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-17047\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/70154-70154\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=233535\">Ray Miller<\/a> from <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/\">Pixabay<\/a>.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Okay, here&#8217;s a dilemma.<\/p>\n<p>Over the years of doing this blog, I&#8217;ve had the pleasure of talking with so many talented small-business owners that I&#8217;ll never be able to name them all!<\/p>\n<p>No matter who gets profiled here, I&#8217;m going to miss mentioning someone.\u00a0\u00a0 Let me try, though, to name several talented artists and makers whose work you might like to see as we celebrate &#8220;Small Business Saturday&#8221;.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Something new has been added<\/strong><\/h4>\n<div id=\"attachment_17048\" style=\"width: 650px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=17048\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17048\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17048\" class=\"size-full wp-image-17048\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/cottage-g39c3bd8f3_640.jpg\" alt=\"Small glass cottage Christmas ornament stands in the center of a wooden snowflake, painted white, on a surface.\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/cottage-g39c3bd8f3_640.jpg 640w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/cottage-g39c3bd8f3_640-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-17048\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/traveller537-10732517\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=5812421\">traveller537<\/a> from <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/\">Pixabay<\/a>.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Starting off with one that&#8217;s new this year: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/profile.php?id=100084801362661\">Meglet&#8217;s Cottage<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Happiness is being creative,&#8221; says proprietor Meg on her Facebook page.<\/p>\n<p>And the designs she&#8217;s sharing are enough to make anyone happy.<\/p>\n<p>In just the past few weeks, she&#8217;s displayed button Christmas trees (who would have thought of those?\u00a0 Not me!), wooden handpainted &#8220;gift tag&#8221; ornaments and, my favorite&#8211;wooden reindeer with all kinds of festive Christmas patterns!<\/p>\n<p>Rumor has it that Meg may be planning some handcrafted-art workshops in the future.\u00a0\u00a0 For now, you can see her work at the above link and <a href=\"https:\/\/chalkcouture.com\/meglet?fbclid=IwAR04yOh8iiYVSUwfy4HL3_IyaEzM5jyU04QfZxap-IFmq1QEtlWwktqiFFs\">on her &#8220;Chalk Couture&#8221; page<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Wowing with graphics<\/strong><\/h4>\n<div id=\"attachment_14511\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=14511\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-14511\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14511\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14511\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Angela-Jackson-e1601677258419.jpg\" alt=\"Angela Jackson smiles from her booth with a &quot;Kards By Angie&quot; sign in the background\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-14511\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of Torrance Craftsmen&#8217;s Guild.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Two years ago, I had the opportunity to <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=14473\">interview<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kardsbyangie.com\/\">Kards by Angie<\/a> proprietor Angela Jackson.<\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;m still wowed by the fact that she&#8217;s never had formal graphic-arts training.<\/p>\n<p>Angie can design greeting cards for any occasion imaginable&#8211;and her work is absolutely gorgeous.<\/p>\n<p>My personal favorite, for this Christmas season, is her red poinsettia with the sparkly red and green accents.\u00a0\u00a0 But she also has a striking Kwanzaa card, as well as her African designs and her whimsical dog tangled up in Christmas lights.<\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;s only one aspect of her work.\u00a0 You might also like to check out her birthday, flowers (those ribbon roses and lilies especially!) and general-occasion greeting cards.<\/p>\n<p>As a small business, she can also craft individual cards if you just need one or two.<\/p>\n<p>And if you&#8217;d like to meet and chat with her as you browse her work, Angie is exhibiting tomorrow, November 27th, in San Pedro&#8211;and has upcoming shows in Redondo Beach and San Pedro.\u00a0 Here&#8217;s a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kardsbyangie.com\/angie's-events\">link to her schedule<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Steampunk creative<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=8590\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8590\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8590\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/ali1-e1447485659482.jpg\" alt=\"Accessory Alchemy proprietor Ali Krajewski displays her miniature Christmas-tree pendant in front of a banner that says &quot;Accessory Alchemy&quot;, at her Jackalope Pasadena booth\" width=\"600\" height=\"337\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>How do you craft jewelry and create something brand-new?<\/p>\n<p>Well, if you&#8217;re Ali Krajewski, you combine Victorian and steampunk influences to make some very fun, imaginative things.<\/p>\n<p>Ali, who is the proprietor of Long Beach-based <a href=\"https:\/\/www.accessoryalchemy.com\/\">Accessory Alchemy<\/a>, has that gift down to a science.<\/p>\n<p>Steampunk clock faces and porcelain Victorian roses adorn the barrettes she makes.\u00a0\u00a0 Her earring selection includes Gothic-looking Victorian teardrop dangles, steampunk clock faces and eye-catching skeleton keys.<\/p>\n<p>For the men, her creations include compass and clock-face cuff links, money clips with gears and tie clips featuring vintage watch faces.<\/p>\n<p>My all-time favorite of her creations, however, is the miniature Christmas tree pendant under a tiny miniature dome.\u00a0 I wear mine every year, and so do several of my gift recipients!<\/p>\n<p>According to her <a href=\"https:\/\/www.accessoryalchemy.com\/find-me\">&#8220;Find Me&#8221; link on her website,<\/a> Ali will also be exhibiting her work in the upcoming weeks: both at L.A. Comic-Con, December 2nd through 4th, and at Jackalope Burbank, December 10th and 11th.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>His time is your heirloom<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10650\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10650\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10650\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/David-and-his-clocks1.jpg\" alt=\"David stands behind three of his clocks in his booth at Pasadena Jackalope Fair\" width=\"600\" height=\"519\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/David-and-his-clocks1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/David-and-his-clocks1-300x260.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/David-and-his-clocks1-347x300.jpg 347w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Okay, let us not be sexist about this.\u00a0 So far I&#8217;ve spotlighted some amazing women makers (with two more coming up).<\/p>\n<p>But let&#8217;s also showcase a man who&#8217;s creating something amazing: woodworker David Ortega, of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/HeirloomsEtcetera?ref=search_shop_redirect\">Heirlooms Etc.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>David creates Craftsman- and mission-style mantel clocks and accessories.\u00a0\u00a0 While his talent as a woodworker shines through his coat racks, tissue boxes and picture frames, his clocks are my personal favorite.<\/p>\n<p>Each named for a different tree, these have that warm, burnished-wood look.\u00a0 These strike me (sorry, I&#8217;ll stick to my day job!) as a great special gift for someone.\u00a0 In fact, years ago, my mom and I went in together to buy my favorite uncle a handcrafted grandfather clock, which stood in his living room for the rest of his lifetime.\u00a0 I&#8217;m reminded of that clock every time I see David&#8217;s work.<\/p>\n<p>While his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/HeirloomsEtcetera?ref=search_shop_redirect\">Etsy page<\/a> doesn&#8217;t show any upcoming appearances, it certainly does exhibit some beautiful work at which you might like to take a look.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Magic and miniatures<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11385\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11385\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11385\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Barb-with-her-painting-21_edited-11.jpg\" alt=\"Barb Lieberman with purple flower painting\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Barb-with-her-painting-21_edited-11.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Barb-with-her-painting-21_edited-11-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Barb-with-her-painting-21_edited-11-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/TheEnchantedWren\">The Enchanted Wren<\/a> magical&#8211;or just very talented?<\/p>\n<p>Yes.<\/p>\n<p>There seems to be very little that paper and fiber artist Barb Lieberman <em>can&#8217;t<\/em> do.<\/p>\n<p>Her <a href=\"https:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/TheEnchantedWren?section_id=28394102\">Etsy store creations<\/a> include paper art, paper earrings, enchanted miniatures and stickers&#8211;all inspired by magic and nature.\u00a0\u00a0 Her miniature &#8220;Moss Embroidery with Pumpkin&#8221; is a personal favorite.\u00a0 However, I can&#8217;t wait to see what Yule-themed art she may come up with!<\/p>\n<p>Barb has been known to share her art by teaching classes in the past, and I can only hope she&#8217;ll do that online in the future.\u00a0 Meanwhile, if you&#8217;re in the Bay Area, you may get a chance to meet her firsthand, next Saturday, December 3rd.\u00a0 She&#8217;ll be one of the exhibiting artists in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfsnad.org\/special-events\">San Francisco School of Needlework and Design&#8217;s &#8220;Fantastic Fiber Fair&#8221;<\/a>!<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Seeds of magic<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=14629\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-14629\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14629\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Ellie1-1.jpg\" alt=\"Ellie Lieberman, in purple with purple fairy wings, smiles against a backdrop of bookshelves\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Ellie1-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Ellie1-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>And last but by no means least is Ellie Lieberman, proprietor of <a href=\"http:\/\/acorntops.weebly.com\/\">Acorn Tops<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Ellie&#8217;s creative style leans heavily towards enchantment.<\/p>\n<p>With the goal of bringing magic into daily life, Ellie carves, stitches, paints&#8211;and infuses magic into her work.<\/p>\n<p>Carved fairy doors are her specialty, along with stitched sachets (her fabric trees and stars would make excellent stocking stuffers!), and her ornaments are eye-catching and unique.\u00a0 Meanwhile, if anyone in your house happens to be allergic to scent (and one of our cats is!), she can craft a pumpkin, star, Christmas tree, heart etc. that&#8217;s scent-free.<\/p>\n<p>My personal favorite of her creations is a red Christmas-themed fairy door, which is usually one of the first ornaments we unwrap and set out as we decorate.\u00a0 But she also makes fairy houses, handpainted ornaments and scented bookmarks.<\/p>\n<p>Bookmarks?\u00a0 Well, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Barbara-Lieberman\/e\/B00NHI7PT6%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share\">like her mom, Barb<\/a>, Ellie is a gifted author.\u00a0\u00a0 Don&#8217;t miss her Christmas story &#8220;The Memory Tree&#8221;, her novel, &#8220;Be&#8221; and her first novella, &#8220;Society&#8217;s Foundlings&#8221;, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Ellie-Lieberman\/e\/B00ZQ5ROYE%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share\">among her books<\/a>!<\/p>\n<p>And if you&#8217;d like a great, Christmasy read that features both their talents, check out a copy of the multi-author anthology <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Enchanting-Yuletide-Multi-Author-Jena-Baxter-ebook\/dp\/B076LLT6JD\">&#8220;Enchanting Yuletide&#8221;<\/a>, in which both Barb and Ellie have published Christmas stories!<\/p>\n<p>Happy Small Business Saturday!\u00a0 Now&#8211;who are some of <em>your<\/em> favorite small businesses that you&#8217;d like to support, this Christmas season?<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=17036\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=16967\">SFSNAD: Tradition Meets Innovation<\/a>  November 23, 2022<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile<span style=\"font-size: xx-small;\">\u00ae <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=16970\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-16970\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-16970\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Lucy-Barter2-e1668734011292.jpg\" alt=\"San Francisco School of Needlework and Design Co-Founder Lucy Barter smiles as she displays her diploma from England's Royal School of Needlework\" width=\"700\" height=\"525\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Lucy-Barter2-e1668734011292.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Lucy-Barter2-e1668734011292-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/h6>\n<p>Stand by&#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfsnad.org\/\">San Francisco School of Needlework and Design<\/a> may be starting a new Christmastime tradition!<\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-16967-6\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/audio\/Noelophile_3_Lucy_Barter.mp3?_=6\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/audio\/Noelophile_3_Lucy_Barter.mp3\">https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/audio\/Noelophile_3_Lucy_Barter.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>&#8220;Hopefully, this becomes something that&#8217;s a regular event,&#8221; says SFSNAD Co-Founder Lucy Barter.<\/p>\n<h4>&#8220;This&#8221; is the school&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfsnad.org\/search-our-courses\/fiber-fair\">new Fantastic Fiber Fair<\/a>, happening on Saturday, December 3rd!\u00a0 More than 20 artisans&#8211;local, emerging, and established&#8211;will be on hand.\u00a0 They&#8217;ll be exhibiting all kinds of enchanting creations, showcasing the art of hand stitching, fiber, craft, and embroidery.<\/h4>\n<h4><strong>And, the other 364 days<\/strong><\/h4>\n<div id=\"attachment_16625\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=16625\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-16625\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16625\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16625\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/embroidery-gaec2fc13c_1280-e1664311222305.jpg\" alt=\"Counted cross stitch picture of a small shop with an &quot;Open&quot; sign in an embroidery hoop\" width=\"700\" height=\"469\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-16625\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by Kateryna from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>But year-round, San Francisco School of Needlework and Design is something special.\u00a0 A nonprofit, their goal is to share and celebrate the tradition of needlework in the twenty-first century.<\/p>\n<p>And while you may think you know needlework, a conversation with Lucy reveals a LOT of different aspects to the art.\u00a0 Maybe <em>you<\/em> were familiar with goldwork, whitework, blackwork and all the different types of needlework from around the world&#8211;but <em>I<\/em> certainly wasn&#8217;t!<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=15251\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-15251\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-15251\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/embroidery-405652_1920.jpg\" alt=\"Embroidered holly with a red bow on a white napkin\" width=\"600\" height=\"402\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/embroidery-405652_1920.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/embroidery-405652_1920-300x201.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>What&#8217;s exciting about SFSNAD&#8211;as staffers affectionately call it&#8211;is that their approach is multifaceted.\u00a0\u00a0 They offer onsite classes, with both staffers and guest lecturers.\u00a0\u00a0 Not to mention online courses and introductory &#8220;Technique Taster&#8221; sessions, in case you&#8217;d like to try your hand at a new aspect of needlecraft.\u00a0\u00a0 Needlepainting looks pretty tempting to me, but this is your choice!<\/p>\n<p>Then, there are their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfsnad.org\/stitch-in\">free, worldwide &#8220;Stitch In&#8221; sessions<\/a>.\u00a0 There&#8217;s one online session and one onsite, weekly, and everyone&#8217;s welcome.<\/p>\n<p>Plus?\u00a0 The free biannual &#8220;Stitch at Home Challenge&#8221;.\u00a0 Here&#8217;s the <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSduqErSYZ7fVodI3Xr9BviNqPs2roXXzQdhOfd7KxOVNCwxJQ\/viewform\">link for information<\/a>: SFSNAD&#8217;s next Challenge deadline is January 15, 2023 for online entries, and January 30th for work to be received for display in their &#8220;Hanging Thread Gallery&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>And Lucy has some exciting credentials, as she continues sharing her expertise.\u00a0 She trained, and later taught, at the Royal School of Needlework!<\/p>\n<h4>\u00a0<em><strong>San Francisco School of Needlework and Design hosts their inaugural &#8220;Fantastic Fiber Fair&#8221; on Saturday, December 3rd, from 11 am to 4 pm at 850 Battery Street, at Vallejo.\u00a0 You&#8217;ll find them on the second floor.<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=16967\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=16856\">SPAA and Santa<\/a>  November 10, 2022<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h6>\n<div id=\"attachment_16866\" style=\"width: 650px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=16866\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-16866\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16866\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16866\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/christmas-1786558_640.jpg\" alt=\"Christmas package wrapped in gold foil with a curly red ribbon under the tree\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/christmas-1786558_640.jpg 640w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/christmas-1786558_640-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-16866\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/karosieben-687683\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=1786558\">karosieben<\/a> from <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/\">Pixabay<\/a>.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&#8220;Do you believe in Santa Claus?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>A classmate asked me that in sixth grade.\u00a0 He was standing ready to jeer if I&#8217;d said &#8220;yes&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>Like any insecure eleven-year-old, I shook my head.<\/p>\n<p>And knew that I was lying.<\/p>\n<p>Somehow, today, that would <em>still<\/em> be a total fib!<\/p>\n<p>The best part of Santa, is that we all get to <em>be <\/em>Santa.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_16868\" style=\"width: 650px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=16868\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-16868\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16868\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16868\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/beautiful-3085333_640.jpg\" alt=\"Orange tabby cat with green eyes and a Santa hat\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/beautiful-3085333_640.jpg 640w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/beautiful-3085333_640-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-16868\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/chibimundo-4544098\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=3085333\">Lucy Chibimundo<\/a> from <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/\">Pixabay<\/a>.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>And that&#8217;s exactly what <a href=\"http:\/\/sanpedroart.org\/\">San Pedro Art Association<\/a> is doing, starting tomorrow.<\/p>\n<p>This Friday, November 11th, SPAA kicks off their &#8220;Harbor Interfaith Christmas Toy Drive&#8221;.\u00a0\u00a0 And they&#8217;d like your help in filling the sleigh.<\/p>\n<p>Please consider dropping off a new, unwrapped toy for a local child in need, at either of their two locations?\u00a0\u00a0 From Friday through Sunday, from 12 to 6 pm, you can bring new toys to their gallery at CRAFTED, 112 West 22nd Street, in San Pedro.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_16869\" style=\"width: 650px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=16869\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-16869\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16869\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16869\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/nicholas-2898306_640.jpg\" alt=\"Resin St Nicholas figure with a white beard holds a lantern and stands against a snowy background with gold lights\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/nicholas-2898306_640.jpg 640w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/nicholas-2898306_640-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-16869\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/suju-foto-165106\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=2898306\">Susanne Jutzeler, Schweiz<\/a>, from <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/\">Pixabay<\/a>.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Or, if you prefer, starting this weekend, you can find the &#8220;elves&#8221; at SPAA&#8217;s Farmers Market booth in Buena Park.\u00a0 They&#8217;ll be there every Saturday, from 9 to 2 pm, at the corner of La Palma and Stanton.<\/p>\n<p>Now&#8211;there is a deadline.\u00a0 So that there&#8217;s plenty of time to see what the reindeer have to deal with, SPAA requests that all donations be in by December 11th.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12096\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12096\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12096\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/SPAA-new1.jpg\" alt=\"San Pedro Art Association, &quot;Art on the Edge&quot; banner, hangs from brown wooden rafters\" width=\"600\" height=\"241\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/SPAA-new1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/SPAA-new1-300x121.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/SPAA-new1-500x201.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>And while you&#8217;re channeling your inner Santa, get a look at what the talented members of San Pedro Art Association have created.\u00a0 They&#8217;ve been supporting artists for 85 years and counting (and Happy Anniversary to them!). You may just want to consider their beautiful paintings, jewelry, wood carvings, ceramics and other unique creations for anyone on your &#8220;nice&#8221; list&#8211;including you.<\/p>\n<h4><strong><em>San Pedro Art Association will be collecting new, unwrapped toys for their &#8220;Harbor Interfaith Christmas Toy Drive&#8221; from Friday, November 11th through Sunday, December 11th, at two locations.\u00a0\u00a0 Gifts can be dropped off Friday through Sunday, from noon to 6 pm, at their gallery at CRAFTED, 112 West 22nd Street, at Miner, in San Pedro, or every Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm at their Farmer&#8217;s Market booth, at the corner of La Palma and Stanton in Buena Park.<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=16856\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=16730\">Bobbi J: Thoughtful Beauty<\/a>  October 29, 2022<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00a0\u00ae<\/h6>\n<div id=\"attachment_16732\" style=\"width: 477px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=16732\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-16732\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16732\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16732\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Bobbi-J-Fall_Winter177.jpg\" alt=\"Jessica Linahan, wearing hoop earrings and a gold choker necklace, poses with her dog.\" width=\"467\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Bobbi-J-Fall_Winter177.jpg 467w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Bobbi-J-Fall_Winter177-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 467px) 100vw, 467px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-16732\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photograph courtesy of Angela Jazmin, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Iridescent greens create a sealike pattern on cuff links.\u00a0\u00a0 Metal swirls mimic the pattern of water on gold and silver rings.\u00a0 A soft-pink shell inlay nestles in a silver curved hoop earring.<\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-16730-7\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/audio\/Noelophile_2_Jessica_Linahan.mp3?_=7\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/audio\/Noelophile_2_Jessica_Linahan.mp3\">https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/audio\/Noelophile_2_Jessica_Linahan.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>And these are just three examples of the artistry of Jessica Linahan.<\/p>\n<p>Jess, as she prefers to be called, is currently celebrating the ten-year anniversary of her San Francisco-based artisan jewelry business, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bobbijsf.com\/\">Bobbi J<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0 Her designs, she says, are inspired by the patterns and motions she sees in nature, as well as by her heritage.\u00a0 And she&#8217;s careful to work in harmony with the environment.<\/p>\n<p>Specifically, no abalone are harmed in the creation of her abalone-shell inlay work.\u00a0 Instead, Jess and her family visit beaches up and down the California coast, collecting broken pieces of abalone shell.\u00a0 Often, those broken pieces lead her to new creative ideas during the handcutting process.<\/p>\n<p>And if she finds a live abalone?<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We put them right back in the ocean,&#8221; Jess says.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, she&#8217;s creating beauty from the broken pieces she finds.\u00a0\u00a0 Just two examples are her <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bobbijsf.com\/shop\/abalone-inlay-band\">inlay wedding bands<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bobbijsf.com\/shop\/abalone-charms\">metal charms<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>But Jess doesn&#8217;t only work with abalone shells.\u00a0 Her &#8220;lookbook&#8221; includes pieces in bronze, sterling silver, and gold, along with pearl drops and birthstones.<\/p>\n<p>Jess talked about discovering her creative path, and her goals for the future of Bobbi J.\u00a0 And, heads-up: she&#8217;s exhibiting in two upcoming crafts shows at Fort Mason: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.renegadecraft.com\/fair\/san-francisco-winter\/\">Renegade\u00a0 Craft San Francisco<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westcoastcraft.com\/\">West Coast Craft<\/a>!<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=16730\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=16704\">Mark Your Calendar!<\/a>  October 20, 2022<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10970\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10970\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10970\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Arts-ad-Crafts-Faire12.jpg\" alt=\"&quot;Arts and Crafts Faire Today&quot; sign under a white arch\" width=\"600\" height=\"342\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Arts-ad-Crafts-Faire12.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Arts-ad-Crafts-Faire12-300x171.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Arts-ad-Crafts-Faire12-500x285.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/h6>\n<p>Crafts alert!\u00a0 A bunch of fantastic shows are coming up.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10634\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10634\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10634\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Jennifer-Jensen2.jpg\" alt=\"Artisan Jennifer Jensen smiles from within a purple hula hoop covered with fake fun\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Jennifer-Jensen2.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Jennifer-Jensen2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Jennifer-Jensen2-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>You get to browse unique items made with love.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11148\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11148\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11148\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/patchwork-Santa-Ana-2015.jpg\" alt=\"patchwork Santa Ana 2015\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/patchwork-Santa-Ana-2015.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/patchwork-Santa-Ana-2015-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/patchwork-Santa-Ana-2015-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Often, the artists you&#8217;ll see are jury-selected.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_14511\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=14511\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-14511\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14511\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14511\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Angela-Jackson-e1601677258419.jpg\" alt=\"Angela Jackson smiles from her booth with a &quot;Kards By Angie&quot; sign in the background\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-14511\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of Torrance Craftsmen&#8217;s Guild.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Many times, participants can do custom orders if you have something special in mind.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=8575\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8575\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8575\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/sara-at-Jackalope-Pasadena.jpg\" alt=\"Jackalope Arts co-founder Sara Diedrich smiles as she exhibits a full shopping bag at Jackalope Fair 2015.\" width=\"600\" height=\"425\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/sara-at-Jackalope-Pasadena.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/sara-at-Jackalope-Pasadena-300x213.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/sara-at-Jackalope-Pasadena-424x300.jpg 424w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>But be warned&#8211;much of what you&#8217;ll see is irresistible.<\/p>\n<p>Here are just a few dates to put on your calendar NOW, before you get super busy for Christmas season 2022.<\/p>\n<p><strong>October 22-23, 11 am &#8211; 6 pm, San Francisco.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Public Glass, 1750 Armstrong Avenue.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_16670\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=16670\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-16670\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16670\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16670\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/glass-g9fd81dcd2_1280-e1665780657582.jpg\" alt=\"Red-hot molten glass glows orange at the end of a rod.\" width=\"700\" height=\"393\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-16670\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by Del Green from Pixabay)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Nonprofit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.publicglass.org\/\">Public Glass<\/a> will host their Open Studio hours both days, with seven artists exhibiting.\u00a0\u00a0 You&#8217;ll also get to see some demonstrations of their craft!<\/p>\n<p>And there will be plenty to see, as glass artist <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mariaenomoto.com\/\">Maria Enomoto<\/a> emails: adjacent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/events\/820346922641512\/?ref=newsfeed\">Yosemite Place Studios<\/a>, one building over, will offer open studio hours both days, as well.\u00a0\u00a0 While I literally just found out about them, their Facebook page shows them offering all kinds of cool stuff: jewelry, pottery, paintings, furniture, photography&#8230;and they list their event as &#8220;dog-friendly&#8221;, so your furry friend can accompany you as you browse.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_16695\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=16695\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-16695\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16695\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16695\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/glass-vases-by-Maria-Enomoto.jpg\" alt=\"Four translucent glass vases: light green with a red flower; light orange, lemon yellow and rose pink.\" width=\"700\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/glass-vases-by-Maria-Enomoto.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/glass-vases-by-Maria-Enomoto-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/glass-vases-by-Maria-Enomoto-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-16695\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photograph courtesy of Maria Enomoto, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>(While Maria has had a change of plans and will not be onsite those days, be sure to look for her beautiful bowls, glass containers and additional gift items, as well.\u00a0 Some of her work will be available in the gallery&#8211;and don&#8217;t miss my earlier <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=16668\">interview with her<\/a>, for a closer look at the craft of glassblowing!)<\/p>\n<p><strong>October 22, 10 am &#8211; 5 pm, Newport Beach.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Newport Beach Civic Center Green, 100 Civic Center Drive.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_16712\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=16712\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-16712\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16712\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16712\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/ceramics-gbd8df75ef_1280-e1666305239582.jpg\" alt=\"Colorful ceramic daisies, rose and lilies stand in tall brown glazed pottery jugs at outdoor crafts fair.\" width=\"700\" height=\"525\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-16712\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by Juan Torres from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>More than 125 artists will be on hand for Newport Beach Arts Foundation&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/newportbeachartsfoundation.org\/events\/\">17th annual &#8220;Art in the Park&#8221; Fine Arts and Artisans Fair!<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Ceramics,\u00a0 sculpture, wood art, mixed media and textiles are just a few of the media in which these gifted creatives work.\u00a0\u00a0 Admission and parking are free, and if you have junior gifted future or present artists with you, they&#8217;ll get a chance to participate in art activities,\u00a0 courtesy of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.chuckjonescenter.org\/\">Chuck Jones Center for Creativity<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>November 6, 11 am &#8211; 5 pm, Old Town Tustin.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Patchwork Show Modern Makers Festival, 245 El Camino Real.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=7585\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-7585\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7585\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Patchwork-Show-longshot-view.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Patchwork-Show-longshot-view.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Patchwork-Show-longshot-view-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Patchwork-Show-longshot-view-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This is the first of a series of FIVE <a href=\"https:\/\/dearhandmadelife.com\/patchwork-show\/#upcomingshows\">Patchwork Show Festivals<\/a> happening up and down the state of California, this Christmas season!<\/p>\n<p>Patchwork Show is a longtime favorite of mine, with DIY workshops, music stages, food trucks and all kinds of incredible handcrafted gifts.\u00a0 \u00a0 Tustin, according to their website, is their newest venue, and this is an outdoor show, happening in the Farmer&#8217;s Market Lot.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=7579\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-7579\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7579\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Debbie-of-Ceecee-and-Bee.jpg\" alt=\"Debbie talks with clients as she exhibits her handcrafted soaps\" width=\"700\" height=\"506\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Debbie-of-Ceecee-and-Bee.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Debbie-of-Ceecee-and-Bee-300x216.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Debbie-of-Ceecee-and-Bee-415x300.jpg 415w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In the past, I couldn&#8217;t resist the scented soaps, hand-dipped chocolates (ummmmm-mmm-mmm!) and handpainted cards at the Long Beach and Santa Ana shows.\u00a0\u00a0 You&#8217;re likely to find all kinds of special things and may even get your Christmas shopping done early.<\/p>\n<p>Oh, and watch out for those artisan popsicles.\u00a0 They have an alarming tendency to jump into your mouth.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=7584\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-7584\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7584\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/patchwork-show-booth.jpg\" alt=\"Patchwork Show blue tablecloth atop entrance table\" width=\"700\" height=\"453\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/patchwork-show-booth.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/patchwork-show-booth-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/patchwork-show-booth-463x300.jpg 463w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Not in the Tustin area or can&#8217;t make it this weekend?\u00a0 Upcoming Patchwork Show Modern Maker Festivals are happening in Long Beach, Oakland, Santa Rosa and Ventura over the next few weekends!\u00a0 Here&#8217;s the <a href=\"https:\/\/dearhandmadelife.com\/patchwork-show\/#upcomingshows\">link to their schedule<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>November 12-13, 10 am &#8211; 3 pm, Torrance.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Torrance Craftsmen&#8217;s Guild, Torrance Cultural Arts Center.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Madrona and Torrance Boulevard.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=7356\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-7356\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7356\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/craft-faire-banner-e1458336309193.jpg\" alt=\"White banner says &quot;Craft Faire&quot; in green lettering\" width=\"600\" height=\"394\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Happy Anniversary to 501 (c) (3) nonprofit <a href=\"https:\/\/torrancecraftsmensguild.org\/\">Torrance Craftsmen&#8217;s Guild<\/a>, as they host their 53rd Annual Crafts and Fall Faire!<\/p>\n<p>This is always a festive, community-oriented show.\u00a0 A DJ on the patio provides music, as visitors browse three rooms of beautiful handcrafted items.\u00a0\u00a0 Refreshments are available, and you&#8217;ll get an early peek at renderings of the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.torrancerosefloat.org\/\">Torrance Rose Float<\/a> (with a great chance to support Torrance Rose Float Association as they prepare for the upcoming Rose Parade\u00ae!).<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_16720\" style=\"width: 1290px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=16720\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-16720\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16720\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16720\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/handcraft-1814296_1280.jpg\" alt=\"White birch log with candles and red poinsettias sits in a greenery arrangement with a painted goldfinch on a table\" width=\"1280\" height=\"908\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/handcraft-1814296_1280.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/handcraft-1814296_1280-300x213.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/handcraft-1814296_1280-1024x726.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/handcraft-1814296_1280-768x545.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-16720\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by Silke Wurm from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>My favorite purchases from TCG, in the past, have included Christmas earrings, absolutely gorgeous photography greeting cards (fields of California flowers!), gingerbread-doll Christmas decorations and candles.\u00a0 But you&#8217;re certain to find your own treasures.\u00a0 Admission and parking are free.<\/p>\n<p>AND&#8211;can you believe I&#8217;ve barely scratched the surface here?\u00a0 Still haven&#8217;t told you about Jackalope Arts, Muir Beach or any of the other venues that have something special coming up in the crafts-show department.<\/p>\n<p>Next time.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=16704\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=16668\">&#8220;Maria Made&#8230;&#8221; Something Amazing<\/a>  October 15, 2022<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00a0\u00ae<\/h6>\n<div id=\"attachment_16690\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=16690\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-16690\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16690\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16690\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/bowls-by-Maria-Enomoto.jpg\" alt=\"Four translucent glass bowls--orange, red, blue, and green--on a counter\" width=\"700\" height=\"547\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/bowls-by-Maria-Enomoto.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/bowls-by-Maria-Enomoto-300x234.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-16690\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photograph courtesy of Maria Enomoto, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Glassblowing.\u00a0 What comes to mind when you hear that word?<\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-16668-8\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/audio\/Maria_Enomoto_Noelophile_1_revision.mp3?_=8\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/audio\/Maria_Enomoto_Noelophile_1_revision.mp3\">https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/audio\/Maria_Enomoto_Noelophile_1_revision.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>Did you think, &#8220;working with a partner&#8221;?\u00a0 Or &#8220;2100-degree molten glass&#8221;?\u00a0 Or &#8220;you get about ten seconds to shape it as you want&#8221;?<\/p>\n<p>Probably not.\u00a0 But all of those are realities of the craft, says San Francisco-based glass artist <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mariaenomoto.com\/\">Maria Enomoto<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>And working with those realities, she&#8217;s created some breathtakingly beautiful things.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_16691\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=16691\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-16691\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16691\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16691\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/lidded-containers-by-Maria-Enomoto.jpg\" alt=\"Four lidded glass containers grouped on a counter. Colors are deep purple, orange, light green and rose, all with clear-glass &quot;knob&quot; handles.\" width=\"700\" height=\"569\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/lidded-containers-by-Maria-Enomoto.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/lidded-containers-by-Maria-Enomoto-300x244.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-16691\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photograph courtesy of Maria Enomoto, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>My personal favorites are on her <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mariaenomoto.com\/others\">&#8220;other&#8221; page, on her website:<\/a>\u00a0 some almost-liquid blues and greens.\u00a0 I also really liked the rock candy-like shapes with rainbow colors, for one of her plates.\u00a0 Containers, cups, glasses and bowls are just a few of the other items she crafts in the studio.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_16695\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=16695\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-16695\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16695\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16695\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/glass-vases-by-Maria-Enomoto.jpg\" alt=\"Four translucent glass vases: light green with a red flower; light orange, lemon yellow and rose pink.\" width=\"700\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/glass-vases-by-Maria-Enomoto.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/glass-vases-by-Maria-Enomoto-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/glass-vases-by-Maria-Enomoto-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-16695\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photograph courtesy of Maria Enomoto, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>And&#8211;for your early Christmas shopping pleasure&#8211;Maria has a table at the upcoming &#8220;Open Studio&#8221;, happening at<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.publicglass.org\/\">Public Glass<\/a> on October 22nd and 23rd<\/strong>.\u00a0\u00a0 Follow her on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/maria_made_a_thing\/\">Instagram at maria_made_a_thing<\/a> for times and updates on other future shows!\u00a0\u00a0 Or, you can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mariaenomoto.com\/more\">subscribe to her newsletter<\/a>, for more information.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_16692\" style=\"width: 535px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=16692\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-16692\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16692\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16692\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/cake-stand-by-glass-artist-Maria-Enomoto.jpg\" alt=\"Tall glass pedestal cake stand with blue plate and blue in its clear pedestal.\" width=\"525\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/cake-stand-by-glass-artist-Maria-Enomoto.jpg 525w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/cake-stand-by-glass-artist-Maria-Enomoto-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-16692\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photograph courtesy of Maria Enomotos, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>For our first Noelophile\u00ae artist profile, Maria talked about her creative journey, some of her favorite experiences and a brand-new creative avenue she&#8217;s exploring!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=16668\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=16622\">A Creative Tradition<\/a>  September 27, 2022<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h6>\n<div id=\"attachment_16624\" style=\"width: 675px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=16624\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-16624\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16624\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16624\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/SNAD-Fantastic-Fiber-Faire-e1663894849139.png\" alt=\"Poster with various colored squares of texitles advertises SNAD's &quot;Fantastic Fiber Fair&quot;, December 3rd, 2022\" width=\"665\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-16624\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Image courtesy of San Francisco School of Needlework and Design, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Needlework.\u00a0 What comes to mind when you hear that word?<\/p>\n<p>Did you think of goldwork?\u00a0 Or of art from around the world?\u00a0 Or of new applications that could inspire the next generation of artists?<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps not.\u00a0 But nonprofit <a href=\"https:\/\/sfneedleworkanddesign.org\/\">San Francisco School of Needlework and Design<\/a> may very well change all that.<\/p>\n<p>Co-founded in 2015 by needlework artists Lucy Barter and Ellice Sperber, this is a world-class artists&#8217; studio&#8211;dedicated to preserving and sharing the various aspects of textile artistry.<\/p>\n<p>As you see above, they&#8217;re having a special event&#8211;to which you&#8217;re invited&#8211;on Saturday, December 3rd.\u00a0\u00a0 And you&#8217;re cordially invited to come by, meet their talented artists and see what treasures you find, for Christmas season 2022.<\/p>\n<p>However, a lot of other exciting things are happening between now and then.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_16625\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=16625\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-16625\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16625\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16625\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/embroidery-gaec2fc13c_1280-e1664311222305.jpg\" alt=\"Counted cross stitch picture of a small shop with an &quot;Open&quot; sign in an embroidery hoop\" width=\"700\" height=\"469\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-16625\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/katetsib-1090772\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=2937593\">Kateryna<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>SFSNAD, as staffers affectionately call it, hosts regular workshops&#8211;both virtual and on-site.\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/sfneedleworkanddesign.org\/classes\/\">This weekend&#8217;s offerings<\/a> include the online &#8220;Introduction to Embroidery Animal&#8221; class (take a look, that very cute reindeer certainly caught <em>my<\/em> attention!).\u00a0 In-person classes include &#8220;Introduction to Embroidery&#8221; and a &#8220;Technique Tasters&#8221; session, on needlepoint.<\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;s just this weekend.<\/p>\n<p>As you plan for Christmas, and wonder what to give some of the special people in your life, you may very well like to check out SFSNAD&#8217;s upcoming in-person <a href=\"https:\/\/sfneedleworkanddesign.org\/csp\/needlepainting\/\">needlepainting courses<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0 Or their online <a href=\"https:\/\/sfneedleworkanddesign.org\/events\/online-technique-taster-goldwork-with-tiffany-chin\/\">goldwork &#8220;Technique Taster&#8221;<\/a>, in mid-October.\u00a0 Or their onsite &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/sfneedleworkanddesign.org\/bite-size-embroidery-for-beginners\/\">Bite-Size Embroidery for Beginners<\/a>&#8220;, happening twice monthly.<\/p>\n<p>Not to mention gift-giving an experience!\u00a0\u00a0 It strikes me that any one of these classes would make a fantastic gift for someone special.<\/p>\n<p>And&#8230;I still haven&#8217;t done them justice.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_16626\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=16626\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-16626\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16626\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16626\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/yarn-gd4c5a142c_1280-e1664311441125.jpg\" alt=\"Embroidery thread spools in rainbow colors in a line\" width=\"700\" height=\"525\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-16626\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/bru-no-1161770\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=1615479\">Bruno \/Germany<\/a> from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Definitely check out their <a href=\"https:\/\/sfneedleworkanddesign.org\/about-the-challenge\/\">Stitch-At-Home Challenge<\/a>!\u00a0 They&#8217;ll be posting results of their recent one, &#8220;Purple Reign&#8221;, shortly.\u00a0 Then, there will be another one coming up in which you can participate if you&#8217;d like&#8211;wherever you&#8217;re located geographically!<\/p>\n<p>One final thing (though I&#8217;ve barely scratched the surface of all they do, here).\u00a0\u00a0 SFSNAD offers an online get-together for stitchery!\u00a0 While the website doesn&#8217;t yet offer new dates for their &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/sfneedleworkanddesign.org\/classes\/skill-building\/free-weekly-stitch-ins\/\">Free Weekly Virtual Stitch-Ins<\/a>&#8220;, I had the pleasure of interviewing SFSNAD co-founder Lucy Barter recently.\u00a0 Lucy said they&#8217;ll soon be posting some additional dates for needlecrafters of all types and skill levels to meet on Zoom and socialize as they stitch.<\/p>\n<p>Hmmm.\u00a0 I may just have to break out that crewel painting of the Italian harbor which I&#8217;ve been planning to do for ten years, and join them.<\/p>\n<p>Purely for journalistic research, of course.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><strong><em>San Francisco School of Needlework and Design is located on the second floor of 850 Battery Street, at Vallejo, in San Francisco.<\/em> <\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=16622\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=16542\">SPAA Spotlights Student Talent<\/a>  August 11, 2022<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h6>\n<div id=\"attachment_10162\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10162\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10162\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10162\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10162\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/San-Pedro.jpg\" alt=\"Student art hangs on the wall at CRAFTED facility\" width=\"600\" height=\"375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/San-Pedro.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/San-Pedro-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/San-Pedro-480x300.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10162\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(SPAA Student Art Show, 2015.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Would you like to help <a href=\"http:\/\/sanpedroart.org\/\">San Pedro Art Association<\/a> encourage some talented artists?<\/p>\n<p>Mark your calendar for Sunday afternoon, August 21st, 2-5 pm in San Pedro.\u00a0 Free admission, refreshments and a chance to see a lot of kids smile!<\/p>\n<p>But before I give you more specifics, here&#8217;s a quick story.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>A favorite memory<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_16557\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=16557\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-16557\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16557\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16557\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/colors-gffeeb7b0f_1920-e1660235843448.jpg\" alt=\"Top-down closeup of four sherbet-colored crayons: magenta, yellow aqua green and blue\" width=\"700\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-16557\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by<a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/buzzedbunny-3158330\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=3622901\"> J V<\/a> from <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/\">Pixabay.<\/a>)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The time: the 1960s.\u00a0 The place: a public-school classroom in New York.\u00a0 Thanksgiving is a few weeks away, and a first-grade class is hard at work, making turkeys out of cone-shaped posterboard.<\/p>\n<p>Once the students color their cones, they will attach a red turkey head with wattle.<\/p>\n<p>One six-year-old has a different idea than her classmates.<\/p>\n<p>As the others swipe brown crayon across their turkeys&#8217; body shape, she instead uses a variety of colors.\u00a0 One small square is blue.\u00a0 Another is yellow.\u00a0 A third is her favorite color, magenta.\u00a0 And so on, all around the cone.<\/p>\n<p>It takes her what seems like forever.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_16559\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=16559\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-16559\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16559\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16559\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/chalk-g96a2aa436_1280-e1660236202795.jpg\" alt=\"Six pieces of multicolored chalk lying in chalk dust: pink, orange yellow green, blue and purple\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-16559\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/m_ming-15186288\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=4829602\">mijung Park<\/a> from <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/\">Pixabay<\/a>.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Then the teacher attaches the red turkey heads to her students&#8217; work.\u00a0\u00a0 The art project is finished, ready for Thanksgiving.<\/p>\n<p>Before giving the students back their turkeys, the teacher finds the variegated one and holds it up.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Children&#8211;look at this turkey.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The classroom erupts in laughter.<\/p>\n<p>But the teacher isn&#8217;t mocking her student&#8217;s different interpretation.\u00a0\u00a0 Her next words?<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It looks like a real one.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Six words of encouragement&#8212;and I think you know who the student was.\u00a0\u00a0 I&#8217;ve been exploring, and celebrating, creativity, ever since.<\/p>\n<p>And I still have yet to make a &#8220;simple&#8221; creative project!<\/p>\n<p>What that teacher did, is exactly what <a href=\"https:\/\/spaaatcrafted.com\/\">San Pedro Art Association<\/a> is doing with their 2022 Harbor-Wide All Grades Student Art Competition.\u00a0\u00a0 They&#8217;re just doing so on a larger scale.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>The reception<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=14448\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-14448\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14448\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/art-show-sign1-e1592244925571.jpg\" alt=\"Blackboard sign, &quot;SPAA Student Art Show&quot;, with a white chalk arrow\" width=\"374\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Annually, San Pedro Art Association invites area K-12 students to submit their work for the Harbor Wide Student Art Competition.\u00a0\u00a0 With three competition categories&#8211;elementary, middle school and high school&#8211;cash prizes go to the top four winners in each.<\/p>\n<p>And all participants receive both recognition and art supplies.<\/p>\n<p>On Sunday, April 21st at CRAFTED, in San Pedro, you&#8217;re invited to be part of that appreciative audience who may well inspire students to spend their lives developing their creativity.\u00a0\u00a0 The artist reception runs from 2 to 5 pm, and you&#8217;re invited!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10160\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10160\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10160\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10160\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10160\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Wilmington-Middle-School.jpg\" alt=\"Student art work with ribbons hangs on the wall in CRAFTED art market, San Pedro.\" width=\"600\" height=\"448\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Wilmington-Middle-School.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Wilmington-Middle-School-300x224.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Wilmington-Middle-School-402x300.jpg 402w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10160\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(SPAA Student Art Show, 2015.)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>SPAA says in their recent newsletter that more than 400 students have submitted their work this year.\u00a0 The top twelve winners will have their artwork professionally framed and shown at CRAFTED on weekends, through October 2nd.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, more than 100 of the selected pieces will also be shown, both at CRAFTED and on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.spaa2020studentart.com\/\">SPAA&#8217;s student-art website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Now&#8211;can you help?<\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;re in the area and have some free time, a week from Sunday, SPAA does need some volunteers to help staff the reception.\u00a0\u00a0 You can contact them through their <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sanpedroart.org\/\">website, <\/a>or through their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sanpedroartassociation\">Facebook page<\/a>.\u00a0 Better yet, leave them a message, at 310-612-1949 .<\/p>\n<p>And decades from now, you may just be part of an artist&#8217;s favorite memory.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12421\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12421\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12421\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/SPAA-new1.jpg\" alt=\"San Pedro Art Association banner on a wooden wall background\" width=\"600\" height=\"241\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/SPAA-new1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/SPAA-new1-300x121.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><strong>San Pedro Art Association hosts their artists&#8217; reception for the winners of their 2022 Harbor Wide Student Art Competition on Sunday, August 21st from 2-5 pm at <a href=\"https:\/\/craftedportla.com\/\">CRAFTED<\/a>,\u00a0\u00a0 112 East 22nd Street (at Miner) in San Pedro.\u00a0 Admission is free.<\/strong><\/h3>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=16542\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=16220\">New Creative Avenues<\/a>  March 4, 2022<div class=\"lcp_content\">\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/museum-facade-e1480621598165.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"771\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/museum-facade-1024x771.jpg\" alt=\"International Printing Museum sign over the Museum entrance\" class=\"wp-image-10547\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Books are a lifelong love for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Crafts run a very close second.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If that&#8217;s true for you, as well, you might like to check out The International Printing Museum, in Torrance.  They&#8217;ve just opened their brand-new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.printmuseum.org\/bookarts\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.printmuseum.org\/bookarts\">Book Arts Institute teaching lab<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And they&#8217;re currently accepting registrations for all kinds of weekend book- and printing-related workshops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/book-gfa0e3c13b_640.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"398\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/book-gfa0e3c13b_640.jpg\" alt=\"Closeup of book pages fanning out in a starlike pattern\" class=\"wp-image-16233\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/book-gfa0e3c13b_640.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/book-gfa0e3c13b_640-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/pexels-2286921\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=1283865\">Pexels<\/a> from <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=1283865\">Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>You&#8217;ll recall that The International Printing Museum houses one of the world&#8217;s largest collections of working antique printing presses.  During holidays, they host special events, such as last December&#8217;s &#8220;Holiday Krafts Day for Kids&#8221;.  Often, visitors get the opportunity to print something special (greeting cards, posters, gift tags) on a vintage printer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, you&#8217;ll get a chance to present your best literary works in a handcrafted edition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/old-print-press-1520124_1920.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"398\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/old-print-press-1520124_1920.jpg\" alt=\"plates on an antique pringitn press\" class=\"wp-image-15346\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/old-print-press-1520124_1920.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/old-print-press-1520124_1920-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Or, if you&#8217;d rather, create custom posters for your living space or upcoming event.  Or craft unique cards for the special people in your life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Currently, the Book Arts Institute lists five new classes for which they&#8217;re accepting registrations.   Most are one-day workshops, running between six and seven hours with a one-hour lunch break.  (The exception: &#8220;Composing and Impressions with Metal Type&#8221;, which is a two-day course in April.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Course offerings<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/woodtype-ga12a58f29_640.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/woodtype-ga12a58f29_640.jpg\" alt=\"Woodtype blocks arranged on a tray to spell &quot;LOVE&quot; as they sit in a compartment of wood type blocks of all shapes and sizes\" class=\"wp-image-16237\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/woodtype-ga12a58f29_640.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/woodtype-ga12a58f29_640-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/foundry-923783\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=846088\">Foundry Co<\/a> from <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=846088\">Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The first listed workshop, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/wood-type-posters-for-womens-history-month-tickets-275168084147\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/wood-type-posters-for-womens-history-month-tickets-275168084147\">&#8220;Women&#8217;s History Month Wood Type Posters&#8221;<\/a>, happens Saturday, March 19th.   Artist and award-winning typography educator Christina Aumann is the instructor for this inaugural workshop.  Among the areas the class will cover: how to handset wood type, and the basics of printing with a Vandercook proofing press. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ink-gfdefc431a_640.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ink-gfdefc431a_640.jpg\" alt=\"Abstract swirls of blue, purple and orange ink on a white background\" class=\"wp-image-16234\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ink-gfdefc431a_640.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ink-gfdefc431a_640-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/engin_akyurt-3656355\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=6674441\">Engin Akyurt<\/a> from <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=6674441\">Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;m particularly intrigued by the workshop which studio artist and author Madeline Holland will offer, on Saturday, March 26th: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/suminagashi-marbling-and-japanese-bookbinding-tickets-275243610047\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/suminagashi-marbling-and-japanese-bookbinding-tickets-275243610047\">&#8220;Sumingashi Marbling and Japanese Binding&#8221;<\/a>.  &#8220;Suminagashi&#8221;, in Japanese, means &#8220;floating ink&#8221;, and is an art which dates back to twelfth-century Japan.   A look at the Book Arts Institute&#8217;s page reveals beautiful and delicate swirls created with this technique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In April, Christina and Marilyn will be offering workshops in &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.printmuseum.org\/metal-type-composition\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.printmuseum.org\/metal-type-composition\">Composing &amp; Impressions with Metal Type<\/a>&#8221; and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/intro-to-bookbinding-tickets-291020619507\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/intro-to-bookbinding-tickets-291020619507\">&#8220;Intro to Bookbinding&#8221;<\/a>, respectively.  And in May, International Printing Museum Founding Director \/Curator Mark Barbour will host <a href=\"https:\/\/www.printmuseum.org\/intro-to-platen-press\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.printmuseum.org\/intro-to-platen-press\">&#8220;Intro to Printing on a Platen Press&#8221;.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fees for the workshops range from $125 to $250 for the two day workshop.   Class sizes are generally small: most often, eight students, though the &#8220;Suminagashi Marbling&#8221; and &#8220;Intro to Bookbinding&#8221; will accept ten.   You&#8217;ll find all the information <a href=\"https:\/\/www.printmuseum.org\/bookarts\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.printmuseum.org\/bookarts\">here.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><em>The International Printing Museum, in Carson, is located at 315 West Torrance Boulevard, west of Main Street, in Carson.   The Museum is open Saturdays, 10 am to 4 pm, and Tuesday through Friday, by appointment only<\/em><\/strong>.   <em><strong>Here&#8217;s the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.printmuseum.org\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.printmuseum.org\/\">link to check out the Museum&#8217;s blog, their newsletter and their community services to local schools and organizations!<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=16220\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=16134\">Love Aspects<\/a>  February 5, 2022<div class=\"lcp_content\">\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/heart-gb42f40ee4_640-1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"540\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/heart-gb42f40ee4_640-1.png\" alt=\"Multiple red shiny hearts arranged in a heart shape.\" class=\"wp-image-16158\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/heart-gb42f40ee4_640-1.png 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/heart-gb42f40ee4_640-1-300x270.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Royalty-free image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/gdj-1086657\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=1186998\">Gordon Johnson<\/a> from <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=1186998\">Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>What are the loves of your life?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You may well answer that question with a list.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With Valentine&#8217;s Day just around the corner, now seems like a great time to explore some of those.   Not to mention (or count) the ways in which you and I may explore them further, for Valentine&#8217;s Day or any day of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, here is my list!   Or part of it, anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/books-1204029_1920-e1609616923379.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/books-1204029_1920-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"Three bookshelves filled with books\" class=\"wp-image-14855\"\/><\/a><figcaption>(Royalty-free image by Lubos Houska from Pixabay.)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>&#8220;There is no frigate&#8230;&#8221;<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>At the very top&#8211;books.   They&#8217;ve been companions, comforters and new-adventure providers for as long as I&#8217;ve been able to read.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And Emily Dickinson had it right: &#8220;There is no frigate like a book\/To take us lands away&#8230;&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If that&#8217;s your sentiment as well, you&#8217;ll love the options from some of the local libraries&#8211;and a great indie bookstore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>E-books were never my first choice, as a reader.  I<em> like <\/em>the feeling of a book in my hands!  But with the pandemic receding, yet still a consideration, I&#8217;ve been borrowing ebooks from the <a href=\"https:\/\/m.lbpl.org\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/m.lbpl.org\/\">Long Beach Public Library<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While you&#8217;re almost certain to miss  being able to flip back and read a favorite scene, there&#8217;s an upside.   You may well find new favorites you would have completely bypassed, walking among the stacks!   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, I really liked <em>Klara and the Sun,<\/em> by Kazuo Ishiguro.  Promoted on the front page of the library&#8217;s website, this futuristic sci-fi novel, told from the viewpoint of a compassionate and loyal robot, is a real page-turner with believable characters and some surprise twists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But, if you&#8217;d rather own the book and have it in your library?  Indie bookstores are another favorite for me.  How about you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/book-g27f318343_640.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/book-g27f318343_640.jpg\" alt=\"Shelves of books in a bookstore with multiple titles and colors.\" class=\"wp-image-16161\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/book-g27f318343_640.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/book-g27f318343_640-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>(Royalty-free iImage by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/edirain-997361\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=809887\">edirain<\/a> from <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=809887\">Pixabay<\/a>.)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Sandpiper Books, in Torrance, is one such favorite.   They stock new, rare, and &#8220;gently used&#8221; books.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;We are book people,&#8221; says their <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sandpiperbooks.net\/home.html\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"http:\/\/www.sandpiperbooks.net\/home.html\">website<\/a>.  Pre-COVID, Sandpiper Books hosted amazing author events and had some incredible stock&#8211;including a new hardback cover of a personal favorite, <em>A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, <\/em>by Betty Smith. <em> <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Currently, according to their website, the pandemic has forced them to temporarily close.  But here is a link to their list of their new store arrivals and indie bestsellers.  And you might like to follow them on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Sandpiper-Books-801512959891037\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Sandpiper-Books-801512959891037\">Facebook<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/sandpiperbooks\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/sandpiperbooks\/\">Instagram<\/a>, for updates as we hope to move through the pandemic and back to some semblance of normal.  (And huge virtual applause to Tish and her crew, for doing their best to keep everyone safe in this mess!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Hearts and hands<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/craft-faire-banner-e1458336309193.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"394\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/craft-faire-banner-e1458336309193.jpg\" alt=\"White banner says &quot;Craft Faire&quot; in green lettering\" class=\"wp-image-7356\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Making things, and being around others who do so, is another of my loves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since starting this blog, I&#8217;ve had the privilege of meeting the most amazing, talented artists and artisans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No way can I include all of them in this post.  Suffice it to say, though, that you&#8217;ll meet quite a few of them if you&#8217;re out and about (masked and social-distanced, please&#8211;and in the interest of honesty,<em> I<\/em> am isolating until the numbers come down.  If you&#8217;re in the same position, the shows I&#8217;m about to mention are annual ones.  And several of them have a virtual component!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are several favorite all-handmade fairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Faire-today.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Faire-today.jpg\" alt=\"White outdoor tents set up over booths of windchimes and the Torrance Rose Float committee display outside Torrance Cultural Center, while a sign over the door says, &quot;Arts &amp; Crafts Faire Today!&quot;\" class=\"wp-image-16162\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Faire-today.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Faire-today-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Torrance Craftmen&#8217;s Guild.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>March 19th is the date of their &#8220;22nd Annual Arts and Crafts Spring Faire&#8221;.   Free admission and parking, and they always have beautiful jewelry, ceramics and needlework.  Face coverings are required, and the show runs from 10 am to 3 pm at Torrance Cultural Arts Center, Torrance Boulevard and Madrona.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/workshops-and-hula-hoops_edited-11-e1447486254104.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/workshops-and-hula-hoops_edited-11-e1447486254104.jpg\" alt=\"Visitors to Jackalope Fair, Pasadena, look at crafts in a line of eight white tent booths as a blackboard sign, in the foreground, indicates &quot;WORKSHOPS&quot;.\" class=\"wp-image-16164\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/workshops-and-hula-hoops_edited-11-e1447486254104.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/workshops-and-hula-hoops_edited-11-e1447486254104-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Jackalope Indie Artisan Fair<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In addition to their California shows (Pasadena and Burbank), they host juried strictly-handmade shows in Minneapolis and Denver.  Currently, they&#8217;re accepting applications, but deadlines are coming up quickly for the Pasadena and Burbank springtime shows!  Here&#8217;s the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jackalopeartfair.com\/apply\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.jackalopeartfair.com\/apply\">link to apply<\/a>, for those <em>and <\/em>for their &#8220;Local Undercover Online Marketplace&#8221;.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The California spring shows are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Pasadena<\/strong>, April 23rd and 24th, in Pasadena&#8217;s Central Park, at Raymond and Del Mar; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Burbank,<\/strong> May 14th and 15th.  I believe the location will, once again, be downtown Burbank, but don&#8217;t see it on their website as yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Admission to the shows is free.   With 150 local artisans though, good luck leaving without your arms full of treasures!  I&#8217;ve tried, I&#8217;ve really tried (but not very hard!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>AND&#8211;if you aren&#8217;t able to physically attend their shows, here&#8217;s the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.localundercover.com\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.localundercover.com\/\">link to their &#8220;Local Undercover&#8221; Virtual Marketplace!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Patchwork-Show-Long-Beach.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"404\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Patchwork-Show-Long-Beach.jpg\" alt=\"Attendees at Long Beach Patchwork Show tents\" class=\"wp-image-9898\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Patchwork-Show-Long-Beach.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Patchwork-Show-Long-Beach-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Patchwork-Show-Long-Beach-446x300.jpg 446w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Patchwork Show Modern Makers Festival<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dearhandmadelife.com\/patchwork-show\/application-vendor-info\/#applications\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/dearhandmadelife.com\/patchwork-show\/application-vendor-info\/#applications\">Exhibitor applications open February 25th f<\/a>or their late spring and early summer (!&#8211;already!), shows.  They have FOUR events scheduled in California cities.  These are: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Long Beach<\/strong>: May 29th, in Marine Stadium.  According to their website, this is their largest show, featuring more than 250 makers; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tustin, June 4th and 5th, in Old Town Tustin.  Their newest location!; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Oakland, June 11th in Jack London Square;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And, Santa Rosa, June 25th and 26th, in Old Courthouse Square., downtown Santa Rosa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/dearhandmadelife.com\/patchwork-show\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/dearhandmadelife.com\/patchwork-show\/\">Patchwork Shows<\/a> I&#8217;ve attended have been very much a celebration of local artists, with live music, DIY stations and food trucks, in addition to all kinds of treasures to explore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And Patchwork Show is just one feature of <a href=\"https:\/\/dearhandmadelife.com\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/dearhandmadelife.com\/\">Dear Handmade Life,<\/a> a DIY creatives&#8217; community helmed by artist\/entrepreneur Nicole Stevenson.  In addition to the Patchwork Festival, Nicole offers the yearly <a href=\"https:\/\/dearhandmadelife.com\/craftcation-conference\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/dearhandmadelife.com\/craftcation-conference\/\">&#8220;Craftcation&#8221; Business and Makers&#8217; Conference<\/a>, in Ventura.   The next conference is set for April 6-10 if you&#8217;d like to attend!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Just add purrs<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/purry-cat-e1567202177616.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/purry-cat-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Tiger cat stretches out on a &quot;cat hammock&quot; shelf on one of the green-painted walls\" class=\"wp-image-13647\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ready for a third &#8220;love of my life&#8221;?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It starts with &#8220;meow&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;ve been cat-crazy ever since our first kitten, &#8220;Susie&#8221;, came into my life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you similarly love felines but can&#8217;t have one for whatever reason, Long Beach Felines has you covered.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/lots-of-cats-e1567202096701.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"827\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/lots-of-cats-827x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Four cats curl up together on cushions and the rug in the center of a room filled with cushions and soft chairs\" class=\"wp-image-13646\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2019, they opened &#8220;Feline Good Social Club&#8221; in downtown Long Beach.  I had the pleasure of being onsite to greet their purry residents and admire the acrobatic skills of &#8220;Fancy Feet&#8221;, <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=13492\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=13492\">as detailed in an earlier post.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Visitors can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.felinegoodsocialclub.com\/collections\/sessions\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.felinegoodsocialclub.com\/collections\/sessions\">book a session <\/a>to cuddle with one or more of twenty-four felines onsite.  The club also hosts cat-oriented social activities, including yoga and paint nights with the kitties &#8220;supurrvising&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although the pandemic forced the building into temporary closure, they&#8217;re back now, with some Valentine-themed activities coming up next weekend.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/cool-cats-and-art-11-e1567199266556.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"917\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/cool-cats-and-art-11-917x1024.png\" alt=\"Cats on floor near wall mural of cats in sunglasses\" class=\"wp-image-13634\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Friday, February 11th, through Monday, the 14th, they&#8217;ll host &#8220;Happy Meower 2022&#8221; with wine, chocolate and kitties.  When I went online to check for availability, there was ONE one-hour appointment left on Monday, February 14th.  So if you want that date, now is the time to &#8220;pounce&#8221;!  (There are, however, several one-hour slots still open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Tickets are $25 per person, and advance booking is required, as is wearing a mask when you come in.  Here&#8217;s the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.felinegoodsocialclub.com\/collections\/sessions\/products\/valentines-promo-2020\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.felinegoodsocialclub.com\/collections\/sessions\/products\/valentines-promo-2020\">link for information<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And&#8211;if you want one more &#8220;Valenfeline&#8221; event&#8211;they have one!  On Saturday, February 12th, they&#8217;re also hosting  a &#8220;Comedy and Cats&#8221; show, from 8 to 9 pm.  Tickets are $25 each, and there are a few spaces left.   <a href=\"https:\/\/www.felinegoodsocialclub.com\/collections\/sessions\/products\/cats-comedy\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.felinegoodsocialclub.com\/collections\/sessions\/products\/cats-comedy\">Here&#8217;s that link, as well. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, what if you&#8217;re isolating, due to the pandemic?  You can still support nonprofit Long Beach Felines if you&#8217;d like, by making a donation or buying one or more of the items listed on Feline Good Social Club&#8217;s &#8220;wish list&#8221;.  Here&#8217;s the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.felinegoodsocialclub.com\/pages\/donate\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.felinegoodsocialclub.com\/pages\/donate\">link<\/a>, if you&#8217;d like to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And, those are three of the loves of <em>my<\/em> life!  Now&#8211;what are some of yours?<br><br>Happy Valentine&#8217;s Day!<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=16134\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=15653\">Stardust for Christmas<\/a>  November 30, 2021<div class=\"lcp_content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Amy-Miller11.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"332\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Amy-Miller11.jpg\" alt=\"Museum of Make Believe co-founder Amy Miller smiles against backdrop of fantasy ice cream parlor\" class=\"wp-image-15674\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Amy-Miller11.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Amy-Miller11-300x166.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>What are the elements of magic?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Anaheim-based <a href=\"http:\/\/www.museumofmakebelieve.org\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"http:\/\/www.museumofmakebelieve.org\/\">Museum of Make Believe<\/a> has innumerable answers.  But at the heart of all of them, is storytelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And that&#8217;s exactly what they&#8217;ll be doing, this Sunday, December 5, at a special Christmas event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here is Museum of Make Believe co-founder Amy Mitchell, with both a preview of &#8220;Dickens Christmas Stories&#8221; as well as the story of the Museum and a closer look at their programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Noelophile_3_Amy_Mitchell.mp3\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Starting at 1:00 on Sunday afternoon, Museum of Make Believe hosts &#8220;Dickens Christmas Stories&#8221;, at Anaheim&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/muzeo.org\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"http:\/\/muzeo.org\/\">Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center<\/a>.  The one-hour program includes Yuletide tales, games, refreshments, and a Dickens character with whom you may not be familiar.  (Hint: he<em> isn&#8217;t<\/em> in &#8220;A Christmas Carol&#8221;!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There will also be festive treats, and the program&#8217;s happening in tandem with Muzeo&#8217;s popular &#8220;Muzeo Express&#8221; model train exhibit.  Five thousand square feet of model trains&#8211;very little could be more &#8220;Christmasy&#8221; than that!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/miniature-g873d05dbd_1920.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/miniature-g873d05dbd_1920.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15663\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/miniature-g873d05dbd_1920.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/miniature-g873d05dbd_1920-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Royalty-free image by <a href=\"http:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/naturfreund_pics-10582885\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=4667185\">naturfreund_pics<\/a> from <a href=\"http:\/\/pixabay.com\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=4667185\">Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>And in case you&#8217;re isolating amid these scary COVID times, there will also be a live stream.   You and I can participate virtually!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s the <a href=\"http:\/\/linktr.ee\/museumofmakebelieve\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"http:\/\/linktr.ee\/museumofmakebelieve\">link for information<\/a>&#8211;and a warning that Museum of Make Believe&#8217;s whimsical special events do have a tendency to sell out!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, what exactly is Museum of Make Believe?  Technically, it&#8217;s an art museum.  But it&#8217;s unlike any you or I have ever seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Founded by creative team Amy and Geoff Mitchell, it&#8217;s currently a series of programs, both virtual and onsite, which encourage visitors to explore whimsy and creativity with the help of some very gifted artists.   Storytellers, magicians, animators and all types of other creatives share their work, and often conduct workshops where guests can craft something magical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And currently, Museum of Make Believe is fundraising, with the goal of opening their permanent space and making art accessible to everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em><strong>&#8220;Dickens Christmas Stories&#8221; will actually host TWO performances on Sunday, December 5.  You&#8217;re encouraged to register for their 1 pm program, as the 3 pm show may already be filled with Muzeo members!   Here is the <a href=\"http:\/\/linktr.ee\/museumofmakebelieve\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"http:\/\/linktr.ee\/museumofmakebelieve\">link for information<\/a>; &#8220;Dickens Christmas Stories&#8221; is happening at Muzeo Cultural Center, 241 South Anaheim Boulevard, near Broadway.  Please wear a mask and observe all COVID protocols if you attend onsite.  Meanwhile, there will be a live-stream for virtual attendance!<\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>AND, be sure to follow Museum of Make Believe on their social media: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.instagram.com\/museumofmakebelieve\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"http:\/\/www.instagram.com\/museumofmakebelieve\/\">Instagram,<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/MuseumofMakeBelieve\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/MuseumofMakeBelieve\">Facebook<\/a>, for more magic!    Here&#8217;s the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.museumofmakebelieve.org\/diary\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"http:\/\/www.museumofmakebelieve.org\/diary\">link to their blog<\/a>.   And if you&#8217;d like to support them, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.museumofmakebelieve.org\/donate\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"http:\/\/www.museumofmakebelieve.org\/donate\">here&#8217;s the link,<\/a> either for Giving Tuesday or thereafter!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=15653\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=15255\">Start the Presses<\/a>  November 1, 2021<div class=\"lcp_content\">\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">by Noella Noelophile<strong>\u00ae<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Intl-Printing-Museum.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"452\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Intl-Printing-Museum.jpg\" alt=\"White exterior sign over the entrance indicates &quot;The International Printing Museum&quot; in black lettering with a blue-and-white border.\" class=\"wp-image-2515\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Intl-Printing-Museum.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Intl-Printing-Museum-300x226.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Intl-Printing-Museum-398x300.jpg 398w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>White outdoor sign over the entrance says &#8220;Printing Museum&#8221; in black lettering with a blue border<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Mark your calendar!  A fun creative event is coming up, in Carson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And if, for whatever reason, you can&#8217;t experience it in-person, it &#8216;s also available virtually, right now!   Here&#8217;s the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.printersfair.com\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"http:\/\/www.printersfair.com\/\">link to experience it online<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Next Saturday and Sunday, November 7th and 8th (wow, November already!), the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.printmuseum.org\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"http:\/\/www.printmuseum.org\/\">International Printing Museum <\/a> in Carson, will host the <strong>2021 Los Angeles Printers Fair!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Approximately 80 vendors will be on hand, showcasing the best of printing arts, including handmade paper, antiquarian books, and custom posters.  (How&#8217;s that for a great gift for someone special?)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/old-print-press-1520124_1920.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"398\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/old-print-press-1520124_1920.jpg\" alt=\"Lines of metal type set for old printing press\" class=\"wp-image-15346\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/old-print-press-1520124_1920.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/old-print-press-1520124_1920-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Royalty-free image by <a href=\"http:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/mari77-2926657\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=1520124\">Mari77<\/a> from <a href=\"http:\/\/pixabay.com\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=1520124\">Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>But visitors will get to do more than simply browse and shop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since the International Printing Museum houses the world&#8217;s largest collection of antique printing presses, guests can also get some hands-on experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Paper marbling (remember those gorgeous inside covers on antique books?), letterpress printing and screen printing T-shirts are all going to be demonstrated&#8211;and taught.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Proceeds will support the operation of the International Printing Museum, which is a 501c3 nonprofit.  Here&#8217;s the <a href=\"http:\/\/printmuseum-106904.square.site\/product\/2021-los-angeles-printers-fair-admission\/106?cs=true&amp;cst=custom\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"http:\/\/printmuseum-106904.square.site\/product\/2021-los-angeles-printers-fair-admission\/106?cs=true&amp;cst=custom\">link for information.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And if you&#8217;re currently isolating, here&#8217;s a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.printersfair.com\/2021-experiences\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"http:\/\/www.printersfair.com\/2021-experiences\">resource page<\/a>, courtesy of Los Angeles Printers Fair. (I particularly like the hand-bookbinding &#8220;how-to&#8221; videos by Stephanie Gibbs&#8211;can we say &#8220;make something special for Christmas&#8221; here?)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/marbled-paper-3794154_1920.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/marbled-paper-3794154_1920.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15349\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/marbled-paper-3794154_1920.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/marbled-paper-3794154_1920-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Royalty-free image by <a href=\"http:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/diabolos-4557946\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=3794154\">diabolos<\/a> from <a href=\"http:\/\/pixabay.com\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=3794154\">Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>During the Printers Fair, you&#8217;ll also be able to follow along with the activities, via <a href=\"http:\/\/www.printersfair.com\/2021-map-schedule\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"http:\/\/www.printersfair.com\/2021-map-schedule\">livestream, at this link.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And you&#8217;ll get to explore their content virtually, and support their amazing vendors, right up until November 14th.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not that I would ever tempt you (seriously, would <em>I <\/em>do <em>that<\/em>?), but looking online, my particular favorites include those beautiful handbound hardcover journals and sketchbooks from <a href=\"http:\/\/www.printersfair.com\/jumping-whale-books-2021\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"http:\/\/www.printersfair.com\/jumping-whale-books-2021\">Jumping Whale Books, <\/a>the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.printersfair.com\/c-j-whitlock-2021\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"http:\/\/www.printersfair.com\/c-j-whitlock-2021\">limited-edition sunflower print by C.J. Whitlock,<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.printersfair.com\/art-mina-2021\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"http:\/\/www.printersfair.com\/art-mina-2021\">Art Mina&#8217;s humorous, handprinted tea towels, shirts and tote bags<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I also really love what Annika Buxman is doing with her handmade marble paper, created by fair-trade artists in Bangladesh, from her South Pasadena studio, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.printersfair.com\/de-milo-design-2021\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"http:\/\/www.printersfair.com\/de-milo-design-2021\">De Milo Design Studio &amp; Letterpress.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/tan-1522461_1920.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/tan-1522461_1920.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15351\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/tan-1522461_1920.jpg 450w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/tan-1522461_1920-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Royalty-free image by <a href=\"http:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/tatlin-28112\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=1522461\">tatlin<\/a> from <a href=\"http:\/\/pixabay.com\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=1522461\">Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>And if you&#8217;re looking ahead to December, here&#8217;s one more date to keep in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On Saturday, December 11th, the International Printing Museum is hosting a &#8220;Holiday Kraft Day for Kids&#8221;.   They&#8217;ll offer all kinds of hands-on printing activities with a holiday theme&#8211;and I&#8217;ll tell you all about it as more information becomes available!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><em>The International Printing Museum, located at 315 West Torrance Boulevard in Carson, hosts the 2021 Los Angeles Printers Fair on Saturday and<\/em> <em>Sunday, November 6th and 7th, from 10 am to 4 pm.  <a href=\"http:\/\/printmuseum-106904.square.site\/product\/2021-los-angeles-printers-fair-admission\/106?cs=true&amp;cst=custom\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"http:\/\/printmuseum-106904.square.site\/product\/2021-los-angeles-printers-fair-admission\/106?cs=true&amp;cst=custom\">Tickets are available here<\/a>.   Proceeds support the International Printing Museum&#8217;s mission of continuing to bring the history of books and printing to life for diverse audiences.  <\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em><strong>Meanwhile, the livestream link, during Printers Fair hours, will be available here.   And be sure to check out the tutorials, venders and experiences virtually, from now through Sunday, November 14th, at the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.printersfair.com\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"http:\/\/www.printersfair.com\/\">Los Angeles Printers Fair link<\/a>.  Virtual admission is free.<\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p> <\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=15255\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=15100\">Beyond &#8220;Warm and Fuzzy&#8221;<\/a>  October 16, 2021<div class=\"lcp_content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Jackalope-sign11.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Jackalope-sign11.jpg\" alt=\"Jackalope Art and Craft Fair sign outside Pasadena's Central Park\" class=\"wp-image-11033\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Jackalope-sign11.jpg 400w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Jackalope-sign11-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>For most people, the &#8220;warm fuzzies&#8221; are intangible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Artisan Kristin Oxnard makes them, not just tangible, but snuggle-able. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Kristin_Oxnard_Noelophile_1.mp3\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Through her small business, <a href=\"http:\/\/fuzziedot.com\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"http:\/\/fuzziedot.com\/\">Fuzzie Dot<\/a>, Kristin designs and sews some of the softest, and very possibly the cutest, kids&#8217; blankets on the planet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Think elephants, unicorns, cats, bears and the list goes on!  What&#8217;s special about each is that Kristin starts with her own patented design, crafting each blanket from a circle.  Then, she&#8217;ll add ribbons to make the blanket interactive for her small customers.  And these round extra-soft blankets are designed to last a lifetime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>BUT&#8211;they&#8217;re not just for kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kristin also has designed a line of luxury snuggle-ables for us &#8220;big kids&#8221;!  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Called &#8220;Luxie Dots&#8221;, these are ultra-soft, fringed throws that evoke images of winter nights by the fire, and crisp mornings warmed by hot tea and cozy covers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kristin, who will be exhibiting at the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.jackalopeartfair.com\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"http:\/\/www.jackalopeartfair.com\/\">Jackalope Indie Artisan Fa<\/a>ir in Pasadena in November <em>and<\/em> in Burbank in December, also takes custom orders.  And she has a lot of new creations&#8211;including some ultra-soft non-blanket items!&#8211;that you might like to consider for early Christmas shopping!  Here she is, as our first featured artisan of Christmas season 2021.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>If you&#8217;re out and about (remember to be safe, wear your mask and social distance, OK?), be sure to check out Kristin&#8217;s work at the Jackalope Indie Artisan Fair, Saturday and Sunday, November 20th and 21st.  10 am to 4 pm in Central Park, Pasadena, 275 South Raymond Avenue (at Del Mar).  Or, in the Burbank area, on Saturday and Sunday, December 11th and 12th, from 10 am to 4 pm on San Fernando Boulevard between Magnolia and Olive, in downtown Burbank.  Admission to Jackalope Indie Artisan Fair is free.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=15100\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=14671\">Artistry in Green<\/a>  December 13, 2020<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><div id=\"attachment_14673\" style=\"width: 405px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=14673\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-14673\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14673\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14673\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Image3-e1607832983473.jpeg\" alt=\"Whitney Wade in her garden with gardening gloves and a flowerin yellow plant in her hands\" width=\"395\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-14673\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photograph by Tameka Jacobs, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Whitney Wade is an artist, an entertainment-industry professional&#8211;and an avid gardener.<\/p>\n<p><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-14671-9\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Whitney_Wade_Noelophile_6.mp3?_=9\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Whitney_Wade_Noelophile_6.mp3\">https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Whitney_Wade_Noelophile_6.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/p>\n<p>And she uses all those skills in her new small business, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.plantgroweat.com\/\">Plant Grow Eat<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Whitney, who just launched Plant Grow Eat, creates garden kits for people who want to grow food on a small scale.\u00a0 These are galvanized containers of specialized soil, complete with seeds and guidance.\u00a0 And she&#8217;s o<a href=\"http:\/\/shop.jackalopeartfair.com\/search?type=product&amp;q=Plant+Grow+Eat\">ne of the exhibitors<\/a>, right now, in <a href=\"http:\/\/shop.jackalopeartfair.com\/\">Jackalope Arts&#8217; Virtual Holiday Market!<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The &#8220;guidance&#8221; part is an essential.\u00a0 Whitney loves both gardening and teaching others how to grow their own food.\u00a0 She currently offers both free gardening advice on her blog, welcomes questions and says there&#8217;s no such thing as a &#8220;black thumb&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>She also does a weekly Instagram series, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.instagram.com\/plantgroweat\/\">Weekends in the Garden<\/a>, and invites you to join her on Saturday mornings!<\/p>\n<p>Whitney talked about her background, shared the story of Plant Grow Eat and offered a mini-lesson on growing your own food.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Jackalope Art Fair&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/shop.jackalopeartfair.com\/\">VIrtual Holiday Market<\/a> continues from now through Friday, December 18th, showcasing the work of dozens of gifted indie artists!\u00a0 And today, at 11:00 PST, join them for their &#8220;Meet the Makers&#8221; event on Instagram Live!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=14671\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=14623\">Long-Lasting Stardust<\/a>  December 1, 2020<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=14629\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-14629\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14629\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Ellie1-1.jpg\" alt=\"Ellie Lieberman, in purple with purple fairy wings, smiles against a backdrop of bookshelves\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Ellie1-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Ellie1-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>&#8220;The magic never really went away,&#8221; says author and artist <a href=\"http:\/\/ellielieberman.weebly.com\/\">Ellie Lieberman<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-14623-10\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Ellie_Lieberman_Noelophile_5.mp3?_=10\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Ellie_Lieberman_Noelophile_5.mp3\">https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Ellie_Lieberman_Noelophile_5.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/p>\n<p>She&#8217;s talking about her memories of Christmases as a child, and beyond.<\/p>\n<p>But she could just as easily be speaking of her Christmas short story, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/listing\/836579295\/the-memory-tree-signed-copy-shipping\"><em>The Memory Tree<\/em><\/a>, and her handmade creations through her small business, <a href=\"http:\/\/acorntops.weebly.com\/\">Acorn Tops<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><em>The Memory Tree <\/em>explores a magical&#8211;and poignant&#8211;Christmas Eve which a granddaughter and grandmother spend together<\/p>\n<p>.\u00a0 It&#8217;s too good a story to ruin with &#8220;spoilers&#8221;.\u00a0 But think traditions, enchantment and wisdom shared between generations.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, as an artist, Ellie crafts unique Christmas ornaments and gifts.\u00a0 Scented fabric Christmas trees, handcarved ornaments and fairy creations&#8211;including fairy doors, scented fairy pillows and enchanting miniature &#8220;fairy bottle&#8221; designs&#8211;are all a part of her creative magic.<\/p>\n<p>Another aspect of that enchantment is Ellie&#8217;s ability to immerse a reader in her other written works.\u00a0 Check out her children&#8217;s books and young-adult fiction, and her short stories in the anthologies <em>A Horde of Dragons<\/em> and <em>The Playlist, <\/em>on <a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s?k=Ellie+Lieberman&amp;ref=nb_sb_noss\">Amazon<\/a> or on her <a href=\"http:\/\/ellielieberman.weebly.com\/\">webpage<\/a><em>.<\/em>\u00a0 Or, as a special gift to someone (including you!), consider picking up the Christmas anthology <em><a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s?k=Enchanting+Yuletide+Jena+Baxter&amp;ref=nb_sb_noss\">Enchanting Yuletide<\/a>,<\/em> in which <em>The Memory Tree<\/em> first appeared as one of the six published stories.<\/p>\n<h4>Follow Ellie on social media:<\/h4>\n<h4><a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ellie.lieberman.9\">Facebook<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/AcornTops\">Twitter<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.tumblr.com\/search\/Ellie+Lieberman\">Tumblr<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.instagram.com\/acorn_tops\/\">Instagram<\/a><\/h4>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=14623\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=14603\">Sharing the Gift of Creativity<\/a>  November 28, 2020<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><div id=\"attachment_14608\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=14608\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-14608\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14608\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14608\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Me-Square-e1606591430234.jpg\" alt=\"Fiberr artist Melissa Galbraith, in a green khaki shirt, near a background of trees\" width=\"600\" height=\"576\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-14608\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of MCreativeJ, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Modern fiber artist Melissa Galbraith combines her passion for stitchery with her love for the colors and patterns of nature.<\/p>\n<p>And she&#8217;d like to invite you to use your creativity with her.<\/p>\n<p><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-14603-11\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Melissa_Galbraith_Noelophile_4.mp3?_=11\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Melissa_Galbraith_Noelophile_4.mp3\">https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Melissa_Galbraith_Noelophile_4.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/p>\n<p>Melissa specializes in &#8220;botanical fiber art&#8221;.\u00a0 Her designs are based on wildflowers, cacti, and anything else of beauty which she sees in her travels.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 While she creates whimsical decor and wearables, she goes beyond whipping up something fun and offering it for sale.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, through her small business, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mcreativej.com\/\">MCreativeJ<\/a>, Melissa offers beginner-friendly embroidery kits, workshops, AND a &#8220;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mcreativej.com\/pattern-club\">Pattern Club<\/a>&#8220;, where participants receive a monthly digital pattern.<\/p>\n<p>Melissa teaches several\u00a0 monthly online workshops.\u00a0 Her upcoming ones include a <a href=\"http:\/\/makergeneral.com\/collections\/workshops\/products\/workshop-cactus-snow-globe-embroidery-workshop\">&#8220;Cactus Snow Globe&#8221; embroidery workshop,<\/a> as well as several in which participants can craft ornaments featuring cacti in Christmas sweaters!<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_14611\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=14611\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-14611\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14611\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14611\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_8183-e1606591667765.jpg\" alt=\"Melissa near shelves of her embroidery kits in a small shop\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-14611\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photograph courtesy of MCreativeJ, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It doesn&#8217;t have to be perfect,&#8221; Melissa tells beginners who aren&#8217;t sure about their abilities with stitchery.\u00a0 On her <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mcreativej.com\/blog-1\">blog,<\/a> she shares tutorials and her favorite embroidery stitches, along with encouragement to just have fun creating something of your own.<\/p>\n<p>Melissa shared the story of her small business and her interest in needlecraft, as well as a preview of the <a href=\"http:\/\/shop.jackalopeartfair.com\/pages\/seller-profile\/mcreativej\">kits she&#8217;s exhibiting in Jackalope Art Fair&#8217;s Virtual Holiday Market<\/a>, from now through Friday, December 18th.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><strong><em>Melissa Galbraith, of MCreativeJ, is one of more than 100 hand-curated artists exhibiting as Jackalope Art Fair offers their <a href=\"http:\/\/shop.jackalopeartfair.com\/\">&#8220;Virtual Holiday Market&#8221;<\/a> from now through Friday, December 18th.\u00a0 Be sure to check them out!<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=14603\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=14566\">Honoring Christmas&#8211;Present and Future<\/a>  November 20, 2020<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=14567\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-14567\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14567\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Dickensian-Kevin_edited-3.jpg\" alt=\"Red Barn Productions Executive Producer Kevin Patterson in a top hat and Dickensian suit at Dickens Fair 2015, Cow Palace, San Francisco\" width=\"542\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Dickensian-Kevin_edited-3.jpg 542w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Dickensian-Kevin_edited-3-271x300.jpg 271w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 542px) 100vw, 542px\" \/><\/a>&#8220;Christmas isn&#8217;t cancelled,&#8221; says the <a href=\"http:\/\/dickensfair.com\">Dickens Christmas Fair<\/a>&#8216;s website.<\/p>\n<p>And indeed, it is not.<\/p>\n<p><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-14566-12\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Kevin_Patterson_Noelophile_3.mp3?_=12\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Kevin_Patterson_Noelophile_3.mp3\">https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Kevin_Patterson_Noelophile_3.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/p>\n<p>For Christmas, 2020, the Dickens Fair has reimagined its festivities as &#8220;Dickens Fair At Home&#8221;, which we can enjoy, remotely, for free!<\/p>\n<p>Kevin Patterson, Executive Producer of Red Barn Productions, stars in this edition of Noelophile\u00ae for a look at the creative process behind &#8220;Dickens Fair At Home&#8221;, and a preview of what you&#8217;ll get to experience.<\/p>\n<p>Starting tomorrow, November 21st, right through Christmas Eve, &#8220;<a href=\"http:\/\/dickensfair.com\/dickens-fair-at-home\">Dickens Fair At Home<\/a>&#8221; brings some of the sights, sounds and even the <em>tastes<\/em> of the Dickens Fair into our homes!\u00a0\u00a0 (They even plan to give some instructions in roasting chestnuts&#8211;and according to their website, an &#8220;open fire&#8221; isn&#8217;t needed!)<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12571\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12571\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12571\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Mr-Dickens-e1542147903989.jpg\" alt=\"Robert Young, as Charles Dickens, flanked by two women in Victorian dress\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/a>Their special content will include &#8220;Mr. Dickens&#8221; doing special readings of &#8220;A Christmas Carol&#8221;, some of the Dickens Fair&#8217;s talented artists giving workshops on at-home crafts, and even downloadable sheet music and recipes!<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s the<a href=\"http:\/\/dickensfair.com\/dickens-fair-at-home\"> link to the full schedule<\/a>, which will include new content every weekend, from now through Christmas Eve.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10205\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10205\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10205\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/candles-too--e1474777806129.jpg\" alt=\"Candle dipper onsite at Dickens Fair 2015, Cow Palace, San Francisco\" width=\"399\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a>Meanwhile, are you ready for some fantastic Christmas shopping?\u00a0 A number of the talented artists who normally exhibit onsite at the Dickens Fair are showcasing their work <a href=\"http:\/\/dickensfair.com\/merchants\/shop-online-dickens-fair\">at this link!<\/a><\/p>\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=14577\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-14577\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14577\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/God-bless-the-pic-3-Copy.jpg\" alt=\"Green &quot;Exit&quot; sign with gold letters, &quot;God bless the Christmas keepers&quot;\" width=\"700\" height=\"449\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/God-bless-the-pic-3-Copy.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/God-bless-the-pic-3-Copy-300x192.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><strong><em>&#8220;Dickens Fair At Home&#8221; is a free series, happening virtually, weekends starting Saturday, November 21st through Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24th.\u00a0 Here&#8217;s the l<a href=\"http:\/\/dickensfair.com\/dickens-fair-at-home\">ink for the festivities.\u00a0<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=6046\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6046\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6046\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/Father-Christmas.jpg\" alt=\"&quot;Father Christmas&quot; peeks through a window at Dickensian London village set up in the Cow Palace for Dickens Christmas Fair\" width=\"700\" height=\"488\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/Father-Christmas.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/Father-Christmas-300x209.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/Father-Christmas-430x300.jpg 430w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><strong><em>And don&#8217;t miss Father Christmas, on December 24th, as he reads &#8220;The Night Before Christmas&#8221;&#8211;OR the Dickens Christmas Fair when it returns to the Cow Palace in 2021!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=14566\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=14533\">Virtual Enchantment<\/a>  November 12, 2020<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><div id=\"attachment_14536\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=14536\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-14536\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14536\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14536\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Snow-e1605143693284.jpg\" alt=\"Male ballet dancer lifts ballerina in white tutu and snowy leotards high over his head as other ballerinas dressed as snowflakes surround them and snow falls on a blue-lit stage\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-14536\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of George Simian, and used with permission of San Pedro City Ballet.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Enchantment is what <em>The Nutcracker<\/em> is all about.<\/p>\n<p>And with the ingenuity of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sanpedrocityballet.org\/\">San Pedro City Ballet<\/a>, we&#8217;ll get to experience a performance, virtually, for Christmas season 2020.<\/p>\n<p><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-14533-13\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Cindy_Bradley_Noelophile_2.mp3?_=13\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Cindy_Bradley_Noelophile_2.mp3\">https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Cindy_Bradley_Noelophile_2.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/p>\n<p>On Saturday, December 12th, 5:00 pm Pacific time, they&#8217;ll stream a special presentation from their website.<\/p>\n<p>On this episode of Noelophile\u00ae, San Pedro City Ballet Co-Founder and Artistic Director Cindy Bradley shares the story of her unique company and their upcoming presentation.<\/p>\n<p>In lieu of a live performance, the show will be a video of the 2019 <em>Nutcracker<\/em> performance at San Pedro&#8217;s Warner Grand Theatre.\u00a0 Co-Founder and Artistic Director Cindy Bradley says the show will be enhanced with special artist interviews, featuring some of the dancers who performed in San Pedro City Ballet&#8217;s first-ever <em>Nutcracker<\/em> performances.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_14538\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=14538\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-14538\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14538\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14538\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/partyscene2-e1605150310723.jpg\" alt=\"Preteen dancers in party dresses and tights reach towards the edge of the stage as confetti falls\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-14538\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of George Simian, and used with permission of San Pedro City Ballet.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Founded in 1994, San Pedro City Ballet is all about serving the community and sharing the joy of dance in their mission of creating a pre-professional company, comprised of members of the diverse population of the Los Angeles Harbor area.\u00a0\u00a0 They do an educational outreach to schools and youth organizations, with performance workshops throughout the Los Angeles area.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, their annual <em>Nutcracker<\/em> performances draw on volunteer members of San Pedro High School, giving students the opportunity to experience the behind-the-scenes stagecraft work involved in the production.<\/p>\n<p>Does their name sound familiar?\u00a0 American Ballet Theatre superstar Misty Copeland was first introduced to dance in a San Pedro City Ballet workshop!<\/p>\n<p>While Cindy admits her dancers are disappointed not to be able to perform live (who wouldn&#8217;t be?), she and her company are making the best of our current situation.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_14539\" style=\"width: 410px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=14539\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-14539\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14539\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14539\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/arabian-e1605150444180.jpg\" alt=\"Male and female dancer in Arabian clothes perform an extension and back-bend onstage.\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-14539\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of George Simian, and used with permission of San Pedro City Ballet.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>And this isn&#8217;t their first innovation since COVID-19 hit.\u00a0 Since spring, San Pedro City Ballet has been coming up with ways to continue their company&#8217;s mission.<\/p>\n<p>Among them: construction of a brand-new outdoor studio, and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sanpedroballetschool.com\/\">&#8220;hybrid&#8221; classes&#8211;some Zoom, and some outdoors!<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Plan on marking your calendar for this special Christmas gift from San Pedro Ballet, one month from today.<\/p>\n<p>And if you&#8217;re in a position to support them with a small donation&#8211;or even just send them an encouraging email after the show!&#8211;they&#8217;d love to hear from you,\u00a0 Donations can be made at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sanpedrocityballet.org\/support-dance.\">http:\/\/www.sanpedrocityballet.org\/support-dance.<\/a><\/p>\n<h4><em><strong>San Pedro City Ballet streams their special virtual presentation of &#8220;The Nutcracker&#8221; on Saturday, December 12th at 5 pm on <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sanpedrocityballet.org\/\">their website<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=14533\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=14473\">Creativity, Spelled With a &#8220;K&#8221;<\/a>  October 1, 2020<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><div id=\"attachment_14511\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=14511\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-14511\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14511\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14511\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Angela-Jackson-e1601677258419.jpg\" alt=\"Angela Jackson smiles from her booth with a &quot;Kards By Angie&quot; sign in the background\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-14511\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of Torrance Craftsmen&#8217;s Guild.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/kardsbyangie.com\/\">Kards By Angie<\/a> proprietor Angela Jackson says she never planned to own a small business.<\/p>\n<p><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-14473-14\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Angie_Jackson_Noelophile.mp3?_=14\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Angie_Jackson_Noelophile.mp3\">https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/Angie_Jackson_Noelophile.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/p>\n<p>Her handmade greeting card line started off, eleven years ago, as creative giftwrapping.\u00a0 Then, Angie began crafting her own Christmas greetings to family and friends.<\/p>\n<p>People began taking notice&#8211;and asking to buy her creations.<\/p>\n<p>Today, Angie designs all kinds of special-occasion cards.\u00a0 And she uses a variety of media: stamping, ribbon art, drawing, painting and more.<\/p>\n<p>She also takes custom orders.\u00a0 But for her, this is about so much more than just running a small business.<\/p>\n<p>Think &#8220;touching hearts and connecting people&#8221;.\u00a0 Angie loves what she&#8217;s doing and finds joy in creating the perfect design for her customers.<\/p>\n<p>At a time when the world needs all the warmth and beauty it can get, her cards stand out for the love, talent and time she invests in her work.<\/p>\n<p>This year, like many artists, Angie has seen cancellations of most of the events at which she normally sells her work.\u00a0 Which means that she has a full line of new Christmas cards available&#8211;and she&#8217;s taking orders.\u00a0 (You may want to ask about her handcrafted holly cards.\u00a0 They are gorgeous!)<\/p>\n<p>And if you have an upcoming special event, or just need something special for someone important in your life, she can design whatever you have in mind<\/p>\n<p>Angie talked about her work and the start of her handmade small business, and offered an audio &#8220;preview&#8221; of some of her Christmas and all-occasion designs.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=14473\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=14442\">An &#8220;Artful&#8221; Summer<\/a>  June 15, 2020<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=14448\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-14448\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14448\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/art-show-sign1-e1592244925571.jpg\" alt=\"Blackboard sign, &quot;SPAA Student Art Show&quot;, with a white chalk arrow\" width=\"374\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><\/h6>\n<p>Remember what it was like, when we were kids and drew pictures?\u00a0 And a parent, relative or teacher praised our creativity and encouraged us to continue?<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sanpedroart.org\/\">San Pedro Art Association<\/a> remembers.<\/p>\n<p>This summer, they&#8217;re continuing their &#8220;All Grades Harbor Wide Student Art Competition&#8221;&#8211;virtually.\u00a0 And the deadline is coming up (this Saturday, June 20th!), so now is the time to have your young students enter.<\/p>\n<p>Summer, 2020, marks the ninth time SPAA will host this popular event.\u00a0 Due to the pandemic, this year&#8217;s competition will be presented virtually.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_14449\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=14449\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-14449\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14449\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14449\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/school-supplies-1581758_1920-e1592245147559.jpg\" alt=\"Palette of 21 watercolor paints in rainbow colors including blue, yellow, purple and magenta\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-14449\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free mage by Mimzy from Pixabay)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Unlike other years, they will not be hosting a reception at CRAFTED Handmade Marketplace, in San Pedro, nor mounting an exhibition there.<\/p>\n<p>But what they <em>will<\/em> do, is exhibit selected student work online.\u00a0 All Elementary, High School and Middle School students in the Harbor area (here are the <a href=\"http:\/\/files.constantcontact.com\/119268fe201\/998d64f2-7faf-4b88-9c5e-ab0ead1eb10c.pdf\">rules and information<\/a>) are eligible to enter.<\/p>\n<p>To enter, simply take a photo of the student&#8217;s 2D artwork, and text or email it to SPAA, along with the student&#8217;s name, grade and school.<\/p>\n<p>AND&#8211;something new has been added!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=14447\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-14447\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14447\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/SPAA-new1-e1583631024271.jpg\" alt=\"San Pedro Art Association banner against wooden paneling with the words, &quot;Art on the Edge&quot;\" width=\"600\" height=\"242\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/SPAA-new1-e1583631024271.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/SPAA-new1-e1583631024271-300x121.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>This year, SPAA&#8217;s &#8220;All Grades Harbor Wide Student Art Competition&#8221; includes a video category.<\/p>\n<p>Students may send short video clips, by text or email.\u00a0 As with the other entries, be sure to include the student&#8217;s name, grade and school.<\/p>\n<p>Winners in the 2D art and video categories will receive cash prizes for First, Second and Third Place, as well as Honorable Mention.\u00a0 Meanwhile, students whose work is accepted into the online exhibition will receive art supplies, as well as a ribbon and Student Membership in SPAA through high school.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_14450\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=14450\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-14450\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14450\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14450\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/painting-807992_1920-e1592245609215.jpg\" alt=\"Eight-year-old boy in orange T-shirt adds paint to a painting on which he's working, on an easel before him\" width=\"600\" height=\"401\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-14450\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Royalty-free image by Paolo Ghedini from Pixabay.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Chosen participants will be asked to complete and submit release forms.\u00a0 Selected art may be reproduced for a great cause: to promote SPAA, and for sale to help raise funds for future Student Art Competitions!<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, nonprofit San Pedro Art Association continues in its mission: to support and assist artists.\u00a0 For more than 80 years, they&#8217;ve offered art classes, professional assistance, community events and marketing opportunities for the San Pedro creative community.\u00a0 They&#8217;ll be offering a juried members&#8217; art show, later this summer, according to their website.\u00a0 In the future, they may also be offering art classes again, according to a recent email.<\/p>\n<p>Happy and Healthy Summer&#8211;stay safe, and stay creative!<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=14442\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=14388\">Their &#8220;Time&#8221; Has Come<\/a>  March 7, 2020<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=14400\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-14400\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14400\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/clock-e1583630731538.jpg\" alt=\"Yellow vintage circular fold-up travel alarm clock with Arabic numerals in black\" width=\"600\" height=\"593\" \/><\/a><\/h6>\n<p>&#8220;Oh, <em>time,<\/em> hurry up and go by!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>I remember a co-worker saying that&#8211;decades ago.<\/p>\n<p>The setting: a concession in summertime, in the late 1970s.\u00a0 The morning had seemed to drag.\u00a0 Lunchtime, a break and a lazy afternoon lay ahead.\u00a0 And we staffers were anxiously waiting, till that clock would finally pull up its hands to noon.<\/p>\n<p>Well, needless to say, it did&#8211;and then some.\u00a0 Till that remark, that summer and that job are all pleasant memories.<\/p>\n<p>Today, I&#8217;m always amazed at how quickly time <em>does<\/em> go by.\u00a0 Gone are the days when summertime stretched out endlessly.\u00a0 Or a school year seemed to last forever.\u00a0 Or Christmas and Halloween felt as if they were separated by a vast chasm of days, weeks and a season.<\/p>\n<p>The longer we live, the quicker time seems to go by.\u00a0\u00a0 This weekend we &#8220;spring forward&#8221; for Daylight Saving Time.<\/p>\n<p>It seems like we just &#8220;fell back&#8221;, a few minutes ago.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=8127\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8127\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8127\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/SPAA-new1-e1583631024271.jpg\" alt=\"Banner &quot;San Pedro Art Association: Art on the Edge&quot;\" width=\"600\" height=\"242\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>And now, nonprofit <a href=\"http:\/\/sanpedroart.org\/wp\/\">San Pedro Art Association<\/a> is looking ahead to summer, 2020.\u00a0 They&#8217;re about to create many more pleasant memories, and may even launch some careers.<\/p>\n<p>They&#8217;ve now issued a call for student artists, for their summertime &#8220;Harbor Wide All Grades Student Art Competition and Exhibition&#8221;!<\/p>\n<p>From June 7th through September 5th, 2020, SPAA will be exhibiting the work of student artists at <a href=\"http:\/\/craftedportla.com\/\">CRAFTED, in San Pedro<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0 A panel of art professionals will select submissions for students, between the ages of four and eighteen, in the harbor area.\u00a0 Eligible students will be attending schools in San Pedro,Wilmington, Harbor City, Harbor Gateway South,Harbor Gateway North, Gardena, East Torrance, East Lomita, East Rancho Palos Verdes and South Carson.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10157\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10157\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10157\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Student-Art-Show-sign.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Student-Art-Show-sign.jpg 400w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Student-Art-Show-sign-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Four cash prizes will go to the top winners.\u00a0 In addition, one participant will receive the People&#8217;s Choice award.<\/p>\n<p>There is no fee to enter.\u00a0 Exhibiting artists, last year, all received a 120-piece art set and membership in SPAA through high school.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_8088\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=8088\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8088\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8088\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8088\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/work-and-ribbons.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/work-and-ribbons.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/work-and-ribbons-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/work-and-ribbons-451x300.jpg 451w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-8088\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">SPAA &#8220;Harbor Wide Student Art Exhibit&#8221; exhibitors, 2014.<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Students are asked to submit their entries at their schools in the qualifying areas no later than Thursday, April 23rd.\u00a0\u00a0 For more information, here is the <a href=\"http:\/\/sanpedroart.org\/wp\/student-art-competition\/\">link to SPAA&#8217;a website<\/a>, where you&#8217;ll find official rules and a letter to parents, teachers and principals.<\/p>\n<p>Last year, nearly 900 students submitted their work.\u00a0 Of these, SPAA emails, they chose 104 student exhibitors.\u00a0 And this year, San Pedro Art Association is hoping to see even more young artists sharing their talent.<\/p>\n<p>But what if you&#8217;re&#8211;<em>ahem,<\/em> 25, like me, and high school wasn&#8217;t exactly yesterday?<\/p>\n<p>Then, SPAA would love to have you help by spreading the word.\u00a0 If you happen to be an education professional in the harbor area, they have a flyer which you can post in your classroom.<\/p>\n<p>And be sure you save the date, on Sunday, June 7th!\u00a0 You&#8217;re invited to SPAA&#8217;s free opening-day reception, that afternoon at CRAFTED.\u00a0 In the past, the reception has started at 2pm&#8211;but I&#8217;ll update you as soon as I know for certain!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=14388\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=13973\">SPAA Gives Back<\/a>  November 29, 2019<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h6>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_13974\" style=\"width: 348px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=13974\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-13974\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13974\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13974\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/image2-e1574899758837.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"338\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-13974\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Flyer created by Bill Boisselle-Schalaba, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Remember Christmas morning when you couldn&#8217;t wait to see what Santa left?<\/p>\n<p>Now&#8217;s your chance to create that kind of magic for another child&#8211;or more than one.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/sanpedroart.org\/wp\/\">San Pedro Art Association <\/a>is well-versed in creating magic.<\/p>\n<p>Every summer, they host the Harbor Wide All Grades Student Art Competition.\u00a0\u00a0 As mentioned <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=11181\">in a previous post,<\/a> every participant gets a prize for taking part.\u00a0 And everyone gets their work professionally framed and exhibited at CRAFTED.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, nonprofit San Pedro Art Association has been serving artists&#8211;of all ages&#8211;with classes, shows and special events, since 1936.<\/p>\n<p>Now, for Christmas, SPAA is in the spirit.<\/p>\n<p>From now up to Christmas week, they&#8217;ll be hosting their Toy Drive, to benefit <a href=\"http:\/\/www.harborinterfaith.org\/\">Harbor Interfaith Services<\/a>, in San Pedro.\u00a0 Year-round, Harbor Interfaith works to empower the homeless and working poor to achieve self-sufficiency.<\/p>\n<p>Would you like to help SPAA support Harbor Interfaith in their mission, by dropping off a new, unwrapped toy at their Farmers&#8217; Market booth today?\u00a0 (SPAA&#8217;s special Farmer&#8217;s Market holiday booth will be open every Friday, 9 am through 2 pm, from now through the end of December.). Or at their gallery at CRAFTED, open every Friday through Sunday?<\/p>\n<p>According to their flyer, the &#8220;elves&#8221; at SPAA are going to be busy.\u00a0 They also have a Christmas party <em>and<\/em> a Holiday Craft Fair in the works&#8211;and I&#8217;ll give you more information on both of these as I know more!<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, have a fun and safe Thanksgiving weekend, and a start to a very Merry Christmas!<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=13973\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=13439\">Bittersweet Lavender<\/a>  June 13, 2019<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile<strong>\u00ae<\/strong><\/h6>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_13446\" style=\"width: 404px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=13446\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-13446\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13446\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13446\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/ovlf-2019-main-poster-e1560388021355.jpg\" alt=\"Poster of a lavender convertible in a green field wiht a mountain range in the background and lavender before it, advertising &quot;Ojai Valley Lavender Festival, Saturday June 29, 2019, 10 -5 pm&quot;\" width=\"394\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-13446\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Poster by Tom Hardcastle, copyright 2019, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.ojaivalleylavenderfestival.org\/\">Ojai Valley Lavender Festival<\/a> is coming to an end.\u00a0\u00a0 <em>Unless<\/em>&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>After sixteen years, OVLF hosts its final Lavender Festival in Ojai&#8217;s Libbey Park on Saturday, June 29th.\u00a0\u00a0 They&#8217;ll have more than 100 vendors, live music, speakers, games and prizes.\u00a0 Admission and parking are free, and there&#8217;s a free shuttle service.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9784\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9784\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9784\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Ojai-Lavender-Festival-June-27-2015-045.jpg\" alt=\"Lavender sign with sprigs of lavender adverisies &quot;Ojai Valley Lavender Festival&quot;\" width=\"600\" height=\"526\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Ojai-Lavender-Festival-June-27-2015-045.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Ojai-Lavender-Festival-June-27-2015-045-300x263.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Ojai-Lavender-Festival-June-27-2015-045-342x300.jpg 342w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>And lavender will be in evidence in every type of use&#8211;from lemonade to ice cream to hand soaps.<\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;s because the Ojai Valley Lavender Festival is always held on the final Saturday in June, to coincide with Ojai&#8217;s peak lavender bloom.\u00a0 Think &#8220;gorgeous&#8221; and go several steps beyond that, and you&#8217;ll have a pretty clear mental picture.<\/p>\n<p>Now think &#8220;talented&#8221;&#8211;and go several steps beyond <em>that.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9785\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9785\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9785\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Ojai-Lavender-Festival-overall.jpg\" alt=\"Shoppers browse tented exhibits in Libbey Park during Ojai Valley Lavender Festival\" width=\"600\" height=\"336\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Ojai-Lavender-Festival-overall.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Ojai-Lavender-Festival-overall-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Ojai-Lavender-Festival-overall-500x280.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p>So, why does 2019 mark the final Lavender Festival?<\/p>\n<p>Certainly, nonprofit Ojai Valley Lavender Festival, Inc., a\/k\/a OVLF, has never lost its passion for the production and uses of lavender.\u00a0 Their 2019 festival will feature a wide array of lavender honey, aromatherapy and beauty products (their soap is a favorite!), decadent desserts and libations with lavender.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9786\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9786\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9786\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/lavender-for-sale-2.jpg\" alt=\"Woman looks at bunches of lavender for sale in a booth at Libbey Park during Ojai Valley Lavender Festival\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/lavender-for-sale-2.jpg 400w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/lavender-for-sale-2-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Nor have they lost their interest in showcasing the gifts of artisans and musicians, and the passion of local community groups for their causes.<\/p>\n<p>Lavender-inspired products this year will include jewelry, clothing, pottery, candles, and the list goes on!<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=7772\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-7772\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7772\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/onstage3-e1560389855341.jpg\" alt=\"Musicians play guitar and bass in the music pavilion at Ojai Valley Lavender Festival 2016\" width=\"600\" height=\"399\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, the festival will host an all-day lineup of fantastic musicians, starting right off at 10 am with Richard Kaller on Libbey Park&#8217;s front patio.\u00a0\u00a0 At the music gazebo, you&#8217;ll get to hear the Old-Time Fiddlers, Lynn Mullins and Coyote Creek and Cindy Kalmenson and the Lucky Ducks.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_7696\" style=\"width: 411px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=7696\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-7696\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7696\" class=\"size-full wp-image-7696\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/OVLF-overview-by_Diana-Hatcher-e1560438689230.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"401\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-7696\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photograph courtesy of Diana Hatcher, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>But&#8211;the amazing job OVLF has been doing for sixteen years has been the result of an all-volunteer team.\u00a0 Led by Executive Director Neil Friedrichsen, President Cindy Mullins and Vice President Joy Brown, that team is now ready to retire.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;OVLF&#8217;s small, hard-working team has come to the difficult decision to dissolve the non-<br \/>\nprofit, end the festivals, and focus individual energies elsewhere,&#8221; the group explained in a press release.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_7705\" style=\"width: 535px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=7705\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-7705\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7705\" class=\"size-full wp-image-7705\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/OVLF-growing-lavender-by-Diana-Hatcher-e1434819302348.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"525\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-7705\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photograph courtesy of Diana Hatcher, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Ideally, OVLF had hoped new members would come forward to join the organization and lead it into the future. But, alas, that has not been the case. So this year OVLF will host its final Ojai Valley Lavender Festival on June 29th.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>BUT&#8230;but.<\/p>\n<p>Do you know anyone who&#8217;d be interested in assuming the &#8220;lavender mantel&#8221;?\u00a0 As in, a group or organization who would like to put their hearts and souls into keeping this fantastic event going?<\/p>\n<p>If so, please have them contact Cindy Mullins at ojaivalleylavenderfestival.org to learn more.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_7693\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=7693\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-7693\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7693\" class=\"size-full wp-image-7693\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/OVLF-Art-Pavilion-by-Diana_Hatcher-e1434818141143.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"525\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-7693\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photograph courtesy of Diana Hatcher, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Now, upfront&#8211;this will be a LOT of work.\u00a0 All the setup, coordination, planning and cleanup, that go along with hosting an annual event of this magnitude (OVLF tells us the festival draws more than 5,000 visitors to Ojai annually!) would be a labor of love.\u00a0 And no matter how much team members love the Festival, a hard truth is that even the most talented people have only two hands.<\/p>\n<p>But if you have a committed small group who love crafts, community and artists, this could be an opportunity for you&#8211;and for them.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, if you have time on Saturday, June 29th, how about running by Ojai and showing them some &#8220;lavender love&#8221; as they host their final festival?<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9786\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9786\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9786\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/lavender-for-sale-2.jpg\" alt=\"Woman looks at bunches of lavender for sale in a booth at Libbey Park during Ojai Valley Lavender Festival\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/lavender-for-sale-2.jpg 400w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/lavender-for-sale-2-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>OVLF, we&#8217;re keeping a good thought for you!\u00a0 Thank you for a fantastic fifteen years of crafts, celebration and lavender.\u00a0 Hope your 16th Lavender Festival is a great one&#8211;and that someone steps up to keep it going.<\/p>\n<h4><strong><em>The sixteenth annual Ojai Valley Lavender Festival happens Saturday, June 29th, from 10 am to 5 pm in Libbey Park, 210 South Signal Street, south of East Ojai Avenue.\u00a0 Admission and parking are free, and a free shuttle is available.<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=13439\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=12852\">SPAA Celebrates the Season<\/a>  December 2, 2018<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h6>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_12853\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12853\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12853\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12853\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12853\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/46183042_354016558698374_5574771201206648832_n-e1543722057727.jpg\" alt=\"Poster about SPAA Holiday Craft Fair and Interfaith Toy Drive, with decorated tree branches and wrapped packages\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-12853\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Graphic courtesy of San Pedro Art Association, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>You&#8217;re walking down the street, when something festive catches your eye.<\/p>\n<p>In a parking lot are tables, covered with white cloths and decorated with garlands, greenery and Christmas ornaments.<\/p>\n<p>As you get closer, you see a table on which sterling-silver handcrafted necklaces dangle from gilded branches.\u00a0 Handmade rag dolls of varying sizes smile from a second table.\u00a0\u00a0 The third is covered with pencil drawings that evoke street scenes, animals and people in just a few deft lines.<\/p>\n<p>Further along, a woman has set up an easel.\u00a0 Deftly, she mixes colors.\u00a0 As her brush moves, a seascape comes to life.<\/p>\n<p>This moment of reverie has been brought to you by San Pedro Art Association.\u00a0 But you don&#8217;t have to limit it to your imagination.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=8127\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8127\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8127\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/SPAA-new1.jpg\" alt=\"Banner &quot;San Pedro Art Association: Art on the Edge&quot;\" width=\"700\" height=\"282\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Today, Sunday, December 2, SPAA hosts a &#8220;Holiday Craft Fair and Harbor Interfaith Toy Drive&#8221;, in the B of A parking lot on Pacific Avenue, near 10th Street in San Pedro.<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s your chance to find unique handcrafted gifts for all the special people on your Christmas list.\u00a0\u00a0 As well as to help make a child&#8217;s Christmas magical, by bringing a new, unwrapped toy to donate to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.harborinterfaith.org\/\">Harbor Interfaith Services<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>As mentioned in earlier posts, San Pedro Art Association has been serving artists, and the arts, since 1936.\u00a0 Every summer, they host a &#8220;Harbor Wide All Grades Student Art Competition&#8221; for the local schools.\u00a0 (Every entrant receives art supplies, there are prizes for the top winners, and the students&#8217; work is professionally framed and displayed at CRAFTED!)\u00a0\u00a0 They also offer classes and monthly &#8220;First Thursday&#8221; free guided art walks.<\/p>\n<p>And here&#8217;s an early Christmas gift: SPAA is now planning to offer craft fairs on a regular basis!\u00a0 Starting in 2019, they&#8217;ll host three a year, according to SPAA Secretary Bill Boisselle-Schalaba!\u00a0 (They held their first one this past spring, and it was great!)<\/p>\n<h5><strong><em>San Pedro Art Association&#8217;s &#8220;Holiday Craft Fair and Harbor Interfaith Toy Drive&#8221; happens Sunday, December 2, from 10 am to 5 pm in the B of A parking lot at 951 South Pacific Avenue (near 10th Street) in San Pedro.\u00a0 Admission is free.<\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=12852\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=12834\">Muir Beach&#8217;s Tradition By the Sea<\/a>  December 1, 2018<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h6>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_12837\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12837\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12837\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12837\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12837\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/fd0E9zlA-e1543633336110.jpeg\" alt=\"Original landscape of street in Muir Beach with ocean and mountain in the distance, by Tom Soltesz\" width=\"600\" height=\"453\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-12837\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Painting \u00a92018 by Tom Soltesz, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Getting to Christmas shop by the beach is something special.<\/p>\n<p>And the <a href=\"http:\/\/muirbeachartsfair.com\/\">Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair<\/a> has been proving that for nearly 50 years.<\/p>\n<p>This weekend, they&#8217;re just about to prove it again.<\/p>\n<p>This year&#8217;s Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair happens this Saturday and Sunday, December 1 and 2.\u00a0 And it&#8217;s a Christmastime tradition in the quaint town of Muir Beach, which is just over six miles from Mill Valley, in Northern California.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_12841\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12841\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12841\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12841\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12841\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Kasey-Corbit-e1543634331528.jpg\" alt=\"White seashell jewelry ensemble dangles from a seaside plant stalk\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-12841\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo \u00a92018, Kasey Corbit, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Started in the 1970s in by a community group that became the Muir Beach Quilters, the fair started in the best way: as a big community Christmas party!\u00a0\u00a0 And according to their <a href=\"http:\/\/muirbeachartsfair.com\/history.html\">event website<\/a>, this was an event created with three goals in mind: to raise money to build a community center, to give local artisans a place to showcase their creations, once annually&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>&#8230;and to throw a big community Christmas party, of course!<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_12844\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12844\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12844\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12844\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12844\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Debra-Allen-e1543636047783.jpg\" alt=\"Star ornaments with multiple &quot;petals&quot;, painted a silvery white\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-12844\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photograph \u00a92018, Debra Allen, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Local residents kept the tradition alive once the Muir Beach Quilters discontinued it, in 2013.\u00a0 And the Holiday Arts Fair&#8217;s 2018 edition will feature\u00a0 nearly 40 artisans from throughout the Bay Area.\u00a0 You&#8217;ll get to see hand-made pottery, wreaths, miniature wooden robots, ornaments crafted from both glass and wood, and gifts from the garden&#8211;and that&#8217;s just a partial selection.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_12845\" style=\"width: 370px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12845\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12845\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12845\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12845\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Janet-Tumpich-Moore-e1543636177239.jpg\" alt=\"Glass suncatchers with multicolored shapes\" width=\"360\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-12845\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo \u00a92018 by Janet Tumpich Moore, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>At the Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair, organizations that support the local community are given a free table.\u00a0 Look for the MBVFA,\u00a0 selling their logo clothing and hats, for kids and us &#8220;big kids&#8221;, to benefit the Fire Department.<\/p>\n<p>Plus, the Muir Beach Quilters are going to display their best!\u00a0 The Holiday Arts Fair&#8217;s press release says they&#8217;ll have &#8220;quilts, dolls and scarves&#8221;.\u00a0 But I&#8217;m going to guess that sentence doesn&#8217;t come close to doing them justice!<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_12846\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12846\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12846\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12846\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12846\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Julie-Smith-e1543636278133.jpg\" alt=\"Jars of amber handcrafted honey sit next to a walnut cake\" width=\"600\" height=\"589\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-12846\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo \u00a92018, Julie Smith, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>In addition, the Fair gives next generation of crafters and artisans the opportunity to sell their work, at the Junior Artisans\/Kids table.<\/p>\n<p>Also, new this year, visitors to the Fair will get to experience glassblowing.<\/p>\n<p>Want more?\u00a0 OK.\u00a0 During the Holiday Arts Fair,\u00a0 Muir Beach&#8217;s Cafe Q offers free coffee and tea for all attendees.\u00a0 They also have a balcony overlooking the ocean, for you to relax and get a good look at all the cool treasures you found!<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_12848\" style=\"width: 409px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12848\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12848\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12848\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12848\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/p-11-e1543636887545.jpg\" alt=\"Wreath made of succulent plants\" width=\"399\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-12848\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo \u00a9MB Garden Club, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>And here&#8217;s a link to the <a href=\"http:\/\/muirbeachartsfair.com\/slideshow.html\">Artist Gallery<\/a>,\u00a0if you&#8217;d like to look a little further beforehand.\u00a0 Many of the previous exhibiting artists will be back this year.\u00a0 (And I&#8217;m wishing I could run my hands over that gorgeous inlaid woodwork!)<\/p>\n<h5><em><strong>The Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair runs from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday, December 1, and 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday, December 2, at The Muir Beach Community Center, 19 Seascape Drive, southwest of Shoreline Highway.\u00a0 Admission is free.<\/strong> <\/em><\/h5>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=12834\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=12769\">Together at Christmastime<\/a>  November 29, 2018<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12778\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12778\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12778\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/DSC_0317-e1543537401146.jpg\" alt=\"Four singers from West Coast Singers group smile at their exhibit table duirng SGV Pride 2018\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/a><\/h6>\n<p>C&#8217;mon.\u00a0 You know you want to sing along.\u00a0 Who <em>wouldn&#8217;t<\/em>?<\/p>\n<p>But most Christmas concerts don&#8217;t give you that opportunity, when they perform Handel&#8217;s <em>Messiah&#8217;s <\/em>&#8220;Hallelujah Chorus&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>Which is one more reason, besides fantastic music and a great message, why you might like to attend the<a href=\"http:\/\/westcoastsingers.org\/\"> West Coast Singers&#8217;<\/a> Christmas concert this weekend.<\/p>\n<p>The West Coast Singers are the LGBTQ+ Chorus of Los Angeles..\u00a0 Their 2018 concert is themed, &#8220;When We&#8217;re Together: Songs for the Holiday&#8221;, and they&#8217;ll be giving three performances, this Saturday, December 1 and Sunday, December 2.<\/p>\n<p>And the program focuses on what brings us together during the Christmas season: joy, peace, family, pride and love.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_12779\" style=\"width: 481px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12779\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12779\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12779\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12779\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/WCS_Dec18_Ticketing-Graphic_sm1.jpg\" alt=\"Poster for holiday concert, &quot;When We're Together&quot;, featuring a tree made of the words, &quot;joy, love, pride, peace, family&quot;\" width=\"471\" height=\"574\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/WCS_Dec18_Ticketing-Graphic_sm1.jpg 471w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/WCS_Dec18_Ticketing-Graphic_sm1-246x300.jpg 246w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 471px) 100vw, 471px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-12779\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Poster courtesy of West Coast Singers, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>The West Coast Singers, emails soprano Michelle Sekine, are the third-oldest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, mixed-voice chorus in the nation.<\/p>\n<p>Michelle was kind enough to share the group&#8217;s mission statement, which reads, &#8220;The chorus consists of lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual and heterosexual men and women who enjoy singing and the camaraderie of a community chorus.\u00a0 The chorus strives to achieve musical excellence and entertain audiences, as well as promote understanding, healing and cooperation within the greater Los Angeles community. <span style=\"color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;\">&#8220;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>While I haven&#8217;t had the pleasure of hearing the West Coast Singers perform live (yet), the YouTube video of them singing our <a href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=W1OP_6gGO-E\">National Anthem<\/a> will give you chills!\u00a0\u00a0 They make it look easy&#8211;even though that&#8217;s one of the most difficult songs to sing, due to its wide range.\u00a0 (And they sing it a cappella!)\u00a0 Then, there are the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=pdE9VciOADM\">videos featuring GloZell Green&#8211;<\/a>showcasing the group&#8217;s sense of humor and spirit of fun.<\/p>\n<p>So&#8211;here&#8217;s your chance to let them get you into the holiday spirit.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10137\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10137\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10137\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/candle-21.jpg\" alt=\"Red candle in cut-glass holder burns on as it sits on red tablecloth\" width=\"504\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/candle-21.jpg 504w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/candle-21-252x300.jpg 252w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 504px) 100vw, 504px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>At 3;00 Saturday afternoon, December 1, the West Coast Singers&#8217; first performance is a family-oriented, shorter matinee version of their annual Christmastime concert, at Barnsdall Gallery Theatre in Los Angeles.\u00a0\u00a0 Children ages five and under are admitted free.\u00a0\u00a0 Expect to hear lots of holiday favorites&#8211;and to get a chance to show your festive spirit, during the &#8220;Hallelujah Chorus&#8221; singalong.<\/p>\n<p>Then, that evening, there&#8217;s a full concert at eight.\u00a0 At 3:00 on Sunday afternoon, December 2, they&#8217;ll perform a full matinee.\u00a0 And in addition to the concert, they&#8217;ll be offering snacks, a raffle, and hand-crafted cocktails for over-21 attendees.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Our chorus has been around for many years, and this concert is one of our annual signature events,&#8221; emails Chorus President Sanie Andres.\u00a0\u00a0 Sanie also shared that the West Coast Singers celebrated their 35th anniversary in October!<\/p>\n<p>Happy Anniversary, West Coast Singers!\u00a0\u00a0 Hope you have a fantastic Christmas season.<\/p>\n<h5><strong><em>The West Coast Singers will give three performances of their Winter Concert, &#8220;When We&#8217;re Together: Songs for the Holiday&#8221;, this Saturday and Sunday, December 1 and 2 at the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre,\u00a0 4800 Hollywood Boulevard, west of North Vermont Avenue.\u00a0\u00a0 Here&#8217;s the <a href=\"http:\/\/wcstogether.brownpapertickets.com\/\">link for more information.<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=12769\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=12701\">Torrance&#8217;s Renaissance Woman<\/a>  November 24, 2018<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h6>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_12709\" style=\"width: 452px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12709\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12709\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12709\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12709\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Paula-from-2015-show_edited-1.jpg\" alt=\"Designer Paula Bennett in a blue crocheted vest\" width=\"442\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Paula-from-2015-show_edited-1.jpg 442w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Paula-from-2015-show_edited-1-221x300.jpg 221w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 442px) 100vw, 442px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-12709\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Designer Paula Bennett, founder of Paula Crochet Fashion<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>What <em>can&#8217;t<\/em> designer\/<a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/PaulaCrochetFashion\">Paula Crochet Fashion<\/a> founder Paula Bennett do?<\/p>\n<p>As founder of nonprofit Yes4Arts, she shares her love of knitting, crochet and needle arts with the next generation.\u00a0 But her patterns are NOT our grandmothers&#8217; afghans and tea cozies.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9658\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9658\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9658\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/cocktail-dress-1.jpg\" alt=\"model wears sea-green crocheted halter dress during fashion show\" width=\"452\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/cocktail-dress-1.jpg 452w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/cocktail-dress-1-226x300.jpg 226w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 452px) 100vw, 452px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12710\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12710\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12710\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/brides-2-e1543113133250.jpg\" alt=\"Procession of models in crocheted wedding dresses in gray, black and white during Yes4Arts fashion show\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/a>Instead, she comes up with&#8211;and teaches her young students to make&#8211;slinky prom dresses, modern wedding gowns (including black ones!) and cool halter outfits.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12711\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12711\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12711\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/bride10-2-e1543113260637.jpg\" alt=\"Model exhibits black crocheted wedding dress with fiber fringe on the skirt, veil and stiletto heels at fashion show\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12712\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12712\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12712\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Armani-with-her-dress-e1543113409873.jpg\" alt=\"Armani Dolby, of Armani Nejor Designs, holds up one of her dresses\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/a>She also mentors high-school-age designers as they begin their careers.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_12714\" style=\"width: 460px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12714\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12714\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12714\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12714\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/imagejpeg_0-e1543115672398.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-12714\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Stained-glass butterfly \u00a92018 by Paula Bennett. Image used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>In addition to her needlework, Paula designs stained-glass ornaments and windows.<\/p>\n<p>And just in time for Christmas shopping, she&#8217;s going to be at the Downtown Torrance Antique Street Fair tomorrow.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_12715\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12715\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12715\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12715\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12715\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/IMG_20181009_221441_577-e1543115855853.jpg\" alt=\"red stained-glass parrot in back yard near brick wall\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-12715\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Stained-glass parrot \u00a92018 by Paula Bennett. Image used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>In addition to exhibiting her stained-glass designs, she&#8217;ll be teaching free crochet and knitting lessons!<\/p>\n<p>Paula says she&#8217;ll be on hand from 9 am to 2 pm tomorrow, but she&#8217;s available to give lessons &#8220;anytime&#8221;.\u00a0 In return for sharing her expertise and materials (her designs won awards in her native Belize!), all she asks is that you share what she teaches you.\u00a0 Once you can knit or crochet something amazing (and she is a fantastic teacher, so that doesn&#8217;t take long!), plan on teaching someone else who&#8217;d like to learn, to knit or crochet.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_12716\" style=\"width: 360px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12716\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12716\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12716\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12716\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/imagejpeg_01-e1543116021703.jpg\" alt=\"Red stained-glass bell with green holly leaves and red holly berry\" width=\"350\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-12716\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Stained-glass bell ornament \u00a92018 by Paula Bennett. Image used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Also, while Paula doesn&#8217;t require this, do you happen to have leftover yarn, knitting needles you aren&#8217;t using or crochet hooks that are just sitting around?\u00a0\u00a0 If you have these to donate, she certainly wouldn&#8217;t mind having them, to give to her next groups of students!<\/p>\n<h5><strong><em>Look for Paula Bennett, of Paula Crochet, at the Torrance Antique Street Faire from 9 am to 2 pm on Sunday, November 25th.\u00a0\u00a0 Torrance Antique Street Faire is located at 1317 Sartori Avenue, south of Torrance Boulevard.<\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=12701\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=12656\">An Artist&#8217;s Magic<\/a>  November 23, 2018<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h6>\n<h6><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12685\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12685\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12685\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Liz-with-her-work-e1542862341507.jpg\" alt=\"Artist Liz Stark holds up two of her carved and painted boxes against the background of El Dorado Park\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/a><\/h6>\n<p>Talented artist Liz Stark can make just about anything in wood.\u00a0 Then she enhances it by carving, drawing and painting.<\/p>\n<p><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-12656-15\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/Audio\/noelophile_2018_liz_stark.mp3?_=15\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/Audio\/noelophile_2018_liz_stark.mp3\">https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/Audio\/noelophile_2018_liz_stark.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/p>\n<p>Furniture, clocks, jewelry boxes&#8211;you name it.\u00a0\u00a0 And to her jewelry boxes, she adds tigers, sea creatures,\u00a0 or any other design her customers request, in a custom order. .<\/p>\n<p>The results are going to wow you.\u00a0 Detailed, lifelike animals seem to look you right in the eye.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Flowers look like they&#8217;re blooming on the first day of spring.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12686\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12686\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12686\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Liz-with-her-boxes2-e1542862530879.jpg\" alt=\"Artist Liz Stark displays a hexagonal plaque with an otter and a square box on which she's carved and painted a tiger, against the background of El Dorado Park\" width=\"600\" height=\"493\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>And Liz never seems to be lacking in inspiration.\u00a0 During a visit at an early October crafts fair, she mentioned that there aren&#8217;t enough hours in the day, to create everything she has in mind to make!<\/p>\n<p>Like to see Liz&#8217;s work firsthand, or order a special handcrafted gift from her for Christmas?\u00a0 She&#8217;s an active member of San Pedro Art Association, has a website in the works&#8211;and she&#8217;ll\u00a0 be on hand for a craft fair in Wilmington in late November.\u00a0 Details to follow!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>Liz will be exhibiting at the Wilmington Senior Center Craft Show, 1371 Eubank Avenue, just south of PCH, this Friday and Saturday, November 30 and December 1.\u00a0 Hours are 9-4 both days, and admission is free.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=12656\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=12541\">Talent Bright as a&#8230;<\/a>  November 12, 2018<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h6>\n<p>&#8220;Button art&#8221; doesn&#8217;t come close to describing Carol Newell&#8217;s work.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12544\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12544\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12544\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Carol-with-her-art11-e1542063087579.jpg\" alt=\"Artist Carol Newell next to a black wire screen featuring six pieces of her button-art work, including a Santa and unicorn\" width=\"600\" height=\"439\" \/><\/a>Carol, proprietor of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/ButtonArtByCarol\">Button Art By Carol<\/a>, reminds me a lot more of a mosaic artist.<\/p>\n<p>Using beads, buttons and wood backgrounds, she can create just about anything&#8211;and she takes custom orders.<\/p>\n<p><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-12541-16\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/Audio\/noelophile_2018_episode_2_carol_newell.mp3?_=16\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/Audio\/noelophile_2018_episode_2_carol_newell.mp3\">https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/Audio\/noelophile_2018_episode_2_carol_newell.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12543\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12543\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12543\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Carol-with-her-sun-and-moon-e1542063376616.jpg\" alt=\"Artist Carol Newell poses next to her &quot;Sun and Moon&quot; button art piece\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/a>Seasonally, she has a harvest pumpkin design, and several Christmas ones.\u00a0 Year-round, though, her rainbow rooster is\u00a0 eye-catching, and she&#8217;s created sea creatures, butterflies, birds&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Carol talked about the origins of her small business, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Button-Art-By-Carol-309906262372399\/\">Button Art By Carol<\/a>.\u00a0 She also talked about her creative process&#8211;and even shared the link to her <a href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCVmoN4ZReiRPwNfcpypE3Jw\">YouTube channel,<\/a> where she offers a tutorial on making one of her most popular pieces.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=12541\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=12476\">A Favorite Way to Christmas Shop<\/a>  November 1, 2018<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h6>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12480\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12480\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12480\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Irvine-studio-arts-fair-e1541098956278.jpg\" alt=\"Ducks on a lake with white sand, green trees and blue sky\" width=\"450\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a>Tomorrow evening, and all day Saturday, Irvine is hosting a unique Christmas shopping experience.<\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t expect a crowded mall, lines in the food court or clerks asking, &#8220;Are you a member of our (insert the name here) Special Group?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>But what you <em>can<\/em> expect: hand-blown glass, folk crafts, jewelry and music.\u00a0\u00a0 More than 100 gifted artists will be on hand.\u00a0 And, based on previous experience, the food will be excellent.<\/p>\n<p>All this and a duck pond, too.<\/p>\n<p>Where?\u00a0 The <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cityofirvine.org\/irvine-fine-arts-center\">Irvine Fine Arts Center<\/a>, as they host their 36th Annual Holiday Faire.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_12484\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12484\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12484\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12484\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12484\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Holiday-Faire_Flyer1_sm-e1541100402770.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"397\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-12484\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Image courtesy of Freda Nelson Evans, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Festivities start at 5 pm on Friday, and run till 9 pm.\u00a0 Then, on Saturday, they&#8217;re open from 9 am to 4 pm.<\/p>\n<p>We attended Irvine Fine Arts Center&#8217;s summer &#8220;Studio Arts Festival&#8221; last year, and fell in love with the setting <em>and<\/em> the variety and high quality of work on exhibit.\u00a0 There were both indoor and outdoor exhibits of just about every creative medium imaginable: pottery, dichroic glass, silver, gold, mahogany and cherry wood&#8230; (Yes, I came home with a bunch of new favorites!)<\/p>\n<p>And on the subject of wood, here are two artists we&#8217;re looking forward to seeing again.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_11420\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11420\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11420\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11420\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11420\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Booth2588-by-Freda.jpg\" alt=\"Artist J. Michael Evans in his art booth at a craft fair, surrounded by his hand-turned wooden pens, platters and bowls\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Booth2588-by-Freda.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Booth2588-by-Freda-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Booth2588-by-Freda-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-11420\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photograph courtesy of Freda Nelson Evans, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Self-taught wood artist J. Michael Evans crafts some luminous bowls, warm-looking pens and unique plates which he offers through his small business, <a href=\"http:\/\/fne414.wordpress.com\/ozarks-wood-n-stuff-gallery\/\">Ozarks Wood-N-Stuff<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0 I especially like his satiny &#8220;Supele&#8221; square lidded bowl, which you can see in his &#8220;Gallery Slideshow&#8221;.\u00a0 And his wife, fellow artist Freda Nelson Evans, emails that he&#8217;ll have a number of new items available for the Holiday Faire.<\/p>\n<p>Freda, meanwhile, is an accomplished actress.\u00a0 Both she and Michael perform in the &#8220;Shepherd of the Hills&#8221; annual outdoor drama in Branson, Missouri.\u00a0 In addition, Freda portrays Mrs. Santa Claus at one of the local Missouri shopping areas, as well as a hotel.<\/p>\n<p>(Here is a <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=11415\">link to my 2017 interview<\/a> with Michael, about his work!)<\/p>\n<p>Now, unlike many of the other artists&#8217; events and festivals mentioned on this site, the Irvine Holiday Faire does have an admission charge of $2.00 per attendee.\u00a0 That&#8217;s if you&#8217;re a &#8220;big kid&#8221;, as we are.\u00a0 Ages twelve and under get free admission, and parking is free.<\/p>\n<p>And I can&#8217;t think of a better way to support our local artists while picking up some gifts that are going to wow everybody at Christmastime!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h5>Irvine Fine Arts Center&#8217;s 36th Annual Holiday Faire happens Friday evening, November 2, from 5 pm to 9 pm, and Saturday, November 3, from 9 am to 4 pm, at the Irvine Fine Arts Center, 14321 Yale Avenue, near Walnut.<\/h5>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=12476\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=12432\">Festivities to Savor<\/a>  October 27, 2018<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h6>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12435\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/DSC_0002-e1540651975771.jpg\" alt=\"Tamiza Teja displays cookies and a scented candle in her store\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/>Remember warm brownies from Grandma&#8217;s oven?\u00a0 Or homemade cookies on a rainy Saturday?<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.tamizastreats.com\/\">Tamiza&#8217;s Treats<\/a> proprietor Tamiza Teja certainly does.\u00a0 Only, for her, those memories are just a starting point.<\/p>\n<p><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-12432-17\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/Audio\/noelophile_2018_episode_1_tamiza_teja.mp3?_=17\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/Audio\/noelophile_2018_episode_1_tamiza_teja.mp3\">https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/Audio\/noelophile_2018_episode_1_tamiza_teja.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12440\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12440\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12440\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/DSC_0083-Copy-e1540652536175.jpg\" alt=\"Long shot of table with artisan cookies, breads and candy\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Tamiza, who is both an artisan and a chef, comes up with unique twists on favorite cookies, candies, cakes and more.\u00a0 She also concocts new recipes for both sweet and savory treats.<\/p>\n<p>And&#8211;today, she&#8217;d like to invite you to a party.<\/p>\n<p>October represents a milestone for her.\u00a0\u00a0 Not only has she been in business for five years as of 2018&#8211;her new store, in Torrance, celebrates its one-year anniversary on October 27th!<\/p>\n<p>From 10 am to 4 pm, today, October 27th, Tamiza celebrates her &#8220;5 Year\/1 Year Anniversary Party&#8221;.\u00a0 She first set up shop at CRAFTED, in San Pedro, in 2013.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12438\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12438\"><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12438\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/DSC_0019-e1540652321247.jpg\" alt=\"Long shot of Tamiza's Treats store with foodie magnets on a table in the foreground\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Tamiza&#8217;s Treats, located at 3525 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite Q, is welcoming, unique&#8211;and beautiful.\u00a0 The walls are a light mint green, offsetting all the tempting things on display with lavender ribbons.<\/p>\n<p>And while delectable desserts are the main product, Tamiza also stocks unique, food-themed gift items, offers classes in her space and has a &#8220;free library&#8221; for customers!<\/p>\n<p>Her creativity extends to her work as an artisan.<\/p>\n<p>Take a look at the foodie-themed jewelry she designed!<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12445\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12445\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12445\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/DSC_0031-Copy-e1540653306238.jpg\" alt=\"Green Onion-inspired necklace and earring set by Tamiza Teja\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Obviously, she&#8217;s having fun.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12446\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12446\"><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12446\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/DSC_0036-Copy-e1540653493288.jpg\" alt=\"Red and gold necklace inspired by lobster, mac and cheese\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>This one&#8217;s inspired by lobster, macaroni and cheese!<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12451\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12451\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12451\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/DSC_0016-Copy-e1540653947305.jpg\" alt=\"Tamiza displays new flask and bell ornaments\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In addition, Tamiza&#8217;s Treats gives back to the community.\u00a0 When you buy some of the foodie -themed gift items, like these cute new Christmas ornaments, a portion of the proceeds get donated to a nonprofit.\u00a0 Among the causes she supports: Children&#8217;s Hospital of Los Angeles, the Scleroderma Foundation and Queen&#8217;s Best, which is a corgi rescue.<\/p>\n<p>Congratulations to Tamiza, on her &#8220;5\/1 Anniversary&#8221;! \u00a0 And if you stop by today to say &#8220;hi&#8221;, I personally recommend the tangerine-date cookies.<\/p>\n<h5><em>Tamiza&#8217;s Treats Artisan Treats and Foodie-Themed Gift Boutique celebrates its &#8220;5\/1 Anniversary&#8221; today from 10 am to 4 pm! \u00a0 Come see what&#8217;s delicious (there are a lot of answers to that question!) at 3525 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite Q, in Torrance.\u00a0 Tamiza&#8217;s Treats is located on PCH and Madison, right near Kinecta.<\/em><\/h5>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=12432\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=12103\">Spreading the Magic<\/a>  May 4, 2018<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11437\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11437\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11437\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Pipe-Thimble-Oct-28-2017-version-1.jpg\" alt=\"Pipe &amp; Thimble Publishing and Bookstore in the sunshine o an October early monrning.\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Pipe-Thimble-Oct-28-2017-version-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Pipe-Thimble-Oct-28-2017-version-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Pipe-Thimble-Oct-28-2017-version-1-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/h6>\n<p>This Saturday, May 5, is a magical birthday celebration.<\/p>\n<p><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-12103-18\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/noelophile.net\/audio\/Barb%20Ellie%20and%20Robin%20Pipe%20and%20Thimble.mp3?_=18\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/noelophile.net\/audio\/Barb%20Ellie%20and%20Robin%20Pipe%20and%20Thimble.mp3\">http:\/\/noelophile.net\/audio\/Barb%20Ellie%20and%20Robin%20Pipe%20and%20Thimble.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/p>\n<p>Expect to see real butterflies, amazing crafts, gorgeous flowers and lots of talented artists, if you come to Lomita to celebrate <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PipeandThimble\/\">Pipe &amp; Thimble Bookstore&#8217;s one-year anniversary<\/a>!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11644\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11644\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11644\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Barb1.jpg\" alt=\"Barb Lieberman smiles near her display of needlefelted ornaments\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Barb1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Barb1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Barb1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Pipe &amp; Thimble is unique, as Southern California&#8217;s first indie bookstore to stock all-indie-authors&#8217; works!<\/p>\n<p>And It&#8217;s been an amazing year, courtesy of proprietors Barbara and Ellie Lieberman, and honorary Pipe &amp; Thimble partner Robin Nieto.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12114\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12114\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12114\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/purple.jpg\" alt=\"flowers in a windowbox and in a purple cart outside the store\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/purple.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/purple-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/purple-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>As Robin says, though, this is so much more than a bookstore.\u00a0\u00a0 The combined talents of Barb, Ellie, Robin and the independent authors they serve has made Pipe&amp;Thimble a magical space, with an exciting creative vibration from the minute visitors approach.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11645\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11645\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11645\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Ellie1-1.jpg\" alt=\"Ellie Lieberman in her purple dress with fairy wings\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Ellie1-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Ellie1-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Ellie1-1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Ellie (pictured above) excels at crafting miniature fairy gardens and fairy houses\/doors that will enchant you, through her small business, <a href=\"http:\/\/acorntops.weebly.com\/\">Acorn Tops<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Her writing is likely to captivate you, as well.\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Ellie-Lieberman\/e\/B00ZQ5ROYE\"> Her published works<\/a> include two novels, a number of anthology selections AND a new book just about to be published.\u00a0\u00a0 (Got time for only one book?\u00a0 I confess, her <em>Society&#8217;s Foundlings<\/em> is a favorite, for its stark beauty and a warmth that shines through in places where you wouldn&#8217;t expect it.)<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11385\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11385\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11385\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Barb-with-her-painting-21_edited-11.jpg\" alt=\"Barb Lieberman with purple flower painting\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Barb-with-her-painting-21_edited-11.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Barb-with-her-painting-21_edited-11-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Barb-with-her-painting-21_edited-11-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>What <em>can&#8217;t<\/em> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.keyboardmusings.com\/\">Barbara Lieberman<\/a> do?\u00a0 Her areas of expertise include needlefelting, painting, crafting, general creative work, gardening, AND tempting her readers to read &#8220;just one more chapter&#8221; in her <a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Barbara-Lieberman\/e\/B00NHI7PT6\">novels and nonfiction<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>(And a very Happy Mother&#8217;s Day to this extremely gifted &#8220;artrepreneur&#8221;\/author!\u00a0 Did I mention she&#8217;s also Ellie&#8217;s mom?)<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11388\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11388\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11388\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/closeuphug1.jpg\" alt=\"Barb and Ellie Lieberman hug\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/closeuphug1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/closeuphug1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/closeuphug1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11656\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11656\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11656\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Robin-with-her-dogs-21.jpg\" alt=\"Author and artist Robin Kinnaman-Nieto with her needlefelted dogs\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Robin-with-her-dogs-21.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Robin-with-her-dogs-21-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Robin-with-her-dogs-21-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Every time I see author\/artist <a href=\"http:\/\/robinnieto.weebly.com\/\">Robin Nieto<\/a>, she&#8217;s come up with another fantastic handmade gift item or new book.\u00a0 She&#8217;s both an artist and author of two series: <em>Tales From Mema&#8217;s Garden<\/em> and <em>The Adventures of Duke &amp; Daisy,<\/em> with a new\u00a0 <em>Duke &amp; Daisy<\/em> book forthcoming!<\/p>\n<p>And&#8230;she&#8217;s a butterfly expert, with live butterflies hatching outside her home, which you can see when you visit Pipe &amp; Thimble!\u00a0 This is every bit as cool as it sounds.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10961\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10961\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10961\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/front-door-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/front-door-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/front-door-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/front-door-1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a> Robin, Barb and Ellie have steered <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PipeandThimble\/\">Pipe &amp; Thimble<\/a> through an <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=11115\">incredible inaugural year<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Poetry readings, board game nights, special events and book signings have all been on their calendar.\u00a0 So have live-music performances and themed book-related series like &#8220;Dog Days of Summer&#8221;, to show young &#8220;clients&#8221; the magic of reading.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12111\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Small-Business-Saturdayjpg.jpg\" alt=\"Pipe &amp; Thimble Bookstore with ballons and Small Business Saturday tables\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Small-Business-Saturdayjpg.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Small-Business-Saturdayjpg-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Small-Business-Saturdayjpg-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/>Now, they&#8217;re set to embark on another year of magic.\u00a0\u00a0 On the calendar for Year Two of Pipe &amp; Thimble: meetings of their brand-new Book Club, &#8220;Scary Campfire Stories&#8221; for Halloween, and authors&#8217; events like &#8220;Marketing Your Book on Facebook&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12112\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12112\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12112\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/hummingbird-best1.jpg\" alt=\"hummingvird at feeder\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/hummingbird-best1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/hummingbird-best1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/hummingbird-best1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>And they&#8217;re waiting to welcome you, as they celebrate a year of supporting indie authors and artists, and look towards a future of reading, creativity and community!<\/p>\n<p><em>Pipe &amp; Thimble&#8217;s &#8220;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PipeandThimble\/\">1-Year Anniversary Celebration&#8221;<\/a> runs from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, Saturday, May 5th at 24830 Narbonne Avenue, in the City of Lomita.\u00a0 Admission is free and everyone&#8217;s welcome.\u00a0 Come prepared to fall in love with some great new authors and artists!<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=12103\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=12014\">TCG Set to Welcome Spring<\/a>  March 11, 2018<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12015\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12015\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12015\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Torrance-Craftsmens-Guild-2017-1.jpg\" alt=\"&quot;Craft Faire Today&quot; sign outside Torrance Cultural Arts Center building\" width=\"600\" height=\"496\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Torrance-Craftsmens-Guild-2017-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Torrance-Craftsmens-Guild-2017-1-300x248.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Torrance-Craftsmens-Guild-2017-1-363x300.jpg 363w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>We all deserve a reward for &#8220;springing forward&#8221; this morning.\u00a0\u00a0 And here it is.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.torrancecraftsmensguild.org\/TCG\/\">Torrance Craftsmen&#8217;s Guild<\/a> is counting down to their 19th Annual &#8220;Spring Arts and Crafts Faire&#8221;, next Saturday!<\/p>\n<p>They&#8217;re going to have three shopping areas full of all-handmade creations from talented indie artisans, at Torrance Cultural Arts Center!\u00a0 Starting at 10:00 next Saturday, March 17th, we crafts maniacs will have the chance to celebrate St. Patrick&#8217;s Day by offering a little &#8220;green&#8221; to our favorite creatives, in return for their made-with-love-and-individuality creations.\u00a0\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=12022\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12022\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12022\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/At-TCG-show.jpg\" alt=\"Shoppers exxplore tables of handcrafted gifts at Torrance Craftsmen's Guild show\" width=\"600\" height=\"399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/At-TCG-show.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/At-TCG-show-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/At-TCG-show-451x300.jpg 451w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>If you&#8217;re looking for cute additions to Easter baskets (wow, Easter is three weeks away at this writing!), you&#8217;re almost certain to find them here.\u00a0\u00a0 Or, you might find something special for Mom, for Mother&#8217;s Day.\u00a0\u00a0 Or perhaps a wedding or graduation gift, since June seems to sneak up on us faster every year.<\/p>\n<p>Ceramics, wind chimes, photography, candles and needle arts are some of our favorites from past Torrance Craftsmen&#8217;s Guild faires.\u00a0 I have yet to leave one of these empty-handed&#8211;and you probably won&#8217;t either.<\/p>\n<p>While I don&#8217;t yet have the listing of participating artisans, I can tell you about a few previous favorites.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=6349\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6349\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6349\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/jacqui-with-her-quilt-e1449267168910.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"435\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a>Needle artist Jackie Demyers, of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/craftsbyjacqui\">Crafts By Jacqui<\/a>, can do just about anything fabric- or textile-related.\u00a0 She&#8217;s currently working on Black Panther pillowcases, according to her <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CraftsByJacqui\/\">Facebook page<\/a>!<\/p>\n<p>Knitting, crochet, embroidery and sewing are areas in which Jackie excels.\u00a0 Her fabric purses are Easter-morning bright and springy, and she creates beautiful quilts, clothing and baby blankets. \u00a0 (She also teaches classes!)\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10471\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10471\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10471\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Angie-with-her-bracelet12-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Angie-with-her-bracelet12-1.jpg 400w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Angie-with-her-bracelet12-1-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a>Multitalented Evangeline Duran Fuentes is both a published author and an artisan!\u00a0 While she&#8217;s currently at work on a brand-new book, Finding Erin, according to her author&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/EDFuentesAuthor\">Facebook page<\/a>, she also creates some gorgeous woven-bead bracelets and earrings.\u00a0 Check out her <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/AlluringbyDesign\/\">Alluring By Design<\/a> small-business Facebook page.\u00a0 But, be warned, you will be severely tempted to buy yourself a springtime present!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10272\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10272\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10272\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Krystina12.jpg\" alt=\"Krystina Kyle with one of her handmade rag dolls\" width=\"600\" height=\"459\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Krystina12.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Krystina12-300x230.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Krystina12-392x300.jpg 392w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>And hooray, according to her Facebook page, Krystina Kyle of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.funwithembroidery.com\/\">Fun with Pretend<\/a> is going to be exhibiting!\u00a0\u00a0 Gifted Krystina has won multiple awards for her fabric dolls, and her <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/FunwithPretend\/\">Facebook page<\/a> promises some vintage country chic Easter bunnies she&#8217;s handcrafted!<\/p>\n<p>(The &#8220;hooray&#8221; is because, previously, Krystina&#8217;s work serving her fellow artists as President of nonprofit Torrance Craftsmen&#8217;s Guild precluded her exhibiting in the fall show.\u00a0 There are, after all, only so many hours in the day.\u00a0 But it&#8217;ll be great to see her back.)<br \/>\nHere&#8217;s a link to our <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=10243\">previous interview,<\/a> in which she gives some background on her small business. .<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11440\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11440\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11440\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/butterfly-in-flowers2.jpg\" alt=\"Orange monarch butterfly perched in purple flowers\" width=\"585\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/butterfly-in-flowers2.jpg 585w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/butterfly-in-flowers2-293x300.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 585px) 100vw, 585px\" \/><\/a>One of my favorite things about nonprofit Torrance Craftsmen&#8217;s Guild?\u00a0 Other than the fact that they&#8217;ve been serving independent artists since 1970?<\/p>\n<p>Their Faires give back to the community.<\/p>\n<p>Proceeds go towards their Meghan Newman Memorial Scholarship Program, which scholarships for graduating Torrance high school seniors in the areas of arts and crafts.<\/p>\n<p>Torrance Craftsmen&#8217;s Guild is currently accepting scholarship applications, with a deadline of March 30, 2018.\u00a0 Current students in the areas of painting, ceramics, woodworking, sewing and much more are encouraged to apply.\u00a0 Here&#8217;s the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.torrancecraftsmensguild.org\/TCG\/scholarships\/\">link for more information<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>See you at Torrance Cultural Arts Center, next Saturday, March 17th&#8211;as we celebrate St. Patrick&#8217;s Day, Spring <em>and<\/em> some of our favorite creative artisans&#8211;present and future!<\/p>\n<h5><em>Torrance Craftsmen&#8217;s Guild&#8217;s 19th annual Spring Arts and Crafts Faire happens Saturday, March 17th, from 10 am to 4 pm at Torrance Cultural Arts Center, at Madrona and Torrance Boulevard.\u00a0 Admission is free.<\/em><\/h5>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=12014\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=11628\">Special for &#8220;Small Business Saturday&#8221;<\/a>  November 25, 2017<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11634\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11634\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11634\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/art-and-customers1.jpg\" alt=\"art display and ccustomers inside Pipe &amp; Thimble Bookstore during Winter Wonderland Art Gallery\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/art-and-customers1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/art-and-customers1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/art-and-customers1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<p>&#8220;Small Business Saturday&#8221; is here!\u00a0 And here are two new, 2017-minted small businesses, in the Southern California area, that you might like to consider supporting.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11635\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11635\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11635\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Tamiza-behind-the-counter1.jpg\" alt=\"Tamiza Teja behind the counter of her new storefront\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Tamiza-behind-the-counter1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Tamiza-behind-the-counter1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Tamiza-behind-the-counter1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>We&#8217;ll start this with a &#8220;Congratulations!&#8221; to Tamiza Teja, of <a href=\"http:\/\/tamizastreats.com\/\">Tamiza&#8217;s Treats<\/a>.\u00a0 She opened her brand-new storefront, in Torrance, just before Halloween.<\/p>\n<p>To say it&#8217;s a beautiful, welcoming space would be an understatement.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11636\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11636\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11636\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/overall-shot1.jpg\" alt=\"Long shot of Tamiza's Treats store with table of cookies and Christmas tree\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/overall-shot1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/overall-shot1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/overall-shot1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Tamiza, according to her <a href=\"http:\/\/tamizastreats.com\/about.html\">website<\/a>, has a degree in Dietetics and Food Administration from Cal State Long Beach.\u00a0 And she&#8217;s been offering cookies, cakes, craft breads and homemade candy (not to mention popcorn!) through her small artisan bakery at a number of special events over the last few years.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11638\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11638\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11638\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Tamiza11.jpg\" alt=\"Tamiza Teja with &quot;Life is short, eat dessert first&quot; sign\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Tamiza11.jpg 400w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Tamiza11-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11637\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11637\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11637\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/cookies1.jpg\" alt=\"Cookies on the table\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/cookies1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/cookies1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/cookies1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>The new storefront is an exciting &#8220;next step&#8221; in her entrepreneurial journey.<\/p>\n<p>While we love her fudge and chocolate-chip cookies made with applesauce, a yummmmm of a new discovery, for me, were her tangerine-raisin cookies.\u00a0\u00a0 These have a sweet and tangy flavor, a little reminiscent of the orange jellies my grandmother used to keep for visiting grandkids&#8211;but better and healthier.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11640\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11640\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11640\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/designs-by-Tamiza21.jpg\" alt=\"Handcradted necklaces on a display table\" width=\"600\" height=\"394\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/designs-by-Tamiza21.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/designs-by-Tamiza21-300x197.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/designs-by-Tamiza21-457x300.jpg 457w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>But Tamiza&#8217;s new store is about a lot more than just selling delicious artisanal foods&#8211;or even about cool crafts.\u00a0 (We didn&#8217;t know, until our recent visit, that those are another area in which she excels!)<\/p>\n<p>Tamiza is both showcasing the work of fellow artists, with a limited number of kitchen-related crafts on display, and giving back to the community.<\/p>\n<p>A portion of the proceeds on some of the items get donated to charity&#8211;as is the case with these vintage teacups and\u00a0 teapots&#8230;<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11642\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11642\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11642\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/teapots11.jpg\" alt=\"teapots and cups on a table\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/teapots11.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/teapots11-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/teapots11-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11641\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11641\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11641\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/ornaments11.jpg\" alt=\"Copper cup Christma ornaments arranged on a tabletop tree\" width=\"600\" height=\"409\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/ornaments11.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/ornaments11-300x205.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/ornaments11-440x300.jpg 440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>&#8230;and these Christmas ornaments.<\/p>\n<p>And, she even has a &#8220;cookbook lending library&#8221;!<\/p>\n<p>Tamiza designs gift baskets, and is planning on teaching classes, in the new year, in her brand-new &#8220;Audrey Hepburn room&#8221;, adjacent to the store&#8217;s main area.<\/p>\n<h6><em>Tamiza&#8217;s Treats Artisan Treats and Gift Boutique, at 3525 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite Q, in Torrance, will be open Saturday, November 25th from 10 am to 4 pm.\u00a0<\/em><\/h6>\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11388\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11388\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11388\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/closeuphug1.jpg\" alt=\"Barb and Ellie Lieberman hug\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/closeuphug1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/closeuphug1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/closeuphug1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/em>Meanwhile, I have the pleasure of wishing a very Happy &#8220;First Small Business Saturday as Bookstore Owners&#8221; to<a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PipeandThimblePublishing\/\"> Barbara and Ellie Lieberman<\/a>!\u00a0 They <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=11115\">opened their magical bookstore\/art gallery<\/a>, Pipe &amp; Thimble Publishing and Bookstore, in early May.<\/p>\n<p>Ever since, they&#8217;ve been coming up with fun ideas.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11646\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11646\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11646\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Pipe-Thimble-at-night11.jpg\" alt=\"Pipe &amp; Thimble Bookstore glows with lights at night\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Pipe-Thimble-at-night11.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Pipe-Thimble-at-night11-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Pipe-Thimble-at-night11-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Board game nights, author signings, story time for the little ones and seed swaps have been just a few of the events Barb and Ellie have been hosting.\u00a0 As they operate Southern California&#8217;s first all-independent-authors&#8217;-titles bookstore, these two immensely talented authors\/artrepreneurs are working on the principle of treating authors, and artists, right.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11648\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11648\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11648\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Winter-Wonderland-Art-Gallery11.jpg\" alt=\"Winter Wonderland Art Gallery\" width=\"600\" height=\"443\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Winter-Wonderland-Art-Gallery11.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Winter-Wonderland-Art-Gallery11-300x222.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Winter-Wonderland-Art-Gallery11-406x300.jpg 406w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Recently, they did a fantastic &#8220;Winter Wonderland Art Gallery&#8221; with an array of eclectic creations by local talented artisans.<\/p>\n<p>And for &#8220;Small Business Saturday&#8221;, you can expect to see more of the same kind of talent.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11656\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11656\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11656\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Robin-with-her-dogs-21.jpg\" alt=\"Author and artist Robin Kinnaman-Nieto with her needlefelted dogs\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Robin-with-her-dogs-21.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Robin-with-her-dogs-21-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Robin-with-her-dogs-21-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PipeandThimblePublishing\/\">Pipe and Thimble<\/a> will be displaying works by artists including Robin Kinnaman-Nieto (she&#8217;s also the co-author of the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Tales-Memas-Garden-Monarch-Butterflies\/dp\/1503250571\">Tales from Mema&#8217;s Garden<\/a> series!), whose needlecrafted dogs are seriously cute!\u00a0\u00a0 The basset is a favorite, but if you have a specific breed in mind, she takes custom orders.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11476\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11476\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11476\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/soaps22.jpg\" alt=\"fairytale and carriage soaps on red plush background\" width=\"499\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/soaps22.jpg 499w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/soaps22-250x300.jpg 250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 499px) 100vw, 499px\" \/><\/a>In addition, Jena Baxter is likely to have more of her fantastic scented soaps&#8230;Talented chef Meg Tessensohn will be on hand with Pampered Chef cookware.\u00a0 And Barb and Ellie will be showcasing their talents as artists, as well as authors, with a look into their respective magical worlds.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11644\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11644\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11644\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Barb1.jpg\" alt=\"Barb Lieberman smiles near her display of needlefelted ornaments\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Barb1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Barb1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Barb1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Barb&#8217;s most recent creations include &#8220;Thumbles&#8221;, very cute gnomelike creatures inspired by the Nordic Christmas <em>tomten<\/em>, and some adorable needlefelted snowmen.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11645\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11645\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11645\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Ellie1-1.jpg\" alt=\"Ellie Lieberman in her purple dress with fairy wings\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Ellie1-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Ellie1-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Ellie1-1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Meanwhile, Ellie excels at creating fairy worlds, doors and fairy houses that will leave you enchanted!<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11068\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11068\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11068\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/welcome11.jpg\" alt=\"&quot;Welcome&quot; sign outside Pipe and Thimble\" width=\"534\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/welcome11.jpg 534w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/welcome11-267x300.jpg 267w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 534px) 100vw, 534px\" \/><\/a>But then&#8211;so will just about everything else about Pipe &amp; Thimble, including the garden you&#8217;ll see upon arriving!\u00a0\u00a0 Everything&#8217;s blooming and growing&#8211;a metaphor for what&#8217;s inside the store.\u00a0\u00a0 If you love books, indie authors and talented crafters, I can only wish you good luck on leaving without at least six new treasures.<\/p>\n<p>I haven&#8217;t managed to, yet&#8211;and I don&#8217;t expect today to be any different.<\/p>\n<h5><em>Pipe &amp; Thimble Publishing and Bookstore, at 24830 Narbonne Avenue in the City of Lomita, celebrates its first &#8220;Small Business Saturday&#8221; today, Saturday, November 25, 2017, from 11 am to 4 pm.<\/em><\/h5>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=11628\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=11430\">A New Small Business Celebrates<\/a>  November 13, 2017<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11437\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11437\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11437\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Pipe-Thimble-Oct-28-2017-version-1.jpg\" alt=\"Pipe &amp; Thimble Publishing and Bookstore in the sunshine o an October early monrning.\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Pipe-Thimble-Oct-28-2017-version-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Pipe-Thimble-Oct-28-2017-version-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Pipe-Thimble-Oct-28-2017-version-1-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h3>\n<p>Hot chocolate, artists, a magical space&#8211;and a week to go, until Thanksgiving.<\/p>\n<p>Can the Southern California almost-Christmas season possibly get better than that?<\/p>\n<p>Well&#8211;maybe it can.\u00a0\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/events\/1953251581555737\/\">Pipe &amp; Thimble Publishing &amp; Bookstore<\/a> haven&#8217;t announced all the artists for their first &#8220;Winter Wonderland Art Gallery&#8221;&#8211;yet!<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_11450\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11450\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11450\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11450\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11450\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Pipe-Thimble-art-gallery.jpg\" alt=\"Flyer with holly berries against snow\" width=\"600\" height=\"357\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Pipe-Thimble-art-gallery.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Pipe-Thimble-art-gallery-300x179.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Pipe-Thimble-art-gallery-500x298.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-11450\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Image courtesy of Pipe &amp; Thimble Publishing and Bookstore.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>So far, what I <em>can<\/em> tell you is that this mixed-media show promises not to disappoint.\u00a0 Pipe &amp; Thimble, celebrating their first Christmas season in business <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?m=201705&amp;paged=2\">since their opening in May of this year<\/a>, will be showcasing works by a variety of local artists.<\/p>\n<p>Here are just a few of those.\u00a0 (And if you haven&#8217;t been already, here&#8217;s one look at the inside of Pipe &amp; Thimble, Southern California&#8217;s first bookstore to carry all independent authors!)<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11073\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11073\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11073\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/inside-the-store11.jpg\" alt=\"shoppers inside Pipe and Thimble Bookstore\" width=\"600\" height=\"581\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/inside-the-store11.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/inside-the-store11-300x291.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/inside-the-store11-310x300.jpg 310w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Carol Newell, of<a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/ButtonArtByCarol\"> &#8220;Button Art by Carol&#8221;<\/a>, may be making an understatement.\u00a0 Her creations go far beyond the projects I remember as &#8220;button art&#8221;.\u00a0 If you think &#8220;talented mosaic artist&#8221; and ask to see her seahorse piece, you&#8217;re more likely to be on the right track.<\/p>\n<p>Now, do you happen to be the kind of cat person who will stop and look around at the sound of an unexpected &#8220;meow&#8221;?\u00a0\u00a0 And who will admit to anticipating petting soft fur and hearing purrs?\u00a0 (You have plenty of company&#8230;)<\/p>\n<p>Then, you&#8217;ll want to look for brand-new small business exhibitor Sage Kitties.\u00a0 This is such a new one that they don&#8217;t yet have a website.\u00a0 However, Pipe &amp; Thimble co-owner Barbara Lieberman gave me a heads-up that they&#8217;ll be there.\u00a0 The artist in question, she says, draws some incredible cats.\u00a0\u00a0 I can&#8217;t wait to see these, and our resident felines say they completely approve!<\/p>\n<p>And really&#8211;what <em>can&#8217;t <\/em>talented &#8220;artrepreneurs&#8221; Ellie Lieberman, Jessica Silagy, Robin Nieto and Barbara Lieberman do?\u00a0\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11439\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Ellie1.jpg\" alt=\"Author Ellie Lieberman smiles in Pipe &amp; Thimble bookstore\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Ellie1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Ellie1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Ellie1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/>Pipe &amp; Thimble co-owner\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/ellielieberman.weebly.com\/\">Ellie Lieberman<\/a> excels at crafting miniatures and illustrating books.\u00a0 (Her young-adult fiction and short stories are pretty amazing, too.)<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/KnuckleheadRanch\/\">Jessica Silagy<\/a> is an inspired graphic artist who can take any concept, from vintage pin-up art to steampunk, and create something whimsical, beautiful and fun.\u00a0 Be sure to look for her &#8220;goddess&#8221; prints and pinup calendars in support of pit-bull rescues!<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11440\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11440\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11440\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/butterfly-in-flowers2.jpg\" alt=\"Orange monarch butterfly perched in purple flowers\" width=\"585\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/butterfly-in-flowers2.jpg 585w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/butterfly-in-flowers2-293x300.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 585px) 100vw, 585px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Robin Nieto is a mixed-media artist and the co-author (with Elaine MacInnes) of the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Tales-Memas-Garden-Monarch-Butterflies\/dp\/1503250571\"><em>Tales From Mema&#8217;s Garden <\/em><\/a>children&#8217;s series, which teaches today&#8217;s tech-absorbed kids to take a wondering look at the world around them.<\/p>\n<p>(And if you&#8217;d like a sense of that wonder, ask Robin, when you meet her, if she&#8217;s seen any butterflies lately!\u00a0 She just might show you&#8230;well, there&#8217;s no need for me to ruin the surprise.)<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10945\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10945\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Barb-with-her-new-book1.jpg\" alt=\"Barbar Lieberman holds up her book Love in the Middle\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Barb-with-her-new-book1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Barb-with-her-new-book1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Barb-with-her-new-book1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>And<a href=\"http:\/\/www.keyboardmusings.com\/\"> Barbara Lieberman<\/a>, in addition to painting, needlefelting, teaching, and creating incredible miniatures and soft sculpture, writes novels that need a warning label on them!<\/p>\n<p>I would suggest something like, &#8220;CAUTION: Do <em>not<\/em> assume you can read ONE chapter before bedtime,&#8221; as this has been my mistake with her books, many times.\u00a0 Her historic novel &#8220;To Reap a Whirlwind&#8221; and her fantasy, &#8220;To Miss the Stars&#8221; were just two that had me saying, &#8220;Really, I&#8217;m turning off the light after just ONE more chapter&#8230;&#8221;\u00a0 (I think you know how <em>that<\/em> turned out!)<\/p>\n<p>In addition, Barb has written a unique, honest and humorous nonfiction account of her struggle with chronic illness, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Unchained-Spirit-glass-half-full-forgotten\/dp\/0692783105\"><em>The Unchained Spirit<\/em>.<\/a>\u00a0 This book should be required reading, not just for anyone dealing with an illness, but for anyone who&#8217;s ever had a bad day, not quite dared to reach for a dream, or loved someone who was in need of an extra hug.<\/p>\n<p>All this and hot chocolate too?\u00a0 Absolutely&#8211;and you are cordially invited to come down to Pipe &amp; Thimble on Friday evening, November 17th, to support these local artistsand authors&#8211;plus the new ones that haven&#8217;t yet been announced!<\/p>\n<h5><em>Pipe &amp; Thimble Publishing and Bookstore hosts its first &#8220;Winter Wonderland Art Gallery&#8221; from 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm on Friday, November 17th, at 24830 Narbonne Avenue, near 250th Street, in the city of Lomita.\u00a0 Admission is free.<\/em><\/h5>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=11430\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=11463\">The Magic of Her Artistry<\/a>  November 11, 2017<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11476\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11476\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11476\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/soaps22.jpg\" alt=\"fairytale and carriage soaps on red plush background\" width=\"499\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/soaps22.jpg 499w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/soaps22-250x300.jpg 250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 499px) 100vw, 499px\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<p>The scent of patchouli.\u00a0 A whiff of orange blossom.\u00a0 A dash of Christmas peppermint, ginger or pine.<\/p>\n<p>Those are just some of the fragrances J<a href=\"http:\/\/www.jenabaxter.com\/\">ena Baxter<\/a> includes, as she handcrafts her detergent-free <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pg\/CovensofMistyHaven\/about\/?ref=page_internal\">Mystic Cove Soaps<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-11463-19\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/audio\/noelophile_2017_episode_2_jena_baxter.mp3?_=19\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/audio\/noelophile_2017_episode_2_jena_baxter.mp3\">https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/audio\/noelophile_2017_episode_2_jena_baxter.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/p>\n<p>They&#8217;re also just one aspect of her creative gifts.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_11474\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11474\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11474\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11474\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11474\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Enchanting-Yuletide-cover1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Enchanting-Yuletide-cover1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Enchanting-Yuletide-cover1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Enchanting-Yuletide-cover1-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-11474\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Graphic courtesy of Jena Baxter and Raven Williams, and \u00a92017, Raven Williams<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Jena is an award-winning author of fantasy novels and short stories. (She won third place in the &#8220;Favorite Fairytale Author&#8221; category at FantasyCon 2016!) \u00a0 And she has a brand-new Christmas story, <em>Seasons,<\/em> in the new Christmas anthology <em>Enchanting Yuletide<\/em>, which comes out on November 15th!<\/p>\n<p>But if you can&#8217;t wait to fall under her magical spell, you don&#8217;t have to.<\/p>\n<p>Jena&#8217;s earlier novels, and the two anthologies in which her short stories are published, are available on her <a href=\"http:\/\/www.jenabaxter.com\/\">website<\/a>.\u00a0 And you might just like to grab a cup of coffee and settle in for a great read: she&#8217;s publishing the first draft of her new novel, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.jenabaxter.com\/2017\/01\/the-covens-of-misty-haven.html\"><em>The Covens of Misty Haven<\/em>,<\/a> on her blog!\u00a0 (A new chapter appears on the fifth of every month.)<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11497\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11497\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11497\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/best-cameo-soap1.jpg\" alt=\"pink soap that looks like a cameo with a woman's head in white\" width=\"600\" height=\"388\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/best-cameo-soap1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/best-cameo-soap1-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/best-cameo-soap1-464x300.jpg 464w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>And&#8211;Jena handcrafts her soaps based on the themes of her novels!\u00a0 We talked in mid-June, and she was just planning some Christmasy scented soaps to go with her new short story.<\/p>\n<p>(The cake of soap above is her &#8220;Alexis&#8217; Orange Groves of Spring&#8221;, from <em>The Carriage<\/em>.\u00a0\u00a0 I&#8217;m almost sorry to use it, it&#8217;s so pretty.\u00a0 I&#8217;ve seen cameos that aren&#8217;t<em> this<\/em> well-defined!)<\/p>\n<p>Jena talked about her background, the process of soapmaking, and, of course, her brand-new Christmas journey into an &#8220;alternate world&#8221; of magic.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=11463\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=11442\">A &#8220;Handcrafted&#8221; Invitation<\/a>  November 4, 2017<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10504\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10504\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10504\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/gayle-with-jewelry-2-e1480178927163.jpg\" alt=\"Gayle Fleury with one of her Aussie Girl necklaces\" width=\"399\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<p>&#8220;Oh, you&#8217;re so talented!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>You&#8217;re highly likely to hear that, this Christmas season, if you attend Seaside Studios San Pedro&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/events\/1513393378730069\/\">&#8220;Ladies&#8217; Ornament Party&#8221;, <\/a>in just under two more weeks.<\/p>\n<p>But first, you&#8217;re almost certain to have a lot of fun.<\/p>\n<p>Gayle Fleury, of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pg\/Aussie-Girl-Designs-105513316150336\/about\/?ref=page_internal\">Aussie Girl Designs<\/a>, will be hosting this three-hour workshop, which begins at 10 am.\u00a0 You&#8217;re invited to come join the group, sip wine, enjoy snacks and make something incredible for your tree or home.<\/p>\n<p>While I don&#8217;t yet have an update on the type of media Gayle is using, she is a talented designer whose specialty is crafting amazing jewelry.\u00a0 I&#8217;ll make an educated guess that she&#8217;ll show you how to create some sparkly treasures.<\/p>\n<p>While the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/events\/1513393378730069\/\">Facebook page<\/a> says&#8221;snacks will be provided, it also mentions that food contributions are always welcome.\u00a0 So if you&#8217;d like to bring a favorite finger food or specialty, you certainly can.<\/p>\n<p>Unlike many of the other activities I like to promote on Noelophile\u00ae, this workshop does have a cost: $40 per person.<\/p>\n<p>Expect the morning to be well worth it.<\/p>\n<h5><em>Aussie Girl Designs&#8217; &#8220;Ladies Ornament Party&#8221; begins at 10 am, Saturday, November 18th at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.seasidestudiossanpedro.com\/\">Seaside Studios San Pedro<\/a>, and runs till 1 pm.\u00a0 Seaside Studios San Pedro is located at 525 North Harbor Boulevard (near O&#8217;Farrell), across from the Fanfare Fountains and cruise ship terminal.\u00a0 Cost for the workshop is $40 per person.<\/em><\/h5>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=11442\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=11415\">&#8220;Craftsmanship&#8221; is His Watchword<\/a>  October 25, 2017<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h6>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h6>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_11420\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11420\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11420\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11420\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11420\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Booth2588-by-Freda.jpg\" alt=\"Artist J. Michael Evens in his art booth at a craft fair, surrounded by his hand-turned wooden pens, platters and bowls\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Booth2588-by-Freda.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Booth2588-by-Freda-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Booth2588-by-Freda-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-11420\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photograph courtesy of Freda Nelson Evans, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Artist J. Michael Evans uses his woodworking talents to creates unique fine art.<\/p>\n<p><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-11415-20\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/audio\/noelophile_2017_episode_1_j_michael_evans.mp3?_=20\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/audio\/noelophile_2017_episode_1_j_michael_evans.mp3\">https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/audio\/noelophile_2017_episode_1_j_michael_evans.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/p>\n<p>His lidded<a href=\"http:\/\/fne414.wordpress.com\/ozarks-wood-n-stuff-gallery\/\"> bowls<\/a> seem to glow.\u00a0 An unusual design, his &#8220;winged bowl&#8221;, has the bowl seeming to grow out of a wooden platform.\u00a0 He uses the <a href=\"http:\/\/fne414.wordpress.com\/more-creative-pieces\/\">natural attributes of a piece of wood<\/a>&#8211;including striations&#8211;to highlight some of his pieces.<\/p>\n<p>But, what turned me into a customer of his small business, <a href=\"http:\/\/fne414.wordpress.com\/ozarks-wood-n-stuff-gallery\/\">Ozarks Wood-N-Stuff,<\/a> were his hand-turned wooden pens.\u00a0 (I&#8217;m loving the feel of my smooth cherry wood &#8220;luxury&#8221; pen for journal writing!)<\/p>\n<p>Michael, who is self-taught, also creates custom baby rattles, Christmas ornaments, tops, and some refrigerator magnets that would make fantastic secret-Santa gifts.<\/p>\n<p>Like to see his work onsite?\u00a0 Michael has some of his natural bowls on display at Chemers Gallery, in Tustin, California.\u00a0 And if you happen to be in Branson, Missouri, check out his booth at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BransonMill\/\">Branson Mill Craft Village<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>And if you&#8217;re in the California area and won&#8217;t get over to Tustin, you might like to mark your calendar for February, 2018.\u00a0 He also exhibits at <a href=\"http:\/\/downtownanaheim.com\/events\/ace\/\">Anaheim Art Crawl<\/a>, happening in February, May and August&#8211;and at the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hillcrestfestivaloffinearts.com\/\">Hillcrest Fine Art Festival<\/a>, at Hillcrest Congregational Church in La Habra Heights, the last weekend, in February!<\/p>\n<p>Another fun fact?\u00a0 Michael is a musician, and his wife Freda is an actress.\u00a0 They divide their time between Southern California and Branson, Missouri, where Michael and Freda have both performed in the &#8220;Shepherd of the Hills&#8221; traditional play.\u00a0 (During the Christmas season, Freda also performs as\u00a0 &#8220;Mrs. Santa Claus&#8221; at an outdoor shopping area and local hotel!)<\/p>\n<p>Michael talked about his woodworking, some of the techniques he uses and his path as an artist.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=11415\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=11402\">Fullerton Set to &#8220;Glitter&#8221;<\/a>  October 14, 2017<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h3>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_11407\" style=\"width: 427px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11407\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11407\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11407\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11407\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/glitterfest-poster.jpg\" alt=\"poster advertising Glitterfest with two sisters in witch'shat and crown and ship in background\" width=\"417\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/glitterfest-poster.jpg 417w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/glitterfest-poster-209x300.jpg 209w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 417px) 100vw, 417px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-11407\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Graphic courtesy of Glitterfest, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Today is <em>it.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Today, Sunday, October 15th, is Glitterfest 2017&#8217;s Fall edition of their\u00a0 juried, handmade mixed-media art show, in a new location: Fullerton!<\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;ve only had the opportunity to attend one Glitterfest show, so far.\u00a0 But this weekend, we&#8217;re hoping to change that.<\/p>\n<p>Glitterfest is unique, among the shows we&#8217;ve seen, due to combining vintage home decor with some very cool handcrafted creations.\u00a0\u00a0 And every vintage item, rather than being a fragile, don&#8217;t-breathe-around-me-or-I&#8217;ll-shatter antique, is a &#8220;fun&#8221; thing we can easily see bringing home as a new treasure.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11408\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11408\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11408\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/sheryl-and-dianne-31.jpg\" alt=\"Sisters and Glitterfest founders Sheryl Simpson and Dianne white at check-in table with black-and-white diamond banner\" width=\"600\" height=\"399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/sheryl-and-dianne-31.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/sheryl-and-dianne-31-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/sheryl-and-dianne-31-451x300.jpg 451w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>And Glitterfest founders (and sisters) Sheryl Simpson and Dianne White have a talent for combining old and new, and making them work together.\u00a0\u00a0 Spread among the vintage items with a lot of imagination and creativity, you&#8217;ll discover a lot of fantastic handcrafted jewelry, clothing and decor for Halloween, Christmas and even Valentine&#8217;s Day, courtesy of the talented exhibiting artists..<\/p>\n<p>When we attended before, we fell in love with <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pg\/beadsofdarkness\/about\/\">Gabrielle Acevedo&#8217;s<\/a> Gothic bead art, a\/k\/a Beads of Darkness.\u00a0 (Who knew woven-bead necklaces and purses could have such a delightfully spine-tingling Halloween twist?)\u00a0 We also loved the wax-faced pixies and flocked vintage mini-Christmas trees on display (we remember those!).<\/p>\n<p>And this year, we suspect we&#8217;re going to love <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bearseverywhere.com\/\">Susan Arnott&#8217;s<\/a> work even more.\u00a0 She&#8217;s a teddy-bear artist, who creates adorable &#8220;bear-necessity&#8221; items.\u00a0 Her <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bearseverywhere.com\/\">webpage<\/a> also displays a handcrafted bunny that looks suspiciously like the Velveteen Rabbit of our childhood days.\u00a0 (She has limited editions of some childhood favorites, but better order early&#8211;she may easily sell out by Christmas!)<\/p>\n<p>Unlike most art shows we&#8217;ve attended, Glitterfest does have an admission fee.\u00a0 They also seem to have a devoted following: the morning we went, a line of enthusiastic women were waiting outside for the doors to open.<\/p>\n<p>This year, we&#8217;re especially looking forward to seeing the very cute decoupage snowman we spotted on Glitterfest&#8217;s Facebook page, &#8220;in person&#8221;.\u00a0 We also will have an eye out for the snowmen and other Christmas items made of salt-and-pepper shakers (some people are so talented!).\u00a0\u00a0 And we always like to see Angela Resendiz&#8217;s original fabric art from her small business, <a href=\"http:\/\/shabbyfrenchome.com\/\">The Shabby French Home<\/a>.\u00a0 (You guessed it&#8211;there&#8217;s nothing &#8220;shabby&#8221; about her work!)<\/p>\n<p>We also probably won&#8217;t be able to resist <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/beekissedcaramels\/\">Bee-Kissed Caramels<\/a>&#8216; artisan candy&#8211;and neither will you.<\/p>\n<h5><em>Glitterfest&#8217;s 2017 autumn mixed-media art show happens Sunday, October 15th, at its new\u00a0 Fullerton location,\u00a0 Spring Field Banquet and Conference Center,\u00a0 501 North Harbor Drive at West Chapman Avenue.\u00a0 Hours are 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, and admission is $7.00 at the door.<\/em><\/h5>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=11402\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=11370\">An Autumn Roundup &#8211; Part 1<\/a>  October 3, 2017<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11378\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11378\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11378\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/more-pumpkins11.jpg\" alt=\"Ripe pumpkins in a field\" width=\"600\" height=\"340\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/more-pumpkins11.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/more-pumpkins11-300x170.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/more-pumpkins11-500x283.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<p>How in the world did October get here so fast?<\/p>\n<p>With shorter days, turning leaves, displays of pumpkins in the stores and even one store putting out evergreeens (yikes!), it&#8217;s time to think of Christmas shopping.\u00a0 But not the crowded-mall type; the kind that&#8217;s actually <em>fun<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, I&#8217;m talking about indie artisans and getting to meet the people who crafted something special.\u00a0 Here are several events for which you may want to mark your calendar (they&#8217;re not <em>that<\/em> far away!).<\/p>\n<p>Let&#8217;s start with what&#8217;s new this year.<\/p>\n<p><strong>NEW: Tamiza&#8217;s Treats storefront: Grand Opening, October 27th.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11373\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11373\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11373\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Tamiza-with-her-goodies1.jpg\" alt=\"Tamiza with treats at her table\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Tamiza-with-her-goodies1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Tamiza-with-her-goodies1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Tamiza-with-her-goodies1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Remember the peanut-butter fudge, chocolate-chip cookies and various other &#8220;irresistibles&#8221; Mom or Grandma used to make?<\/p>\n<p>So does professional pastry chef Tamiza Teja.<\/p>\n<p>But the difference is, Mom or Grandma probably didn&#8217;t create vegan, gluten-free or dairy-free specialties upon request.\u00a0\u00a0 Through her artisan bakery, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tamizastreats.com\/\">Tamiza&#8217;s Treats<\/a>, Tamiza can provide all of the above.\u00a0 She also creates gift baskets for any occasion.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Yummmm&#8221; tends to be a conservative commentary on her handiwork.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11374\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11374\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11374\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/send-to-Tamiza1.jpg\" alt=\"Tamiza Teja with &quot;Eat Dessert First&quot; sign\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/send-to-Tamiza1.jpg 400w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/send-to-Tamiza1-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a>I&#8217;ve been buying her chocolate-chip cookies, fudge and popcorn for the past three years or so.\u00a0 (Purely in the interest of investigative research, of course!)\u00a0 Everything she makes has a tendency to disappear, very quickly<\/p>\n<p>Now, Tamiza&#8217;s planning &#8220;Tamiza&#8217;s Treats and Artisan Boutique Grand Opening&#8221; at noon on Friday, October 27th&#8211;just in time to treat some of your favorite ghosts and goblins!\u00a0 And if you&#8217;re a total &#8220;foodie&#8221; who likes to cook, her <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tamizastreats.com\/buy\/storefront.html\">new shop <\/a>will offer food-related and kitchen items, created by high-quality artisans.<\/p>\n<p>Grand opening festivities, Tamiza messaged, will be going on all weekend.\u00a0\u00a0 And if you&#8217;re looking for a gift for a favorite &#8220;foodie&#8221;, or something special for a party or other celebration, you might like to talk to her sooner, rather than later.\u00a0 (She does take <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tamizastreats.com\/buy\/index.html\">online orders<\/a>.)<\/p>\n<p><em>Tamiza&#8217;s Treats Artisan Treats &amp; Gift Boutique&#8217;s Grand Opening happens Friday, October 27th, from noon to 7 pm,, at 3525 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite Q in the city of Torrance.\u00a0 Admission is free.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10950\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10950\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10950\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/nasturtiums3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"410\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/nasturtiums3.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/nasturtiums3-300x205.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/nasturtiums3-439x300.jpg 439w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/em>And since the weeks before Thanksgiving always seem to book up early, here&#8217;s another new event you may want to put on your calendar:<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11119\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11119\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11119\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/sign2.jpg\" alt=\"Pipe and Thimble Bookstore sign\" width=\"540\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/sign2.jpg 540w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/sign2-270x300.jpg 270w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" \/><\/a><strong>Pipe &amp;Thimble Publishing and Bookstore Winter Wonderland Art Gallery, November 17th.<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Southern California&#8217;s first all-independent-authors bookstore opened this past May, as we mentioned in <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=11115\">an earlier post<\/a>.\u00a0 Now, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PipeandThimblePublishing\/\">Pipe &amp; Thimble<\/a> proprietors Barb and Ellie Lieberman are about to celebrate their first Christmas season as bookstore\/magical creative space owners.<\/p>\n<p>Their &#8220;Winter Wonderland Art Gallery&#8221; will feature works by local artists and photographers.\u00a0 Just a few they&#8217;ve already named:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=6358\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6358\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6358\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/jessica2-e1446960473309.jpg\" alt=\"Jessica Silagy near her table of graphic prints and cards\" width=\"434\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/profile.php?id=100010307468940&amp;hc_ref=ARQ6mcgLP3HOwBp3gnaCoXKju4dH6VjYl_Gzz1_PS7wDhFhevcXM5iPXh4tn58JWjPs&amp;fref=nf\">Jessica Silagy<\/a>, gifted graphic artist (one of her Christmas cards is still part of our decor; it&#8217;s too pretty to send!);<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pipeandthimble.com\/robin-nieto.html\">Robin Nieto, co-author of Tales From Mema&#8217;s Garden;<\/a> (Ask her if she&#8217;s seen any butterflies lately, and she may just show you something breathtaking!);<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SuzanneGibsonArtist\/\">Suzanne Gibson, of Suzanne&#8217;s Studio<\/a>; (I love her Halloween pumpkin and Santa paintings!);<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11388\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11388\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11388\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/closeuphug1.jpg\" alt=\"Barb and Ellie Lieberman hug\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/closeuphug1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/closeuphug1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/closeuphug1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>And, of course, Barb and Ellie, besides being talented authors, excel at creating&#8211;well, just about everything.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11384\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11384\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11384\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/bears2.jpg\" alt=\"miniature bears\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/bears2.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/bears2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/bears2-500x282.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Here are a few of their &#8220;Pipe &amp; Thimble Bears&#8221;, which they made prior to their store opening.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11385\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11385\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11385\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Barb-with-her-painting-21_edited-11.jpg\" alt=\"Barb Lieberman with purple flower painting\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Barb-with-her-painting-21_edited-11.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Barb-with-her-painting-21_edited-11-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Barb-with-her-painting-21_edited-11-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Couldn&#8217;t resist falling in love with this cheery miniature painting Barb did, either.\u00a0 Meanwhile, one of my personal favorites of theirs, for Christmas , is a set of two soft-sculpture fabric trees they crafted, through Barb&#8217;s previous handcrafted business &#8220;Seeds 2 Inspire&#8221;.\u00a0 Originally, Barb and Ellie designed them as sachets, but given a resident feline whose breathing is more important than scented <em>anything<\/em>, we went with, simply, decorations.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=6344\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6344\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6344\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/ellie.jpg\" alt=\"Ellie Lieberman with her miniatures\" width=\"508\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/ellie.jpg 508w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/ellie-217x300.jpg 217w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 508px) 100vw, 508px\" \/><\/a>Want to see something enchanting?\u00a0 Ellie creates fairy-world miniatures: doors, houses and just about anything else magical, through her handmade online\u00a0 business, <a href=\"http:\/\/acorntops.weebly.com\/\">Acorn Tops!<\/a><\/p>\n<p>(Also, if you love needlecrafting, don&#8217;t forget to ask Barb about her needle-felting classes!\u00a0 A recent favorite creation is her monarch butterfly.)<\/p>\n<p>AND&#8211;we&#8217;re not done yet.\u00a0 More exhibiting artists are in the process of confirming!<\/p>\n<h5><em>Pipe &amp; Thimble Publishing &amp; Bookstore hosts their &#8220;Winter Wonderland Art Gallery&#8221; on Friday evening, November 17th, from 7:30 to 10 pm at their store location, 24830 Narbonne Avenue, near 250th Street, in the City of Lomita.\u00a0 Admission is free.<\/em><\/h5>\n<p>Now, how come everything fun seems to happen all at the same time?<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=8575\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8575\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8575\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/sara-at-Jackalope-Pasadena.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"425\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/sara-at-Jackalope-Pasadena.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/sara-at-Jackalope-Pasadena-300x213.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/sara-at-Jackalope-Pasadena-424x300.jpg 424w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a> November 18th is going to be a &#8220;crafty&#8221; weekend, with <a href=\"http:\/\/www.jackalopeartfair.com\/\">Jackalope Arts<\/a> making its Pasadena appearance that Saturday and Sunday, November 18th and 19th.\u00a0 (Pictured is show co-founder Sara Diederich.\u00a0 Notice the shopping bag&#8211;<em>she<\/em> couldn&#8217;t resist all the cool gift stuff, either!)<\/p>\n<p>This is an all-handmade, juried arts and crafts fair which I had the pleasure of exploring, after its Pasadena debut in 2015.\u00a0 They had more than 200 artisans, along with a DIY booth and workshops.\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11390\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11390\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11390\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/hooping.jpg\" alt=\"Jennifer Jensen teaches hooping class in Pasadena's Central Park\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/hooping.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/hooping-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/hooping-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Complete favorites included the hula-hoop workshops with Jennifer Jensen of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.eclectichoops.com\/\">Eclectic Hoops<\/a>, the kids&#8217; mask-making workshops by <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/spaceartscenter\/\">SPACE (South Pasadena Arts Center<\/a>, and of course, all the cool creative &#8220;finds&#8221; that had me lugging home a shopping bag full of treasures.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11395\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11395\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11395\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/kids-workshops.jpg\" alt=\"mask-masking workshops at Jackalope Arts Fair, ,Central Park, Pasadena\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/kids-workshops.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/kids-workshops-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/kids-workshops-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Sara mentioned, in an earlier interview, that she and her co-founders created Jackalope Arts as a way for the community to connect and actually have a conversation with the creative exhibitors, rather than simply buy product.\u00a0 That&#8217;s exactly what happened when I attended before: met some fantastic artists whose work is probably going to tempt me again this year!<\/p>\n<p>Another plus?\u00a0 Pasadena Jackalope Arts Fair now features glass-fusing demonstrations by <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bullseyeglass.com\/\">Bullseye Glass Resource Center<\/a>&#8211;and if you&#8217;d like to sharpen your own artistic skills, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.pinotspalette.com\/\">Pinot&#8217;s Palette Pasadena<\/a> offers $10 canvas-painting workshops, both days of the Jackalope Fair!<\/p>\n<h5><em>The <a href=\"http:\/\/www.jackalopeartfair.com\/\">Jackalope Indie Artisan Fair<\/a> happens Saturday and Sunday, November 18th and 19th, in Pasadena&#8217;s Central Park, 219 South Fair Oaks Avenue at Raymond.\u00a0 Hours are 10 am to 4 pm, both days, and admission is free.<\/em><\/h5>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=11370\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=11201\">Summertime Creative<\/a>  June 20, 2017<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=7726\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-7726\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7726\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/bikes-and-popsicles2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"457\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/bikes-and-popsicles2.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/bikes-and-popsicles2-300x195.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/bikes-and-popsicles2-459x300.jpg 459w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<p>Remember how, when we were kids, we couldn&#8217;t wait for school to end for the summer?\u00a0 The time dragged, nobody paid attention, and the last day usually ended with a loud cheer and the sound of running feet.<\/p>\n<p>And how, about a week later, &#8220;there was nothing to do&#8221;?<\/p>\n<p>For the first day of summertime, just in case you&#8217;re a parent (or have young nieces, nephews, neighbors or grandkids to keep busy and amused), here are some upcoming activity possibilities.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=7724\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-7724\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7724\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/bike-parade-banner.jpg\" alt=\"Kids' Bike Parade banner on tent at the beach\" width=\"700\" height=\"488\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/bike-parade-banner.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/bike-parade-banner-300x209.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/bike-parade-banner-430x300.jpg 430w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><strong>July 4, 2017 &#8211; Long Beach &#8211; The Great American 4th of July Kids&#8217; Bike Parade<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Got a young writer, speaker, artist and\/or athlete who&#8217;s bored?\u00a0 Get him or her thinking about making a patriotic costume, decorating a bike and\/or writing and practicing a patriotic speech!\u00a0\u00a0 Long Beach&#8217;s community Fourth of July celebration, courtesy of Justin Rudd&#8217;s Community Action Team, starts at 8 am with a 4K run and walk along the beach.\u00a0 (There&#8217;s a half-mile run\/walk for kids.)<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11217\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11217\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11217\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/betsy-ross2_edited-1.jpg\" alt=\"&quot;Betsy Ross&quot; costume at costume competition\" width=\"593\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/betsy-ross2_edited-1.jpg 593w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/betsy-ross2_edited-1-297x300.jpg 297w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 593px) 100vw, 593px\" \/><\/a>At 9:00, there&#8217;ll be a kids&#8217; patriotic short speech contest.\u00a0 At 9:50, the kids&#8217; patriotic costume contest happens&#8211;and there are prizes!<\/p>\n<p>Then, at 10:00, there&#8217;s an all-ages (we big kids are welcome, too!) decorated bike parade.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=7730\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-7730\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7730\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/participant2.jpg\" alt=\"Bike with red streamers in 4th of July Bike Parade\" width=\"799\" height=\"601\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/participant2.jpg 799w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/participant2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/participant2-398x300.jpg 398w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 799px) 100vw, 799px\" \/><\/a>Registration for the kids&#8217; speech contest and costume contest is free, and happens onsite.\u00a0 Here&#8217;s the link to register for the run\/walk and bike parade.<\/p>\n<h4><em>The fourteenth annual &#8220;Great American Run\/Walk and Bike Parade&#8221; starts at 8 am, Tuesday, July 4th, 2017, at 1 Granada Avenue, at East Ocean Boulevard in Long Beach&#8217;s Belmont Shore area.\u00a0 Kids ride free in the Bike Parade; there is a nominal charge for participation in the kids&#8217; 1\/2-mile run\/walk, the 4K walk, and for adults to participate in the Bike Parade.\u00a0 Here&#8217;s the<a href=\"http:\/\/www.racemine.com\/justin-rudds-community-action-team\/events\/2017\/great-american-4k-run-walk-bike-parade\/register\"> link for registration<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/h4>\n<p><em>(One tip: 4th of July traffic gets heavy, in Long Beach.\u00a0 You may want to bring your small Betsy Rosses and Uncle Sams down to the beach early, in plenty of time to find parking.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Another possibility, once the last sparkler has sparkled?\u00a0\u00a0 Art camp!<\/p>\n<p><strong>July 10, 2017 &#8211; San Pedro &#8211; &#8220;Kids&#8217; Art Camp&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9162\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9162\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9162\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Gayle-and-Regina-laughing-e1451755046930.jpg\" alt=\"Seaside Studios proprietors Gayle Fleury and Regina Fernandez\" width=\"600\" height=\"399\" \/><\/a>Regina Fernandez and Gayle Fleury, proprietors of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.seasidestudiossanpedro.com\/\">Seaside Studios San Pedro<\/a>, are hosting a &#8220;Kids&#8217; Art Camp&#8221;, starting Monday, July 10th.\u00a0 Designed for kids ages 7 through 12, classes span two weeks in Seaside Studios&#8217; 2,200-square-foot creative space.<\/p>\n<p>Classes start at 9:00 am and run till noon, July 10th and 11th, as well as Monday,, July 17th through Thursday, July 20th.\u00a0 Students will work with clay on the 10th, 11th and 17th, and then explore numerous other areas of the arts on the three other dates, according to the event&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/events\/442824612743054\/?active_tab=about\">Facebook page.\u00a0 <\/a><\/p>\n<p>Cost is $150 per child; the Facebook page mentions, &#8220;ask us about sibling discounts&#8221;.\u00a0 Here&#8217;s their <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/events\/442824612743054\/?active_tab=about\">link for information.<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9164\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9164\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9164\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Seaside-Studios-San-Pedro-December-8-2014-093-Copy-e1451755117134.jpg\" alt=\"Regina Fernandez and Gayle Fleury of Seaside Studios with their work\" width=\"399\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a>Meanwhile, an interesting point to note about Seaside Studios: Gayle and Regina host both open-studio sessions, every Saturday morning at 10:00 am, and &#8220;Handbuilding Ceramics for Homeschoolers&#8221; every other Tuesday morning at 9:30.\u00a0 Their next\u00a0 listed Tuesday session is Tuesday, July 4th.<\/p>\n<h4><em>Seaside Studios San Pedro is located<\/em> <em> at 525 North Harbor Boulevard, Suite 3, between Beacon and O\u2019Farrell Streets, across from the dancing fountains.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/h4>\n<p>What if your bored student is a preteen or teenager?\u00a0 How would you like him or her to learn to create clothing with a professional designer?<\/p>\n<p>Paula Bennett is teaching free summertime classes.<\/p>\n<p><strong>June 30, 2017 AND August 4, 2017 &#8211; Torrance &#8211; &#8220;Crochet and Sewing Class&#8221; and &#8220;Crochet Art Class&#8221;<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9544\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9544\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9544\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Paula-from-2015-show_edited-1.jpg\" alt=\"Designer Paula Bennett of Paula Crochet\" width=\"442\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Paula-from-2015-show_edited-1.jpg 442w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Paula-from-2015-show_edited-1-221x300.jpg 221w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 442px) 100vw, 442px\" \/><\/a>She teaches &#8220;definitely not your grandma&#8217;s needlework&#8221; fiber-arts classes!<\/p>\n<p>This summer, she&#8217;s teaching a four-session &#8220;Summer Sundress&#8221; class, starting Friday, ,June 30th.\u00a0 Class sessions run two hours&#8211;5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.\u00a0\u00a0 And in this particular class, students learn to design and make either a summer sundress or a top, with bead or fabric trim.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9676\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9676\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9676\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/summery.jpg\" alt=\"yellow sundress in yes4arts fashion show\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/summery.jpg 400w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/summery-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9672\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9672\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9672\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/prints.jpg\" alt=\"prnt summer sunderess in yes4arts fashion show\" width=\"392\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/prints.jpg 392w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/prints-196x300.jpg 196w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 392px) 100vw, 392px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10392\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10392\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10392\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/halter2.jpg\" alt=\"blue beaded top at yes4arts boutique\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/halter2.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/halter2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/halter2-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Then, if you or your child completely happen to fall in love with this particular maker skill (as Paula says she herself did in her own student days), she&#8217;s also teaching a &#8220;Crochet Art Class&#8221;, starting Friday, August 4th.\u00a0 This class not only includes designing and making a sun dress, but creating your own jewelry: crocheting with wire, beads and fashion yarn.<\/p>\n<p>Paula, who began her fashion-design career when a teacher first interested her in crochet, is the founder of nonprofit <a href=\"http:\/\/www.yes4arts.org\/\">yes4arts<\/a>.\u00a0 Her goal, with her nonprofit, is to preserve the needle arts of knitting, crochet and sewing by teaching them to the next generation&#8211;for free. So far, she&#8217;s hosted two fashion shows, featuring her slinky (and fun!) creations.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9649\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9649\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9649\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Paula-Bennett-designs-2.jpg\" alt=\"sexy black gowns\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Paula-Bennett-designs-2.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Paula-Bennett-designs-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Paula-Bennett-designs-2-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9652\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9652\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9652\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/brides-and-audience.jpg\" alt=\"crocheted wedding dresses onstage\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/brides-and-audience.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/brides-and-audience-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/brides-and-audience-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>In the course of her career, Paula, has designed and created crocheted wedding dresses, evening wear and prom dresses.\u00a0\u00a0 Her crochet patterns are available through her small business, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/paulacrochet\">Paula Crochet<\/a>.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11227\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11227\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11227\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Paula-with-models.jpg\" alt=\"Designer Paula Bennett leads models onstage in her first fashion show\" width=\"700\" height=\"685\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Paula-with-models.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Paula-with-models-300x294.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Paula-with-models-307x300.jpg 307w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Unlike her usual\u00a0 classes, Paula&#8217;s four-session summer classes have a nominal charge: $60 per student.\u00a0 Here&#8217;s the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.yes4arts.org\/Event.html\">link<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n<p>And in addition to these paid classes, Paula also teaches a free crochet class, every Friday from 4:00 to 5:00 pm at Waltheria Park&#8217;s Recreational Building, in Torrance.\u00a0 There is a small &#8220;price&#8221;, though&#8211;be willing to teach another student what you&#8217;ve learned.\u00a0 (Sounds more than fair to me!)<\/p>\n<h5><em>Designer Paula Bennett, of Paula Crochet, teaches her &#8220;Crochet and Sewing Class: Summer Sun Dress&#8221; Friday evenings, starting June 30th.\u00a0 Then, her four-session &#8220;Crochet Art Class&#8221; starts Friday evening, August 4th.\u00a0 Class hours are 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Torrance&#8217;s Waltheria Park Recreation Building, 3855 West 242nd Street, east of Ocean Avenue, in Torrance.<\/em><\/h5>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=11201\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=11181\">SPAA Honors Student Talent<\/a>  June 4, 2017<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=8084\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8084\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8084\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/art-show-sign1.jpg\" alt=\"SPAA Student Art Show sign\" width=\"436\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/art-show-sign1.jpg 436w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/art-show-sign1-187x300.jpg 187w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 436px) 100vw, 436px\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<p>Where does inspiration start&#8230;and carry on into a future creative career?<\/p>\n<p>One answer may be happening this afternoon at CRAFTED, courtesy of <a href=\"http:\/\/sanpedroart.org\/wp\/\">San Pedro Art Association<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>This afternoon, Sunday, June 4th at 2:00, SPAA hosts a special artists&#8217; reception, for their 2017 &#8220;Harbor-Wide All Grades Student Art Competition Exhibition&#8221;.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=8074\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8074\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8074\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/art-competition1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"394\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/art-competition1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/art-competition1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/art-competition1-500x281.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>In this annual community event, SPAA does what they&#8217;ve been doing best since 1936&#8211;supports and encourages creative talent.\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11193\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11193\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11193\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/SPAA-2015-Art-Show1.jpg\" alt=\"Student artwork on exhibit at CRAFTED\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/SPAA-2015-Art-Show1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/SPAA-2015-Art-Show1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/SPAA-2015-Art-Show1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Students from grade school, high school and middle school will have their work on display,\u00a0 SPAA will award cash prizes in each age group for First, Second, Third and Honorable Mention.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=4839\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4839\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-4839\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/steve-with-winner1.jpg\" alt=\"Steve Magee with winning Skelly entry\" width=\"527\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/steve-with-winner1.jpg 527w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/steve-with-winner1-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 527px) 100vw, 527px\" \/><\/a>There&#8217;s another category, as well.\u00a0 Attendees get to vote, for the &#8220;People&#8217;s Choice&#8221; award.\u00a0 Here is a past &#8220;People&#8217;s Choice&#8221; award winner; the artist, at the time, was five years old.<\/p>\n<p>One of my favorite features of SPAA&#8217;s yearly student competition, is the fact that every artist&#8217;s talent is honored&#8211;not just those whose entries win prizes.\u00a0 Each student receives a certificate of participation, along with a drawing set.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=4837\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4837\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-4837\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/steve.jpg\" alt=\"Steve Magee with art for SPAA Student Competition\" width=\"2848\" height=\"2144\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/steve.jpg 2848w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/steve-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/steve-1024x770.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/steve-398x300.jpg 398w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2848px) 100vw, 2848px\" \/><\/a>In addition, each student&#8217;s work gets framed professionally.\u00a0 Steve Magee, of Steve Magee Framing, does the honors.\u00a0 He carefully selects frames that complement the theme of each entry&#8211;and then, the students&#8217; work remains on exhibition at CRAFTED throughout the summer months.<\/p>\n<p>Want to be part of an exciting time for some gifted future artists?\u00a0 Check out CRAFTED this afternoon, from 2 to 5, for the ceremony, People&#8217;s Choice voting and refreshments.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=5059\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5059\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5059\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/SPAA-sign..jpg\" alt=\"San Pedro Artists' Association sign\" width=\"700\" height=\"290\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/SPAA-sign..jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/SPAA-sign.-300x124.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/SPAA-sign.-500x207.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>And who knows, twenty years from now, as you meet a professional exhibiting artist at a gallery, you may hear that person say, &#8220;Well, one summer when I was a kid, SPAA had this student art competition&#8230;&#8221;<\/p>\n<h5><em>San Pedro Art Association hosts its 2017 All-Grades Harbor Wide Student Art Competition this afternoon, Sunday, June 4th, from 2:00 to 5:00 at CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles<\/em>, <em>112 East 22nd Street, near Miner, Warehouse 10, in San Pedro.\u00a0 Admission is free<\/em><\/h5>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=11181\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=11115\">Up and Running&#8211;and Signing Books<\/a>  May 13, 2017<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11117\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11117\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11117\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/best-bookstore-pic1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/best-bookstore-pic1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/best-bookstore-pic1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/best-bookstore-pic1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>&#8220;What time is it?&#8221; asked author, artist and soon-to-be-bookstore-owner Barbara Lieberman.<\/p>\n<p>Pacific Daylight Time was 10:38 a.m., Saturday, May 6th.<\/p>\n<p>And Lomita&#8217;s brand-new, all-independent-author bookstore, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.pipeandthimble.com\/book-store.html\">Pipe and Thimble<\/a>, was twenty-two minutes away from its Grand Opening.<\/p>\n<p>On hand was Lomita Mayor Pro-Tem Michael G. Savidan, to officiate at the ribbon-cutting.\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11124\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11124\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11124\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/start-of-ceremony_edited-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"384\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/start-of-ceremony_edited-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/start-of-ceremony_edited-1-300x192.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/start-of-ceremony_edited-1-469x300.jpg 469w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>A few authors and a number of enthusiastic readers stood waiting.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11120\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11120\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11120\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Barb-and-Ellie-at-Grand-Opening.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"417\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Barb-and-Ellie-at-Grand-Opening.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Barb-and-Ellie-at-Grand-Opening-300x209.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Barb-and-Ellie-at-Grand-Opening-432x300.jpg 432w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Standing before the door were Barb and Ellie Lieberman, the talented mother-daughter duo who were just about to become active bookstore proprietors.\u00a0 Both Barb and Ellie are published indie authors (between them, they&#8217;ve either published, or contributed to, seventeen books&#8211;so far) who created Pipe and Thimble on the principle of treating authors, and artists, with respect and kindness.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11126\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11126\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11126\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/magical.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/magical.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/magical-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/magical-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>It&#8217;s also based on the idea that reading is magical.\u00a0 And that magic was in full force on Saturday.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11125\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11125\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11125\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/hummingbird-best1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/hummingbird-best1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/hummingbird-best1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/hummingbird-best1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Even this hummingbird, who showed up for breakfast just prior to the ribbon-cutting, appeared to sense it.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11128\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11128\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11128\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Barb-Ellie-and-Mike.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Barb-Ellie-and-Mike.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Barb-Ellie-and-Mike-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Barb-Ellie-and-Mike-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>In his opening remarks, the Mayor Pro-Tem (who&#8217;d casually introduced himself as &#8220;Mike&#8221;)\u00a0 referenced Lomita&#8217;s recent blossoming, with the opening of a number of small businesses.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11127\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11127\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11127\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/presentation.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/presentation.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/presentation-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/presentation-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11130\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11130\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11130\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/congratulations.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"386\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/congratulations.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/congratulations-300x193.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/congratulations-466x300.jpg 466w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Mike presented Barb and Ellie with a welcoming certificate, from the City of Lomita, congratulating them on their new bookstore.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11138\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11138\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11138\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/with-the-certificate1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/with-the-certificate1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/with-the-certificate1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/with-the-certificate1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In a brief speech, Barb thanked the gathered group who had supported both her and Ellie in making their dream a reality.\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11131\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11131\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11131\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Barb-speaking1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Barb-speaking1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Barb-speaking1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Barb-speaking1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>&#8220;I feel like the Velveteen Rabbit,&#8221; she said, referencing the beloved children&#8217;s classic in which love brings the title character&#8217;s dream into existence.<\/p>\n<p>Then, Ellie handed Mike the scissors&#8230;<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11133\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11133\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11133\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/turning-the-sign2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/turning-the-sign2.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/turning-the-sign2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/turning-the-sign2-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>SNIP.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>And applause!<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11134\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11134\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11134\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/cmon-in2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/cmon-in2.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/cmon-in2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/cmon-in2-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>&#8220;Come on in!&#8221; Barb invited.<\/p>\n<p>Music, catered refreshments, hugs, congratulations and lots of visitors finding handcrafted treasures and their next great read, were the next items on the agenda.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11135\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11135\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11135\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/shopping.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/shopping.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/shopping-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/shopping-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11137\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11137\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11137\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/granny-bear.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/granny-bear.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/granny-bear-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/granny-bear-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11136\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11136\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11136\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/romance.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/romance.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/romance-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/romance-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>And today, things are likely to be even better. <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11139\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11139\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11139\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/currently-reading.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/currently-reading.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/currently-reading-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/currently-reading-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>This morning, starting at 11:00, Pipe and Thimble Publishing and Bookstore celebrates its one-week anniversary with its first book signing and reading!\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11099\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11099\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11099\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Mark-Fine1.jpg\" alt=\"Author Mark Fine with his book The Zebra Affaire\" width=\"600\" height=\"389\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Mark-Fine1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Mark-Fine1-300x195.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Mark-Fine1-463x300.jpg 463w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Featured authors Mark Fine and Jack Kregas will be onsite until 2 pm.\u00a0 Mark&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Zebra-Affaire-Apartheid-Love-Story\/dp\/1512321028\/ref=dp_ob_title_bk\"><em>The Zebra Affaire <\/em><\/a>made Pipe and Thimble&#8217;s top-ten bestseller list during the Grand Opening.\u00a0 (And while I&#8217;m not that far into it yet, it&#8217;s already fantastic&#8211;and is enough to make any reader realize just how much we take for granted, when reading about the circumstances of the poorest of the poor in South Africa during apartheid.)<\/p>\n<p>Haven&#8217;t yet had the opportunity to pick up Jack Kregas&#8217; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/mystical-glasses-Jack-Kregas\/dp\/1536966525\"><em>Mystical Glasses, <\/em><\/a>but I&#8217;m hoping to rectify that problem in very short order.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11119\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11119\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11119\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/sign2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"540\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/sign2.jpg 540w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/sign2-270x300.jpg 270w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" \/><\/a>The magic continues&#8230;<\/p>\n<h5><em>Pipe and Thimble Bookstore and Publishing, &#8220;the small press with a big heart&#8221;, hosts its first book signing and reading by authors Mark Fine and Jack Kregas today, from 11 am to 2 pm.\u00a0 Pipe and Thimble is located at24830 Narbonne Avenue, near 250th Street, in Lomiita.<br \/>\n<\/em><\/h5>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=11115\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=11103\">Today&#8217;s the Day<\/a>  May 6, 2017<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11067\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11067\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11067\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Outside-the-bookstore1.jpg\" alt=\"Pipe and Thimble bookstore sign\" width=\"600\" height=\"597\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Outside-the-bookstore1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Outside-the-bookstore1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Outside-the-bookstore1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Outside-the-bookstore1-302x300.jpg 302w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<p>This morning, at 11 am, is<em> it.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-11103-21\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/audio\/barb_and_ellie_lieberman_pipe_and_thimble.mp3?_=21\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/audio\/barb_and_ellie_lieberman_pipe_and_thimble.mp3\">https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/audio\/barb_and_ellie_lieberman_pipe_and_thimble.mp3<\/a><\/audio><br \/>\nThe grand opening of Southern California&#8217;s first all-independent-author bookstore: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/search\/top\/?q=pipe%20%26%20thimble%20publishing%20and%20bookstore\">Pipe and Thimble Publishing and Bookstore.<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10961\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10961\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10961\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/front-door-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/front-door-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/front-door-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/front-door-1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11076\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11076\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11076\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Barb-and-Ellie-at-the-door1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Barb-and-Ellie-at-the-door1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Barb-and-Ellie-at-the-door1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Barb-and-Ellie-at-the-door1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Mother-daughter creative team\/proprietors Barbara and Ellie Lieberman would love to invite you to join them.<\/p>\n<p>Barb says the Mayor will be there to cut the ribbon at 11:00 am sharp.\u00a0 They&#8217;ll have music all day, refreshments, courtesy of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.rsvpea.com\/\">RSVPea Catering&#8230;<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10952\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10952\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10952\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/aquarium-bear-best1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"443\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/aquarium-bear-best1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/aquarium-bear-best1-300x222.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/aquarium-bear-best1-406x300.jpg 406w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>&#8230;and lots of cool creations from local artists.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11081\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11081\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11081\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/trunk21.jpg\" alt=\"trunks with 1940s novels\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/trunk21.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/trunk21-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/trunk21-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Best of all&#8211;though&#8211;there are a minimum of 250 titles on their shelves, from authors who are either self-published or published through a small press!<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11085\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11085\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11085\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/sea21.jpg\" alt=\"wire boat book display on wall of waves\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/sea21.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/sea21-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/sea21-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11098\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11098\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11098\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Nyasia61.jpg\" alt=\"Author Nyasia Maire with her book The Heretic's Child\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Nyasia61.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Nyasia61-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Nyasia61-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11099\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11099\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11099\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Mark-Fine1.jpg\" alt=\"Author Mark Fine with his book The Zebra Affaire\" width=\"600\" height=\"389\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Mark-Fine1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Mark-Fine1-300x195.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Mark-Fine1-463x300.jpg 463w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>You may want to get out your summer calendar and start marking some dates, too.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11087\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11087\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11087\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/events21.jpg\" alt=\"calendar of events in Pipe and thimble\" width=\"600\" height=\"516\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/events21.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/events21-300x258.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/events21-349x300.jpg 349w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Pipe and Thimble has a full schedule of cool events.\u00a0 Just a few of them are their &#8220;Victory Garden Party&#8221;, happening July 9th as a benefit for San Pedro Packages for Patriots; their natural-health speaker series; and, of course, their very first book signing event, one week from today, featuring Jack Kregas and Mark Fine.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11073\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11073\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11073\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/inside-the-store11.jpg\" alt=\"shoppers inside Pipe and Thimble Bookstore\" width=\"600\" height=\"581\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/inside-the-store11.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/inside-the-store11-300x291.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/inside-the-store11-310x300.jpg 310w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Here&#8217;s a short feature\/interview about their new store.\u00a0 But please don&#8217;t take my word for it&#8211; come see for yourself if <a href=\"http:\/\/www.pipeandthimble.com\/book-store.html\">Pipe and Thimble Bookstore<\/a> is a magical space!<\/p>\n<h5><em>Pipe and Thimble Bookstore and Publishing Company celebrates its store&#8217;s Grand Opening this morning, Saturday, May 6th, at 11, at<\/em> <em>24830 Narbonne Avenue, near 250th Street, in Lomiita.\u00a0 Hope to see you there!<br \/>\n<\/em><\/h5>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=11103\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=11057\">Two Renaissance Women, One Magical Space<\/a>  May 4, 2017<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11088\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11088\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11088\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/hug-best21.jpg\" alt=\"Ellie Lieberman hugs mom Barb Lieberman\" width=\"600\" height=\"541\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/hug-best21.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/hug-best21-300x271.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/hug-best21-333x300.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pipeandthimble.com\/book-store.html\">Pipe and Thimble Bookstore and Publishing Company <\/a>is standing ready.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11068\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11068\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11068\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/welcome11.jpg\" alt=\"&quot;Welcome&quot; sign outside Pipe and Thimble\" width=\"534\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/welcome11.jpg 534w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/welcome11-267x300.jpg 267w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 534px) 100vw, 534px\" \/><\/a>Their <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/events\/690787994436568\/\">grand opening<\/a> happens this Saturday, May 6th.\u00a0 Lomita Mayor Mark Waronek will be on hand at 11:00 am sharp, for the ribbon cutting that will officially open Southern California&#8217;s first all-independent-author bookstore and creative space.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11069\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11069\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11069\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/pipe-and-thimble-overview1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"418\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/pipe-and-thimble-overview1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/pipe-and-thimble-overview1-300x209.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/pipe-and-thimble-overview1-431x300.jpg 431w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>They&#8217;ll have live music all day, from a number of talented local musicians. Oh, and of course there&#8217;ll be food, courtesy of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.rsvpea.com\/\">RSVPea Catering<\/a>.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11091\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11091\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11091\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/purple2.jpg\" alt=\"purple planter and flowers\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/purple2.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/purple2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/purple2-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>And proprietors\/authors\/&#8221;artrepreneurs&#8221; Barb and Ellie Lieberman appear to have waved several magic wands since we spoke, in early March.<\/p>\n<p>At that time&#8230;<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11074\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11074\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11074\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/before1.jpg\" alt=\"Display cases before store was completed\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/before1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/before1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/before1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>&#8230; they were painting walls and planning some unconventional shelving for their new store.\u00a0\u00a0 A Christmas tree, wire racks, a wire boat and various trunks and tables waited to be put to use as displays.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11076\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11076\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11076\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Barb-and-Ellie-at-the-door1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Barb-and-Ellie-at-the-door1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Barb-and-Ellie-at-the-door1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Barb-and-Ellie-at-the-door1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Barb and Ellie, a mother-daughter creative team, had envisioned <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PipeandThimblePublishing\/\">Pipe and Thimble<\/a> while publishing a number of their own books, as independent authors.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s an opportunity for indie authors to see their books on a shelf,&#8221; Barb explained. &#8220;It&#8217;s really hard to be an indie author, and it&#8217;s made more difficult by stores not carrying indie authors&#8217; books.&#8221;<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11077\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11077\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11077\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Barb-in-Room-of-Making_edited-1.jpg\" alt=\"Barbara Lieberman in her workroom\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Barb-in-Room-of-Making_edited-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Barb-in-Room-of-Making_edited-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Barb-in-Room-of-Making_edited-1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Consequently, she said, Pipe and Thimble will offer book signings and author events, promoting their authors in a way they normally wouldn&#8217;t be promoted.\u00a0 However, they are not a vanity press.<\/p>\n<p>Currently, Pipe and Thimble stocks more than 250 titles by independent authors.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11080\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11080\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11080\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/crime-fiction1.jpg\" alt=\"crime fiction with police tape display\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/crime-fiction1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/crime-fiction1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/crime-fiction1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>&#8220;And we&#8217;re going to build unique displays that attract you to (our books) by genre, by age group,&#8221; Barb said. &#8220;Everything is going to be movable, so every time you come, it&#8217;s going to be different.&#8221;<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11081\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11081\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11081\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/trunk21.jpg\" alt=\"trunks with 1940s novels\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/trunk21.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/trunk21-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/trunk21-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Now, why the name&#8211;&#8220;Pipe and Thimble&#8221;?\u00a0 Barb says it&#8217;s in honor of her late parents, who crafted dollhouses and miniatures in the 1970s.\u00a0 The pipe represents her father, the thimble, her mom.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Everything we do at Pipe and Thimble Publishing is inspired by the way my parents would do business, (the way they) would interact with people,&#8221; Barb said.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11078\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11078\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11078\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/closeup1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/closeup1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/closeup1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/closeup1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Meanwhile, Ellie was getting into doing the painting.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;ve&#8230;started on a &#8216;wall of waves&#8217;,&#8221; she said, explaining that this section would use a boat as a wall shelf unit for books with an ocean or pirate theme.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11085\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11085\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11085\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/sea21.jpg\" alt=\"wire boat book display on wall of waves\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/sea21.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/sea21-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/sea21-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>On Friday evening, April 28, visitors had the opportunity to see how all this creativity turned out, in a sneak preview.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11098\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11098\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11098\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Nyasia61.jpg\" alt=\"Author Nyasia Maire with her book The Heretic's Child\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Nyasia61.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Nyasia61-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Nyasia61-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Several authors were on hand, including <a href=\"http:\/\/nyasia9.wixsite.com\/nyasiamaire\">Nyasia Maire<\/a>, author of<em> The Heretic&#8217;s Child<\/em>, a fantasy novel that is all but certain to catch you up in protagonist Emma&#8217;s world from Page One&#8230;<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11099\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11099\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11099\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Mark-Fine1.jpg\" alt=\"Author Mark Fine with his book The Zebra Affaire\" width=\"600\" height=\"389\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Mark-Fine1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Mark-Fine1-300x195.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Mark-Fine1-463x300.jpg 463w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>And <a href=\"http:\/\/www.markfinebooks.com\/p\/main-page.html\">Mark Fine<\/a>, author of the historical romance <em>The Zebra Affaire<\/em>.\u00a0 Mark will be one of two featured authors at Pipe and Thimble&#8217;s first book signing event on May 13th.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11086\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11086\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11086\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Jessicas-posters21.jpg\" alt=\"Jessica Silagy's posters on a shelf above the store\" width=\"600\" height=\"294\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Jessicas-posters21.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Jessicas-posters21-300x147.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Jessicas-posters21-500x245.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Several artists whose work is on display had come by to celebrate. (When you come into the store, be sure to look up&#8211;or you might miss Jessica Silagy&#8217;s graphics!\u00a0 Gifted Jessica is the proprietor of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/JessieJInspirations\/\">Jessie J Inspirations<\/a>.\u00a0 And be sure to check for the latest cool metal-chain jewelry Gale Rugnetta, of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.angelartdreams.com\/\">Angel Art Dreams<\/a>, has been knitting.<\/p>\n<p>No&#8211;that&#8217;s not a typo.\u00a0 Gale creates striking Viking-knit\u00a0 bracelets, necklaces and earrings!)<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11087\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11087\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11087\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/events21.jpg\" alt=\"calendar of events in Pipe and thimble\" width=\"600\" height=\"516\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/events21.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/events21-300x258.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/events21-349x300.jpg 349w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The whole community&#8217;s invited to Pipe and Thimble&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pg\/PipeandThimblePublishing\/events\/\">upcoming events<\/a>&#8211;which include a lecture series and a special July 9th &#8220;Victory Garden Party&#8221; to benefit San Pedro nonprofit Packages for Patriots.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11073\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11073\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11073\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/inside-the-store11.jpg\" alt=\"shoppers inside Pipe and Thimble Bookstore\" width=\"600\" height=\"581\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/inside-the-store11.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/inside-the-store11-300x291.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/inside-the-store11-310x300.jpg 310w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>&#8220;We&#8217;re like kids in a candy store in here,&#8221; Barb commented, mid-evening.\u00a0 &#8220;It&#8217;s just so much fun.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Now, how in the world did she and Ellie pull all of this together in just seven weeks?\u00a0 Ellie gave some insights into their magic formula.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11089\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11089\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/closeuphug1.jpg\" alt=\"Closeup of Ellie Lieberman hugging mom Barbara Lieberman\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/closeuphug1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/closeuphug1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/closeuphug1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>&#8220;Lots of caffeine, sugar and chocolate,&#8221; she offered.\u00a0 &#8220;And it definitely helps, having a partner like my mom.&#8221;<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=11067\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11067\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11067\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Outside-the-bookstore1.jpg\" alt=\"Pipe and Thimble bookstore sign\" width=\"600\" height=\"597\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Outside-the-bookstore1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Outside-the-bookstore1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Outside-the-bookstore1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Outside-the-bookstore1-302x300.jpg 302w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h5><em><a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PipeandThimblePublishing\/\">Pipe and Thimble Bookstore and Publishng Company<\/a> has its grand opening on Saturday, May 6th, 11 am at 24830 Narbonne Avenue, near 250th Street, in Lomiita.\u00a0 Come enjoy the music, art, and food and discover some of your new favorite authors!<\/em><\/h5>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=11057\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=10908\">Sowing the &#8220;Seeds&#8221; of Magic<\/a>  March 15, 2017<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10961\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10961\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10961\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/front-door-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/front-door-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/front-door-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/front-door-1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<p>You approach the front door&#8211;and suddenly, you&#8217;re in another place.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10942\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10942\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10942\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/wild-strawberries.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/wild-strawberries.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/wild-strawberries-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/wild-strawberries-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>This is a place where peace rose, nasturtium and wild strawberries grow.\u00a0\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10941\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10941\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10941\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/butterfly-garden1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/butterfly-garden1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/butterfly-garden1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/butterfly-garden1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Hummingbirds and butterflies are welcomed and encouraged, as a garden begins sprouting to encourage them.\u00a0\u00a0 Guests will, in all probability, get to buy seeds or participate in a seed swap, for their own gardens.<\/p>\n<p>Inside, independent authors get to see their work on display, in creative, eclectic settings.\u00a0 Crafts are in the design and making process, resources are shared and the community comes together for special events, in an exchange of education and ideas.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10944\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10944\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Mango1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Mango1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Mango1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Mango1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Oh&#8211;and there&#8217;s a handsome &#8220;supurrvisor&#8221;, waiting to approve current projects.<\/p>\n<p>Welcome to small press <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PipeandThimblePublishing\/\">Pipe &amp; Thimble Publishing&#8217;s new bookstore<\/a>, set to open in Lomita on Saturday, May 6th!<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10910\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10910\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10910\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Barb-and-Ellie1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Barb-and-Ellie1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Barb-and-Ellie1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Barb-and-Ellie1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>And indie author\/&#8221;artrepreneur&#8221; proprietors <a href=\"http:\/\/www.keyboardmusings.com\/\">Barbara<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/ellielieberman.weebly.com\/\">Ellie Lieberman<\/a> are joyfully painting, creating and preparing to launch their dream.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10945\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10945\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Barb-with-her-new-book1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Barb-with-her-new-book1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Barb-with-her-new-book1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Barb-with-her-new-book1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>&#8220;Everything we do at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.pipeandthimble.com\/\">Pipe &amp; Thimble Publishing<\/a> is inspired by the way my parents would do business, and&#8230;interact with people,&#8221; Barb explained during a visit on Friday.<\/p>\n<p>Pipe and Thimble, currently, has accepted thirty-one new independent authors whose books they&#8217;ll promote and display.\u00a0 In addition, Barb and Ellie will be exhibiting the works of the nine authors Pipe and Thimble had previously published.\u00a0 (While they&#8217;re not accepting new manuscript submissions at present, small press and indie authors can <a href=\"http:\/\/www.pipeandthimble.com\/\">get in touch with them<\/a> to send their books on consignment.)<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;These are books you can&#8217;t get anywhere else in person, all indie authors,&#8221; Barb said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; And it&#8217;s an opportunity for indie authors to see their books on a shelf, and be promoted in a way that they&#8217;re not normally promoted.&#8221;<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10950\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10950\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10950\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/nasturtiums3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"410\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/nasturtiums3.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/nasturtiums3-300x205.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/nasturtiums3-439x300.jpg 439w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>So, where did all of this come from?<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s really hard to be an indie author,&#8221; Barb explained.\u00a0 &#8220;We&#8217;ve had some experiences that led us to get frustrated.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Most South Bay bookstores, she said, don&#8217;t carry independent authors&#8217; books.\u00a0 For an independent author, getting her books on the shelves is both difficult and expensive.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;As independent authors, we wanted to create a place where that wasn&#8217;t the case,&#8221; Barb explained.\u00a0 &#8220;So we wanted to be the first indie-only bookstore. We display their books, they don&#8217;t pay a shelf fee, we invite them to come and have author events&#8230;and it&#8217;s not an extra fee to do that.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>But don&#8217;t expect plain old bookshelves&#8211;or standard &#8220;bookstore&#8221; decor.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10946\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10946\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/elements1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/elements1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/elements1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/elements1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Drawing on their backgrounds as creative entrepreneurs, Barb and Ellie are going to have some fun with this one!\u00a0\u00a0 They&#8217;re using a variety of display media that will be as eclectic as the books themselves.\u00a0 .<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re going to build unique displays that attract you to them by genre, by age group,&#8221; Barb said.\u00a0 &#8220;Everything is going to be movable, so every time you come it&#8217;s gong to be different. Even the art on the walls is going to change.&#8221;<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10956\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10956\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10956\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Barb-in-Room-of-Making1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Barb-in-Room-of-Making1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Barb-in-Room-of-Making1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Barb-in-Room-of-Making1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>(Previously, as proprietor of small business Seeds of Inspiration, Barb designed sachets, pillows and &#8220;ouch pouches&#8221; to soothe aching muscles!\u00a0 Two personal favorites are her pumpkin-pie spice sachets in the form of very cute fabric pumpkins, and her Christmas trees with a pine scent!\u00a0 Meanwhile, Ellie creates enchanting miniature worlds&#8211;fairy doors and beyond&#8211;through her small business, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/AcornTops\/\">Acorn Tops<\/a>.)<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10943\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10943\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10943\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/tree-and-Barb1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"508\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/tree-and-Barb1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/tree-and-Barb1-300x254.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/tree-and-Barb1-354x300.jpg 354w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>&#8220;I&#8217;ve already started on a tree for the fairy-tale section,&#8221; Ellie said, when asked about painting the store&#8217;s interior. &#8220;We&#8217;re going to make it look like Ravenwood&#8217;s garden from The Treasure of Ravenwood and we have a bunch of fairytale and mythology books to go in that section.&#8221;<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10947\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10947\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/pireate-treasure1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/pireate-treasure1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/pireate-treasure1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/pireate-treasure1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>&#8220;I&#8217;ve also started (painting) a wall of waves&#8230;where we have a beautiful boat\/shelf unit that is going to go up on the wall there&#8230;Our goal is to capture the idea that reading is magical, so when you step foot into the bookstore, you&#8217;re going to be transported into a magical world.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>In addition, she says, there will be a steampunk section&#8211;and no two visits to Pipe and Thimble will be alike for visitors.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10963\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10963\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10963\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/pansies.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"443\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/pansies.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/pansies-300x222.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/pansies-406x300.jpg 406w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Special events, involving the local community, will be an integral part of that world.<\/p>\n<p>Barb and Ellie are inviting local businesses, particularly women-owned ones, to get involved in Pipe and Thimble&#8217;s special events.\u00a0 They&#8217;ve scheduled a &#8220;Natural Health&#8221; speaking-event series, on four different weekends in June.\u00a0 Then, their summer plans include a July 9th Victory Garden party, in support of San Pedro-based nonprofit Packages for Patriots.\u00a0 And all throughout July, they&#8217;ll be hosting their &#8220;Dog Days&#8221; series. featuring children&#8217;s-book authors.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re hoping to get people from the community to talk about dogs in the community, whether it&#8217;s dogs in the military, or dogs and agility&#8230;as well as hoping to work with shelters, and maybe even some local rescues,&#8221; Ellie said.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10951\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10951\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10951\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/paints-and-fairies1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"395\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/paints-and-fairies1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/paints-and-fairies1-300x198.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/paints-and-fairies1-456x300.jpg 456w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>If you&#8217;re looking for a special handcrafted gift, you may just find it there, as well.\u00a0\u00a0 Handmade artists, by invitation, will have a few of their creations on display.<\/p>\n<p>Also (where did they find the time?!), Barb and Ellie have also been making something new: their &#8220;Pipe and Thimble Bears&#8221;!\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10952\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10952\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10952\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/aquarium-bear-best1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"443\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/aquarium-bear-best1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/aquarium-bear-best1-300x222.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/aquarium-bear-best1-406x300.jpg 406w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>These adorable miniatures have a wide range of themes, from this &#8220;Aquarium Bear&#8221; to the Scottish one, complete with kilt!<\/p>\n<p>And they won&#8217;t just make cool stuff&#8211;they&#8217;ll also be showing others &#8220;how-to&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re going to hold classes,&#8221; Barb says.\u00a0 &#8220;We&#8217;re going to have makers, from around the South Bay, come in and hold classes&#8211;and people will see the books.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>So, why the name&#8211;&#8220;Pipe and Thimble&#8221;?\u00a0 Barb says her parents had a miniature-making small business in the 1970s, with which she helped.\u00a0 The pipe represents her father, who smoked cherrywood tobacco.\u00a0 Her mother, who sewed small dollhouse furnishings, is represented by the thimble.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10957\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10957\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10957\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/gnome1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/gnome1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/gnome1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/gnome1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Sounds like they have magic on their side, right from the start.<\/p>\n<h5><em>Pipe and Thimble Publishing&#8217;s new store, at 24830 Narbonne Avenue, near 250th Street\u00a0 in Lomita, celebrates its Grand Opening on Saturday, May 6th at 11 am.\u00a0\u00a0 Meanwhile, check out their <a href=\"http:\/\/www.pipeandthimble.com\/\">website<\/a>!\u00a0\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.keyboardmusings.com\/store\/c2\/Books.html\">Barb&#8217;s<\/a> books are available on her website, and on Amazon.\u00a0 So are <a href=\"http:\/\/ellielieberman.weebly.com\/\">Ellie&#8217;s&#8211;<\/a>and as a mom-and-daughter creative team, both of them should provide readers with disclaimers on their books!\u00a0 I&#8217;d suggest something like: WARNING: Don&#8217;t expect to put it down, after just one chapter. \u00a0<\/em><\/h5>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>You&#8217;ll get to meet Barb and Ellie and ask them all about their exciting new bookstore if you come to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/events\/1299133706845803\/\">Torrance Craftsmen&#8217;s Guild&#8217;s<\/a> Spring Crafts Faire, this Saturday, March 18th, 10 am to 4 pm at Torrance Cultural Arts Center!<\/h4>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=10908\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=10645\">A Passion for His Craft<\/a>  December 20, 2016<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h3>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10649\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10649\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10649\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/David-Ortega-with-his-clocks.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/David-Ortega-with-his-clocks.jpg 400w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/David-Ortega-with-his-clocks-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<p>Warm-looking cherry wood, gleaming copper and the dark-versus-light contrast of curly maple and walnut.<\/p>\n<p>All of the above are at the core of David Ortega&#8217;s artistry.<\/p>\n<p><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-10645-22\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/audio\/david_ortega_noelophile_7.mp3?_=22\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/audio\/david_ortega_noelophile_7.mp3\">https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/audio\/david_ortega_noelophile_7.mp3<\/a><\/audio><br \/>\nFine woodworking is David&#8217;s medium, and he does all kinds of different projects.\u00a0 Clocks, though, are his main focus through his small business, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.heirloomsetc.net\/\">Heirlooms Etc<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>David creates his clocks &#8220;from the drawing board&#8221;, and his designs are frequently inspired by the architecture of Southern California.\u00a0 He&#8217;s exhibited his work twice in the San Diego County Fair, once in the Orange County Fair, and at multiple art festivals in Southern California. <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10650\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10650\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10650\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/David-and-his-clocks1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"519\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/David-and-his-clocks1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/David-and-his-clocks1-300x260.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/David-and-his-clocks1-347x300.jpg 347w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>When we met at Jackalope Arts&#8217; 2015 Winter Fair, in Pasadena, one of my absolute favorites, among his designs, was his copper-faced clock with a hand-tooled hummingbird on the dial.<\/p>\n<p>If you haven&#8217;t yet found a special gift for someone important in your life, you might like to take a look at David&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/HeirloomsEtcetera?ref=search_shop_redirect\">Etsy shop<\/a>.\u00a0 He also takes custom orders, if you&#8217;re looking ahead to 2017 and have some time before a unique gift is needed.<\/p>\n<p>David talked about his background, how his small business, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/heirloomsetc\">Heirlooms Etc<\/a>., came into being and some of the inspiration behind his clocks.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=10645\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=10630\">Her Artistry of Fun<\/a>  December 18, 2016<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10634\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10634\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10634\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Jennifer-Jensen2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Jennifer-Jensen2.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Jennifer-Jensen2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Jennifer-Jensen2-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<p>Jennifer Jensen is both a performance artist, and an artisan.<\/p>\n<p>But both of those terms sound like an understatement, when you look at what she does.<\/p>\n<p><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-10630-23\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/audio\/jennifer_jensen_noelophile_6.mp3?_=23\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/audio\/jennifer_jensen_noelophile_6.mp3\">https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/audio\/jennifer_jensen_noelophile_6.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10636\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10636\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10636\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Jennifer-with-her-hoops2_edited-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Jennifer-with-her-hoops2_edited-1.jpg 400w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Jennifer-with-her-hoops2_edited-1-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Jennifer, who is the proprietor of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.eclectichoops.com\/\">Eclectic Hoops<\/a>, teaches hoop dance, and crafts hula hoops!\u00a0 She makes custom ones, and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.eclectichoops.com\/collections\/in-store\">sells both her own creations and those of fellow hoop artists<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>And if you&#8217;re stuck on a Christmas gift for a very fun, whimsical friend or family member, she might just have the solution.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10637\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10637\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10637\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Jennifer-with-her-hoops3_edited-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Jennifer-with-her-hoops3_edited-1.jpg 400w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Jennifer-with-her-hoops3_edited-1-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10635\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10635\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10635\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/hoops2_edited-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/hoops2_edited-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/hoops2_edited-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/hoops2_edited-1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>At Pasadena&#8217;s Jackalope Art Fair, in Spring 2016, Jennifer&#8217;s hoops were a big hit&#8211;and got everybody moving.<\/p>\n<p>(Wouldn&#8217;t this be a great way to celebrate New Year&#8217;s Day, on the beach with friends, or maybe work off all the Christmas cookies, Halloween candy and turkey in which we&#8217;ve been indulging since October?)<\/p>\n<p>Jennifer talked about how she first became interested in hoops, the genesis of her small business, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/eclectichoops\/?fref=ts\">Eclectic Hoops<\/a>, and the secret to keeping those hoops moving (as well as the care and feeding of a &#8220;pet hula hoop&#8221;!).<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=10630\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=10499\">Happy Small Business Saturday!<\/a>  November 26, 2016<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10503\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10503\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10503\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/regina-with-angel3.jpg\" alt=\"regina-with-angel3\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/regina-with-angel3.jpg 400w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/regina-with-angel3-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<p>Yay, it&#8217;s here!\u00a0 Today is Small Business Saturday&#8211;a chance to support your favorite &#8220;artrepreneurs&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>Here are just a couple of California favorites you might like to keep in mind.<\/p>\n<p>Today and tomorrow, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.seasidestudiossanpedro.com\/\">Seaside Studios San Pedro <\/a>hosts their annual Open House and Holiday Boutique!\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=6488\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6488\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6488\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/regina-gayle-and-dingo-3-e1480178792558.jpg\" alt=\"regina gayle and dingo 3\" width=\"399\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a>Gifted ceramics artist Regina Fernandez, of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PortTownPottery\/\">Port Town Pottery<\/a>, and jewelry designer Gayle Fleury, of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Aussie-Girl-Designs-105513316150336\/\">Aussie Girl Designs<\/a>, are studio proprietors.\u00a0\u00a0 Among their beautiful creations: Regina&#8217;s coil Christmas trees (I love the one with small stars especially) and Gayle&#8217;s almost-luminous two-sided Paua shell pendant.\u00a0 (Her scarves and handbags are pretty tempting too.)<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10504\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10504\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10504\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/gayle-with-jewelry-2-e1480178927163.jpg\" alt=\"gayle-with-jewelry-2\" width=\"399\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a>You won&#8217;t have any trouble finding Christmas gifts here.\u00a0 And while you&#8217;re there, ask Gayle and Regina about their classes and open-studio hours.\u00a0 If you have the time, they&#8217;ll teach you to make some seriously cool gifts.<\/p>\n<h5><em>Seaside Studios San Pedro&#8217;s Annual Holiday Boutique happens Saturday and Sunday, November 26th and 27th.\u00a0 Hours are 2 to 5 pm, both days, and admission&#8217;s free.\u00a0Seaside Studios San Pedro are located at 525 North Harbor Boulevard, near North Beacon Street, in San Pedro.\u00a0 They\u2019re Suite #3, on the second floor, and are located just across from the cruise ship terminal and the dancing fountains. <\/em><\/h5>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h5><em><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10506\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10506\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10506\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/SPAA-new1.jpg\" alt=\"spaa-new1\" width=\"700\" height=\"282\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/SPAA-new1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/SPAA-new1-300x121.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/SPAA-new1-500x201.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/em><\/h5>\n<h5><\/h5>\n<p>Meanwhile, I also love <a href=\"http:\/\/sanpedroart.org\/wp\/\">San Pedro Art Association.<\/a>\u00a0 You can see their exhibit at CRAFTED year-round crafts marketplace\u00a0 today, and you&#8217;re very likely to wind up with something special.\u00a0 I personally love their handcrafted pens on their Facebook page, but they also excel at handcrafted\u00a0 jewelry, sculpture, some beautiful paintings and breathtaking photography.\u00a0 Celebrating eighty years of encouraging artists, SPAA hosts their yearly &#8220;Harbor Wide All Grades Student Art Competition&#8221; yearly.\u00a0 In addition, they host <a href=\"http:\/\/www.1stthursday.com\/\">&#8220;First Thursday ArtWalks&#8221;-<\/a>-expect next week&#8217;s, December 1, to be especially Christmasy!<\/p>\n<p>More than a dozen San Pedro Art Association members exhibit at <a href=\"http:\/\/craftedportla.com\/\">CRAFTED<\/a> year-round crafts marketplace, open 11 am to 7 pm today. \u00a0\u00a0 Admission and parking are free.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=6457\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6457\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6457\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/CRAFTED-main-floor.jpg\" alt=\"CRAFTED main floor\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/CRAFTED-main-floor.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/CRAFTED-main-floor-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/CRAFTED-main-floor-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>While we&#8217;re on the subject, CRAFTED celebrates &#8220;Small Business Saturday&#8221; with\u00a0 a preview of San Pedro Ballet&#8217;s &#8220;Nutcracker&#8221; at noon today, and they&#8217;ll be teaching visitors to make Christmas wreaths today and tomorrow!\u00a0 (Additional workshop events include printmaking and wire wrap earrings, along with a &#8220;Wine, Dine and Fine Art Paint Party&#8221; on Sunday, November 27th!)<\/p>\n<h5><em>CRAFTED year-round crafts marketplace is located in Warehouse 10, at 112 East 22nd Street at Miner, in San Pedro.\u00a0 Admission and parking are free.<\/em><\/h5>\n<h5><em><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=6034\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6034\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6034\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/candles-too-blur-faces1.jpg\" alt=\"candles too blur faces1\" width=\"466\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/candles-too-blur-faces1.jpg 466w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/candles-too-blur-faces1-199x300.jpg 199w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px\" \/><\/a><\/em><\/h5>\n<p>And last but never, ever, least&#8211;if you&#8217;re in the Bay Area today, you may get to see a lot of unique small businesses, set on a lamplit street in London!\u00a0 The <a href=\"http:\/\/dickensfair.com\/\">Great Dickens Christmas Fair <\/a>is happening from now through December 19th at the Cow Palace, in Daly City.\u00a0 Artisans we&#8217;ve really loved there in the past have offered handcrafted fiddles, hand-dipped candles, pewter Christmas ornaments and some incredible jewelry.\u00a0 (And I still have the unicorn cooky cutter I bought at my first-ever Dickens Fair, in the 1970s!)<\/p>\n<h5><em>The Dickens Christmas Fair is open today and tomorrow (and weekends through December 19th) at the Cow Palace, 2600 Geneva Avenue in Daly City.\u00a0 Hours are 10 am to 7 pm.\u00a0 This year, they&#8217;re doing<a href=\"http:\/\/dickensfair.com\/tickets\"> &#8220;Select-Day Ticketing&#8221;<\/a>, so be sure to check availability before you go.)<\/em><\/h5>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=10499\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=10316\">&#8220;Magic and Beauty&#8211;Like Life&#8221;<\/a>  November 11, 2016<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h3>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9603\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9603\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9603\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/jackalope-sign-and-booths1.jpg\" alt=\"jackalope sign and booths1\" width=\"600\" height=\"337\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/jackalope-sign-and-booths1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/jackalope-sign-and-booths1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/jackalope-sign-and-booths1-500x281.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<h5><em><strong>As Jackalope Art and Craft Fair returns to Pasadena this weekend, here&#8217;s a profile of a unique artisan who&#8217;ll be exhibiting.<\/strong><\/em><\/h5>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Designer and amateur scientist Sandi Cruze loves everything about our space system.\u00a0 Constellations, planets and other celestial entities fascinate her.<\/p>\n<p><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-10316-24\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/audio\/noelophile_sandi_cruze.mp3?_=24\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/audio\/noelophile_sandi_cruze.mp3\">https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/audio\/noelophile_sandi_cruze.mp3<\/a><\/audio><br \/>\nSandi translates the beauty she sees in the cosmos into exquisite (and unique) hand-crocheted necklaces and earrings&#8211;which you&#8217;ll get a chance to see this weekend, if you&#8217;re in Pasadena!\u00a0 .<\/p>\n<p>Sandi and her longtime friend and business partner Carla handcraft <a href=\"http:\/\/stringtheorydesigns.com\/\">String Theory Designs<\/a>, a line of edgy yet romantic jewelry that does bear a striking resemblance to what we see in the night sky.\u00a0 Crocheting with copper wire and incorporating beads, stones and charms, they&#8217;ve created one-of-a-kind pieces that look equally stunning with evening wear or a plain white T-shirt and jeans.<\/p>\n<p>And&#8211;they&#8217;re just about to exhibit their work in their first show: Jackalope Art Fair, happening this Saturday and Sunday in Pasadena&#8217;s Central Park!<\/p>\n<p>Sandi talked about the way she and Carla came to create String Theory Designs, offered a preview of some of the designs you&#8217;ll see if you stop by their table at Jackalope Art and Craft Fair, and discussed a new service they&#8217;ll shortly be providing to customers (hint: think, &#8220;making this my own&#8221;).<\/p>\n<h5><em>Jackalope Art and Craft Fair comes to Pasadena&#8217;s Central Park this Saturday and Sunday, November 12th and 13th. Show hours both days are from 10 am to 5 pm, and admission is free.\u00a0 Central Park is located on Raymond Avenue near Del Mar, near the Del Mar Gold Line station.<\/em><\/h5>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=10316\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=10243\">She Crafts Heirlooms&#8211;With Love<\/a>  October 30, 2016<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10272\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10272\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10272\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Krystina12.jpg\" alt=\"krystina12\" width=\"600\" height=\"459\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Krystina12.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Krystina12-300x230.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Krystina12-392x300.jpg 392w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Passion and quality are at the core of award-winning fabric artist <a href=\"http:\/\/www.funwithpretend.com\/\">Krystina Kyle&#8217;s<\/a> work.\u00a0 So are memories of a beloved grandmother.<\/p>\n<p><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-10243-25\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/audio\/krystina_kyle_fun_with_pretend.mp3?_=25\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/audio\/krystina_kyle_fun_with_pretend.mp3\">https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/audio\/krystina_kyle_fun_with_pretend.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/p>\n<p>But a shopping trip&#8211;and a sense of disappointment with what she saw&#8211;are what ultimately led her to start her small business,<a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/FunwithPretend\/?ref=py_c\"> Fun With Pretend,<\/a> through which she designs and sells her handcrafted dolls.<\/p>\n<p>Today, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/FunwithPretend\/\">Fun With Pretend <\/a>is just over a year old.\u00a0 And already, Krystina has racked up some pretty impressive honors.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_10267\" style=\"width: 347px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10267\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10267\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10267\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10267\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Mushroom-Pixie.jpg\" alt=\"Mushroom Pixie doll \u00a92016 by Krystina Kyle.  Image used with permission.\" width=\"337\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Mushroom-Pixie.jpg 337w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Mushroom-Pixie-169x300.jpg 169w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 337px) 100vw, 337px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10267\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mushroom Pixie doll \u00a92016 by Krystina Kyle. Image used with permission.<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Both dolls she submitted to the 2016 L.A. County Fair won ribbons, with her Mushroom Pixie, above, taking both first place and &#8220;Best In Show&#8221; in the &#8220;Help a Child Smile&#8221; category.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_10268\" style=\"width: 347px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=10268\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-10268\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10268\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10268\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Mermaid-Doll.jpg\" alt=\"Mermaid doll\u00a9 2016 by Krystina Kyle. Image used with permission.\" width=\"337\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Mermaid-Doll.jpg 337w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Mermaid-Doll-169x300.jpg 169w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 337px) 100vw, 337px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10268\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mermaid doll\u00a9 2016 by Krystina Kyle. Image used with permission.<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, her hand-sewn mermaid doll won third place in the &#8220;Rag Doll\/Toys&#8221; division.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to pixies and mermaids, Krystina&#8217;s creations cover a wide range.\u00a0\u00a0 Angels, cats, smiling rag dolls with stand-up pigtails and even a cute elephant doll are all in her repertoire.\u00a0 And she takes custom orders&#8211;but, Krystina cautions, she gets booked very quickly.\u00a0 If you have a special gift recipient on your list for Christmas 2016, and you&#8217;d like to have Krystina design something unique, be sure to contact her by mid-November, on her <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/FunwithPretend\/?ref=py_c\">Facebook page<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Krystina talked about her background, shared the story of her small business and offered a preview of some of the dolls she&#8217;s been crafting for this Christmas season.<\/p>\n<h5><em>Would you like to meet Krystina and see her dolls firsthand?\u00a0 She&#8217;ll be exhibiting her work in the Torrance Craftsmen&#8217;s Guild&#8217;s &#8220;47th Annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Faire&#8221;, Saturday and Sunday, November 19th and 20th, at Torrance Cultural Arts Center, at Madrona and Torrance Boulevard!\u00a0 Hours are 9 am to 4 pm, both days, and admission is free.<br \/>\n.&gt;<\/em><\/h5>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=10243\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=10211\">SPAA Gears Up to Celebrate<\/a>  October 8, 2016<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=8127\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8127\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8127\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/SPAA-new1.jpg\" alt=\"SPAA new1\" width=\"700\" height=\"282\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<p>A milestone anniversary is pretty exciting<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s that much more so when the the milestone number is&#8230;<em>eighty.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>And that&#8217;s exactly what <a href=\"http:\/\/sanpedroart.org\/wp\/\">San Pedro Art Association\u00a0<\/a> invites you to celebrate with them, later this month!\u00a0 They&#8217;ll be hosting a 1930s art deco-style anniversary party on Friday evening, October 28th, at Ports O&#8217; Call in San Pedro.<\/p>\n<p>Live music, dancing and a silent auction will all be part of the fun, after dinner&#8211;and 1930s dress is encouraged!\u00a0\u00a0 And you&#8217;re welcome to come and enjoy the party.\u00a0 Here&#8217;s the <a href=\"http:\/\/sanpedroart.org\/wp\/\">link for more information.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Since a group of local artists started SPAA in 1936, they&#8217;ve hosted all kinds of activities to support and nurture creative talent.\u00a0 Classes, gallery shows,\u00a0 art walks and other special events have all been a part of the creative mix.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=8087\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8087\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8087\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/middle-school.jpg\" alt=\"middle school\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/middle-school.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/middle-school-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/middle-school-451x300.jpg 451w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>One of my personal favorite SPAA activities is their &#8220;Harborwide All Grades Student Art Competition&#8221;, which starts just as schools are letting out for the summer.\u00a0 Students get to exhibit their work in CRAFTED year-round arts marketplace, in San Pedro, throughout July and August.\u00a0 But this isn&#8217;t just a matter of tacking some drawings up on the wall.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=8130\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8130\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8130\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/steve-with-art-and-sign2.jpg\" alt=\"steve with art and sign2\" width=\"1991\" height=\"1539\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/steve-with-art-and-sign2.jpg 1991w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/steve-with-art-and-sign2-300x232.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/steve-with-art-and-sign2-1024x792.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/steve-with-art-and-sign2-388x300.jpg 388w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1991px) 100vw, 1991px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>My introduction to the competition was a meeting with Steve Magee, of Steve Magee Framing, who is SPAA&#8217;s Vice-President.\u00a0 When we talked in 2014, he had just finished professionally framing all the entries&#8211;which came as a thrilling surprise to the young artists!\u00a0 (In addition, every exhibiting artist receives a ribbon, as well as art supplies.\u00a0 The winners get additional prizes!)<\/p>\n<p>In addition, on the first Thursday of every month, SPAA hosts <a href=\"http:\/\/www.1stthursday.com\/\">&#8220;First Thursday Art Walk&#8221;,<\/a> with a monthly guided one-hour tour, live music in assorted venues and open studios where you can watch the artists at work.<\/p>\n<p>Currently, they offer regular <a href=\"http:\/\/sanpedroart.org\/wp\/events\/classes\/\">classes<\/a> in photography and jewelry design, according to their <a href=\"http:\/\/sanpedroart.org\/wp\/events\/classes\/\">website<\/a>.\u00a0 And if you&#8217;re at CRAFTED, look for them onsite.\u00a0 They operate five booths, displaying the work of San Pedro local artists.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, it&#8217;s just about party time!\u00a0 Again, here&#8217;s the<a href=\"http:\/\/sanpedroart.org\/wp\/\"> link for information<\/a>&#8211;and Happy Birthday, SPAA!\u00a0 May you enjoy many more decades of supporting artists, of all ages, as they honor their creative gifts.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h5><em>SPAA celebrates its 80th anniversary, art deco-style, with a plated dinner, a silent auction, raffle and dancing to Patti Orbeck and her Patti-O Band at Ports O&#8217;Call Restaurant, 1200 Nagoya Way in San Pedro, Friday evening, October 28th, 2016 from 6:00 to 11:00 pm.<\/em><\/h5>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=10211\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=10165\">A &#8220;How-To&#8221; for Artists<\/a>  September 16, 2016<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=3208\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3208\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3208\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/CALB-sign1.jpg\" alt=\"CALB sign1\" width=\"700\" height=\"301\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/CALB-sign1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/CALB-sign1-300x129.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/CALB-sign1-500x215.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<p>You&#8217;re an artist&#8211;and you love what you do.<\/p>\n<p>Now, could you possibly make a living doing it <em>professionally<\/em>?<\/p>\n<p>Art studio owner.and financial specialist Christine Nakamura would like to explore that with you.<\/p>\n<p>This Saturday morning, Christine&#8217;s hosting the second free workshop in her series, &#8220;I Want to Be a Professional Artist&#8230;Now What&#8221; at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CulturalAllianceofLongBeach\/\">Cultural Alliance of Long Beach<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0 And she&#8217;s familiar with &#8220;the art of business strategies for artists&#8221;&#8211;from experience.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=7402\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-7402\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7402\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/paints.jpg\" alt=\"paints\" width=\"700\" height=\"535\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/paints.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/paints-300x229.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/paints-392x300.jpg 392w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>Christine, herself an artist, established the &#8220;Ancient Vine Studio&#8221; with her husband, three years ago, to support her own career.\u00a0 Since then, she&#8217;s performed just about every not-so-glamorous task connected to marketing art: from knocking on gallery doors to pricing pieces (and yes, she <em>has<\/em> mopped the floors!).<\/p>\n<p>During tomorrow&#8217;s two-hour session, which starts at 10 am at CALB&#8217;s Pine Avenue location in downtown Long Beach, Christine will cover areas including: your 30-second &#8220;elevator pitch&#8221; about your work; how to prepare for gallery events; and effective social media marketing.<\/p>\n<p>All this and she&#8217;ll feed you, too.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=4442\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4442\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-4442\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/yellow-daisies21.jpg\" alt=\"yellow daisies2\" width=\"600\" height=\"468\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/yellow-daisies21.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/yellow-daisies21-300x234.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/yellow-daisies21-384x300.jpg 384w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Now, if you&#8217;re not familiar with Cultural Alliance of Long Beach, a\/k\/a CALB, they&#8217;re a non-profit organization, started in 2012 with the mission of supporting artists of all ages and from all disciplines.\u00a0 Accordingly, CALB offers monthly themed art exhibits, art walks, performances and artists&#8217; meetings&#8211;and they welcome new members and visitors.<\/p>\n<p>While this second installment of &#8220;I Want to Be a Professional Artist&#8230;Now What&#8221; is a free two-hour workshop, Christine requests that you RSVP&#8211;so she knows how many doughnuts to bring!\u00a0 This event is free to the general public, and artists from all disciplines.\u00a0 You can RSVP to CALBarts@gmail.com.<\/p>\n<p>Sound great?\u00a0 It is&#8211;we just have to make sure you read one disclaimer Christine sent.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;In these sessions we will explore the business side of art,&#8221; she emails. &#8220;I am not a CPA or tax expert. Please always consult with your tax person, and legal entities on taxes, licensing, and insurance questions. &#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, feel free to consult with Christine, tomorrow morning at 10 at CALB, 737 Pine Avenue, on the areas of marketing, organization, and getting followers to your events.\u00a0 She knows all about these.<\/p>\n<p>CALB hosts the second session of the artist workshop, &#8220;I Want to Be a Professional Artist&#8230;Now What&#8221; on Saturday morning, September 17th, from 10 am to noon at 737 Pine Avenue, Suite B, near 7th in downtown Long Beach.\u00a0 Admission is free and artists of all disciplines, as well as the general public, are invited.\u00a0 Please RSVP to CALBarts@gmail.com.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=10165\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=9619\">Another Yes4arts Triumph<\/a>  May 12, 2016<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9649\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9649\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9649\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Paula-Bennett-designs-2.jpg\" alt=\"Paula Bennett designs (2)\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Paula-Bennett-designs-2.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Paula-Bennett-designs-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Paula-Bennett-designs-2-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<p>&#8220;How was it?&#8221; asked a reporter.<\/p>\n<p><em>&#8220;Awesome!&#8221;<\/em> said the young model.<\/p>\n<p>It was Saturday evening, April 30, 2016.\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.yes4arts.org\/\">Yes4arts&#8217;<\/a> second annual Spring Fashion Show benefit had just wrapped up, in the Toyota Meeting Hall of the Torrance Cultural Arts Center.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9652\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9652\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9652\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/brides-and-audience.jpg\" alt=\"brides and audience\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/brides-and-audience.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/brides-and-audience-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/brides-and-audience-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>But &#8220;fashion show&#8221; barely describes the event.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9654\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9654\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9654\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/room1.jpg\" alt=\"room1\" width=\"600\" height=\"548\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/room1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/room1-300x274.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/room1-328x300.jpg 328w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>This was a celebration of creativity, complete with musical performances and indie crafts vendors.\u00a0 It was also a joyful re-imagining of traditional needle arts.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9655\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9655\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9655\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/cocktail-dress-3.jpg\" alt=\"cocktail dress 3\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/cocktail-dress-3.jpg 400w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/cocktail-dress-3-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a>Nonprofit yes4arts, founded by designer Paula Bennett, is an organization dedicated to preserving the arts of crochet, knitting and sewing.\u00a0 In her free classes, Paula teaches all three of these to the next generation.\u00a0 Her only is requirement that her students pass on what they&#8217;ve learned, by teaching others.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9672\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9672\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9672\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/prints.jpg\" alt=\"prints\" width=\"392\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/prints.jpg 392w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/prints-196x300.jpg 196w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 392px) 100vw, 392px\" \/><\/a>But, yes4arts&#8217; projects aren&#8217;t what people traditionally associate with the needle arts.<\/p>\n<p>Prom dresses and wedding gowns are among the items Paula designs, as she empowers her students to make their own clothes.<\/p>\n<p>(Paula herself first became interested in crochet as a girl in her native Belize.\u00a0 Her home-economics teacher saw her aptitude and assigned her her first project: a baby sweater.\u00a0 &#8220;From there on, I never stopped crocheting,&#8221; Paula says. You&#8217;ll find some of her original crochet patterns offered through her company, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/people\/paulacrochet\">Paula Crochet Fashion Designs<\/a>.)<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9658\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9658\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9658\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/cocktail-dress-1.jpg\" alt=\"cocktail dress\" width=\"452\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/cocktail-dress-1.jpg 452w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/cocktail-dress-1-226x300.jpg 226w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 452px) 100vw, 452px\" \/><\/a>And, yes4arts is laying the foundation for some future fashion careers.<\/p>\n<p>Yes4arts&#8217; Spring show featured the work of four designers: three student designers and Paula herself.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9652\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9652\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9652\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/brides-and-audience.jpg\" alt=\"brides and audience\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/brides-and-audience.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/brides-and-audience-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/brides-and-audience-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Paula&#8217;s\u00a0 creations opened the show, with a line of crocheted wedding dresses.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9662\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9662\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9662\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/bride-5-pose-2.jpg\" alt=\"bride 5 pose 2\" width=\"477\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/bride-5-pose-2.jpg 477w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/bride-5-pose-2-239x300.jpg 239w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 477px) 100vw, 477px\" \/><\/a>In addition to the more traditional white, there was this silver-gray dress, and several black wedding ensembles.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9667\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9667\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9667\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/bride10-smile-2.jpg\" alt=\"bride10 smile\" width=\"600\" height=\"452\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/bride10-smile-2.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/bride10-smile-2-300x226.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/bride10-smile-2-398x300.jpg 398w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9668\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9668\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9668\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/brides13-and-14-1.jpg\" alt=\"brides13 and 14\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/brides13-and-14-1.jpg 400w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/brides13-and-14-1-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9676\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9676\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9676\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/summery.jpg\" alt=\"summery\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/summery.jpg 400w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/summery-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a>Not to mention some flirty summer outfits.<\/p>\n<p>Last year&#8217;s premiere yes4arts Spring fashion show had a vibrant, yet plucky, tone. (Emcees Caitlin Catt and Kari Martin had stepped in at the last minute when the 2015 emcee cancelled, and the event was happening in a first-time venue).<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9681\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9681\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9681\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Caitlin-and-Kari-onstage.jpg\" alt=\"Caitlin and Kari onstage\" width=\"600\" height=\"447\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Caitlin-and-Kari-onstage.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Caitlin-and-Kari-onstage-300x224.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Caitlin-and-Kari-onstage-403x300.jpg 403w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>This year, the vibrancy remained&#8211;but everyone had found their groove.\u00a0 The result was a smooth, polished and very enjoyable night.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9682\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9682\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9682\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Caitlin-and-Kari2.jpg\" alt=\"Caitlin and Kari2\" width=\"600\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Caitlin-and-Kari2.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Caitlin-and-Kari2-300x270.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Caitlin-and-Kari2-333x300.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Caitlin and Kari appeared to have as much fun with the 2016 show as their audience did.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9683\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9683\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9683\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/David-sock-monkeys.jpg\" alt=\"David sock monkeys\" width=\"600\" height=\"551\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/David-sock-monkeys.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/David-sock-monkeys-300x276.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/David-sock-monkeys-327x300.jpg 327w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>So did over-the top comedian David Rosenberg, who joined them several times onstage<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9684\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9684\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9684\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/laughter1.jpg\" alt=\"laughter1\" width=\"600\" height=\"447\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/laughter1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/laughter1-300x224.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/laughter1-403x300.jpg 403w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>His commentary on some of the goings-on, particularly the handcrafted sock monkeys for sale, was hilarious!<\/p>\n<p>This year&#8217;s yes4arts show was punctuated with five eclectic, and very professional, performances.\u00a0 From an R&amp;B singer&#8217;s original song to spectacularly-talented girls&#8217; performance company &#8220;Titanium&#8221;, from Rolling Hills-based Elite Dance Studio, everything onstage was top-notch.\u00a0 There were even belly dancers! <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9687\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9687\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9687\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/The-Dance-Lounge-5.jpg\" alt=\"The Dance Lounge (5)\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/The-Dance-Lounge-5.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/The-Dance-Lounge-5-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/The-Dance-Lounge-5-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>A high-energy highlight was The Dance Lounge dance team&#8217;s swing performance.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9712\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9712\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9712\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/The-Dance-Lounge-12.jpg\" alt=\"The Dance Lounge (12)\" width=\"600\" height=\"479\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/The-Dance-Lounge-12.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/The-Dance-Lounge-12-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/The-Dance-Lounge-12-376x300.jpg 376w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a> They won a 2015 City of Torrance Excellence in Arts award&#8211;and the reasons were obvious!<\/p>\n<p>But the true stars of the evening were the three new designers showcasing their work.\u00a0 Each had her own distinctive look.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9641\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9641\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9641\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/by-Armani-Nejor-Designs-6.jpg\" alt=\"by Armani Nejor Designs (6)\" width=\"600\" height=\"709\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/by-Armani-Nejor-Designs-6.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/by-Armani-Nejor-Designs-6-254x300.jpg 254w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Armani Dolby, of <a href=\"http:\/\/MWDBE Couture Fashion Designer\">Armani Nejor Designs<\/a>, creates sleek formal wear that, as she says, &#8220;my future self would wear&#8221;.\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9643\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9643\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9643\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/by-Armani-Nejor2.jpg\" alt=\"by Armani Nejor2\" width=\"600\" height=\"382\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/by-Armani-Nejor2.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/by-Armani-Nejor2-300x191.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/by-Armani-Nejor2-471x300.jpg 471w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Armani, who is only fifteen, has been sewing and creating her fashions since she was six.\u00a0 She is both an entrepreneur (since the age of eight!) and an MWDBE Couture Fashion Designer.<\/p>\n<p>Asked by Caitlin how she first started sewing, Armani explained that she had begun by making a pincushion&#8211;but things grew from there.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9688\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9688\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9688\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Armani-and-Caitlin-3.jpg\" alt=\"Armani and Caitlin (3)\" width=\"600\" height=\"467\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Armani-and-Caitlin-3.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Armani-and-Caitlin-3-300x234.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Armani-and-Caitlin-3-385x300.jpg 385w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>&#8220;Didn&#8217;t you even make a potholder in between (making a pincushion and designing dresses)?&#8221; Caitlin wanted to know.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;No,&#8221; was the gifted young designer&#8217;s response.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9689\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9689\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9689\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/floral-4.jpg\" alt=\"floral (4)\" width=\"427\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/floral-4.jpg 427w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/floral-4-214x300.jpg 214w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 427px) 100vw, 427px\" \/><\/a>Equally talented, with a very different style, was new designer Erika Acuna.<\/p>\n<p>Erika creates bright spring florals which look comfortable, festive&#8211;and slinky.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9691\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9691\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9691\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/by-Erika.jpg\" alt=\"by Erika\" width=\"454\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/by-Erika.jpg 454w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/by-Erika-227x300.jpg 227w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 454px) 100vw, 454px\" \/><\/a>&#8220;I&#8217;ve kind of developed (my designs) by finding different clothing styles that I like, and then tweaking them, adding different elements,&#8221; Erika said.<\/p>\n<p>Erika says she has been sewing since the age of five, and then rediscovered sewing in her twenties.\u00a0 While the yes4arts show was a first-of-its-kind experience for her, she says she&#8217;s grown as a designer since beginning to design for it.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9690\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9690\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9690\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Erika-with-models.jpg\" alt=\"Erika with models\" width=\"600\" height=\"553\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Erika-with-models.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Erika-with-models-300x277.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Erika-with-models-325x300.jpg 325w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>&#8220;When I started off, (my) designs were a lot simpler,&#8221; Erika said.\u00a0 &#8220;Then, I made a few more dresses and was (happier) with how I developed (as a designer) within a short period of time&#8230;months.&#8221;<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9696\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9696\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9696\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/by-Cherokee-5.jpg\" alt=\"by Cherokee (5)\" width=\"488\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/by-Cherokee-5.jpg 488w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/by-Cherokee-5-244x300.jpg 244w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 488px) 100vw, 488px\" \/><\/a>Meanwhile, designer Cherokee Cooper&#8217;s work had a distinctive (and very fun) African flavor. Twenty-six-year-old Cherokee calls her style an &#8220;urban Afro look&#8221;.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9695\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9695\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9695\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/by-Cherokee-8.jpg\" alt=\"by Cherokee 8\" width=\"375\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/by-Cherokee-8.jpg 375w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/by-Cherokee-8-188x300.jpg 188w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 375px) 100vw, 375px\" \/><\/a>&#8220;It&#8217;s all about making (a style) your own,&#8221; Cherokee said.<\/p>\n<p>While this is her debut with yes4arts, Cherokee is looking towards the future.\u00a0 &#8220;(I&#8217;d love to) see some celebrities wearing my stuff.\u00a0 That would be awesome!&#8221; she said.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9697\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9697\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9697\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/by-Cherokee-2.jpg\" alt=\"by Cherokee (2)\" width=\"410\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/by-Cherokee-2.jpg 410w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/by-Cherokee-2-205x300.jpg 205w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 410px) 100vw, 410px\" \/><\/a>In the spirit of yes4arts&#8217; goal of sharing the needle arts, Cherokee offered her advice for the next generation of designers, whom she might influence in the future.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9739\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9739\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9739\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Cherokee-with-models.jpg\" alt=\"Cherokee with models\" width=\"459\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Cherokee-with-models.jpg 459w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Cherokee-with-models-230x300.jpg 230w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 459px) 100vw, 459px\" \/><\/a>&#8220;Design what you have passion for&#8230;.don&#8217;t let (anyone else) influence you, and go with your gut,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<p>Some definite pluses, in an already-amazing night, were the independent artists who offered their creations for sale.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9699\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9699\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9699\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Debra-and-Linda-1.jpg\" alt=\"Debra and Linda\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Debra-and-Linda-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Debra-and-Linda-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Debra-and-Linda-1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Linda Curry, of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/One-of-a-Kind-machine-quilting-1569612743317689\/\">One of a Kind Machine Quilting<\/a>, was onsite, with even-more-gorgeous quilts than when we spoke last year.\u00a0 With her was fellow quilt artist Debra Knox.\u00a0 And the ladies were offering some pretty irresistible scented soaps, in addition to their beautiful quilt patterns!\u00a0 (Yes, I can personally recommend their rose-scented glycerine soap.\u00a0 Purely in the interest of journalistic research, of course.)<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9700\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9700\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9700\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Eileen-2.jpg\" alt=\"Eileen (2)\" width=\"451\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Eileen-2.jpg 451w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Eileen-2-226x300.jpg 226w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 451px) 100vw, 451px\" \/><\/a>Eileen Karrigan, of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/EileensBeadedJewelry\">Eileen&#8217;s Beaded Jewelry,<\/a> is also a favorite.\u00a0 I always try to resist buying another pair of earrings from her, but temptation tends to be overwhelming.\u00a0 (Witness the cute flowers with purple crystals that wound up going home with me this time!)<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9706\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9706\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9706\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Tamiza-with-sign1.jpg\" alt=\"Tamiza with sign1\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Tamiza-with-sign1.jpg 400w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Tamiza-with-sign1-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a>Further on, more &#8220;Irresistible&#8221; was available.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9704\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9704\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9704\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Tamiza-with-treats.jpg\" alt=\"Tamiza with treats\" width=\"600\" height=\"458\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Tamiza-with-treats.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Tamiza-with-treats-300x229.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Tamiza-with-treats-393x300.jpg 393w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Let&#8217;s hope Tamiza Teja, of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tamizastreats.com\/\">Tamiza&#8217;s Treats<\/a>, remembered to take the calories out of her handcrafted rocky road and caramel popcorn!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9703\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9703\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9703\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/silent-auction.jpg\" alt=\"silent auction\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/silent-auction.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/silent-auction-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/silent-auction-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>And the silent auction was enough to tempt anyone!\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9702\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9702\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9702\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Diane2.jpg\" alt=\"Diane2\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Diane2.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Diane2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Diane2-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Diane Lain, of all-volunteer <a href=\"http:\/\/craftedportla.com\/global-gifts\/\">Global Gifts UNICEF shop<\/a>, did the honors.\u00a0 If you didn&#8217;t get to see this at the show itself, they&#8217;ll be open at CRAFTED this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9708\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9708\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9708\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Steven-at-work.jpg\" alt=\"Steven at work\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Steven-at-work.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Steven-at-work-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Steven-at-work-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>The evening&#8217;s seamless soundtrack was courtesy of DJ Steven Padilla, whose competence and cheerful sounds (again) managed to complement the onstage action, without overwhelming it.\u00a0 (And left a couple of us humming &#8220;Cheerleader&#8221; by OMI!)<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9719\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9719\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9719\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Daniel-2.jpg\" alt=\"Daniel (2)\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Daniel-2.jpg 400w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Daniel-2-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a>Prior to the show, we&#8217;d had a chance to get a quick photo of model manager and coach <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DanielDeDiosLazareno\/\">Daniel Lazareno DeDios.\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0 He looked as sharp as his models&#8211;and quite justifiably proud of them.<\/p>\n<p>Daniel says he&#8217;s been teaching photographic and runway modeling since he was fifteen, and began &#8220;really getting into it&#8221; four years ago.\u00a0 In addition to his work with Spanish television channel Univision, Daniel offers classes in both Downey and Los Angeles.\u00a0 2016 was his first time working with yes4arts.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9720\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9720\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9720\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Daniel.jpg\" alt=\"Daniel\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Daniel.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Daniel-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Daniel-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>In his classes, Daniel teaches runway modeling, self-confidence and posing for the camera.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;A lot of the girls that come to me, come with low self-esteem,&#8221; he said in an earlier interview. &#8220;I always tell the girls to be confident, to not let themselves down, and (I always tell them), sell the product that you have on&#8230;just do it and do your best.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Everyone&#8217;s best shone through this second yes4arts benefit show&#8211;and will be translated into empowerment for the next generation of makers.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9741\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9741\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9741\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Paula-Kathy-et-al1_edited-1.jpg\" alt=\"Paula Kathy et al1_edited-1\" width=\"600\" height=\"413\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Paula-Kathy-et-al1_edited-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Paula-Kathy-et-al1_edited-1-300x207.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Paula-Kathy-et-al1_edited-1-436x300.jpg 436w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>At the end of the evening, Paula thanked her team for their work&#8211;and shared an exciting preview.\u00a0\u00a0 Yes4arts will be hosting a first-time benefit event&#8211;its first winter &#8220;Holiday Fair&#8221;, complete with free crafts classes&#8211;in November!\u00a0 We&#8217;ll be telling you more as we get more information.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9727\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9727\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9727\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/David-with-sock-monkey-2.jpg\" alt=\"David with sock monkey (2)\" width=\"600\" height=\"550\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/David-with-sock-monkey-2.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/David-with-sock-monkey-2-300x275.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/David-with-sock-monkey-2-327x300.jpg 327w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>(Who knows, they might even have sock monkeys again.\u00a0\u00a0 &#8220;This is going to scare my niece,&#8221; David commented.)<\/p>\n<h5><em>Yes4arts is currently in the planning stages for their first winter &#8220;Holiday Fair&#8221;, on Sunday, November 13th, at Torrance Cultural Arts Center.\u00a0 This will be a free event, and a benefit for yes4arts, with free fiber-arts classes.\u00a0 You&#8217;ll find more information <a href=\"http:\/\/www.yes4arts.org\/Event.html\">here.<\/a><\/em><\/h5>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=9619\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=9485\">&#8220;Yes&#8221; 4 Amazing<\/a>  April 9, 2016<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9566\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9566\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9566\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Erika-in-backyard_edited-1.jpg\" alt=\"Erika in backyard_edited-1\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Erika-in-backyard_edited-1.jpg 400w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Erika-in-backyard_edited-1-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>One month remained, and the clock was ticking.<\/p>\n<p>A sunny Saturday afternoon in Torrance was filled with activity, as nonprofit <a href=\"http:\/\/www.yes4arts.org\/\">yes4arts <\/a>prepared for its second annual &#8220;Spring Fashion Show&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>Designers were choosing models for their creations.\u00a0 Models were rehearsing their &#8220;effortless&#8221; walk for the runway&#8211;in heels.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9542\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9542\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9542\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Daniel-with-models_edited-3-1.jpg\" alt=\"Daniel with models_edited-3\" width=\"600\" height=\"387\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Daniel-with-models_edited-3-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Daniel-with-models_edited-3-1-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Daniel-with-models_edited-3-1-465x300.jpg 465w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>&#8220;Take your time, enjoy (the walk),&#8221; directed model manager Daniel Lazareno De Dios, as he taught the young women three different patterns.<\/p>\n<p>In a matter of four weeks, four gifted designers would exhibit their handcrafted work, in a fashion show unlike any other.\u00a0\u00a0 What people would see, on April 30th, would not only empower artists, but help to keep the fiber arts alive.<a href=\"http:\/\/www.yes4arts.org\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9543\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/blue-dress1.jpg\" alt=\"blue dress1\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/blue-dress1.jpg 400w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/blue-dress1-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/>Yes4arts<\/a> hosts its second annual <a href=\"http:\/\/www.yes4arts.org\/Event.html\">&#8220;Spring Fashion Show&#8221; fundraiser <\/a>on Saturday, April 30th in Torrance. Expect the show to change the way you look at knitting, crochet and sewing&#8211;quite possibly forever.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9544\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9544\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9544\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Paula-from-2015-show_edited-1.jpg\" alt=\"Paula from 2015 show_edited-1\" width=\"442\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Paula-from-2015-show_edited-1.jpg 442w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Paula-from-2015-show_edited-1-221x300.jpg 221w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 442px) 100vw, 442px\" \/><\/a>&#8220;The wedding dresses are going to be amazing, because it&#8217;s all crochet-made, and knitting,&#8221; said designer and Yes4arts founder Paula Bennett.\u00a0 &#8220;We have six (wedding dresses): white, and&#8230;black.&#8221;<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=8026\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8026\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8026\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/evil-woman-dress1-e1460178707937.jpg\" alt=\"evil woman dress1\" width=\"399\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><em>Black<\/em> wedding dresses?\u00a0 That&#8217;s a perfect example of the creativity and fun with which Paula, of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/paulacrochet\">Paula Crochet Fashions<\/a>, passes on her expertise in fiber arts to the next generation of makers.\u00a0\u00a0 Paula teaches free knitting, crochet and sewing classes through yes4arts, which became a nonprofit 501c3 in 2015.\u00a0 In return, all she asks is that her students share what they&#8217;ve learned, by teaching these arts to others.<\/p>\n<p>Paula says the upcoming 2016 yes4arts Spring show will feature three young student designers&#8217; work, in addition to her own creations.<\/p>\n<p>And while those three designers all had a very different style, they shared one common denominator: excitement about the upcoming show.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9545\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9545\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9545\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Armani1.jpg\" alt=\"Armani1\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Armani1.jpg 400w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Armani1-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a>&#8220;I&#8217;ve been designing since I was six years old, but I started my business when I was eight,&#8221; said student designer Armani Dolby.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;m now fifteen, so that&#8217;s a long time.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Armani&#8217;s business, <a href=\"http:\/\/armaninejordesigns.com\">Armani Nejor Designs<\/a>, offers elegant and dramatic custom evening and bridal wear.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I am a couture evening wear designer, and that&#8217;s not what a lot of people my age do,&#8221; Armani said.\u00a0 &#8220;I design for what I see my future self wearing.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9548\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9548\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9548\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Armani-with-her-dress1.jpg\" alt=\"Armani with her dress1\" width=\"360\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Armani-with-her-dress1.jpg 360w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Armani-with-her-dress1-180x300.jpg 180w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><\/a>Her future self will look fantastic in this!\u00a0\u00a0 When we spoke, Armani had just completed this dress, inspired by &#8220;The Great Gatsby&#8221;.\u00a0 By the time yes4arts&#8217; show happens, Armani will have entered her glamorous creation in a competition in New York.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9552\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9552\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9552\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Erika-full-length1_edited-2.jpg\" alt=\"Erika full-length1_edited-2\" width=\"340\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Erika-full-length1_edited-2.jpg 340w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Erika-full-length1_edited-2-170x300.jpg 170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 340px) 100vw, 340px\" \/><\/a>Meanwhile, designer Erika Acuna was selecting models to wear her colorful spring dresses.\u00a0 &#8220;I haven&#8217;t done anything like this (show) before,&#8221; said Erika.\u00a0\u00a0 &#8220;I wanted to improve my skills, and also&#8230;challenge myself.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Erika, who has been sewing since she was five, said she&#8217;d started by making doll dresses, but her skills really developed later on.\u00a0 &#8220;I started sewing again when I was, like, twenty,&#8221; she explained.\u00a0 &#8220;I just got kind of obsessed with it, was making costumes.&#8221;<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9552\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9552\"><br \/>\n<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9555\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9555\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9555\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Erika-closeup1_edited-2.jpg\" alt=\"Erika closeup1_edited-2\" width=\"600\" height=\"473\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Erika-closeup1_edited-2.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Erika-closeup1_edited-2-300x237.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Erika-closeup1_edited-2-381x300.jpg 381w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>We talked about the ways the show had helped Erika&#8217; develop her sewing and design skills.\u00a0 &#8220;I never learned, exactly, how the professionals do it,&#8221; she said.\u00a0 &#8220;I was kind of watching YouTube videos and going online a lot, to figure out how different things are done.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>For yes4arts&#8217; upcoming show, Erika&#8217;s designs are all dresses&#8211;mostly florals.\u00a0 .\u00a0 &#8220;Mostly, it&#8217;s just very bright, popping colors that caught my eye when I was looking for fabrics.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>While Erika says she&#8217;s having fun creating her designs, she isn&#8217;t sure yet if she wants to go professional.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;ll just keep doing (this) and see where it takes me.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=8017\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8017\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8017\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/sundress-finale1-e1460180156878.jpg\" alt=\"sundress finale1\" width=\"600\" height=\"399\" \/><\/a>Designer Cherokee Cooper said the Spring fashion show will be her first experience with yes4arts.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;m really excited,&#8221; she said.\u00a0 &#8220;I know there&#8217;s going to be so much opportunity here, and I&#8217;m just willing to learn and continue on to grow&#8230;.just help and participate.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Cherokee, who wants to get into the fashion business, found yes4arts through a friend. She described her creations as an &#8220;urban Afro look&#8221;.\u00a0 &#8220;Ever since I was a kid, I&#8217;ve always been into the African-type theme designs,&#8221; she explained.\u00a0 &#8220;Now that I&#8217;m of age, I&#8217;m excited to come up with my own designs and make things my own.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Among those designs she&#8217;s created for the yes4 arts show are &#8220;a dress, and a couple of shorts and top outfits, and one little jump suit.\u00a0 A lot of bright colors, so I&#8217;m really excited.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=7985\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-7985\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7985\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Chicago-models1-e1460180204767.jpg\" alt=\"Chicago models1\" width=\"600\" height=\"527\" \/><\/a>Cherokee talked about the ways in which she&#8217;s grown, as an artist, since getting to work with yes4arts.\u00a0 &#8220;Because of Paula, I&#8217;m here. \u00a0 I&#8217;m a little anxious, a little nervous, but I&#8217;m just excited to be in the show.\u00a0 This is my first step, putting my work out there for people to see.&#8221;<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9575\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9575\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9575\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Daniel-extreme-closeup1.jpg\" alt=\"Daniel extreme closeup1\" width=\"600\" height=\"426\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Daniel-extreme-closeup1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Daniel-extreme-closeup1-300x213.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Daniel-extreme-closeup1-423x300.jpg 423w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Model manager <a href=\"http:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/daniel-lazareno-de-dios-21b07959\">Daniel Lazareno De Dios<\/a> echoed that enthusiasm.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This is actually my first year (volunteering for yes4arts), and I&#8217;m really excited to work with (Paula),&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>Daniel, who has an extensive background in dance, said he&#8217;d taught modeling for the past four years, and currently teaches in both Downey and Los Angeles.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve been teaching (modeling) since I was fifteen,&#8221; he explained.\u00a0 &#8220;I teach them how to pose (for) runway, I coach them how to pose on camera.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>His expertise had been evident, earlier that afternoon, as he patiently guided the models through various runway moves,<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;My goal is, here, to open doors for myself and for others, and for my models too,&#8221; he said. &#8220;To promote the models and help them reach their dreams,&#8230;and help Paula too,&#8230;in anything I can.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>Yes4arts&#8217; 2016 Spring Fashion Show fundraiser happens Saturday, April 30th, 2016 at Torrance Cultural Arts Center, 3330 Civic Drive at Madrona, in Torrance.\u00a0 Doors open at 5 pm, with showtime at 6:30, and proceeds benefit yes4arts free art classes.\u00a0 Advance ticket prices are $20; here&#8217;s the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.yes4arts.org\/Event.html\">link <\/a>for information.<\/em><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=9485\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=9399\">One Sure Sign of Spring<\/a>  March 19, 2016<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h3>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_9401\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9401\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9401\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9401\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9401\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/TCG-info-e1458334387159.jpg\" alt=\"(Graphic courtesy of Torrance Craftsmen's Guild, and used with permission.)\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-9401\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Graphic courtesy of Torrance Craftsmen&#8217;s Guild, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Wild violets are blooming.\u00a0 Days are lighter, longer (and we&#8217;re not even grumbling about the extra hour of &#8220;dark&#8221;, when the alarm clock rings!).<\/p>\n<p>But one of the surest signs of spring?\u00a0 Talent is blooming all over the place&#8211;with a whole bunch of craft shows coming up, and a local favorite happening today.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=7356\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-7356\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7356\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/craft-faire-banner-e1458336309193.jpg\" alt=\"craft faire banner\" width=\"600\" height=\"394\" \/><\/a>The <a href=\"http:\/\/torrancecraftsmensguild.org\/\">Torrance Craftsmen&#8217;s Guild<\/a> has been around for more than four decades.\u00a0 Not only are they an extremely gifted group of artisans&#8211;as a nonprofit, they provide <a href=\"http:\/\/torrancecraftsmensguild.org\/scholarships.html\">scholarships<\/a> to local high-school students with an interest in arts and crafts.<\/p>\n<p>Their all-handcrafted Spring Arts and Crafts Faire opens at 10 this morning, and I&#8217;m severely tempted already.\u00a0 They&#8217;ll have more than 60 independent artist\/entrepreneurs there, selling all kinds of beautiful one-of-a-kind creations.\u00a0 Gorgeous filigree butterfly brooches by Zorine Lewis, Susie Yarian&#8217;s windchimes and Diane O&#8217;Neal&#8217;s colorful baby quilts (above) are all on my don&#8217;t-miss list.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_9401\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9401\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9401\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9401\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9401\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/TCG-info-e1458334387159.jpg\" alt=\"(Graphic courtesy of Torrance Craftsmen's Guild, and used with permission.)\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-9401\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Graphic courtesy of Torrance Craftsmen&#8217;s Guild, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>In addition, on their graphic, they&#8217;re featuring Sylvia Guitierrez&#8217;s colorful tote bags (top left); Meghan Newman&#8217;s cork picture frames (top center); Robin Tabar&#8217;s handcrafted &#8220;kitty kickers&#8221; cat toys; and Terry Madison&#8217;s embossed heart pin (lower right).<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9408\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9408\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9408\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/wicks-n-wine.jpg\" alt=\"wicks n wine\" width=\"458\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/wicks-n-wine.jpg 458w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/wicks-n-wine-229x300.jpg 229w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 458px) 100vw, 458px\" \/><\/a>We&#8217;re also looking forward to seeing the new Wicks &amp; Wine creations.\u00a0 These are handcrafted soy candles in upcycled beer and wine bottles!\u00a0\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=9410\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9410\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9410\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Barb-and-Angie-2-Copy.jpg\" alt=\"Barb and Angie 2- Copy\" width=\"600\" height=\"424\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Barb-and-Angie-2-Copy.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Barb-and-Angie-2-Copy-300x212.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Barb-and-Angie-2-Copy-425x300.jpg 425w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>And congratulations to some favorite authors!\u00a0 Barbara Austin Lieberman (r) just had a launch party for her latest book, <em>Ben&#8217;s Little Acorn, <\/em>and Evangeline Duran Fuentes (l) now has her new book, <em>A Tumbleweed Christmas<\/em>, available for sale! \u00a0 They&#8217;ll both be onsite today.<\/p>\n<p>All this, and music too?\u00a0 Once again, DJ Ozzie will be on the plaza, spinning music to &#8220;ooh&#8221; and &#8220;aah&#8221; by!<\/p>\n<p>Can&#8217;t wait to discover some new favorites at this one!\u00a0 Happy almost-Spring; hope to see you there.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Torrance Craftsmen&#8217;s Guild&#8217;s seventeenth annual Spring Arts and Crafts Faire happens Saturday, March 19th, 2016 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at Torrance Cultural Arts Center, Madrona and Torrance Boulevard.\u00a0 Admission and parking are free.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=9399\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=9217\">Unfettered Creativity<\/a>  January 30, 2016<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h3>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_9220\" style=\"width: 425px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/human-abilities2-e1454100634470.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9220\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9220\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/human-abilities2-e1454100634470.jpg\" alt=\"(Photograph courtesy of Aquarium of the Pacific.)\" width=\"415\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-9220\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photograph courtesy of Aquarium of the Pacific.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Dance, music and visual arts will all be a part of this weekend at Long Beach&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aquariumofpacific.org\/\">Aquarium of the Pacific<\/a>.\u00a0 And you get to participate, as well as watch.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_9221\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/human-abilities3-e1454100698300.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9221\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9221\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/human-abilities3-e1454100698300.jpg\" alt=\"(Photograph courtesy of Aquarium of the Pacific.)\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-9221\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photograph courtesy of Aquarium of the Pacific.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>This Saturday and Sunday, January 30th and 31st, Aquarium of the Pacific celebrates the creative gifts of people with disabilities, at its 13th annual <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aquariumofpacific.org\/events\/info\/festival_of_human_abilities\/\">Festival of Human Abilities.\u00a0\u00a0<\/a> Artists with and without disabilities will be inviting guests to join them for free thirty- to forty-five minute art workshops, throughout both days.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_9222\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/human-abilities4-e1454100825263.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9222\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9222\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/human-abilities4-e1454100825263.jpg\" alt=\"(Photograph courtesy of Aquarium of the Pacific.)\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-9222\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photograph courtesy of Aquarium of the Pacific.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Among the day&#8217;s performing artists will be world music guitarist <a href=\"http:\/\/damonbrooks.com\/dat-nguyen\/\">Dat Nguyen<\/a>, who is blind.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_9224\" style=\"width: 410px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/human-abilities6-e1454100940389.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9224\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9224\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/human-abilities6-e1454100940389.jpg\" alt=\"(Photograph courtesy of Aquarium of the Pacific.)\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-9224\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photograph courtesy of Aquarium of the Pacific.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>In addition to exhibiting his work, artist <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/tommy.hollenstein\">Tommy Hollenstein<\/a> will be teaching workshops on wheelchair art.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_9247\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/MichaelSealeJr-e1454117761896.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9247\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9247\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/MichaelSealeJr-e1454117761896.jpg\" alt=\"(Photograph courtesy of Aquarium of the Pacific.)\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-9247\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photograph courtesy of Aquarium of the Pacific.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>On Sunday, visitors also get to paint a hat with abstract artist <a href=\"http:\/\/www.paintingsbymichaeljr.com\/\">Michael Seale, Jr&#8230;.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_9236\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/LoveinMotion-e1454104590273.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9236\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9236\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/LoveinMotion-e1454104590273.jpg\" alt=\"(Photograph courtesy of Aquarium of the Pacific.)\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-9236\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photograph courtesy of Aquarium of the Pacific.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>&#8230;and both days, they can learn a song in sign language with the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.signingchoir.com\/\">Love in Motion signing choir.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>There will also be a service-dog demonstration at 12:30 on Saturday.\u00a0 On Sunday, guests are invited to experience Interactive Art with Dani Bowman and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.powerlight-studios.com\/\">Powerlight Danimation Studios.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_9223\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/human-abilities5-e1454104670207.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9223\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9223\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/human-abilities5-e1454104670207.jpg\" alt=\"(Photograph courtesy of Aquarium of the Pacific.)\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-9223\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photograph courtesy of Aquarium of the Pacific.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>And, be prepared to show off your best moves!\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.autiangel.com\/\">Auti Angel<\/a> and the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.walkandrollfoundation.org\/danceteam\/\">Walk and Roll Dance Team<\/a> invite you to learn wheelchair dance with them.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_9243\" style=\"width: 418px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Cody-Unser-e1454117180892.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9243\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9243\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Cody-Unser-e1454117180892.jpg\" alt=\"(Photograph courtesy of Aquarium of the Pacific.)\" width=\"408\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-9243\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photograph courtesy of Aquarium of the Pacific.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Whether you attend on Saturday or Sunday, be sure to be there by 11 am (or 3 pm if you already have a busy morning planned).\u00a0 That&#8217;s when you&#8217;ll get to meet Cody Unser, founder of the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cufsf.org\/\">First Step Foundation<\/a>, and hear her multimedia presentation on adaptive SCUBA diving!\u00a0 (Cody will become the first person in a wheelchair to be inducted into the Women Divers Hall of Fame\u2122, this spring.)<\/p>\n<p>Diagnosed with transverse myelitis at thirteen, Cody created her nonprofit First Step Foundation, not only to raise awareness of the disease that paralyzed her, but to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cufsf.org\/Scuba_Training.aspx\">share her passion for diving with others with disabilities.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>And on Sunday morning at 11:45, Long Beach nonprofit <a href=\"http:\/\/www.artsandservices.org\/\">Arts &amp; Services for Disabled, Inc. <\/a>will be receiving the Aquarium&#8217;s annual Glenn McIntyre Heritage Award.<\/p>\n<p>Come prepared to celebrate, enjoy&#8211;and have fun being creative.<\/p>\n<h5><em>Aquarium of the Pacific&#8217;s thirteenth annual Festival of Human Abilities happens Saturday and Sunday, January 30th and 31st, 2016, from 9 am to 5 pm.\u00a0 The Aquarium is located at 100 Aquarium Way, east of Queens Way, in Long Beach.<\/em><\/h5>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=9217\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=9193\">A Tempting Valentine&#8217;s Event<\/a>  January 23, 2016<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Regina-and-Gayle-21.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9201\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Regina-and-Gayle-21.jpg\" alt=\"Regina and Gayle 21\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Regina-and-Gayle-21.jpg 400w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Regina-and-Gayle-21-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<p>Artists, laughter, love and ice cream.\u00a0 A Valentine&#8217;s Day celebration doesn&#8217;t get a lot better than that.<\/p>\n<p>Unless, of course, it also involves giving back to the community.<\/p>\n<p>And that&#8217;s exactly what&#8217;s happening, on Saturday afternoon, February 13th, as <a href=\"http:\/\/www.seasidestudiossanpedro.com\/\">Seaside Studios San Pedro<\/a> produces their second <a href=\"http:\/\/www.seasidestudiossanpedro.com\/empty-bowls-san-pedro.html\">Empty Bowls San Pedro<\/a> fundraiser! This is a &#8220;Valentine&#8217;s Ice Cream Social&#8221;, and proceeds go to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.harborinterfaith.org\/\">Harbor Interfaith Services<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>There&#8217;ll be an endless sundae bar, live entertainment and a guest speaker.\u00a0 A silent auction and raffles, where you can bid on, or possibly win, works by local artists, will also be part of the fun.<\/p>\n<p><em>And<\/em>, you get to keep the handpainted bowl you choose for your ice cream!<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/to-Empty-Bowls2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9207\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/to-Empty-Bowls2.jpg\" alt=\"to Empty Bowls2\" width=\"600\" height=\"416\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/to-Empty-Bowls2.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/to-Empty-Bowls2-300x208.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/to-Empty-Bowls2-433x300.jpg 433w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Artist\/entrepreneurs Regina Fernandez and Gayle Fleury have been inviting volunteers to &#8220;paint a bowl for charity&#8221;, for free, since last November.\u00a0 Volunteers and youth groups, such as the Boys&#8217; and Girls&#8217; Club, joined them and used their creative talents, both at San Pedro&#8217;s &#8220;HeART in the Park&#8221; event and at their <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Seaside-Studios-San-Pedro-653664764671506\/\">art studio<\/a> (which, by the way, celebrates its second anniversary in April!).<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/bowls1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9208\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/bowls1.jpg\" alt=\"bowls1\" width=\"600\" height=\"361\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/bowls1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/bowls1-300x181.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/bowls1-500x300.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>The results have been beautiful.<\/p>\n<p>When we visited in mid-January, Regina and Gayle had at least a hundred bowls painted, fired and ready.\u00a0 They still had one more Saturday painting session coming up, and a youth group was scheduled to come in that afternoon, as well.<\/p>\n<p>Now, you&#8217;re invited to share in the benefits of everyone&#8217;s creative work.\u00a0 You can probably expect to have at least a hundred fifty to two hundred of these from which to choose!\u00a0 And while you&#8217;re enjoying ice cream and a great afternoon, you&#8217;ll also be helping the homeless and working poor.<\/p>\n<p>Tempted?\u00a0 I&#8217;ll add: you don&#8217;t even have to deal with Saturday-night traffic, to be a part of this.\u00a0 The &#8220;Empty Bowls Valentine&#8217;s Ice Cream Social&#8221; starts at 2:00, that Saturday afternoon.<\/p>\n<h6><em>Empty Bowls&#8217; &#8220;Valentine&#8217;s Ice Cream Social&#8221; fundraiser happens Saturday, February 13th, from 2 to 4 pm at Anderson Senior Center, 828 South Mesa Street, between West 8th and West 9th Streets, in San Pedro.\u00a0 Tickets are $25 each and are available through Seaside Studios&#8217; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.seasidestudiossanpedro.com\/\">website<\/a>, or by calling Regina at (562) 673-7660, or Gayle at (310) 221-2914.<\/em><\/h6>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=9193\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=9147\">Time to &#8220;Par-tay&#8221;<\/a>  January 2, 2016<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Gayle-and-Regina-laughing-e1451755046930.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9162\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Gayle-and-Regina-laughing-e1451755046930.jpg\" alt=\"Gayle and Regina laughing\" width=\"600\" height=\"399\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<p>Ready for another party?\u00a0 One with imaginative artists in attendance, where everyone&#8217;s using their creativity to make a difference?<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.seasidestudiossanpedro.com\/\">Seaside Studios San Pedro<\/a> is waiting to welcome you this afternoon.<\/p>\n<p>At 2:00 today, they&#8217;re hosting their &#8220;Happy New Year&#8217;s Party&#8221; at their studio.\u00a0 They&#8217;re having an art sale, with open studio hours, and they invite you to eat, drink and hang out with them.\u00a0 And&#8211;you get to paint too!<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Seaside-Studios-San-Pedro-December-8-2014-093-Copy-e1451755117134.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9164\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Seaside-Studios-San-Pedro-December-8-2014-093-Copy-e1451755117134.jpg\" alt=\"Seaside Studios San Pedro December 8 2014 093 - Copy\" width=\"399\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a>This will be the second year Seaside Studios San Pedro has done their community outreach, &#8220;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/EmptyBowlssanpedro\">Empty Bowls San Pedro<\/a>&#8220;.\u00a0 A fundraiser for <a href=\"http:\/\/www.harborinterfaith.org\/\">Harbor Interfaith Services<\/a>, &#8220;Empty Bowls&#8221; has volunteers paint ceramic bowls, which Seaside Studios &#8220;artspreneurs&#8221; Regina Fernandez and Gayle Fleury then fire in their kilns.\u00a0 You get to paint your bowl for free.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/bowls-to-glaze_edited-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9165\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/bowls-to-glaze_edited-1.jpg\" alt=\"bowls to glaze_edited-1\" width=\"600\" height=\"558\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/bowls-to-glaze_edited-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/bowls-to-glaze_edited-1-300x279.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/bowls-to-glaze_edited-1-323x300.jpg 323w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Even better, if you&#8217;d like to keep your finished masterpiece (and attend the special event for which it&#8217;s being made!), you can.\u00a0 For a donation of $25, you can fill your bowl with ice cream and have fun at Empty Bowls San Pedro&#8217;s &#8220;Ice Cream Social&#8221; fundraiser, scheduled for Valentine&#8217;s weekend, February 13th!\u00a0 Regina and Gayle will give you the details.<\/p>\n<p>And&#8211;early warning, about their art sale.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/regina-with-her-work_edited-11-e1451756780988.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9171\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/regina-with-her-work_edited-11-e1451756780988.jpg\" alt=\"regina with her work_edited-1\" width=\"401\" height=\"500\" \/><\/a>Regina, proprietor of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PortTownPottery\/?fref=ts\">Port Town Pottery,<\/a> is a gifted ceramic artist.\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/gayle-with-her-work-e1451756662157.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9170\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/gayle-with-her-work-e1451756662157.jpg\" alt=\"gayle with her work\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a>Gayle, who owns<a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Aussie-Girl-Designs-105513316150336\/?fref=ts\"> Aussie Girl Designs<\/a>, is a very talented jewelry designer.\u00a0 You may find yourself coming home with exactly the Christmas gift you wanted&#8211;the moment you saw it.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h5><em>Seaside Studios San Pedro&#8217;s &#8220;Happy New Year&#8217;s Party&#8221; happens this afternoon, Saturday, January 2, 2016 from 2:00 to 5:00.\u00a0 Seaside Studios San Pedro are located at 525 North Harbor Boulevard, Suite 3, are located between Beacon and O\u2019Farrell Streets, across from the dancing fountains.<br \/>\n<\/em><\/h5>\n<h5><em>Can&#8217;t make it this afternoon, but would like to paint a bowl for free&#8211;and maybe get some more information on Empty Bowls San Pedro?\u00a0 Seaside Studios San Pedro will also host studio hours with free bowl painting on Saturday, January 9, and Saturday, January 16th, 2015, from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm.\u00a0 Ask about Empty Bowls&#8217; &#8220;Valentine Fundraiser Finale&#8221; Ice Cream Social, happening Saturday, February 13th, 2016!<\/em><\/h5>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=9147\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=8553\">Her Heritage of Creativity<\/a>  November 12, 2015<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/gayle.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6342\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/gayle.jpg\" alt=\"gayle\" width=\"522\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<p>Gale Rugnetta is an expert at Scandinavian knitting.<\/p>\n<p>But we&#8217;re not talking about patterned Christmas sweaters.<\/p>\n<p>Gale creates Viking knit jewelry by hand-weaving wires!\u00a0 This is a craft that dates back to approximately the eighth century, according to her small-business website, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.angelartdreams.com\/\">Angel Art Dreams<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>As an artist of both Norwegian and Danish descent, Gale enjoys designing these pieces using her ancestors&#8217; wire-weaving technique and some traditional Viking symbols.\u00a0 Her jewelry can include semi-precious stones, Swarovski crystals, gemstones&#8211;or simply shine on its own, in her woven-chain rings, necklaces and earrings.<\/p>\n<p>Gale talked about her background and how she discovered her unique artistic medium, and offered a preview of the<a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/angelartdreams\"> Angel Art Dreams<\/a> jewelry she&#8217;s creating for Christmas season 2015.<\/p>\n<p><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-8553-26\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/audio\/noelophile_6_gale_rugnetta.mp3?_=26\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/audio\/noelophile_6_gale_rugnetta.mp3\">https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/audio\/noelophile_6_gale_rugnetta.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/p>\n<h6><em>Would you like to see Gale&#8217;s work firsthand&#8211;and ask her more about Viking knitting techniques?\u00a0 She&#8217;ll be exhibiting her jewelry at Handmade in South Bay&#8217;s third annual Holiday Boutique, Saturday, December 5, at CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles!\u00a0 That&#8217;s located in Warehouse 10, 112 East 22nd Street at Miner, in San Pedro.\u00a0 Hours are 11 am to 6 pm, and admission is free.<\/em><\/h6>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=8553\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=8512\">A Teddy Bear Might Be Meaner<\/a>  November 7, 2015<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h3>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_8517\" style=\"width: 441px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/brodie-as-monster-elf-e1446958496591.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8517\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8517\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/brodie-as-monster-elf-e1446958496591.jpg\" alt=\"(Graphic courtesy of Imelda Suriato, and used with permission)\" width=\"431\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-8517\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Graphic courtesy of Imelda Suriato, and used with permission)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Have you ever had the experience of someone stereotyping you&#8211;without knowing <em>anything<\/em> about you?<\/p>\n<p>Artist\/entrepreneur Jessica Johnson says that happens all the time, to dogs like her dog &#8220;Brodie&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_8519\" style=\"width: 460px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/cute-brodie-e1446958623739.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8519\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8519\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/cute-brodie-e1446958623739.jpg\" alt=\"(Photo courtesy of Jessica Johnson, and used with permission.)\" width=\"450\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-8519\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of Jessica Johnson, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>This Christmas season, Brodie and Jessica are participating in animal-advocacy nonprofit I&#8217;m Not a Monster, Inc.&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.monsterholidaydrive.com\/\">2015 Monster Holiday Drive<\/a>.\u00a0 They&#8217;ll be collecting toys, blankets and treats for homeless pets, with a particular focus on misunderstood dog breeds.<\/p>\n<p>Year-round, <a href=\"http:\/\/imnotamonster.org\/\">I\u2019m Not a Monster, Inc<\/a> is dedicated to dispelling myths about these dogs,\u00a0 while promoting shelter pet adoption and networking animals in need.<\/p>\n<p>Jessica says last year\u2019s Monster Holiday Drive raised $422,621 worth of donations, to benefit more than 130 animal shelters and rescues. This year, of course, they\u2019re hoping to do even better!<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_8535\" style=\"width: 440px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/monster-holiday-drive-e1446962919194.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8535\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8535\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/monster-holiday-drive-e1446962919194.jpg\" alt=\"(Graphic courtesy of Imelda Suriato, and used with permission.)\" width=\"430\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-8535\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Graphic courtesy of Imelda Suriato, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>As a drive representative, or \u201cMonster Elf\u201d, this year, Brodie is helping organizations including Carson Animal Shelter, The Lovejoy Foundation, and It&#8217;s the Pits Dog Rescue.\u00a0 Here&#8217;s a link to his particular &#8220;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/registry\/wishlist\/RSZOOWE3TMU3?ref_=topnav_lists_1&amp;pldnSite=1\">wish list&#8221;,\u00a0 <\/a>and if you&#8217;d like to help, you can drop off these items at the following Southern California locations, during business hours:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Pets Plus Rolling Hills Plaza &#8211;\u00a02539 Pacific Coast Hwy, Torrance, CA 90505<\/li>\n<li>Global Pet Food Outlet Express: \u00a0401 Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach, CA 90277<\/li>\n<li>Country Hills Animal Clinic:\u00a02919 Rolling Hills Rd, Torrance, CA 90505<\/li>\n<li>John Simich Construction, Inc.: 1400 S. Harbor Blvd., San Pedro, CA 90731<\/li>\n<li>\n<div>Wildside Unlimited:1919 India Street, San Diego, CA 92101<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Jessica says she&#8217;s currently firming up the dates she&#8217;ll be delivering donated items to local pet shelters, and we&#8217;ll update that here as soon as those dates are definite.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/jessica2-e1446960473309.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6358\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/jessica2-e1446960473309.jpg\" alt=\"jessica2\" width=\"434\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a>Jessica, of course, is a gifted graphic artist, and the owner of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.jessiejinspirations.com\/\">Jessie J Inspirations<\/a>.\u00a0 2015 marks the first Christmas season she and Brodie will be part of the I&#8217;m Not a Monster family, as well as Jessica&#8217;s first year volunteering with nonprofit <a href=\"http:\/\/pinupsforpitbulls.org\/\">Pinups for Pit Bulls<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0 The latter is a 501 (c)3 nonprofit, started in 2005.\u00a0 Jessica explained in an email that founder Deirdre &#8220;Little Darling&#8221; Franklin created the organization with the goal of educating the public about the misconceptions about the pit bull-type dog.<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; Deirdre was tired of finding that so-called rescues and shelters were euthanizing healthy, friendly, and adoptable animals due to their alleged \u201cbreed\u201d,&#8221; Jessica explained in her email.\u00a0 &#8220;So she utilized her background in modeling and education in fine arts to create a calendar like no other\u2013eye-catching pinup girls and their pups, paying close attention to detail and era appropriate style along the way.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Pinups for Pitbulls also fights against breed-discriminatory laws and breed-specific legislation.\u00a0 A part of their mission is to restore the reputation of the pit bull-type dog&#8211;which, Jessica says, is that of America\u2019s companion animal, war hero, and family member.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/brodies-collar-e1446960656223.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8527\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/brodies-collar-e1446960656223.jpg\" alt=\"brodies collar\" width=\"450\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a>Jessie J Inspirations features a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.jessiejinspirations.com\/store\/c3\/Pinups_for_Pitbulls%2C_Inc._Merchandise.html\">pinup line<\/a>&#8211;with a portion of the proceeds going to Pinups for Pitbulls.\u00a0 But, had anyone told Jessica she&#8217;d become an advocate for these dogs, a few years ago, she might have disagreed.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI didn\u2019t care for bully type breeds (in my growing-up years),\u201d she emails. \u201cWe had a neighbor that had a pit bull type dog (that) was a mess\u2026Looking back, it was the owners that\u2026left him outside (untrained and with no interaction). Then, when I was about 23, I met Joni!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_8529\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Joni-e1446960820614.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8529\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8529\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Joni-e1446960820614.jpg\" alt=\"(Photo courtesy of Jessica Johnson, and used with permission.)\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-8529\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of Jessica Johnson, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Joni, Jessica says, was all about unconditional love, and a complete joy to be around. Joni changed Jessica\u2019s perspective so radically that she began working to educate others on breed misconceptions. And five and a half years ago, Jessica had no qualms about becoming Brodie\u2019s \u201cmom\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen I first encountered Brodie, I felt awful for him,\u201d Jessica says. \u201cHe was in a state of terror\u2026my first 24 hours with him were nerve-wracking to say the least.\u201d (Brodie clearly had been abused and injured before Jessica met him, and he became very ill that evening. Jessica stayed up, nursing him through the night. Here\u2019s the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.monsterholidaydrive.com\/members\/brodie\/\">link to his full story<\/a>.)<\/p>\n<p>So\u2014trick question. As you look at his &#8220;Monster Elf&#8221; picture&#8211;what breed is Brodie?<\/p>\n<p>The first answer most people would give, isn\u2019t the correct one.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Nana-e1446961021974.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8530\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Nana-e1446961021974.jpg\" alt=\"Nana\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a>Jessica explains that the only actual pit bull \u201cbreed\u201d is the American Pit Bull Terrier. \u201cIn reality, \u2018pit bull\u2019 is just a loose term to encompass the bully breeds,\u201d Jessica emailed. Those breeds include the bulldog, Boston bull terrier and American Staffordshire terrier.<\/p>\n<p>And there\u2019s no shortage of misconceptions about the bully breeds.<\/p>\n<p>Jessica references the American Temperament Test Society\u2019s 2013 study\u2014which shows a Chihuahua is statistically far more likely to bite than the American Pit Bull Terrier.\u00a0 (So is a Golden Retriever, for that matter.)<\/p>\n<p>There&#8217;s also a wonderful <a href=\"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/chris-white\/myths-lies-and-misconceptions-pit-bulls_b_8072204.html\">Huffington Post article <\/a>by Bikers Against Breed Specific Legislation President Chris White.\u00a0 In it, White explodes a number of myths about the mixed breeds, to which people generically refer as \u201cpit bulls\u201d. Most notably\u2014White says this type of dog\u2019s jaw does NOT \u201clock\u201d, as commonly believed. (How could it eat or drink, if that were true?)<\/p>\n<p>Some facts not widely known about these \u201cbully\u201d (meaning bulldog-mix, not bullying!) dogs?\u00a0\u00a0 A number of bull terriers and mixed breeds served as regimental mascots during the Civil War and Spanish-American Wars. Some of the &#8220;bully&#8221; breeds were effective at catching rats, on nineteenth-century farms, thus slowing the spread of bubonic plague.\u00a0 And more recently, The &#8220;Little Rascals&#8221; TV series of the late 1950s to early 1960s wouldn&#8217;t have been the same without lovable and loyal &#8220;Petey&#8221;&#8211;an American pit bull terrier.<\/p>\n<p>Oh\u2014and Brodie is a six-year-old, tricolor mixed-breed.<\/p>\n<h5><em>Know a sweet and lovable bull terrier or bulldog-mix pup?\u00a0 Please consider donating to the 2015\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/monsterholidaydrive.com\"> &#8220;Monster Holiday Drive&#8221; <\/a>for shelter pets in his or her honor!\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/h5>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=8512\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=8453\">Covering the World With Love<\/a>  October 29, 2015<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Linda-in-her-shop-space-e1446089484377.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8455\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Linda-in-her-shop-space-e1446089484377.jpg\" alt=\"Linda in her shop space\" width=\"600\" height=\"399\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<p>Artist\/entrepreneur <a href=\"http:\/\/craftedportla.com\/one-kind-machine-quilting\/\">Linda Curry<\/a>&#8216;s creations could make you believe she&#8217;s been quilting all her life.<\/p>\n<p>But the real story of her creative journey is much more magical than that.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Linda-closeup-Harriet-Tubman-quilt.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8456\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Linda-closeup-Harriet-Tubman-quilt.jpg\" alt=\"Linda closeup Harriet Tubman quilt\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Linda-closeup-Harriet-Tubman-quilt.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Linda-closeup-Harriet-Tubman-quilt-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Linda-closeup-Harriet-Tubman-quilt-451x300.jpg 451w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>Linda, who is the owner of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/One-of-a-Kind-machine-quilting-1569612743317689\/\">One of a Kind Machine Quilting<\/a>, has been sewing her breathtaking quilts, wall panels and gift items for eight years.\u00a0 In addition to taking custom orders, she currently has all kinds of quilted Christmas items available in her shop, located in <a href=\"http:\/\/craftedportla.com\/one-kind-machine-quilting\/\">Booth #204 at CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles<\/a>, in San Pedro.<\/p>\n<p>Besides selling her work, Linda teaches monthly quilting classes, from beginner level up.\u00a0 She is also the president of nonprofit Quilts with a Divine Quest, through which she provides quilts to the homeless.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Linda-with-wall-hangings-2-e1446090415463.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8458\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Linda-with-wall-hangings-2-e1446090415463.jpg\" alt=\"Linda with wall hangings 2\" width=\"600\" height=\"399\" \/><\/a>From her booth at CRAFTED, Linda explained how she first became involved in quilting, talked about her creative process, displayed some of her work and offered a preview of her creations for Christmas season 2015.<\/p>\n<p><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-8453-27\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/audio\/noelophile_4_linda_curry.mp3?_=27\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/audio\/noelophile_4_linda_curry.mp3\">https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/audio\/noelophile_4_linda_curry.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=8453\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=8227\">The Best Kind of &#8220;Puzzled&#8221;<\/a>  October 17, 2015<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/jeannette-of-puzzled-one.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8228\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/jeannette-of-puzzled-one.jpg\" alt=\"jeannette of puzzled one\" width=\"466\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/jeannette-of-puzzled-one.jpg 466w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/jeannette-of-puzzled-one-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<p>Self-taught artist Jeannette Aragon says she was far from an immediate success.<\/p>\n<p>Looking at her work today, that statement seems almost unbelievable.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_8229\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8229\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8229\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles1.jpg\" alt=\"Photograph courtesy of Jeannette Aragon, and \u00a9 2015 The Puzzled One.  All rights reserved.\" width=\"700\" height=\"394\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles1-500x281.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-8229\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photograph courtesy of Jeannette Aragon, and \u00a9 2015 The Puzzled One. All rights reserved.<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Jeannette, who started her small business, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.puzzled1.com\/\">The Puzzled One<\/a>, in 2007, says it all began when she bought a scroll saw.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I made some simple, unfinished 3-piece dinosaur puzzles for my nieces and nephew,&#8221; Jeannette emailed.\u00a0 &#8220;They had so much fun painting them that I decided to try (selling)&#8230;\u00a0 &#8220;paint-a-puzzle&#8221; kits at local farmers&#8217; markets.\u00a0 My first experience&#8230;was not great.\u00a0 Everyone just walked by saying, &#8220;You don&#8217;t want those baby puzzles.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>So, Jeannette took the criticism and ran with it.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I went home and started making different types&#8230;wood-burned jigsaw puzzles, then 3-D puzzles,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_8231\" style=\"width: 580px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles-8.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8231\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8231\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles-8.jpg\" alt=\"Photograph courtesy of Jeannette Aragon, and \u00a9 2015 The Puzzled One.  All rights reserved.\" width=\"570\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles-8.jpg 570w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles-8-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles-8-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 570px) 100vw, 570px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-8231\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photograph courtesy of Jeannette Aragon, and \u00a9 2015 The Puzzled One. All rights reserved.<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I introduced color into my puzzles and they started selling.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_8241\" style=\"width: 580px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles-4.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8241\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8241\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles-4.jpg\" alt=\"Photograph courtesy of Jeannette Aragon, and \u00a9 2015 The Puzzled One.  All rights reserved.\" width=\"570\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles-4.jpg 570w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles-4-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles-4-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 570px) 100vw, 570px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-8241\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photograph courtesy of Jeannette Aragon, and \u00a9 2015 The Puzzled One. All rights reserved.<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Then came my mosaic puzzles, and from there it just kind of took on a life of its own.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Even so, the growth process was slow.\u00a0 &#8220;It was really tough,&#8221; Jeannette remembers.\u00a0\u00a0 &#8220;I signed up and went to a ton of fairs (at the beginning) but I would barely make my rent.\u00a0 Sometimes I didn&#8217;t sell even one puzzle at the show.\u00a0 But I kept at it, and it paid off.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_8242\" style=\"width: 580px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles-5.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8242\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8242\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles-5.jpg\" alt=\"Photograph courtesy of Jeannette Aragon, and \u00a9 2015 The Puzzled One.  All rights reserved.\" width=\"570\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles-5.jpg 570w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles-5-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles-5-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 570px) 100vw, 570px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-8242\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photograph courtesy of Jeannette Aragon, and \u00a9 2015 The Puzzled One. All rights reserved.<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Today, The Puzzled One is doing very well&#8211;both at shows and online.\u00a0 Jeannette\u00a0 handcrafts wooden puzzles and heirloom-quality <a href=\"http:\/\/www.puzzled1.com\/#!our-toys\/cr22\">toys<\/a> for little kids and puzzles for us &#8220;big kids&#8221;.\u00a0 She also takes custom orders for all occasions.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_8240\" style=\"width: 580px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles-3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8240\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8240\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles-3.jpg\" alt=\"Photograph courtesy of Jeannette Aragon, and \u00a9 2015 The Puzzled One.  All rights reserved.\" width=\"570\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles-3.jpg 570w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles-3-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles-3-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 570px) 100vw, 570px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-8240\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photograph courtesy of Jeannette Aragon, and \u00a9 2015 The Puzzled One. All rights reserved.<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>This wedding-tree puzzle is a recent new design, with a couple&#8217;s name and wedding date in the heart.\u00a0 It&#8217;s also a bestseller&#8211;and Jeannette says its origins are in the alphabet!<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_8243\" style=\"width: 580px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles-7.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8243\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8243\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles-7.jpg\" alt=\"Photograph courtesy of Jeannette Aragon, and \u00a9 2015 The Puzzled One.  All rights reserved.\" width=\"570\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles-7.jpg 570w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles-7-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles-7-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 570px) 100vw, 570px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-8243\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photograph courtesy of Jeannette Aragon, and \u00a9 2015 The Puzzled One. All rights reserved.<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I make an alphabet tree,&#8221; she explained, &#8220;and customers kept coming to me (and) asking if they could buy an unfinished one for their wedding.\u00a0 I knew there were people out there making wedding puzzles, so I tried my hand at it.\u00a0 And they took off&#8230;I was selling them left and right.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Jeannette said the wedding-tree puzzle represents just one of her custom designs.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I recently started making <a href=\"http:\/\/www.puzzled1.com\/#!unity-ceremony-wedding-puzzles\/c1w4r\">wedding unity puzzles<\/a> (which are perfect for a blended family, but also just a bride and groom),&#8221; she explained.\u00a0 &#8220;Each one is designed for that particular family.\u00a0 Each member of the family has their own puzzle piece with their name on it.\u00a0 (Then,) during the ceremony, they place their puzzle piece in the tray, signifying that they are now one big family.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_8230\" style=\"width: 580px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles-6.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8230\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8230\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles-6.jpg\" alt=\"Photograph courtesy of Jeannette Aragon, and \u00a9 2015 The Puzzled One.  All rights reserved.\" width=\"570\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles-6.jpg 570w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles-6-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles-6-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 570px) 100vw, 570px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-8230\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photograph courtesy of Jeannette Aragon, and \u00a9 2015 The Puzzled One. All rights reserved.<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>In fact, Jeannette can custom-design just about any type of puzzle.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I was commissioned to make a giant wooden mandala puzzle for a retreat center,&#8221; she said.\u00a0 &#8220;The mandala was an olive tree set in mosaic stone, like puzzle pieces.\u00a0 It measured a whopping four feet in diameter.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>While this particular order presented her with a challenge, Jeannette also said it wound up being one of her favorite experiences.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;At first I wasn&#8217;t sure how I was going to make it,&#8221; she explained.\u00a0 &#8220;It needed to be made from poplar, which only comes in (approximately 12-inch widths).\u00a0 So I spoke with my Dad and he taught me how to laminate boards together to create one large (one).\u00a0 Then we planed and sanded it and it looked as if it had always belonged together.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The finished work, Jeannette said, turned out beautifully.\u00a0 &#8220;But the best part was working with my Dad.\u00a0 I learned a valuable technique and spent quality time with him doing the thing that I love best.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_8233\" style=\"width: 580px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles-9.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8233\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8233\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles-9.jpg\" alt=\"Photograph courtesy of Jeannette Aragon, and \u00a9 2015 The Puzzled One.  All rights reserved.\" width=\"570\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles-9.jpg 570w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles-9-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Jeannettes-puzzles-9-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 570px) 100vw, 570px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-8233\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photograph courtesy of Jeannette Aragon, and \u00a9 2015 The Puzzled One. All rights reserved.<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Today, the art she loves fills her days.\u00a0 &#8220;During the day I do my cutting and sanding&#8230;then at night, I do painting and work on business matters: budgets, marketing etc.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;By the grace of God, my business seems to have taken off in the past months,&#8221; Jeannette emailed.\u00a0 &#8220;So I am struggling to complete orders while still getting ready for upcoming shows.&#8221;\u00a0 (However, her booth at any show will still be filled with all kinds of beautiful and colorful creations from before&#8211;look for her cherry tree, which is a total favorite!)<\/p>\n<p>Would you like to meet Jeannette and see her work firsthand?\u00a0 She&#8217;ll be exhibiting at the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.calabasaspumpkinfestival.com\/\">Calabasas Pumpkin Festival<\/a>, today and tomorrow.\u00a0 She also says she&#8217;ll be one of the featured artists at an upcoming church boutique in Burbank.\u00a0\u00a0 We&#8217;ll give you the details as soon as we can find out where and when!<\/p>\n<p>Can&#8217;t make the festival, but would like to know more about either her current work or a custom order for Christmas 2015?\u00a0 Jeannette says the custom design process varies, but once she and a customer agree on a final design, completing it will take her between 2 and 3 weeks.\u00a0 Here&#8217;s her <a href=\"http:\/\/www.puzzled1.com\/\">website<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Look for Jeannette Aragon, of The Puzzled One, at the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.calabasaspumpkinfestival.com\/index.html\">Calabasas Pumpkin Festival<\/a>, today and tomorrow, October 17th and 18th, from 10 am to 5 pm.\u00a0 The Festival is located at Lost Hills Road and Agoura Road, and admission is free.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=8227\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=8174\">The Fabric of Imagination<\/a>  October 16, 2015<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h3>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_8176\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/bowl-by-Rodi-Shemeta-Ludlum1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8176\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8176\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/bowl-by-Rodi-Shemeta-Ludlum1.jpg\" alt=\"(Photograph courtesy of Rodi Ludlum, and used with permission.)\" width=\"700\" height=\"525\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/bowl-by-Rodi-Shemeta-Ludlum1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/bowl-by-Rodi-Shemeta-Ludlum1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/bowl-by-Rodi-Shemeta-Ludlum1-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-8176\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photograph courtesy of Rodi Ludlum, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Colorful, vibrant and engaging&#8211;pottery, right?<\/p>\n<p>Well&#8211;yes and no.\u00a0 Fiber artist <a href=\"http:\/\/rodiludlum.com\/\">Rodi Ludlum<\/a> creates these bowls and vases out of <em>fabric<\/em>.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/rodi-with-fabric-art2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8178\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/rodi-with-fabric-art2.jpg\" alt=\"rodi with fabric art2\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/rodi-with-fabric-art2.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/rodi-with-fabric-art2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/rodi-with-fabric-art2-451x300.jpg 451w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>&#8220;I learned about fabric &#8216;sculpture&#8217; in 2008 from a fellow art quilter who gave me (the now out-of-print book) &#8216;Fast Fun and Easy Fabric Bowls&#8217; by Linda Johansen,&#8221; Rodi emails.\u00a0 &#8220;I loved making them!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>For Rodi, who opened her Etsy store, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/rollingblackout\">Rodi&#8217;s Rolling Blackou<\/a>t, in 2010, that book was just the beginning.<\/p>\n<p>After reading a second book,\u00a0 \u201cFast Fun and Easy Fabric Vases\u201d by the same author, she was off and stitching&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_8184\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Bowl-2-by-Rodi-Shemeta-Ludlum.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8184\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8184\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Bowl-2-by-Rodi-Shemeta-Ludlum.jpg\" alt=\"(Photograph courtesy of Rodi Ludlum, and used with permission.)\" width=\"700\" height=\"525\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Bowl-2-by-Rodi-Shemeta-Ludlum.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Bowl-2-by-Rodi-Shemeta-Ludlum-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Bowl-2-by-Rodi-Shemeta-Ludlum-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-8184\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photograph courtesy of Rodi Ludlum, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>&#8230;with gorgeous results.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I taught myself from these great guides and over the years have developed my own techniques and patterns,&#8221; Rodi continues.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_8185\" style=\"width: 1010px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/bowl-by-Rodi-Shemeta-Ludlum-3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8185\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8185\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/bowl-by-Rodi-Shemeta-Ludlum-3.jpg\" alt=\"(Photograph courtesy of Rodi Ludlum, and used with permission.)\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/bowl-by-Rodi-Shemeta-Ludlum-3.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/bowl-by-Rodi-Shemeta-Ludlum-3-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/bowl-by-Rodi-Shemeta-Ludlum-3-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-8185\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photograph courtesy of Rodi Ludlum, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Her creative style involves incorporating a wide range of materials.<\/p>\n<div>&#8220;Most of my fabric comes from quilt shops, but I also repurpose clothing, table linens, upholstery swatches and every kind of scrap donated by quilting friends,&#8221; Rodi explains.\u00a0 &#8220;The fun is in combining fabrics in interesting ways.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_8189\" style=\"width: 647px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Bowl-by-Rodi-Shemeta-Ludlum4.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8189\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8189\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Bowl-by-Rodi-Shemeta-Ludlum4.jpg\" alt=\"(Photograph courtesy of Rodi Ludlum, and used with permission.)\" width=\"637\" height=\"849\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Bowl-by-Rodi-Shemeta-Ludlum4.jpg 637w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Bowl-by-Rodi-Shemeta-Ludlum4-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 637px) 100vw, 637px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-8189\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photograph courtesy of Rodi Ludlum, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Meeting Rodi at last summer&#8217;s Ojai Lavender Festival, we couldn&#8217;t help thinking what great Christmas gifts these would make.\u00a0 But&#8211;there&#8217;s one additional gift possibility, as well, for the &#8220;maker&#8221; on your gift list.\u00a0 (Even, or especially, if that &#8220;crafty&#8221; person happens to be you!)<\/p>\n<p>Rodi also teaches lessons in her &#8220;fabric pottery&#8221; technique!\u00a0\u00a0 She&#8217;s teaching both beginning and advanced fabric bowl techniques this weekend at The Quilters Studio, 1090 Lawrence Drive, south of Lavery Court in Thousand Oaks.\u00a0 Tomorrow, Saturday, October 17th, is her beginners&#8217; class, with advanced techniques on Sunday, the 18th.\u00a0 Here&#8217;s the <a href=\"http:\/\/quiltersstudio.com\/index.html\">link<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=8174\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=8138\">A Sense of Wonder<\/a>  October 15, 2015<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Anthe-with-her-work.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8144\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Anthe-with-her-work.jpg\" alt=\"Anthe with her work\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Anthe-with-her-work.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Anthe-with-her-work-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Anthe-with-her-work-451x300.jpg 451w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<p>You&#8217;ve probably never seen anything quite like what Anthe Wosczyna creates.<\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;s because Anthe (pronounced An-thee) designed her own process for her mandala earrings, necklaces and other beadwoven pieces she offers through her small handmade business, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/people\/littlemusedesigns\">Little Muse Designs<\/a>.\u00a0 (Heads-up: her heart designs are a favorite, and if you have a Valentine in mind, you might want to look at them NOW.)<\/p>\n<p>Smoky quartz, antique chains and Swarovski crystals are among the materials Anthe incorporates into her work.\u00a0 Her designs are created with the idea of inspiring a sense of wonder and beauty in those who wear them&#8211;and she also names each of her creations..<\/p>\n<p>Anthe talked about her journey as an artist and how she started her small business, Little Muse Designs.\u00a0 She also offered a preview of what she&#8217;s making for Christmas season, 2015!<\/p>\n<p><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-8138-28\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/audio\/noelophile_1_anthe_wosczyna.mp3?_=28\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/audio\/noelophile_1_anthe_wosczyna.mp3\">https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/audio\/noelophile_1_anthe_wosczyna.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=8138\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=8115\">SPAA Welcomes September<\/a>  September 3, 2015<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/SPAA-new1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8127\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/SPAA-new1.jpg\" alt=\"SPAA new1\" width=\"700\" height=\"282\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/sanpedroart.org\/wp\/\">San Pedro Art Association<\/a> is having a celebration!\u00a0 Of course, it&#8217;s going to be a colorful one&#8211;and you&#8217;re invited.<\/p>\n<p>Their free &#8220;First Thursday Art Walk&#8221; happens this evening, Thursday, September 3, at 6:30.\u00a0 Walkers meet at the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce for a guided one-hour tour of local and visiting artists in open studios.\u00a0 Every &#8220;First Thursday&#8221; is different, with varying itineraries as these monthly tours visit approximately three different locations.<\/p>\n<p>What they all have in common, though, is plenty of interesting creative spaces to explore.\u00a0 After the tour itself ends, it&#8217;s time to poke around and discover treasure on your own, among the local studios open for the occasion.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/plaza.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8135\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/plaza.jpg\" alt=\"plaza\" width=\"700\" height=\"514\" \/><\/a>You&#8217;ll find no lack of &#8220;creatives&#8221; with whom to visit.\u00a0 Thirty-six open art spaces, studios and galleries are listed on this month&#8217;s map, on SPAA&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.1stthursday.com\">First Thursday website<\/a>.\u00a0 For entertainment, the map lists &#8220;live music at the 6th and Mesa Street Plaza&#8221;, while the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.1stthursday.com\/\">website<\/a> mentions nine other venues.<\/p>\n<p>Be sure to check out this month&#8217;s special features, too.\u00a0 &#8220;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.sanpedrowaterfrontartsdistrict.com\/local-news\/be-the-change-the-corita-experience\">Be the Change: the Corita Experience<\/a>&#8220;. featuring the work of artist Corita Kent, opens this evening at San Pedro&#8217;s Klaus Art Center.\u00a0\u00a0 South Bay Contemporary at the Loft also opens their show, &#8220;Via Negativa: The Transcendence of the unReal&#8221;, tonight.\u00a0 This exhibit features fourteen contemporary artists&#8217; perceptions of negative theology and an attempt to clarity the religious experience.<\/p>\n<p>A preview of <a href=\"http:\/\/triartsp.com\/\">San Pedro Festival of the Arts<\/a> will be available, as well, as<a href=\"http:\/\/peoplespalacesanpedro.com\/\"> People&#8217;s Yoga Health and Dance<\/a> offer a free dance concert, featuring several dance companies.\u00a0 (The flyer doesn&#8217;t list a time on this one, but the location is 365 West 6th Street, near South Meza.)<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/fish-and-harbor.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8133\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/fish-and-harbor.jpg\" alt=\"fish and harbor\" width=\"466\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/fish-and-harbor.jpg 466w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/fish-and-harbor-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>And you&#8217;re advised to come with an appetite.\u00a0 San Pedro has everything from English pub fare to Hungarian food&#8211;and of course, gourmet food trucks will be on site, as well.<\/p>\n<p>All this, and free parking, too!\u00a0 Enjoy, and have a safe, happy and creative Labor Day weekend.<\/p>\n<h6><em>San Pedro Art Association&#8217;s &#8220;1st Thursday Artwalk&#8221; guided tour begins this evening, September 3, 2015 at 6:30 at the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce, 390 West 7th Street near South Mesa.\u00a0 Parking is free on San Pedro Streets and in Municipal Lot after 6 pm, according to the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.1stthursday.com\/\">San Pedro 1st Thursday Artwalk website<\/a>.\u00a0 Here&#8217;s their <a href=\"http:\/\/www.1stthursday.com\/1st_thurs_sep_2015.pdf\">link<\/a> to download and print a map of the galleries and studios open for exploring in the old Downtown San Pedro area.<\/em><\/h6>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=8115\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=8095\">Talent Plus Versatility<\/a>  August 15, 2015<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/talented-trio.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8098\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/talented-trio.jpg\" alt=\"talented trio\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/talented-trio.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/talented-trio-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/talented-trio-451x300.jpg 451w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<p>Today is an exciting &#8220;first&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s also a chance to support some of our favorite artist\/entrepreneurs in a new capacity.<\/p>\n<p>When the first annual <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mysticdragonpublishing.com\/bookfaire\/bookfaire.htm\">Mystic Dragon&#8217;s Festival of Books<\/a> opens this morning at nine, in the City of Industry, at least three of our favorite Handmade in South Bay &#8220;creatives&#8221; will be onsite.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/barb-lieberman1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8101\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/barb-lieberman1.jpg\" alt=\"barb lieberman1\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/barb-lieberman1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/barb-lieberman1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/barb-lieberman1-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>You may well know Barbara Lieberman from her handcrafted aromatherapy small business, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ourseedsofinspiration.com\/\">Seeds of Inspiration.<\/a>\u00a0 But did you realize that Barb is now a three-times-published <a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Barbara-Lieberman\/e\/B00NHI7PT6\">author<\/a>?\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Barb-reads-from-Message-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8102\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Barb-reads-from-Message-2.jpg\" alt=\"Barb reads from Message 2\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Barb-reads-from-Message-2.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Barb-reads-from-Message-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Barb-reads-from-Message-2-451x300.jpg 451w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>(Fair warning: her metaphysical romance, <em>To Miss the Stars<\/em>, is impossible to put down!\u00a0 Now she has a new, and equally-inspiring, full-length novel: <em>Message on the Wind<\/em>.)<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/ellie.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6344\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/ellie.jpg\" alt=\"ellie\" width=\"508\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/ellie.jpg 508w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/ellie-217x300.jpg 217w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 508px) 100vw, 508px\" \/><\/a>Ellie Lieberman&#8217;s writing may come as a surprise to you, at first.\u00a0\u00a0 Ellie, of course, is the proprietor of <a href=\"http:\/\/acorntops.weebly.com\/\">Acorn Tops<\/a>, through which she crafts an enchanting miniature world: fairy doors, fairy houses and bottles.\u00a0 However&#8211;her first novel, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Societys-Foundlings-Ellie-Lieberman\/dp\/151170330X\"><em>Society&#8217;s Foundlings<\/em><\/a>, has a dark tone&#8230;<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Ellie-with-her-work.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8104\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Ellie-with-her-work.jpg\" alt=\"Ellie with her work\" width=\"700\" height=\"567\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Ellie-with-her-work.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Ellie-with-her-work-300x243.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Ellie-with-her-work-370x300.jpg 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>&#8230;.underneath which lies the same beauty and a sense of magic.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/jessie-with-prints2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8106\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/jessie-with-prints2.jpg\" alt=\"jessie with prints2\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/jessie-with-prints2.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/jessie-with-prints2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/jessie-with-prints2-451x300.jpg 451w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>Last, but certainly never least, Jessica Johnson, who has now displayed her gorgeous graphics in two galleries (that we know of) and counting, is the proprietor of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.jessiejinspirations.com\/\">Jessie J Inspirations<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0 You&#8217;ll find her warmly-imaginative creations on the &#8220;Gallery&#8221; page of her website&#8211;including these fun, Pokemon-inspired interpretation on standard pinups.<\/p>\n<p>Be sure to check the dates when Jessie&#8217;s exhibiting at community events.\u00a0 She is one BUSY artist, with at least one show planned for each of the remaining months of the year (and often more!).<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/barb-lieberman.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6343\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/barb-lieberman.jpg\" alt=\"barb lieberman\" width=\"580\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/barb-lieberman.jpg 580w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/barb-lieberman-248x300.jpg 248w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px\" \/><\/a>Somehow, though, Jessica has also found time to do book illustrations.\u00a0 Notice the cover of Society&#8217;s Foundlings in Ellie&#8217;s hand, and this cover for Barb&#8217;s <em>To Miss the Stars<\/em>?\u00a0 Jessie created both&#8211;and makes them look very easy.\u00a0 Currently, she&#8217;s completing a third project: illustrating Evangeline Duran Fuentes&#8217; forthcoming book, <em>Friends Across The Border.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Now, wouldn&#8217;t you like to meet these three very gifted ladies (who, by the way, also donate a percentage of their proceeds to a great cause, every time they make sales)?\u00a0 They&#8217;ll be just three of the talented authors and artists on hand today, at Mystic Dragon&#8217;s Festival of Books in the City of Industry, signing books and visiting with both current and new (avid) fans.<\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;re in the area, please consider coming down to support this exciting new special event&#8211;and maybe wind up with some new favorite books!<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Mystic Dragon\u2019s Festival of Books happens Saturday, August 15, 2015, from 9 am to 5 pm at Frank &amp; Son Collectibles Show, 19649 East San Jose Avenue, west of Fairway Drive, in the City of Industry.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=8095\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=8068\">Summer and Inspiration<\/a>  August 8, 2015<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/SPAA-new1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7636\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/SPAA-new1.jpg\" alt=\"SPAA new1\" width=\"700\" height=\"282\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/SPAA-new1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/SPAA-new1-300x120.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/SPAA-new1-500x201.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<p>&#8220;We enjoy doing what we do,&#8221; says a recent email from <a href=\"http:\/\/sanpedroart.org\/wp\/\">San Pedro Art Association<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>So, what do they do?\u00a0 All kinds of cool stuff, including classes, shows, art walks&#8211;and this.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/art-competition1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8074\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/art-competition1.jpg\" alt=\"art competition1\" width=\"700\" height=\"394\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/art-competition1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/art-competition1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/art-competition1-500x281.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>San Pedro Art Association has been serving and inspiring artists since 1936.\u00a0 Next weekend, you&#8217;re invited to come and help them.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/art-show-sign1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8084\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/art-show-sign1.jpg\" alt=\"art show sign1\" width=\"436\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/art-show-sign1.jpg 436w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/art-show-sign1-187x300.jpg 187w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 436px) 100vw, 436px\" \/><\/a>Next Sunday afternoon, August 16th, SPAA hosts a closing reception at CRAFTED for their 2015 Harbor-Wide All Grades Student Art Competition Exhibition.\u00a0\u00a0 They&#8217;ll be giving cash prizes for first, second, third-place and honorable mention winners to students in three categories: high school, middle school and grade school.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/boys-and-girls-club.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8085\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/boys-and-girls-club.jpg\" alt=\"boys and girls club\" width=\"700\" height=\"389\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/boys-and-girls-club.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/boys-and-girls-club-300x167.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/boys-and-girls-club-500x278.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>But, be warned.\u00a0 You&#8217;ll be called upon to make a difficult decision.<\/p>\n<p>A &#8220;People&#8217;s Choice&#8221; award gets given to the attendees&#8217; favorite&#8211;and you get to vote. <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/work-and-ribbons.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8088\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/work-and-ribbons.jpg\" alt=\"work and ribbons\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/work-and-ribbons.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/work-and-ribbons-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/work-and-ribbons-451x300.jpg 451w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>So, good luck choosing just <em>one<\/em>, from among all these!\u00a0 Just walking around and &#8220;oohing&#8221; and &#8220;aahing&#8221; one mid-July afternoon, we concluded that&#8217;s going to be a toughie.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/elementary.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8092\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/elementary.jpg\" alt=\"elementary\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/elementary.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/elementary-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/elementary-451x300.jpg 451w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Refreshments will be served at the reception, which starts on Sunday, August 16th at 2 pm.\u00a0 Entertainment will be provided by local musician Patti Orbeck.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/cubiclesjpg_edited-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8086\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/cubiclesjpg_edited-1.jpg\" alt=\"cubiclesjpg_edited-1\" width=\"700\" height=\"470\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/cubiclesjpg_edited-1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/cubiclesjpg_edited-1-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/cubiclesjpg_edited-1-447x300.jpg 447w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>And best of all, every one of these talented young artists goes home with a prize.\u00a0 San Pedro Art Association awards a one-year student SPAA membership, along with a drawing set, to each participant.<\/p>\n<p>Sunday afternoon, color, music, smiles and encouragement?\u00a0 Summertime in Southern California doesn&#8217;t get much better than that.<\/p>\n<p><em>San Pedro Art Association&#8217;s 2015 Harbor-Wide All Grades Student Art Competition Exhibition closing reception runs from 2 to 5 pm, Sunday, August 16th, at CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles, 112 East 22nd Street at Miner, Warehouse 10, in San Pedro.\u00a0 Admission is free.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=8068\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=7984\">Crochet Will Never Be the Same<\/a>  July 26, 2015<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Chicago-models1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7985\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Chicago-models1.jpg\" alt=\"Chicago models1\" width=\"700\" height=\"615\" \/><\/a>Who knew crochet could be so sexy?<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/crochet-evening-gowns1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8005\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/crochet-evening-gowns1.jpg\" alt=\"crochet evening gowns1\" width=\"575\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a>Apparently, the answer is: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/paulacrochet\">Paula Crochet Fashion<\/a> designer and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.yes4arts.org\/\">yes4arts <\/a>president Paula Bennett.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/pantssuit1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8035\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/pantssuit1.jpg\" alt=\"pantssuit1\" width=\"615\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/pantssuit1.jpg 615w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/pantssuit1-264x300.jpg 264w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 615px) 100vw, 615px\" \/><\/a>On Saturday, she shared that revelation&#8211;and put the &#8220;fun&#8221; in &#8220;fundraiser&#8221;.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/leopard-print-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8034\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/leopard-print-1.jpg\" alt=\"leopard print 1\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/leopard-print-1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/leopard-print-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/leopard-print-1-451x300.jpg 451w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>Nonprofit yes4arts&#8217; first major fundraiser, their &#8220;Fiber Arts Fashion Show&#8221;, happened Saturday evening, July 25th, at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center. <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/red-dress1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8045\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/red-dress1.jpg\" alt=\"red dress1\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/red-dress1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/red-dress1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/red-dress1-451x300.jpg 451w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>The program showcased the work of five different designers, while proving that crochet, knitting and needle arts extend far beyond their &#8220;Granny&#8221; image.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/mariela-sundress1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8015\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/mariela-sundress1.jpg\" alt=\"mariela sundress1\" width=\"466\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/mariela-sundress1.jpg 466w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/mariela-sundress1-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px\" \/><\/a>The show started with a series of sundresses, which Paula designed in crochet.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/sundress-finale1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8017\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/sundress-finale1.jpg\" alt=\"sundress finale1\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/MCs1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8028\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/MCs1.jpg\" alt=\"MCs1\" width=\"641\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/MCs1.jpg 641w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/MCs1-275x300.jpg 275w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 641px) 100vw, 641px\" \/><\/a>Local comedians Caitlin Catt and Kari Martin were enjoyable masters of ceremonies, even when the unexpected occurred (as it will, with regularity, in any live event).\u00a0 They kept the show going, at times engaging audience members, during costume changes.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/DJ-31.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8040\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/DJ-31.jpg\" alt=\"DJ 3\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/DJ-31.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/DJ-31-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/DJ-31-451x300.jpg 451w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>DJ Steven Padilla served up an excellent music mix, complementing the onstage action but never overwhelming it.\u00a0 At times jazzy, at times uptempo dance, his selections set the tone for a celebration.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/jewelry-on-display1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8048\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/jewelry-on-display1.jpg\" alt=\"jewelry on display1\" width=\"700\" height=\"571\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/jewelry-on-display1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/jewelry-on-display1-300x245.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/jewelry-on-display1-368x300.jpg 368w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>Three different jewelry designers&#8217; creations were featured in the show&#8230;<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/by-eileen1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8019\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/by-eileen1.jpg\" alt=\"by eileen1\" width=\"700\" height=\"479\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/by-eileen1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/by-eileen1-300x205.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/by-eileen1-438x300.jpg 438w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>&#8230;including these beautiful pieces by Eileen Karrigan, of Eileen&#8217;s Beaded Jewelry.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/evening-wear2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8029\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/evening-wear2.jpg\" alt=\"evening wear2\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/evening-wear2.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/evening-wear2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/evening-wear2-451x300.jpg 451w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>One hundred percent of the evening&#8217;s proceeds will go to support yes4arts, which is a 501(c) nonprofit offering free classes in crochet, knitting and sewing basics to all levels, from &#8220;beginner&#8221; on up.\u00a0 Yes4arts&#8217; goals are both to preserve these arts, and to empower students to create their own wearables, both to wear and to sell.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/techno1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8050\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/techno1.jpg\" alt=\"techno1\" width=\"700\" height=\"567\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/techno1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/techno1-300x243.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/techno1-370x300.jpg 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/circuit-boards1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8024\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/circuit-boards1.jpg\" alt=\"circuit boards1\" width=\"466\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/circuit-boards1.jpg 466w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/circuit-boards1-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px\" \/><\/a>We especially enjoyed this portion of the program: five outfits designed by Louis Fournier IV, of LF Cubed Designs.\u00a0 They&#8217;re made with&#8211;recycled circuit boards and e-waste!<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/CD-dress1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8042\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/CD-dress1.jpg\" alt=\"CD dress1\" width=\"517\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/CD-dress1.jpg 517w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/CD-dress1-222x300.jpg 222w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 517px) 100vw, 517px\" \/><\/a>Here, model Lulu Zhang models one of Luis&#8217; creations.\u00a0 Kari and Caitlin pointed out, in their commentary, that this dress provided her with her own personal &#8220;windchimes&#8221;!<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/carnevale1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8022\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/carnevale1.jpg\" alt=\"carnevale1\" width=\"571\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/carnevale1.jpg 571w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/carnevale1-245x300.jpg 245w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 571px) 100vw, 571px\" \/><\/a>But perhaps the biggest hit of the evening, were these confections whipped up by designer Jodi Beth Gilbert, of All Tied Up Custom Corsets.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/cinderellaish2_edited-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8023\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/cinderellaish2_edited-1.jpg\" alt=\"cinderellaish2_edited-1\" width=\"700\" height=\"682\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/cinderellaish2_edited-1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/cinderellaish2_edited-1-300x292.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/cinderellaish2_edited-1-308x300.jpg 308w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>Her costumes evoked every fantasy character from Cinderella&#8230;<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/evil-woman-dress1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8026\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/evil-woman-dress1.jpg\" alt=\"evil woman dress1\" width=\"466\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a>&#8230;to Maleficent.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/corset-dresses1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8025\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/corset-dresses1.jpg\" alt=\"corset dresses1\" width=\"700\" height=\"687\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/corset-dresses1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/corset-dresses1-300x294.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/corset-dresses1-306x300.jpg 306w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>The Shakespearean phrase, &#8220;high fantastical&#8221;, comes to mind here!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/silent-auction1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8031\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/silent-auction1.jpg\" alt=\"silent auction1\" width=\"700\" height=\"488\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/silent-auction1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/silent-auction1-300x209.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/silent-auction1-430x300.jpg 430w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>In addition to the show itself, attendees had the opportunity to browse the silent auction (presided over by Diane Gonzales, from the Global Gifts UNICEF Shop, at CRAFTED).\u00a0\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Diane1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8032\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Diane1.jpg\" alt=\"Diane1\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Diane1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Diane1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Diane1-451x300.jpg 451w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>Not surprisingly, these beautiful artists&#8217; donations were well received!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/tamiza_edited-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8058\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/tamiza_edited-2.jpg\" alt=\"tamiza_edited-2\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/tamiza_edited-2.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/tamiza_edited-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/tamiza_edited-2-451x300.jpg 451w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>So were the chorizo selections whipped up by Humberto Raygoza, a\/k\/a &#8220;Chori-Man&#8221;, and these decadent offering by Tamiza Teja, of Tamiza&#8217;s Treats.\u00a0 (Tamiza, we trust you took the calories out&#8211;yes?)<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/dolls1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8055\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/dolls1.jpg\" alt=\"dolls1\" width=\"700\" height=\"448\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/dolls1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/dolls1-300x192.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/dolls1-469x300.jpg 469w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>And visitors also had the opportunity to purchase these dolls, designed to interest the next generation in crochet&#8230;<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/shoppers.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8060\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/shoppers.jpg\" alt=\"shoppers\" width=\"700\" height=\"582\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/shoppers.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/shoppers-300x249.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/shoppers-361x300.jpg 361w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230;as well as some of these crocheted vests and dresses.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Chicago-jail-scene1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8061\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Chicago-jail-scene1.jpg\" alt=\"Chicago jail scene1\" width=\"535\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Chicago-jail-scene1.jpg 535w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Chicago-jail-scene1-229x300.jpg 229w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 535px) 100vw, 535px\" \/><\/a>The evening&#8217;s grand finale was this selection of crocheted dresses which Paula designed, from the jail scene of the movie &#8220;Chicago&#8221;&#8230;<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Queen-Latifah-style1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8052\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Queen-Latifah-style1.jpg\" alt=\"Queen Latifah style1\" width=\"700\" height=\"525\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Queen-Latifah-style1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Queen-Latifah-style1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Queen-Latifah-style1-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>&#8230;including the &#8220;Queen Latifah&#8221; dress.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Paula-with-sign2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8011\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Paula-with-sign2.jpg\" alt=\"Paula with sign2\" width=\"700\" height=\"581\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Paula-with-sign2.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Paula-with-sign2-300x249.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Paula-with-sign2-361x300.jpg 361w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>&#8220;I am beyond happy,&#8221; Paula said, at the close of the evening.<\/p>\n<p>While the funds raised had not yet been totaled, Paula told us that six of the dolls and one of the dresses had been sold, and the contribution jar, for yes4arts, was full.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/evening-wear-3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8062\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/evening-wear-3.jpg\" alt=\"evening wear 3\" width=\"501\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/evening-wear-3.jpg 501w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/evening-wear-3-215x300.jpg 215w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 501px) 100vw, 501px\" \/><\/a>(This would be in addition to funds raised through ticket sales and the silent auction.\u00a0 After paying for the cost of the show&#8211;venue, equipment, etc., &#8211;all remaining funds go towards&#8217; yes4arts&#8217; ultimate goal: a mobile creative space, such as a van, that enables them to take their free classes to schools, shelters and other venues to continue empowering students.)<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Paula-with-models.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8008\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Paula-with-models.jpg\" alt=\"Paula with models\" width=\"700\" height=\"685\" \/><\/a>Congratulations, Paula and yes4arts staff, and thank you for a great time!\u00a0 We&#8217;ll see you at your &#8220;Santa&#8217;s Workshop&#8221; in November.<\/p>\n<p><em>(LIke to get involved?\u00a0 You&#8217;ll find information on yes4arts&#8217; free classes, and on ways you can help, by volunteering or donations, on their <a href=\"http:\/\/www.yes4arts.org\/\">website<\/a>.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Meanwhile, mark your calendar for Saturday and Sunday, November 21 and 22&#8211;that&#8217;s when their &#8220;Santa&#8217;s Workshop&#8221; is happening at <a href=\"http:\/\/craftedportla.com\/\">CRAFTED<\/a>, in San Pedro!)<\/em><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=7984\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=7878\">Brick-and-Magic<\/a>  July 6, 2015<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ed-with-model-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7884\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ed-with-model-2.jpg\" alt=\"Ed with model 2\" width=\"700\" height=\"520\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ed-with-model-2.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ed-with-model-2-300x222.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ed-with-model-2-403x300.jpg 403w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<p>Bright Bricks co-director Ed Diment makes building the world&#8217;s largest LEGO\u00ae model ship<em> look<\/em> easy.<\/p>\n<p>The reality, however, can be quite different&#8211;as explained at Friday&#8217;s press event for this <a href=\"http:\/\/queenmary.com\/tours-exhibits\/tours-exhibits-attractions\/shipyard\/\">new exhibit at the Queen Mary<\/a>, in Long Beach..<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/smokestacks.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7888\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/smokestacks.jpg\" alt=\"smokestacks\" width=\"700\" height=\"483\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/smokestacks.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/smokestacks-300x207.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/smokestacks-434x300.jpg 434w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>&#8220;Ed had to change the smokestacks three times,&#8221; offered Jordan Hays, staff member at <a href=\"http:\/\/bright-bricks.com\/\">Bright Bricks<\/a>, Ed&#8217;s UK-based professional LEGO\u00ae building company.\u00a0 The issue?\u00a0 Well&#8211;getting the smokestacks round, while using square building bricks.<\/p>\n<p>Quite literally, putting square bricks in a round hole.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/reclining.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7886\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/reclining.jpg\" alt=\"reclining\" width=\"700\" height=\"594\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/reclining.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/reclining-300x254.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/reclining-353x300.jpg 353w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>As everyone admired this new permanent exhibit, Ed talked about his experiences as a professional LEGO\u00ae builder, and what it was like to create this 604-pound, 25-foot model.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=7878\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=7846\">A Creative &#8220;Voyage&#8221;<\/a>  July 4, 2015<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ed-with-LEGO-Queen-Mary.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7848\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ed-with-LEGO-Queen-Mary.jpg\" alt=\"Ed with LEGO Queen Mary\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ed-with-LEGO-Queen-Mary.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ed-with-LEGO-Queen-Mary-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ed-with-LEGO-Queen-Mary-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<p>When Ed Diment was two years old, someone gave him a LEGO\u00ae set.\u00a0 After that, he says, any other toys failed to impress him.<\/p>\n<p>He&#8217;s been building with LEGO\u00aes ever since.\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/LEGO-Queen-Mary.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7850\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/LEGO-Queen-Mary.jpg\" alt=\"LEGO Queen Mary\" width=\"700\" height=\"498\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/LEGO-Queen-Mary.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/LEGO-Queen-Mary-300x213.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/LEGO-Queen-Mary-421x300.jpg 421w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>On Friday, media and visitors had the opportunity to visit the <a href=\"http:\/\/queenmary.com\/\">Queen Mary<\/a>, to see one of Ed&#8217;s latest creations, through his UK-based professional LEGO\u00ae-building company, Bright Bricks.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/smokestack.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7870\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/smokestack.jpg\" alt=\"smokestack\" width=\"700\" height=\"563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/smokestack.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/smokestack-300x241.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/smokestack-373x300.jpg 373w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>This is the world&#8217;s largest LEGO\u00ae brick ship model, weighing more than 600 pounds and using approximately 250,000 LEGO\u00ae parts.\u00a0 Ed and his team spent 600 hours building this 1\/40 scale model of the Queen Mary.<\/p>\n<p>The Queen Mary model is a permanent exhibit, opening today, with the goal of introducing the next generation to the majestic ship. <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/kids-craft-table.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7855\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/kids-craft-table.jpg\" alt=\"kids craft table\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/kids-craft-table.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/kids-craft-table-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/kids-craft-table-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Notice the building stations&#8211;young future artists are invited to create their own ships, after seeing the model!<\/p>\n<p>Ed said he and his team are now working on a &#8220;Dragons, Knights and Castles&#8221; installation&#8211;featuring a life-sized princess and knight.\u00a0 And yes, there will be a unicorn!\u00a0 (The new work will be on display in February, 2016, and the finished pieces will be on display on Bright Bricks&#8217; <a href=\"http:\/\/brightbricks.com\/\">website<\/a>.)<\/p>\n<p>While we were admiring the Queen Mary model, Ed displayed his LEGO\u00ae speed-building skills.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/microphone.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7865\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/microphone.jpg\" alt=\"microphone\" width=\"700\" height=\"489\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/microphone.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/microphone-300x209.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/microphone-429x300.jpg 429w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>On the spot, he created this microphone for an onsite reporter&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/dolphin.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7866\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/dolphin.jpg\" alt=\"dolphin\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/dolphin.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/dolphin-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/dolphin-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>&#8230;as well as this dolphin.<\/p>\n<p>Next to the larger model, there was also this miniature Queen Mary&#8211;approximately the size of the average mobile phone.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ed-with-mini-Queen-Mary.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7868\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ed-with-mini-Queen-Mary.jpg\" alt=\"Ed with mini Queen Mary\" width=\"700\" height=\"410\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ed-with-mini-Queen-Mary.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ed-with-mini-Queen-Mary-300x175.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ed-with-mini-Queen-Mary-500x292.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>Ed, who has won one-handed LEGO\u00ae building challenges, was asked how long it took him to build the mini-ship.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Oh&#8211;about twenty minutes.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><em>Bright Bricks&#8217; LEGO\u00ae Queen Mary model is on display in The Shipyard, on the Promenade Deck of the Queen Mary, at 1126 Queens Highway in Long Beach.\u00a0 The display is open 10 am to 6pm daily; here&#8217;s the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.queenmary.com\/tours-exhibits\/tours-exhibits-attractions\/shipyard\/\">link<\/a> for more information.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=7846\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=7630\">You&#8217;re (Artistically) Invited<\/a>  June 6, 2015<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h3>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_7631\" style=\"width: 443px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/SPAA-e1433561982700.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7631\" class=\"size-full wp-image-7631\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/SPAA-e1433561982700.jpg\" alt=\"(Graphic courtesy of San Pedro Art Association, and used with permission.)\" width=\"433\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-7631\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Graphic courtesy of San Pedro Art Association, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Want to see some gifted artists smile?<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/HPIM2056-Copy.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5509\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/HPIM2056-Copy.jpg\" alt=\"HPIM2056 - Copy\" width=\"526\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/HPIM2056-Copy.jpg 526w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/HPIM2056-Copy-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 526px) 100vw, 526px\" \/><\/a>You&#8217;ll get that opportunity, this Sunday, June 7th, as <a href=\"http:\/\/sanpedroart.org\/wp\/\">San Pedro Art Association<\/a> celebrates the creative gifts of local students.As you can see, SPAA will be hosting a free awards reception, from 2 to 5 pm at <a href=\"http:\/\/craftedportla.com\">CRAFTED<\/a>, for participants in their All Grades Student Art Competition.\u00a0 You&#8217;re invited to come down and join them, applaud enthusiastically, ooh and ahh at the talents of the participating creatives, and throw roses and Belgian chocolates to the winners.\u00a0 (OK, OK, so I <em>did<\/em> just throw that last part in to see if you were paying attention!)<\/p>\n<p>What the poster doesn&#8217;t tell you, though, is just how far <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sanpedroartassociation\">SPAA<\/a> goes to support these young artists.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/steve-with-winner1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5512\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/steve-with-winner1.jpg\" alt=\"steve with winner1\" width=\"527\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/steve-with-winner1.jpg 527w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/steve-with-winner1-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 527px) 100vw, 527px\" \/><\/a>When we talked during a previous All Grades Student Art Competition exhibit, SPAA Vice-President Steve Magee had framed each entrant&#8217;s work.\u00a0 Steve happens to be an artist who specializes in framing (his small business is called Get Framed By Steve).\u00a0 So, the results were&#8211;well, pretty spectacular.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/steve-with-art-and-sign3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7640\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/steve-with-art-and-sign3.jpg\" alt=\"steve with art and sign3\" width=\"700\" height=\"492\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/steve-with-art-and-sign3.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/steve-with-art-and-sign3-300x210.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/steve-with-art-and-sign3-426x300.jpg 426w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>In the past, SPAA has hung the students&#8217; work on exhibit in CRAFTED for the weeks following the awards ceremony.\u00a0 And while there are several categories in which competitors can win, including People&#8217;s Choice, no one really &#8220;loses&#8221;.\u00a0 Each participant receives a drawing set and SPAA membership for one year.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/SPAA-new1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7636\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/SPAA-new1.jpg\" alt=\"SPAA new1\" width=\"700\" height=\"282\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/SPAA-new1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/SPAA-new1-300x120.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/SPAA-new1-500x201.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>If you&#8217;d like to support San Pedro Art Association (which has been supporting artists and the arts for the past seventy-nine years, and counting!), they&#8217;d love to have you attend Sunday&#8217;s reception at CRAFTED.\u00a0 And while you&#8217;re there, check out SPAA&#8217;s regular booth at CRAFTED and ask them about their upcoming events&#8211;especially their <a href=\"http:\/\/sanpedroart.org\/wp\/events\/classes\/\">art classes<\/a> and their next <a href=\"http:\/\/sanpedroart.org\/wp\/1st-thursday\/\">First Thursday Art Walk<\/a>!<\/p>\n<p><em>San Pedro Art Association hosts their artists reception for their 2015 Harbor-Wide All Grades Student Art Competition this Sunday, June 7th, from 2 to 5 pm at CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles, 112 East 22nd Street at Miner, Warehouse 10 in San Pedro.\u00a0 Admission is free.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=7630\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=7485\">CALB &#8220;Follows the Sun&#8221;<\/a>  May 21, 2015<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/CALB-sign1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3208\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/CALB-sign1.jpg\" alt=\"CALB sign1\" width=\"700\" height=\"301\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/CALB-sign1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/CALB-sign1-300x129.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/CALB-sign1-500x215.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<p>Summertime.\u00a0 Sun.\u00a0 Sea.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/calbarts.org\/\">Cultural Alliance of Long Beach<\/a> is celebrating them all&#8211;and if you&#8217;re based in Long Beach,\u00a0 they encourage you to submit your art, for an opportunity to join them!<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/CALB-at-the-Shore.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6832\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/CALB-at-the-Shore.jpg\" alt=\"CALB at the Shore\" width=\"700\" height=\"431\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/CALB-at-the-Shore.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/CALB-at-the-Shore-300x184.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/CALB-at-the-Shore-487x300.jpg 487w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>Their exhibition, &#8220;Sunrises, Sunsets and Sails&#8221;, curated by Victor Ladd, opens Friday, June 5th at Shoreline Village Art Gallery. \u00a0 They&#8217;ve issued a call for local artists in the media of drawing, painting, sculpture, fiber, ceramics, prints, mixed media, books, photography, digital art, wood, and installation art.\u00a0 Work relating to the theme of &#8220;Sunrises, Sunsets and Sails&#8221; will be considered.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/harbor-sunset.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7514\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/harbor-sunset.jpg\" alt=\"harbor sunset\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/harbor-sunset.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/harbor-sunset-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/harbor-sunset-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>Submitting artists must have a yearly CALB membership (for insurance purposes).\u00a0 Membership information is available <a href=\"http:\/\/calbarts.org\/members\/join-calb\/\">here<\/a>, and discounts are available for students and senior citizens.\u00a0 Artists must submit an artist statement with their work, and submissions must be presented on Saturday and Sunday, May 30th and 31st, from 3 to 7 pm at their Shoreline Gallery space.\u00a0 (They&#8217;re located just above Shenanigans in Shoreline Village; the address is 423 C and D Shoreline Village Drive, in Long Beach.)<\/p>\n<p>Each submitting artist gets the opportunity to include two works in the show, and works submitted may be either for sale, or &#8220;NFS&#8221;&#8211;not for sale, simply for display.\u00a0 (CALB does have insurance coverage for their exhibits.)\u00a0 Students from the local colleges are welcome to submit work.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/shoreline1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7519\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/shoreline1.jpg\" alt=\"shoreline1\" width=\"700\" height=\"459\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/shoreline1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/shoreline1-300x196.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/shoreline1-457x300.jpg 457w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Artists whose work is accepted will be expected to attend CALB at the Shore&#8217;s opening reception, which takes place June 5th from 5 to 8 pm, and to be available to sell their work (unless, of course, you&#8217;ve designated it as &#8220;NFS&#8221;&#8211;not for sale, simply for everyone to enjoy!).\u00a0 While artists keep 100% of their proceeds, CALB requests a 10% donation back.<\/p>\n<p>Now&#8211;what are the requirements?\u00a0 Besides being a local artist and CALB member in good standing, think &#8220;excellence&#8221; and &#8220;professionalism&#8221;.\u00a0 CALB emails that all prints and paper art must be framed, and that framing must be exhibition quality.\u00a0 You don&#8217;t have to be as talented a framer as Victor Ladd, who customizes his frames to enhance his work&#8230;<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dimensions-artist-victor-ladd1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5692\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dimensions-artist-victor-ladd1.jpg\" alt=\"dimensions artist victor ladd1\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dimensions-artist-victor-ladd1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dimensions-artist-victor-ladd1-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dimensions-artist-victor-ladd1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>(Wow.)&#8230;but, frames must be in good condition.\u00a0 CALB tells us that mats must be clean and smoothly cut, and works on canvas are required to be framed or have finished edges.\u00a0 All artwork must be properly wired and ready to hang.\u00a0 And no saw-tooth hangers!\u00a0 (Ever.)<\/p>\n<p>For gallery exhibitions, each piece must be labeled on the back with the artist&#8217;s name, name of the piece, and price if it&#8217;s for sale.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/sunset3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7516\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/sunset3.jpg\" alt=\"sunset3\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>NOW&#8211;important dates and times to keep in mind.\u00a0 The &#8220;Sunrises, Sunsets and Sails&#8221; exhibition runs from Friday, June 5th through Saturday, June 27th.\u00a0 Unsold artwork must be picked up on either Saturday, June 27th or Sunday, June 28th, between 3 and 8 pm.\u00a0 If left after those dates, pieces incur a $5.00 daily fee for every business day they&#8217;re onsite, starting one week after the pickup date.\u00a0 Thirty days after that, the work becomes property of CALB, and is theirs to sell.\u00a0 And while we love what they do, and encourage you to support CALB, that may be more of a contribution than would be comfortable, at this point.<\/p>\n<p>Any questions about &#8220;Sunrises, Sunsets and Sails&#8221; or exhibiting?\u00a0 You can e-mail <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CulturalAllianceofLongBeach\">Cultural Alliance Long Beach <\/a>at CALBarts@gmail.com, or give them a call at (818) 448-5312.<\/p>\n<p><em>CALB&#8217;s &#8220;Sunrises, Sunsets and Sails&#8221; exhibition opens Friday, June 5th, with an opening reception from 5 to 8 pm, and runs through Saturday, June 27th, when there will be a closing exhibition from 5 to 8 pm.\u00a0 Artwork may be picked up during the closing exhibition.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=7485\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=7312\">Lights&#8230;Camera&#8230;Creativity!<\/a>  April 11, 2015<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/popcorn-too-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7316\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/popcorn-too-2.jpg\" alt=\"popcorn too (2)\" width=\"640\" height=\"672\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/popcorn-too-2.jpg 640w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/popcorn-too-2-285x300.jpg 285w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<p>What could be better than a film festival in a vintage theatre, complete with gilt ceilings and crystal chandeliers?<\/p>\n<p>How about: a film festival with all of the above, plus a temporary art gallery showcasing jewelry, paintings and crafts from local artists&#8211;and different featured artists under the marquee?<\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;s exactly what&#8217;s happening at the Warner Grand Theatre, for the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.laharborfilmfest.com\/new\/laharborfilmfest\/default.asp\">LA Harbor International Film Festival<\/a> in San Pedro this weekend.<\/p>\n<p>Tonight, they showcase the classic <em>Gypsy<\/em> in the Warner Grand, and tomorrow is Documentary Sunday.\u00a0 And both days, the <a href=\"http:\/\/sanpedroart.org\/wp\/\">San Pedro Art Association<\/a> hosts a pop-up gallery in The Arcade Building, in conjunction with the festival and just across the street from the theatre.\u00a0 They will also have a different featured artist displaying his or her work, just under the marquee.<\/p>\n<p>Tonight, the scheduled guest artist is Krisjan Klenow, with her striking line of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SteelingPompeiiJewelryByKrisjanKlenow\">Steeling Pompeii<\/a> jewelry.\u00a0 And tomorrow?\u00a0 Well, according to an email from the SPAA&#8211;it&#8217;s a surprise.\u00a0 But we can tell you, the talented members of SPAA will have you &#8220;oohing&#8221; and &#8220;aahing&#8221; even before you see the art-deco splendor of the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.grandvision.org\/warner-grand.asp\">Warner Grand<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><em>San Pedro Art Association&#8217;s LAHIFF Pop-Up Gallery continues today, April 11th and tomorrow, April 12th, from 11 am to 10 pm inside The Arcade Building, 479 West Sixth Street between South Pacific Avenue and South Mesa Street, in San Pedro.\u00a0 Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Harbor International Film Festival continues with a screening of Gypsy in the Warner Grand Theatre , 478 West Sixth, tonight at 7.\u00a0 Then tomorrow, April 12th, &#8220;Documentary Sunday&#8221; runs from noon to 7 pm; here&#8217;s the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.laharborfilmfest.com\/new\/laharborfilmfest\/default.asp\">schedule<\/a> of films.<\/em><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=7312\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=7121\">Save the Date&#8211;in July<\/a>  March 14, 2015<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Paula-Crochet-sign.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7140\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Paula-Crochet-sign.jpg\" alt=\"Paula Crochet sign\" width=\"2021\" height=\"1077\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Paula-Crochet-sign.jpg 2021w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Paula-Crochet-sign-300x159.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Paula-Crochet-sign-1024x545.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Paula-Crochet-sign-500x266.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2021px) 100vw, 2021px\" \/><\/a>We have some wonderful news.<\/p>\n<p>Remember our earlier <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=5346\">interview<\/a> with designer Paula Bennett, of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.crochetfashion.com\/\">Paula Crochet Fashion<\/a>?\u00a0 She teaches free crochet and knitting classes&#8211;and all she asks in return, is that her students pass on the techniques she&#8217;s taught them.<\/p>\n<p>Paula&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.yes4arts.org\/\">website<\/a>, for her volunteer organization yes4arts, is now up and running!\u00a0 She emailed that the site started in January, 2015. \u00a0 And this summer, her dream of a fashion show, featuring her fiber-arts creations, will become a reality.<\/p>\n<p>Save the date&#8211;it is&#8211;ta-dah!\u00a0 Saturday, July 25, from 6 to 10 pm, at Torrance Cultural Center&#8217;s Toyota Meeting Hall.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_7135\" style=\"width: 523px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/yes4arts-flyers-paula-bennett-flyer1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7135\" class=\"size-full wp-image-7135\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/yes4arts-flyers-paula-bennett-flyer1.jpg\" alt=\"(Flyer courtesy of Paula Bennett, and used with permission.)\" width=\"513\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/yes4arts-flyers-paula-bennett-flyer1.jpg 513w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/yes4arts-flyers-paula-bennett-flyer1-219x300.jpg 219w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 513px) 100vw, 513px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-7135\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Flyer courtesy of Paula Bennett, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Paula says her &#8220;Fiber Arts Fashion Show&#8221; will feature the work of two main designers: herself and Jodi Beth Gilbert, of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.alltiedupcorsets.com\/\">All Tied Up Custom Corsetry &amp; Costumes<\/a>.\u00a0 It&#8217;s going to be an evening of entertainment, fun and, of course, fabulous fashion.<\/p>\n<p>She also says that a hundred percent of the proceeds, from the show, will go to benefit\u00a0 yes4arts, which currently features free sewing instruction, in addition to her earlier offerings of knitting and crocheting classes.\u00a0 A quilting class is planned, for 2016.<\/p>\n<p>Want tickets?\u00a0 They&#8217;re going to be limited, but you can find out more<a href=\"http:\/\/www.yes4arts.org\/Event.html\"> here<\/a>&#8211;there&#8217;s a discount till March 31st!<\/p>\n<p>Can&#8217;t go to the fashion show, but you&#8217;d like to help support Paula in her outreach to schools, group homes and senior centers?\u00a0 She can use a few good volunteers&#8211;along with donations of yarn, crochet hooks and knitting needles.\u00a0 Here&#8217;s a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.yes4arts.org\/Getinvolved.html\">link<\/a> with more information.<\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0Paula Bennett&#8217;s &#8220;Paula Crochet&#8221; is located at Booth 108 of CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles, 112 East 22nd Street, Warehouse 10 (at Miner).\u00a0 Stop by and say &#8220;hi&#8221;, Fridays through Sundays from 11 am to 5 pm, and ask her about her free classes.\u00a0 Meanwhile, her &#8220;yes4arts Fiber Arts Fashion Show&#8221; is happening Saturday evening, July 25th, from 6 to 10 pm at Toyota Meeting Hall in the Torrance Cultural Center, 3330 Civic Center Drive, west of Maple Avenue. <\/em><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=7121\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=7099\">Glass, Clay and Creativity<\/a>  March 7, 2015<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/gayle-and-regina-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7113\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/gayle-and-regina-2.jpg\" alt=\"gayle and regina 2\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/gayle-and-regina-2.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/gayle-and-regina-2-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/gayle-and-regina-2-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>March is National Craft Month.\u00a0 And today, Gayle Fleury and Regina Fernandez, co-founders of\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.seasidestudiossanpedro.com\/\">Seaside Studios San Pedro,<\/a> will be doing something interesting.<\/p>\n<p>Oh, wait&#8211;that&#8217;s <em>every<\/em> Saturday.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/gayle-with-jewelry-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6492\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/gayle-with-jewelry-2.jpg\" alt=\"gayle with jewelry 2\" width=\"466\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/gayle-with-jewelry-2.jpg 466w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/gayle-with-jewelry-2-199x300.jpg 199w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/regina-with-angel1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6493\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/regina-with-angel1.jpg\" alt=\"regina with angel1\" width=\"466\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/regina-with-angel1.jpg 466w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/regina-with-angel1-199x300.jpg 199w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px\" \/><\/a>Maybe I should say, today Seaside Studios San Pedro is adding <em>another<\/em> special event to their usual jewelrymaking classes, pottery classes, and open-studio hours.<\/p>\n<p>They&#8217;ll be hosting a Glass Art and Glass Clay workshop, with world-renowned glass artist <a href=\"http:\/\/paularadke.com\/\">Paula Radke<\/a>, at 1:00 this afternoon.<\/p>\n<p>Paula crafts ooh-and-ahh-gorgeous beads and cabochons with dichroic glass.\u00a0 Her shapes are really fun&#8211;sure, she makes round beads too, but I really like her twists and rectangles, especially those cool silver-and-black stripes.<\/p>\n<p>According to the blurb on Seaside Studios&#8217; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/Seaside-Studios-San-Pedro\/653664764671506\">Facebook page<\/a>, Paula will be teaching all kinds of fun &#8220;extras&#8221; in today&#8217;s workshop. \u00a0 She&#8217;ll be demonstrating her self-developed techniques, along with some new ways to work with dichroic glass.\u00a0 And while materials are included in the class fee, she&#8217;ll also bring extra inventory, if you get seriously addicted and can&#8217;t resist creating extra projects!<\/p>\n<p>More details on today&#8217;s class are available<a href=\"http:\/\/www.seasidestudiossanpedro.com\/store\/p5\/ART_GLASS_CLAY_w_Paula_Radke!_.html\"> here<\/a>&#8211;and if you&#8217;d like a closer look at some of Paula&#8217;s recent creations, you might like to visit her <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PaulaRadkeArtGlassClay\">Facebook page<\/a>.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/laughter1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6486\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/laughter1.jpg\" alt=\"laughter1\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/laughter1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/laughter1-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/laughter1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>And while you&#8217;re there, you may want to ask Gayle and Regina about their future plans.\u00a0\u00a0 They&#8217;re sure to be scheduling something fun and &#8220;crafty&#8221;, for National Crafts Month and beyond.<\/p>\n<p><em>The Glass Art and Glass Clay Workshop with Paula Radke runs from 1:00 to 5:00 pm today, Saturday, March 7, 2015, and the cost is $100 per person.\u00a0 According to this <a href=\"http:\/\/www.seasidestudiossanpedro.com\/store\/p5\/ART_GLASS_CLAY_w_Paula_Radke!_.html\">link<\/a>, space is still available in the class, but you might like to check with Seaside Studios,at (562) <span data-reactid=\".1.0.0\">673-7660<\/span>..\u00a0 Seaside Studios San Pedro is<\/em> <em>located at 525 North Harbor Boulevard, Suite 3, are located between Beacon and O\u2019Farrell Streets, across from the dancing fountains.<br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=7099\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=6902\">Love and Creativity<\/a>  February 14, 2015<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h3>\n<p>Love is an essential part of being an artist.<\/p>\n<p>And this Valentine&#8217;s Day weekend, a number of gifted artists would like to share the work they love, with you.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/CALB-at-the-Shore.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6917\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/CALB-at-the-Shore.jpg\" alt=\"CALB at the Shore\" width=\"700\" height=\"431\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/CALB-at-the-Shore.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/CALB-at-the-Shore-300x184.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/CALB-at-the-Shore-487x300.jpg 487w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>In the Long Beach area, <a href=\"http:\/\/calbarts.org\/\">Cultural Alliance of Long Beach<\/a> are continuing their Black History Month exhibition, entitled &#8220;A Celebration of Heritage&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>Paintings, pencil drawings, mixed-media pieces and African artifacts are all a part of this thought-provoking exhibition.\u00a0\u00a0 Masks, woodcarvings and an intricate (and beautiful!) Nigerian beaded crown are just a few of the things you&#8217;ll see, and exhibiting artists include Shy But Flyy and Deborah Alvarez.<\/p>\n<p><em>CALB&#8217;s &#8220;A Celebration of Heritage&#8221; art exhibit continues from now through Saturday, February 28th at their Shoreline Village location.\u00a0 The address is 423 Shoreline Village Drive, just upstairs from Shenanigans Irish Pub and Grille, and gallery hours are Fridays and Saturdays, from 3 to 8 pm, and Sundays from 3 to 7.<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/CRAFTED-6.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-4413\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/CRAFTED-6.jpg\" alt=\"CRAFTED 6\" width=\"600\" height=\"382\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/CRAFTED-6.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/CRAFTED-6-300x191.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/CRAFTED-6-471x300.jpg 471w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Meanwhile, across the bridge in San Pedro, <a href=\"http:\/\/craftedportla.com\">CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles<\/a> has plans for Valentine&#8217;s Day.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to their displays of eclectic work from more than a hundred local artisans, they&#8217;re featuring dancing to live music by the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.harborjazzensemble.com\/\">Harbor Jazz Ensemble<\/a>, today from 2:30 to 5:00 pm.\u00a0 You can also show off your Valentine creativity at their &#8220;Creation Station&#8221;, where guests can create Valentine cards and wreaths both today and tomorrow.\u00a0 And some of the cool offering from their exhibiting artists, for you and\/or your Valentine, include Cupid aprons, heart jewelry and (if you&#8217;re lucky) some pretty incredible hand-dipped chocolate marshmallows!<\/p>\n<p><em><a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Craftedportla\">CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles<\/a>, a year-round crafts marketplace, is located in Warehouse 10 at 112 East 22nd Street, near Miner, in San Pedro.\u00a0 Their hours are Friday through Sunday, from 11 am to 6 pm.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/SPAA-sign..jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5059\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/SPAA-sign..jpg\" alt=\"SPAA sign.\" width=\"700\" height=\"290\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/SPAA-sign..jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/SPAA-sign.-300x124.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/SPAA-sign.-500x207.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/em>Now&#8211;OK.\u00a0 The next show we&#8217;re going to mention is NOT open this weekend.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/sanpedroart.org\/wp\/\">San Pedro Art Association<\/a> has a current exhibit called &#8220;It&#8217;s All San Pedro&#8221;, which is open on weekdays only.<\/p>\n<p>But, we&#8217;ll tell you about it anyway, because it&#8217;s such a great idea&#8211;and also because we love them.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sanpedroartassociation\">SPAA&#8217;s<\/a> &#8220;It&#8217;s All San Pedro&#8221; exhibition features the work of fourteen artists, including Audrey Marlett, Carlos Boisselle, and Joyce Welsh.\u00a0 Media on display include paintings, digital art and assemblage&#8211;all inspired by life in San Pedro.<\/p>\n<p><em>&#8220;It&#8217;s All San Pedro&#8221; is on display in the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce Board Room Gallery, located at 390 West 7th Street, east of South Mesa.\u00a0 Hours are 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday (however, they&#8217;ll be closed on Monday, the 16th, for Presidents&#8217; Day).\u00a0 &#8220;It&#8217;s All San Pedro&#8221; runs from now through Friday, February 27th.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>A very Happy Valentine&#8217;s Day to you and the special people in your life&#8211;and have a safe holiday weekend!<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=6902\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=6810\">CALB Seeks Artists<\/a>  January 24, 2015<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/CALB-at-the-Shore.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6832\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/CALB-at-the-Shore.jpg\" alt=\"CALB at the Shore\" width=\"700\" height=\"431\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/CALB-at-the-Shore.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/CALB-at-the-Shore-300x184.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/CALB-at-the-Shore-487x300.jpg 487w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>&#8220;Heritage&#8221; is a beautiful word.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s also one on which the <a href=\"http:\/\/calbarts.org\/\">Cultural Alliance of Long Beach<\/a> is basing their next art exhibit&#8211;and they&#8217;d like your talents to be a part of it.<\/p>\n<p>February is Black History Month&#8211;and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CulturalAllianceofLongBeach\">CALB<\/a> is issuing a call for artists, for their exhibit entitled &#8220;A Celebration of Heritage&#8221;!<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;A Celebration of Heritage&#8221; runs from Friday, February 6th through Saturday, February 28th.\u00a0\u00a0 Artists may bring up to three works, on Monday or Tuesday, February 2nd and 3rd, from 3 to 7 pm, to CALB&#8217;s new Shoreline Village space, just above Shenanigans.\u00a0 CALB says at least one of the works will be chosen for the exhibit.<\/p>\n<p>Artists may submit: paintings, hand-made sculptures, mixed-media and handmade musical instruments for consideration.\u00a0 CALB, which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting artists of all ages, in all disciplines, does have some requirements for exhibitors:<\/p>\n<p>(a) For insurance purposes, they need all exhibiting artists to be current CALB members.\u00a0 Their regular annual membership fee is fifty dollars, but students and kids over fifty-five (I like that better than &#8220;seniors&#8221;, don&#8217;t you?) may join for twenty-five dollars.<\/p>\n<p>(b) CALB requests a 10% commission\/donation on all works sold.<\/p>\n<p>(c) In an effort to make exhibiting more of a collaborative experience, CALB requires all exhibition participants to gallery sit, one evening of the show.<\/p>\n<p>(d) Enjoy sharing your creative gifts, and your heritage.\u00a0 (Oh, wait&#8211;that&#8217;s not a CALB requirement.\u00a0 It just seems to happen a lot, for exhibiting artists at the CALB shows we&#8217;ve seen in the past.)<\/p>\n<p><em>Cultural Alliance of Long Beach will be accepting works from artists for their &#8220;A Celebration of Heritage&#8221; exhibit on both Monday, February 2nd, and Tuesday, February 3rd, from 3 to 7 pm at their Shoreline Village location, at 423 Shoreline Village, upstairs from Shenanigan&#8217;s.\u00a0 CALB has begun a membership drive, in which all exhibiting artists are required to update their memberships or become new members; membership information is available<a href=\"http:\/\/calbarts.org\/members\/join-calb\/\"> here<\/a>.<br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=6810\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=6748\">New &#8220;Beginnings&#8221; at CALB<\/a>  January 11, 2015<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h3>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_6749\" style=\"width: 460px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Chick-with-egg-from-CALB.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6749\" class=\"size-full wp-image-6749\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Chick-with-egg-from-CALB.jpg\" alt=\"(Photo courtesy of Cultural Alliance of Long Beach, and used with permission.)\" width=\"450\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Chick-with-egg-from-CALB.jpg 450w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Chick-with-egg-from-CALB-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-6749\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of Cultural Alliance of Long Beach, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>What do you think of, when you think of new beginnings?<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/calbarts.org\/\">Cultural Alliance of Long Beach<\/a> has a new exhibition, at their Shore Gallery space, that explores this question.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CulturalAllianceofLongBeach\">CALB<\/a>&#8216;s first exhibition of 2015, entitled &#8220;Beginnings&#8221;, opened Friday, January 9th.\u00a0 Works by artists including Keith Lilly, Carol Swanson and Cynthia Lujan illustrate the aspects of a new start: challenging, exciting, fearful, joyous or otherwise.<\/p>\n<p>In tandem with the exhbition, CALB has its own additional new beginning: an event series, called &#8220;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/events\/844477328927173\/\">Artists, Authors and Music<\/a>&#8220;.\u00a0 Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, from 3 to 7 pm, their Shoreline space will feature family-friendly happenings combining live performances, and poetry readings with their current art exhibit.\u00a0 This afternoon&#8217;s presentation features live music by Shy But Flyy and Friends, with readings by Philosophy, Black Charlie, Dragonfly Jon and Nerd.<\/p>\n<p>Looks like CALB is getting 2015 off to an inspiring start&#8211;and you&#8217;re invited!<\/p>\n<p><em>Cultural Alliance of Long Beach is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting working artists of all ages, and in all disciplines. Their new show, &#8220;Beginnings&#8221;, runs from now through Friday, January 30th, at their Shore Gallery space, in Shoreline Village at 423 Shore Village Drive, just above Shenanigans.\u00a0 Admission is free to the exhibit and &#8220;Artists, Authors and Music&#8221; series, with hours from 3 to 7 pm, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.\u00a0 They&#8217;re open this afternoon, Sunday, January 11th at 3.<br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=6748\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=6705\">Fresh &#8220;Beginnings&#8221; in Long Beach<\/a>  January 4, 2015<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/yellow-daisies21.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-4442\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/yellow-daisies21.jpg\" alt=\"yellow daisies2\" width=\"600\" height=\"468\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/yellow-daisies21.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/yellow-daisies21-300x234.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/yellow-daisies21-384x300.jpg 384w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>Okay&#8211;admittedly&#8211;the Christmas season is winding down.<\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;re seeing fewer lights on at night (I like mine on through January 6, how about you?),\u00a0 there are Christmas trees out on the curb for recycling (sigh), and the Christmas music has stopped playing in public places until&#8211;well, at least until mid-November.<\/p>\n<p>Which means, it&#8217;s time to look forward to something exciting.<\/p>\n<p>Fortunately, <a href=\"http:\/\/CALBarts.org\">Cultural Alliance of Long Beach <\/a>is planning something special.<\/p>\n<p>To start off the New Year, they&#8217;re hosting a new show, called &#8220;Beginnings&#8221;, at their new Shoreline space.\u00a0 And they&#8217;re looking for artists to participate.<\/p>\n<p>Their show will feature paintings, sculpture and photographs, exploring the theme of &#8220;Beginnings&#8221;.\u00a0 Show dates are Friday, January 9th through Friday, January 30th.<\/p>\n<p>Artists may drop off up to three works at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CulturalAllianceofLongBeach\">CALB<\/a>&#8216;s Shore art space on Monday, January 5 and Tuesday, January 6, from 3 to 7 pm.\u00a0\u00a0 At least one of the three will be selected for the show.<\/p>\n<p>Have fun, and have a very creative and Happy New Year!<\/p>\n<p><em>Cultural Alliance of Long Beach&#8217;s Shoreline space is located at 423 Shoreline Village Drive, just upstairs from Shenanigans Irish Pub and Grille, in Long Beach.\u00a0 There is no entry fee for &#8220;Beginnings&#8221;, but they do require that all exhibitors become CALB members; you&#8217;ll find more information on membership <a href=\"http:\/\/calbarts.org\/members\/join-calb\/\">here<\/a>.\u00a0 &#8220;Beginnings&#8221; will open this <span class=\"aBn\" tabindex=\"0\" data-term=\"goog_184137762\"><span class=\"aQJ\">Friday, Jan. 9th<\/span><\/span>, from <span class=\"aBn\" tabindex=\"0\" data-term=\"goog_184137763\"><span class=\"aQJ\">5 to 8 pm<\/span><\/span>. \u00a0Thereafter, show hours are Fridays and Saturdays, 3 to 8 pm, and Sundays, 3 to 7 pm.<br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=6705\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=6516\">Christmas at the &#8220;Seaside&#8221;<\/a>  December 23, 2014<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.seasidestudiossanpedro.com\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6523\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/gayle-and-regina-2.jpg\" alt=\"gayle and regina (2)\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/gayle-and-regina-2.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/gayle-and-regina-2-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/gayle-and-regina-2-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/>Seaside Studios San Pedro<\/a>&#8211;a\/k\/a artists Gayle Fleury and Regina Fernandez&#8211;are celebrating a very creative Christmas.<\/p>\n<p>For Gayle and Regina, this is their first Christmas in their exciting new studio\/gallery\/classroom space!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/preparing-the-space2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6525\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/preparing-the-space2.jpg\" alt=\"preparing the space2\" width=\"700\" height=\"523\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/preparing-the-space2.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/preparing-the-space2-300x224.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/preparing-the-space2-401x300.jpg 401w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/regina-with-her-work-lighter.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6533\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/regina-with-her-work-lighter.jpg\" alt=\"regina with her work lighter\" width=\"562\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/regina-with-her-work-lighter.jpg 562w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/regina-with-her-work-lighter-240x300.jpg 240w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 562px) 100vw, 562px\" \/><\/a>During an early-December visit, Gayle and Regina talked about their journey as artists, their experiences opening Seaside Studios San Pedro and the directions they&#8217;re taking, as we approach 2015!\u00a0 AND, they displayed their current community outreach project&#8211;glazed bowls for the Empty Bowls Project&#8211;in which you can get involved, at no charge! <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/bowls-up-close1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6503\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/bowls-up-close1.jpg\" alt=\"bowls up close1\" width=\"700\" height=\"478\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/bowls-up-close1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/bowls-up-close1-300x204.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/bowls-up-close1-439x300.jpg 439w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><em>Gayle Fleury, owner of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/Aussie-Girl-Designs\/105513316150336\">Aussie Girl Designs<\/a>, and Regina Fernandez, owner of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PortTownPottery\">Port Town Pottery<\/a>, have their new creative space, Seaside Studios San Pedro, at\u00a0525 North Harbor Boulevard, Suite 3, in San Pedro, between Beacon and O&#8217;Farrell Streets, across from the dancing fountains.\u00a0\u00a0 You can see and purchase their cool creations during open studio hours on Saturdays, 10 am &#8211; 3 pm, or Monday afternoons.\u00a0 They&#8217;d also welcome you to come and glaze a bowl, for free, in support of The Empty Bowls Project.\u00a0 In addition to their Saturday hours, you may\u00a0 be able to stop by during the week if you call first: (562) 673-7660.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=6516\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=6481\">Creating, Achieving, Giving<\/a>  December 20, 2014<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><em>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/regina-gayle-and-dingo-3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6488\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/regina-gayle-and-dingo-3.jpg\" alt=\"regina gayle and dingo 3\" width=\"466\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a>Artists Gayle Fleury and Regina Fernandez have embarked on an exciting entrepreneurial journey.<\/p>\n<p>And it&#8217;s all about community&#8211;and giving back.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/bowls2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6490\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/bowls2.jpg\" alt=\"bowls2\" width=\"700\" height=\"455\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/bowls2.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/bowls2-300x195.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/bowls2-461x300.jpg 461w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>Gayle and Regina opened their new creative space, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.seasidestudiossanpedro.com\/http:\/\/\">Seaside Studios San Pedro<\/a>, in April of this year.\u00a0\u00a0 Besides showcasing each artist&#8217;s line, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/Seaside-Studios-San-Pedro\/653664764671506\">Seaside Studios San Pedro<\/a> offers art classes and special events.\u00a0 They also have open-studio hours&#8211;and this Christmas, not only are they showcasing Gayle&#8217;s imaginative jewelry and accessories for her <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/Aussie-Girl-Designs\/105513316150336\">Aussie Girl Designs&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/gayle-with-jewelry-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6492\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/gayle-with-jewelry-2.jpg\" alt=\"gayle with jewelry 2\" width=\"466\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/gayle-with-jewelry-2.jpg 466w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/gayle-with-jewelry-2-199x300.jpg 199w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px\" \/><\/a>&#8230;and Regina&#8217;s colorful and beautiful <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PortTownPottery\">Port Town Pottery<\/a> ceramics&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/regina-with-angel1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6493\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/regina-with-angel1.jpg\" alt=\"regina with angel1\" width=\"466\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/regina-with-angel1.jpg 466w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/regina-with-angel1-199x300.jpg 199w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px\" \/><\/a>&#8230;they&#8217;re also involved in a creative community project, with which they&#8217;d like your help.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/in-preparation2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6491\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/in-preparation2.jpg\" alt=\"in preparation2\" width=\"700\" height=\"494\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/in-preparation2.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/in-preparation2-300x211.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/in-preparation2-425x300.jpg 425w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>Gayle and Regina are currently offering everyone an opportunity to come into their studios and glaze a ceramic bowl, for free, as part of the nationwide <a href=\"http:\/\/www.emptybowls.net\/\">Empty Bowls Project<\/a>.\u00a0 The Empty Bowls Project is a grassroots effort to feed people in need.\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/bowls21.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6502\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/bowls21.jpg\" alt=\"bowls2\" width=\"700\" height=\"455\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/bowls21.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/bowls21-300x195.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/bowls21-461x300.jpg 461w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/bowls-up-close1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6503\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/bowls-up-close1.jpg\" alt=\"bowls up close1\" width=\"700\" height=\"478\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/bowls-up-close1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/bowls-up-close1-300x204.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/bowls-up-close1-439x300.jpg 439w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>So, Regina and Gayle are providing these bowls to be used in a fundraiser soup supper, in February, to benefit <a href=\"http:\/\/harborinterfaith.org\/\">Harbor Interfaith Services<\/a>&#8211;a San Pedro nonprofit which helps the homeless and working poor.\u00a0 At this writing, they could use at least seventy more glazed bowls.\u00a0\u00a0 They&#8217;ll be continuing to have open-studio hours on Saturdays in December, and possibly into early January.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/closeup-bowls.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6507\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/closeup-bowls.jpg\" alt=\"closeup bowls\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/closeup-bowls.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/closeup-bowls-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/closeup-bowls-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>Gayle and Regina talked about their backgrounds as artists, the genesis of their new creative space and some of the steps on their entrepreneurial journey.<\/p>\n<p><em><a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/Seaside-Studios-San-Pedro\/653664764671506\">Seaside Studios, San Pedro<\/a>, are located at 525 North Harbor Boulevard, Suite 3, in San Pedro, between Beacon and O&#8217;Farrell Streets, across from the dancing fountains.\u00a0\u00a0 If you can&#8217;t come by on Saturdays or Mondays but will be in the area and would like to glaze one or more of their bowls to support the Empty Bowls Project, you can also reach Gayle and Regina at (562 673-7660.\u00a0 And you might like to ask them about their upcoming classes!<br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=6481\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=6310\">Christmas Sparkle at CRAFTED<\/a>  December 8, 2014<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/Boutique-sign.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6313\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/Boutique-sign.jpg\" alt=\"Boutique sign\" width=\"409\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/Boutique-sign.jpg 409w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/Boutique-sign-175x300.jpg 175w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 409px) 100vw, 409px\" \/><\/a>Admittedly, the first Saturday in December is always special anyway.<\/p>\n<p>But this past weekend,\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.handmadeinsouthbay.com\/\">Handmade in South Bay<\/a> added a little extra sparkle.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/show-floor-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6363\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/show-floor-2.jpg\" alt=\"show floor 2\" width=\"700\" height=\"627\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/show-floor-2.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/show-floor-2-300x268.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/show-floor-2-334x300.jpg 334w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>HMSB&#8217;s second annual &#8220;Holiday Boutique&#8221;, at <a href=\"http:\/\/craftedportla.com\/\">CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles<\/a>, featured more than fifty handmade-only artist\/entrepreneurs&#8211;including some brand-new ones who were getting their first taste of following their dreams.<\/p>\n<p>From 11 am to 6 pm, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/handmadesouthbay\">HMSB<\/a> showcased the work of their talented artisans&#8211;and we found some brand-new favorites!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/gayle.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6342\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/gayle.jpg\" alt=\"gayle\" width=\"522\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a>One of the first artists visitors saw, after entering CRAFTED&#8217;s big side room, was Gail Rugnetta of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/angelartdreams\">Angel Art Dreams<\/a>.\u00a0 Her Viking knit jewelry is both unique and beautiful: two personal favorites were her copper knotted bracelets, and her earrings made with Swarovski crystals.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/katrina.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6346\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/katrina.jpg\" alt=\"katrina\" width=\"507\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/katrina.jpg 507w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/katrina-217x300.jpg 217w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 507px) 100vw, 507px\" \/><\/a>Just down the aisle was Katrina de los Reyes, of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/WicksandWine?ref=br_tf\">Wicks and Wine<\/a>.\u00a0 She crafts her luscious-colored, fragrant soy candles in recycled wine bottles!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/stephanie.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6348\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/stephanie.jpg\" alt=\"stephanie\" width=\"433\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/stephanie.jpg 433w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/stephanie-185x300.jpg 185w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 433px) 100vw, 433px\" \/><\/a>Stephanie Beebe&#8217;s small business, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/mypaperpetals\">Paper Petals<\/a>, offers intricately-designed floral arrangements and boutonnieres made of paper.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/jacqui-with-her-quilt.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6349\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/jacqui-with-her-quilt.jpg\" alt=\"jacqui with her quilt\" width=\"508\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a>We also couldn&#8217;t resist these handcrafted blankets by Jackie Demyers, of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CraftsByJacqui\">Crafts by Jacqui.<\/a>\u00a0 Her fabrics are every bit as soft as they look&#8211;and a lucky two-year-old on our gift list is going to love her new butterfly blanket!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/alexandrias-accessory-alchemy1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6351\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/alexandrias-accessory-alchemy1.jpg\" alt=\"alexandrias accessory alchemy\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/alexandrias-accessory-alchemy1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/alexandrias-accessory-alchemy1-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/alexandrias-accessory-alchemy1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>Speaking of gifts, Alexandria Krajewski, of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/AccessoryAlchemy?ref=shopinfo_shophome_leftnav\">Accessory Alchemy<\/a>, not only had handmade elf hats, but a variety of steampunk and vintage-inspired jewelry and accessories.\u00a0 She said she&#8217;d made these Christmas tree necklaces specifically for this show&#8211;and they sold out!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/mary-anne-mers-obsessions.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6352\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/mary-anne-mers-obsessions.jpg\" alt=\"mary anne mers obsessions\" width=\"512\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a>Handcrafted Christmas jewelry was also a major temptation at Mary Anne St. John&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/mersobsessions\">Mer&#8217;s Obsessions<\/a> booth.\u00a0 (Seriously, we <em>tried<\/em> to resist her Swarovski-crystal Christmas-tree earrings, but, well&#8230;)<\/p>\n<p>Now starting their second year, HMSB is a community of artists&#8211;and one that gives back.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/cub-scouts.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6353\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/cub-scouts.jpg\" alt=\"cub scouts\" width=\"700\" height=\"380\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/cub-scouts.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/cub-scouts-300x162.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/cub-scouts-500x271.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>One exhibit, in particular, was an exciting addition to Saturday&#8217;s show.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/CITY1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6354\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/CITY1.jpg\" alt=\"CITY\" width=\"466\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/CITY1.jpg 466w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/CITY1-199x300.jpg 199w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px\" \/><\/a>Tasha Greenberg and Osvin Suazo were on hand to talk with visitors about <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TCPYouth\">CITY,<\/a> a nonprofit program which teaches entrepreneurship to Los Angeles youth, ages 14 to 24.<\/p>\n<p>CITY Executive Director Chandra Stovall explained that the HMSB boutique was a soft launch for the students on hand, who were getting their first taste of selling to the public!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/stephanie-guerrero.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6366\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/stephanie-guerrero.jpg\" alt=\"stephanie guerrero\" width=\"700\" height=\"564\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/stephanie-guerrero.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/stephanie-guerrero-300x241.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/stephanie-guerrero-372x300.jpg 372w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>Among the new exhibitors was Stephanie Guerrero, with her cute mini-Christmas cards and custom caricature pins.\u00a0 Her small business is called &#8220;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.honeyfuggle.com\/\">Honeyfuggle<\/a>&#8220;!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/for-artist-alley.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6375\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/for-artist-alley.jpg\" alt=\"for artist alley\" width=\"415\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/for-artist-alley.jpg 415w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/for-artist-alley-177x300.jpg 177w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 415px) 100vw, 415px\" \/><\/a>There was also another first, for this particular show.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/artist-alley.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6371\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/artist-alley.jpg\" alt=\"artist alley\" width=\"664\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a>After we finished admiring her pine-scented Christmas-tree aromatherapy sachets (what a great &#8220;Secret Santa&#8221; gift!), Barb Lieberman, of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ourseedsofinspiration.com\/\">Seeds of Inspiration<\/a>, mentioned that this &#8220;Holiday Boutique&#8221; included an &#8220;Artist Alley&#8221; of pop culture artists.\u00a0 She added that HMSB&#8217;s upcoming Spring Boutique will also include an &#8220;Author Alley&#8221;!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/barb-lieberman.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6343\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/barb-lieberman.jpg\" alt=\"barb lieberman\" width=\"580\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/barb-lieberman.jpg 580w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/barb-lieberman-248x300.jpg 248w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px\" \/><\/a>(Let&#8217;s hope she reads from her latest work, when that happens.\u00a0 Barb just published her second book, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Miss-Stars-Barbara-Lieberman\/dp\/1502743515\/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1418049857&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=to+miss+the+stars\"><em>To Miss the Stars<\/em><\/a>, and she&#8217;s currently at work on her third one!)<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/ellie.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6344\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/ellie.jpg\" alt=\"ellie\" width=\"508\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/ellie.jpg 508w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/ellie-217x300.jpg 217w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 508px) 100vw, 508px\" \/><\/a>Across the hall, Ellie Lieberman, of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/AcornTops\">Acorn Tops, <\/a>showcased\u00a0 her whimsical fairy houses, fairy doors and Christmas ornaments.\u00a0 A portion of her proceeds on her red heart doors went to a women&#8217;s shelter.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/jessica2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6358\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/jessica2.jpg\" alt=\"jessica2\" width=\"506\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a>And Jessica Johnson, of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/MyCustomGreetings?ref=si_shop\">Jessie&#8217;s Custom Greetings<\/a>, offered some unique pin-up Christmas cards, ornament\/card combos and gift card holders!\u00a0 Jessica&#8217;s working on another art piece after making her first gallery sale earlier this year.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/jessie-j-sign.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6359\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/jessie-j-sign.jpg\" alt=\"jessie j sign\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/jessie-j-sign.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/jessie-j-sign-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/jessie-j-sign-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>Like the other artists of Handmade in South Bay, Jessica gives back through her creations.\u00a0 According to her <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mycustomgreetings.com\/\">website<\/a>, this Christmas season, she&#8217;s again donating a portion of her proceeds&#8211;along with blank cards for service members to send to family and friends&#8211;to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sanpedropackagesforpatriots.com\/\">San Pedro Packages for Patriots<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>All in all, Saturday was a fantastic day of Christmas, crafts and community&#8211;and this sign says it all:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/proud-member-sign.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6357\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/proud-member-sign.jpg\" alt=\"proud member sign\" width=\"517\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a>Merry Christmas and Happy Anniversary, HMSB!\u00a0 See you in the spring.<\/p>\n<p><em>The majority of HMSB&#8217;s artists do custom orders, and can be reached through their Facebook pages and Etsy shops.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Meanwhile, year-round crafts marketplace CRAFTED, at 112 East 22nd Street, Warehouse 10, in San Pedro, is open Fridays through Sundays, from 11 am to 6 pm, and has some special <a href=\"http:\/\/craftedportla.com\/calendar\/month\/\">&#8220;make-and-take&#8221;\u00a0 workshops and pop-ups <\/a>scheduled for the next two weekends!<\/em><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=6310\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=5892\">Love-Filled &#8220;Empty Bowls&#8221;<\/a>  November 17, 2014<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h3>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_5904\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/Empty-Bowls1-e1416196669196.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5904\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5904\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/Empty-Bowls1-e1416196669196.jpg\" alt=\"(Photo courtesy of Seaside Studios San Pedro, and used with permission.)\" width=\"700\" height=\"525\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5904\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of Seaside Studios San Pedro, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>This Christmas season, San Pedro has a brand-new art space.<\/p>\n<p>And wait&#8217;ll you hear about the creative (and very cool) community outreach project they&#8217;re sponsoring.<\/p>\n<p>The new creative space is <a href=\"http:\/\/www.seasidestudiossanpedro.com\/\">Seaside Studios San Pedro<\/a>, which opened in April of this year.\u00a0 They have classes, a gallery and studio time available&#8211;and judging from their <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/Seaside-Studios-San-Pedro\/653664764671506\">Facebook page<\/a>, they&#8217;re really creating some gorgeous ceramics, jewelry and fabric art.\u00a0 You&#8217;re invited to come by, see what they have and maybe do some early Christmas shopping at their gallery.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_5905\" style=\"width: 535px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/Empty-Bowls2-e1416196698771.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5905\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5905\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/Empty-Bowls2-e1416196698771.jpg\" alt=\"(Photo courtesy of Seaside Studios San Pedro, and used with permission.)\" width=\"525\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5905\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of Seaside Studios San Pedro, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Their special project, though, is called &#8220;Empty Bowls&#8221;, and is in addition to all of this.<\/p>\n<p>From now until Christmas, Seaside Studios San Pedro will have open-studio Saturdays, where they&#8217;d like you to come in, for free, and glaze a bowl for firing in their kiln.\u00a0 Once the bowl&#8217;s fired, it&#8217;s included in the price of admission to a &#8220;Soup Supper&#8221;, scheduled for early February, where proceeds go to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.harborinterfaith.org\/\">Harbor Interfaith Shelter<\/a> to feed the hungry.<\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;ll look forward to giving you more information on their upcoming classes as we get closer to Christmas!\u00a0 Meanwhile, you&#8217;re cordially invited to bring your talent and come help them give back.<\/p>\n<p><em>Seaside Studios San Pedro are located at 525 North Harbor Boulevard, near North Beacon Street, in San Pedro.\u00a0 They&#8217;re Suite #3, on the second floor, and are located just across from the cruise ship terminal and the dancing fountains.\u00a0 According to their Facebook page, they&#8217;re having open-studio hours from 10 am to 3 pm, every Saturday from now till Christmas.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=5892\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=4638\">DIY Inspiration For Christmas<\/a>  November 11, 2014<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/erica3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4646\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/erica3.jpg\" alt=\"erica3\" width=\"497\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/erica3.jpg 497w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/erica3-248x300.jpg 248w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 497px) 100vw, 497px\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<p>Designer <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=4144\">Erica Domesek<\/a> is having fun.<\/p>\n<p>Her designer line, <a href=\"http:\/\/psimadethis.com\/\">P.S.&#8211;I Made This<\/a>, is all about adding color and festivity to what you wear, where you live and what you&#8217;re doing.<\/p>\n<p>And Christmastime gives her the perfect opportunity to make things festive, in some new and innovative ways.<\/p>\n<p>At the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.craftandhobby.org\/eweb\/startpage.aspx?site=cha\">Craft and Hobby Association<\/a>&#8216;s 2014 MEGA Show, in Anaheim, Erica shared some thoughts on adding a personal touch to Christmas decorating!<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=4638\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=5668\">CALB Rocks New Gallery Space<\/a>  November 7, 2014<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h3>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/entrance-sign.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5669\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/entrance-sign.jpg\" alt=\"entrance sign\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/entrance-sign.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/entrance-sign-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/entrance-sign-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<p>Long Beach is full of gifted artists.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/calbarts.org\/\">Cultural Alliance of Long Beach<\/a> now has another venue in which to showcase them.<\/p>\n<p>This afternoon, CALB welcomed guests to their new twelve-hundred-square-foot gallery space, above Shenanigans Restaurant in Shoreline Village for their inaugural group art exhibit, &#8220;Shades of Long Beach&#8221;.\u00a0 The exhibition featured sixteen local artists&#8217; perspectives on the theme of living and working in Long Beach.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/photographer-keith-lilly-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5678\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/photographer-keith-lilly-1.jpg\" alt=\"photographer keith lilly 1\" width=\"700\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/photographer-keith-lilly-1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/photographer-keith-lilly-1-300x192.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/photographer-keith-lilly-1-466x300.jpg 466w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Photographer Keith Lilly&#8217;s work reflects his love of his vocation: sports.\u00a0 (Keith is a professional athletics coach whose proteges have included both NFL and NBA luminaries.\u00a0 As a student athlete, he won the Moore League title three times!)<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/photographer-keith-lilly-with-tony-gwynn-photo1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5677\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/photographer-keith-lilly-with-tony-gwynn-photo1.jpg\" alt=\"photographer keith lilly with tony gwynn photo1\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/photographer-keith-lilly-with-tony-gwynn-photo1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/photographer-keith-lilly-with-tony-gwynn-photo1-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/photographer-keith-lilly-with-tony-gwynn-photo1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Keith said he wanted to be certain to share this photograph: the late Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn was a classmate.\u00a0 Here, Keith captured him in action, the way Padres fans remember him. <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/photographer-denise-dube.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5694\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/photographer-denise-dube.jpg\" alt=\"photographer denise dube\" width=\"700\" height=\"522\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/photographer-denise-dube.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/photographer-denise-dube-300x223.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/photographer-denise-dube-402x300.jpg 402w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, photographer Denise C. Dube&#8217;s work emphasized the warmth and beauty of locations.\u00a0 Her pictures included the stunning colors of a Long Beach sunset, the Queen Mary at night and a warm-looking downtown clock tower. <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/mixed-media-artist-deborah-alvarez1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5693\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/mixed-media-artist-deborah-alvarez1.jpg\" alt=\"mixed media artist deborah alvarez1\" width=\"700\" height=\"483\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/mixed-media-artist-deborah-alvarez1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/mixed-media-artist-deborah-alvarez1-300x207.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/mixed-media-artist-deborah-alvarez1-434x300.jpg 434w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Life at the Beach&#8221; is the name of mixed-media artist Deborah Alvarez&#8217;s composition on the right.\u00a0 She creates her intricately-detailed three-story houses out of paper!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dimensions-artist-victor-ladd1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5692\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dimensions-artist-victor-ladd1.jpg\" alt=\"dimensions artist victor ladd1\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dimensions-artist-victor-ladd1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dimensions-artist-victor-ladd1-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dimensions-artist-victor-ladd1-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Photographer Victor Ladd added extra dimension to a breathtaking nighttime photograph.\u00a0 Unexpected colors, textures and contrasts spotlight the bridge.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/tom-with-painting.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5705\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/tom-with-painting.jpg\" alt=\"tom with painting\" width=\"700\" height=\"519\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/tom-with-painting.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/tom-with-painting-300x222.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/tom-with-painting-404x300.jpg 404w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>Painter and show curator Tom Scherschel uses color and shape in a dramatic contrast.\u00a0 Notice how the water, under the pier, seems to be lapping at the shore!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/painter-tom-scherschel11.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5708\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/painter-tom-scherschel11.jpg\" alt=\"painter tom scherschel1\" width=\"700\" height=\"493\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/painter-tom-scherschel11.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/painter-tom-scherschel11-300x211.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/painter-tom-scherschel11-425x300.jpg 425w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Something else to notice?\u00a0 The poem on the wall, to the left.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/poet-laurie-zupan11.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5710\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/poet-laurie-zupan11.jpg\" alt=\"poet laurie zupan1\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/poet-laurie-zupan11.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/poet-laurie-zupan11-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/poet-laurie-zupan11-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Professional writer Laurie Zupan is the poet&#8211;and she and Tom collaborated on this project: an illustrated poetry chapbook!\u00a0 They&#8217;ll be doing a poetry reading tomorrow, and will be signing copies of their new book.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/stage-again1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5716\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/stage-again1.jpg\" alt=\"stage again\" width=\"700\" height=\"541\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/stage-again1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/stage-again1-300x231.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/stage-again1-388x300.jpg 388w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/Cultural-Alliance-of-Long-Beach\/313232145400616\">CALB<\/a>&#8216;s new exhibit space includes a performance area&#8211;and when we were there, the musicians were just starting.\u00a0 Open mic, spoken word and poetry will be continuing throughout the weekend.<\/p>\n<p>Tom says CALB will be occupying their new space at Shoreline Village for several months, and that they&#8217;ll definitely be there through Christmas.\u00a0\u00a0 Which is excellent news, not only because their new &#8220;CALB at the Shore&#8221; program promises to be interesting and a lot of fun, but&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/for-next-gen-artists.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5720\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/for-next-gen-artists.jpg\" alt=\"for next gen artists\" width=\"700\" height=\"499\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/for-next-gen-artists.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/for-next-gen-artists-300x213.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/for-next-gen-artists-420x300.jpg 420w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230;because their new space includes this.\u00a0 Tom says they&#8217;ll be hosting art classes for kids, starting on Sundays.\u00a0 And what better way to keep excited next-generation artists busy at Christmastime&#8211;and happily occupied once Santa has come and gone?<\/p>\n<p><em> Cultural Alliance of Long Beach&#8217;s &#8220;Shades of Long Beach&#8221; exhibit continues through Sunday, November 30th. \u00a0 &#8220;CALB at the Shore&#8221; hours are Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, from 3 to 8 pm at their new gallery space, just upstairs from Shenanigans Irish Pub and Grille, 423 Shoreline Village Drive.\u00a0 The new gallery has a full bar, and food is available for order from Shenanigans downstairs.\u00a0 &#8220;Starving artists&#8221; may become a thing of the past.<br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=5668\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=5634\">Calling All Artists!<\/a>  November 7, 2014<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/CALB-sign1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3208\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/CALB-sign1.jpg\" alt=\"CALB sign1\" width=\"700\" height=\"301\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/CALB-sign1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/CALB-sign1-300x129.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/CALB-sign1-500x215.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Happy New Gallery, CALB!<\/p>\n<p>As of today, <a href=\"http:\/\/calbarts.org\/\">Cultural Alliance of Long Beach<\/a> has a brand-new Shoreline Village gallery space, complete with lots of interesting possibilities.\u00a0\u00a0 They&#8217;ll be opening at 3:00 this afternoon, in their new 1200-square-foot space above Shenanigan&#8217;s Restaurant.<\/p>\n<p>Now&#8211;they need some additional artists, to help them fill the space with creative activities.<\/p>\n<p>On a volunteer basis, they&#8217;re looking for creative people who can serve as curators, one weekend day or evening per month, and provide family-friendly artistic activities.\u00a0 Suggested activities include (but are not limited to): classes; dance, music or theatre performances; poetry or book readings; writing workshops; and any other art-related activities that would appeal to the entire community.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/Cultural-Alliance-of-Long-Beach\/313232145400616\">CALB<\/a>&#8216;s new volunteer curator opportunities: (a) are great for your resume and outreach to the community; (b)\u00a0 allow you, as an artist, to ask for donations; and (c), most importantly: are a lot of fun.\u00a0 Proposed art activities must be approved by CALB&#8217;s Curatorial Committtee.\u00a0 Once approved, the curator is required to stay at the Shoreline space for the entire period allotted to the art activity.<\/p>\n<p>CALB does not charge for performance or display space rental.\u00a0 For insurance purposes, they must ask you to become a member of CALB&#8211;here is an <a href=\"http:\/\/calbarts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/CALB-Member-Form.pdf\">application<\/a> to download.\u00a0\u00a0 (Yes, they do have to charge a membership fee; you may want to e-mail or call them with questions; while their website lists an individual membership fee as $50, their Facebook page lists the membership fee for volunteers curators as $25.\u00a0 You can e-mail them at CALBarts@gmail.com, or call (562) 436-3421.)<\/p>\n<p><em>Cultural Alliance of Long Beach, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting artists in all areas of the arts, celebrates the opening of its new Shoreline Village gallery space today, November 7.\u00a0 The new gallery, located over Shenanigans Restaurant at 423 Shoreline Village Drive, is open Fridays and Saturdays from 3:00 to 8:00 pm, and Sundays from 3 to 7 pm.<\/em><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=5634\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=5346\">Not Your Grandma&#8217;s Crochet<\/a>  November 1, 2014<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Paula-Crochet-sign.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7140\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Paula-Crochet-sign.jpg\" alt=\"Paula Crochet sign\" width=\"2021\" height=\"1077\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Paula-Crochet-sign.jpg 2021w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Paula-Crochet-sign-300x159.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Paula-Crochet-sign-1024x545.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Paula-Crochet-sign-500x266.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2021px) 100vw, 2021px\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<p>Say the word &#8220;crochet&#8221; and what comes to mind?\u00a0 Grandma making an afghan or mom creating something lacy for a new baby&#8211;right?<\/p>\n<p>Well, that&#8217;s not what Paula Bennett does.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, she designs slinky, sparkly crocheted dresses perfect for a night on the town.\u00a0 Her small business, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.crochetfashion.com\/\">Paula Crochet Fashion<\/a>, features halter tops, sweaters and even wedding gowns that are feminine, sexy, and romantic.<\/p>\n<p>Best of all, she doesn&#8217;t keep her knowledge a secret.\u00a0 Not only does she offer her patterns for sale on her website and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/paulacrochet\">Etsy store<\/a>&#8211;Paula also uses crochet as a means of inspiring and empowering others.\u00a0 Through her program, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.paulacrochet.com\/\">Crochet Warm Hearts<\/a>, she teaches free crochet classes to all ages.\u00a0 All she asks, in return, is that people share what she has taught them with others and keep the art of crochet alive.\u00a0 And she&#8217;s published a magazine which includes a number of her patterns!<\/p>\n<p>Paula, who came to the U.S. from Belize in 1999, has been at <a href=\"http:\/\/craftedportla.com\">CRAFTED<\/a> since May of this year.\u00a0 She talked about her background, her experiences with crochet and some exciting future plans involving her art and her students.<\/p>\n<p><em>Like to check in with Paula about her free classes, see the latest cool design she&#8217;s created or even support her soon-to-be nonprofit by donating yarn and\/or crochet hooks?\u00a0 You can find her at Booth 108 of CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles, 112 East 22nd Street, Warehouse 10 (at Miner).<\/em><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=5346\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=5487\">SPAA Needs You<\/a>  October 27, 2014<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/SPAA-e1414343344986.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5505\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/SPAA-e1414343344986.jpg\" alt=\"SPAA\" width=\"700\" height=\"297\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<p>This was originally going to be a &#8220;great news!&#8221; post, with a look at some of the exciting fall makers&#8217; festivals coming up.<\/p>\n<p>But then, I checked my e-mail&#8211;and there&#8217;s more urgent news to tell you.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/sanpedroart.org\/wp\/\">San Pedro Art Association&#8217;s<\/a> gallery, in Ports O&#8217; Call, is closing its doors.\u00a0 The only good thing, is that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sanpedroartassociation?rf=250807414961634&amp;filter=3\">SPAA <\/a>is NOT going away.<\/p>\n<p>According to an e-mail from Bill Boisselle-Schalaba, SPAA&#8217;s secretary, the artists may begin picking up their work today.\u00a0 SPAA has to be out of their Ports O&#8217;Call space at Berth 77 by this Sunday, November 2.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This is far from the end,&#8221; emailed Bill. &#8220;We are looking for a new home for our gallery. We are open to hearing suggestions on available spaces in town.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/HPIM2056-Copy.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5509\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/HPIM2056-Copy.jpg\" alt=\"HPIM2056 - Copy\" width=\"526\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/HPIM2056-Copy.jpg 526w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/HPIM2056-Copy-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 526px) 100vw, 526px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>San Pedro Art Association has now been serving artists in the San Pedro community for seventy-eight years.\u00a0 You&#8217;ll recall that they sponsor an annual All Grades Student Art Competition for local schools.\u00a0\u00a0 They also offer <a href=\"http:\/\/sanpedroart.org\/wp\/events\/classes\/\">classes<\/a> in jewelry design, photography and painting, as well as regular shows for their members.\u00a0\u00a0 We&#8217;ll keep you posted on their new space and upcoming events as more information becomes available<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/steve1-Copy.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5511\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/steve1-Copy.jpg\" alt=\"steve1 - Copy\" width=\"700\" height=\"527\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/steve1-Copy.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/steve1-Copy-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/steve1-Copy-398x300.jpg 398w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, you&#8217;ll still find San Pedro Art Association&#8217;s talented artists exhibiting their work at <a href=\"http:\/\/craftedportla.com\/\">CRAFTED<\/a>.\u00a0 Bill says they&#8217;ll continue to host their monthly &#8220;First Thursday Art Walks&#8221; at San Pedro&#8217;s Croatian Cultural Center.\u00a0 The next one scheduled for Thursday evening, November 6th from 6 to 9 pm.<\/p>\n<p>Would you like to connect with SPAA, offer a suggestion for a new gallery or just express your support?\u00a0 You can reach them at their <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sanpedroartassociation?rf=250807414961634&amp;filter=3\">Facebook page<\/a>&#8211;and, hopefully, in a new display space very soon.<\/p>\n<p><em>Artists may pick up their work from San Pedro Art Association&#8217;s gallery, located at Berth 77, Building P18, Nagoya Way in San Pedro, starting today.\u00a0 SPAA will continue to exhibit at CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles, 112 East 22nd Street, Warehouse 10, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 11 am-6 pm.\u00a0 Their next &#8220;First Thursday Art Walk&#8221; exhibit and mixer happens Thursday, November 6 from 6 to 9 pm at San Pedro&#8217;s Croatian Cultural Center, 510 West 7th Street near South Olive. \u00a0 Displayed work is usually for sale and refreshments are served.<\/em><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=5487\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=5456\">A &#8220;Beehive&#8221; of Creativity<\/a>  October 25, 2014<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/brie-walter1-Copy-e1414216336150.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5470\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/brie-walter1-Copy-e1414216336150.jpg\" alt=\"brie walter1 - Copy\" width=\"470\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<p>Things are buzzing in Brie Walter&#8217;s part of the world.\u00a0 Oh, and she&#8217;s pretty busy, too.<\/p>\n<p>Brie is a floral designer, who creates some breathtaking wedding arrangements through her small business, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Brieshoneybeesandflowers\">Brie&#8217;s Honeybees &amp; Flowers<\/a>.\u00a0 She&#8217;s a new mom, as well as an artist, entrepreneur AND a <a href=\"http:\/\/brieshoneybeesandflowers.blogspot.com\/\">blogger<\/a>.\u00a0 On top of all that, she and her husband are beekeepers!<\/p>\n<p>In addition to floral arrangements, Brie&#8217;s Honeybees &amp; Flowers features some gorgeous dried-flower creations (check out the burlap head wreaths and boutonnieres in her <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/BriesHoneybees\">Etsy store<\/a>!), beeswax candles, and they&#8217;ll soon be offering honey from Brie&#8217;s own honeybees.<\/p>\n<p>Brie talked about starting her small business, her experiences working with her bees (what she&#8217;s learned about them may very well surprise you!), and some of the cool things she&#8217;s creating for Christmas season 2014.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=5456\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=4966\">Customized With Love&#8211;and Thoughtfulness<\/a>  October 21, 2014<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/jessie-johnson1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4978\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/jessie-johnson1.jpg\" alt=\"jessie johnson1\" width=\"519\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/jessie-johnson1.jpg 519w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/jessie-johnson1-222x300.jpg 222w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 519px) 100vw, 519px\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<p>The past year has been an exciting one for graphic artist Jessica Johnson.<\/p>\n<p>Not only has she seen her first gallery sale, but she recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of her small business, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mycustomgreetings.com\/\">Jessie&#8217;s Custom Greetings<\/a>!<\/p>\n<p>Jessie creates lines of unique greeting cards and custom announcements for all occasions.\u00a0\u00a0 Her work ranges from beautiful to whimsical, as you&#8217;ll see in the custom work on her <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CustomGreetings1982\">Facebook page<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>And while she loves to create cards and make her customers happy,\u00a0 she&#8217;s also giving back.\u00a0 Jessie donates a portion of her sales to a different charity each month, and she&#8217;ll be supporting San Pedro-based <a href=\"http:\/\/sanpedropackagesforpatriots.com\/\">Packages for Patriots<\/a>\u2122 this Christmas season.<\/p>\n<p>Jessie talked about her background as an artist, her experiences as an artist\/entrepreneur, and what she&#8217;ll be creating for the 2014 Christmas season.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=4966\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=5353\">A &#8220;Beadaful&#8221; Approach<\/a>  October 19, 2014<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h3>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/h3>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/donna-levy-e1413244878152.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5359\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/donna-levy-e1413244878152.jpg\" alt=\"donna levy\" width=\"700\" height=\"611\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BeadafulDesignsByDonna\/timeline?filter=3\">Designer Donna Levy<\/a> is beautifying gardens in a new way.\u00a0 Actually, maybe that term should be, &#8220;beadifying&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>Besides the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/people\/donnalevy2\">woven bead jewelry<\/a> she designs, Donna creates &#8220;garden jewelry&#8221; for her small business, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.beadafuldesignsbydonna.com\/\">Beadaful Designs by Donna<\/a>.\u00a0 She has also come up with a unique way of remembering a loved one or pet, through her jewelry.<\/p>\n<p>Donna talked about her background, her experiences as an artist entrepreneur and some of her creations.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=5353\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=4796\">Her Magical Miniature World<\/a>  October 15, 2014<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/melanie-j-flegal1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4805\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/melanie-j-flegal1.jpg\" alt=\"melanie j flegal1\" width=\"700\" height=\"527\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/melanie-j-flegal1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/melanie-j-flegal1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/melanie-j-flegal1-398x300.jpg 398w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>Melanie J. Flegal is familiar with magic.<\/p>\n<p>Artist entrepreneur Melanie describes herself as a &#8220;fairy homemaker&#8221;.\u00a0\u00a0 For her small business, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/Meldogminiatures\">Meldogminiatures,<\/a> she creates woodland dioramas, doll houses, doll house furniture and accessories, and just about anything else imaginable.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/Meldogminiatures\/159561577577446\">Melanie&#8217;s enchanting miniatures<\/a> include a custom-made tree-trunk dollhouse and a welcoming-looking woodland neighborhood bar, where you can easily imagine the forest gnomes stopping in for an acorn brew, after work.\u00a0 And she&#8217;s currently at work on some Christmas-themed dioramas for Christmas 2014.<\/p>\n<p>Melanie talked about her experiences as\u00a0 a creative entrepreneur, and offered a preview of the special gift items she&#8217;s creating.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=4796\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=5161\">Artists in Search of&#8230;a Surfboard<\/a>  September 21, 2014<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><em>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/em><\/p>\n<h5><em><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/CALB-sign1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3208\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/CALB-sign1.jpg\" alt=\"CALB sign1\" width=\"700\" height=\"301\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/CALB-sign1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/CALB-sign1-300x129.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/CALB-sign1-500x215.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/em><\/h5>\n<p>Pardon me, would you happen to have an extra surfboard?<\/p>\n<p>(No&#8211;not for me.\u00a0 For <a href=\"http:\/\/calbarts.org\/\">Cultural Alliance of Long Beach<\/a>!)<\/p>\n<p>Next Saturday, September 27th, CALB will be participating in <a href=\"http:\/\/www.colormelongbeach.com\/\">&#8220;Color Me Long Beach<\/a>&#8220;&#8211;a multicultural &#8220;urban arts&#8221; and video festival.\u00a0\u00a0 Music, dance performances, art workshops and community-resource exhibits will all be a part of the celebration.<\/p>\n<p>And among the hands-on creative workshops will be an &#8220;Our City, Our Ocean&#8221; live art session with artist <a href=\"http:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/claudiogarzon88\/pins\/\">Claudio Garzon<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0 Claudio, who is currently exhibiting his work as CALB&#8217;s &#8220;Artist of the Month&#8221;, will show <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/colormelongbeach\">Color Me Long Beach<\/a> attendees how to recycle plastic debris into some intricate&#8211;and beautiful&#8211;steampunk sculpture.<\/p>\n<p>But first, he needs a surfboard someone isn&#8217;t going to use anymore.\u00a0\u00a0 On CALB&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/Cultural-Alliance-of-Long-Beach\/313232145400616\">Facebook page<\/a> is an example of his previous work, created with a surfboard, as a\u00a0 foundation, along with recycled plastic trash and a gift for seeing things in a different way.<\/p>\n<p>According to their <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/Cultural-Alliance-of-Long-Beach\/313232145400616\">Facebook page<\/a>, CALB needs the surfboard donated by this Friday, September 16th.\u00a0 If you can help, please contact them through Facebook, or give them a call at (562) 436-3421.<\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t happen to have an extra surfboard, but you&#8217;d still love to see what Claudio&#8217;s creating?\u00a0 You can if you go to CALB this week.\u00a0 He&#8217;ll be their &#8220;Featured Artist&#8221; through September 28th, with his &#8220;Plastic Castaways&#8221; exhibit.\u00a0 CALB&#8217;s hours are 4:00 to 9:00 pm, Wednesday through Friday, as well as Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 pm, in CALB&#8217;s Bungalow Art Center.<\/p>\n<p>And don&#8217;t miss <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/events\/529248780536289\/\">Color Me Long Beach<\/a>, next Saturday!<\/p>\n<p><em>Cultural Alliance of Long Beach is located at 729 Pine Avenue, near 7th, in downtown Long Beach.\u00a0 Gallery admission is free.\u00a0 Meanwhile, Color Me Long Beach will be happening at Long Beach Boulevard and 3rd Street, next Saturday, September 27th from 4:00 to 9:00 pm.\u00a0 Admission is free, and they&#8217;re looking for some amazing volunteers.\u00a0 Here&#8217;s the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.volunteerspot.com\/login\/entry\/466427842068\">link <\/a>if you can help.<br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=5161\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=5024\">SPAA Ready For Fall<\/a>  September 7, 2014<div class=\"lcp_content\"><h5 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/SPAA-sign..jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5059\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/SPAA-sign..jpg\" alt=\"SPAA sign.\" width=\"700\" height=\"290\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/SPAA-sign..jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/SPAA-sign.-300x124.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/SPAA-sign.-500x207.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/h5>\n<h6 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><em>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/em><\/h6>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>A fall art show? \u00a0<em>Already?<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Absolutely. \u00a0Even if we technically have two weeks of summer left, <a href=\"http:\/\/sanpedroart.org\/wp\/\">San Pedro Art Association<\/a> is on it.<\/p>\n<p>This weekend, they&#8217;re hosting their Fall Art Show at their gallery: Berth 77, in Ports O&#8217; Call, not far from San Pedro&#8217;s new Harbor Plaza. \u00a0 They have all kinds of unique creations for sale, from more than fifty talented artists. \u00a0Jewelry, ceramics, paintings and photography are just a few of the media in which SPAA members specialize.<\/p>\n<p>And not only do they make cool things&#8211;they also <em>do <\/em>cool things.<!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/steve-with-winner1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4839\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/steve-with-winner1.jpg\" alt=\"steve with winner1\" width=\"527\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/steve-with-winner1.jpg 527w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/steve-with-winner1-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 527px) 100vw, 527px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In existence since 1936, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sanpedroartassociation\">San Pedro Art Association<\/a> sponsors an annual All Grades Student Art Competition for local schools. \u00a0 Students from elementary, middle and high schools in San Pedro get to compete, with every entry getting a gallery-style showing: SPAA Vice President (and master framer) Steve Magee frames the students&#8217; work professionally. \u00a0 While the competition does have a grand prize and People&#8217;s Choice Award winner, every student also takes home a ribbon, and a prize for entering.<\/p>\n<p>SPAA also offers First Thursday Art Walks at San Pedro&#8217;s Croatian Cultural Center, the first Thursday of every month.\u00a0 Their weekly <a href=\"http:\/\/sanpedroart.org\/wp\/events\/classes\/\">classes<\/a> currently include painting (oil or acrylic), jewelry design and creativity and expression.\u00a0 And now they&#8217;re in two locations: in addition to their regular gallery, they also have a booth at year-round marketplace <a href=\"http:\/\/craftedportla.com\">CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>If summer has to be over, this is a great way to welcome fall&#8211;and get an early start on some Christmas shopping.<\/p>\n<p><em>San Pedro Art Association hosts the second day of their free-admission Fall Art Show today, September 7, from 11:30 am to 6:00 pm at Ports O&#8217; Call Village, Nagoya Way, Berth 77 in San Pedro.\u00a0 And after you&#8217;ve seen their gallery, additional members will be exhibiting their wares in CRAFTED, at 112 East 22nd Street, Warehouse 10, in San Pedro.\u00a0 CRAFTED is open from 11 am to 6 pm today, with free admission and parking.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/red-car1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5060\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/red-car1.jpg\" alt=\"red car1\" width=\"700\" height=\"477\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/red-car1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/red-car1-300x204.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/red-car1-440x300.jpg 440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>However, if you have more time, San Pedro&#8217;s waterfront trolley gives free one-and-a-halfmile rides to just across the street from CRAFTED&#8211;and getting to travel in this reproduction of the vintage Red Car is an experience that&#8217;s not to be missed.<\/em><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=5024\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=4981\">A &#8220;Handmade&#8221; Salute to Heroes<\/a>  August 30, 2014<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/handmade-sign1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4997\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/handmade-sign1.jpg\" alt=\"handmade sign1\" width=\"700\" height=\"281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/handmade-sign1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/handmade-sign1-300x120.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/handmade-sign1-500x200.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>by Noella Noelophile<\/em>\u00ae<\/p>\n<p>Uh-oh.\u00a0 A deadline&#8217;s coming up.<\/p>\n<p>Normally, I don&#8217;t talk about deadlines on Labor Day weekend, especially!\u00a0 But you might like to know about this one, which is this Tuesday, September 2nd.<\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;s the deadline to reserve your tickets for <a href=\"http:\/\/handmadeinsouthbay.com\">Handmade in the South Bay&#8217;<\/a>s First Annual Salute Our Troops All-American Barbecue.<\/p>\n<p>On Saturday, September 13th,\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/handmadesouthbay\">Handmade in the South Bay<\/a> hosts this special event at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.magriffegalerie.com\/\">Ma Griffe Galerie<\/a>, in San Pedro.\u00a0 All proceeds go to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sanpedropackagesforpatriots.com\/\">San Pedro&#8217;s Packages for Patriots<\/a>, as they send &#8220;care packages&#8221; to our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.<\/p>\n<p>And this promises to be a party!\u00a0 They&#8217;re having a silent auction, raffle, collection of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sanpedropackagesforpatriots.com\/items_needed.htm\">needed items<\/a> for our service members, and, of course, great food.\u00a0 Best of all, attendees get to help some fantastic artist entrepreneurs say &#8220;thank you&#8221; for our freedom&#8211;including the ability to create, design, open our businesses and follow our dreams.<\/p>\n<p><em>But&#8211;<\/em>if you&#8217;d like to go, they need to know by next Tuesday. \u00a0 Seating is limited, and no tickets will be sold at the door on the day of the barbecue.<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s Handmade in the South Bay&#8217;s<a href=\"http:\/\/www.handmadeinsouthbay.com\/upcoming-events--calendar.html\"> link<\/a> for more information.\u00a0 Meanwhile, have a great, and safe, Labor Day weekend!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=4981\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=4820\">Our Next Generation of Artists<\/a>  August 9, 2014<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/steve1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4838\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/steve1.jpg\" alt=\"steve1\" width=\"700\" height=\"527\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/steve1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/steve1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/steve1-398x300.jpg 398w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>by Noella Noelophile<\/em>\u00ae<\/p>\n<p>What&#8217;re you doing this Sunday afternoon?\u00a0 Would you be available to encourage some gifted young artists by going to look at their work?<\/p>\n<p>If so, the <a href=\"http:\/\/sanpedroart.org\/wp\/\">San Pedro Art Association<\/a> would love to see you at <a href=\"http:\/\/craftedportla.com\">CRAFTED<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>This Sunday afternoon, August 10th, starting at 2:00,\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sanpedroartassociation\">SPAA<\/a> is hosting an artists&#8217; reception for the participants of their annual San Pedro All Grades Student Art Competition Exhibition.\u00a0 These are students in San Pedro&#8217;s grade schools, middle schools and high schools.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/pix.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2704\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/pix.jpg\" alt=\"pix\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/pix.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/pix-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/pix-449x300.jpg 449w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>And as you&#8217;ll see from these photographs of last year&#8217;s exhibition, they have a lot of talent.<!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/steve-with-winner1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4839\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/steve-with-winner1.jpg\" alt=\"steve with winner1\" width=\"527\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/steve-with-winner1.jpg 527w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/steve-with-winner1-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 527px) 100vw, 527px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Pictured here is <a href=\"http:\/\/www.meetup.com\/San-Pedro-Art-Association\/\">San Pedro Art Association<\/a> Vice President Steven Magee.\u00a0 Steve, who is a master framer, wowed the young participants of last year&#8217;s show by framing their work.\u00a0 As he told us in an earlier <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=2746\">interview<\/a>, the kids came to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Craftedportla\">CRAFTED<\/a> expecting to see their creations tacked up on a wall someplace, but instead they found&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/winners1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4836\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/winners1.jpg\" alt=\"winners1\" width=\"527\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/winners1.jpg 527w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/winners1-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 527px) 100vw, 527px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230;this.<\/p>\n<p>At Sunday&#8217;s reception, the SPAA will award cash prizes for First, Second, Third and Honorable Mention winners in each of the three school categories.\u00a0 And, you get to vote for a favorite&#8211;there will be a People&#8217;s Choice award!<\/p>\n<p>Best of all, no one&#8217;s going home empty-handed.\u00a0 All participating students receive drawing kits and one-year student memberships to the San Pedro Art Association, which is one of the oldest art associations in Southern California (they&#8217;ve been encouraging artists since 1936!).<\/p>\n<p>Admission is free, of course, and who knows&#8211;the artists you applaud today, may be the ones in your favorite gallery tomorrow.<\/p>\n<p><em>The San Pedro Art Association&#8217;s artist reception for the 2014 San Pedro All Grades Student Art Competition Exhibition takes place this Sunday afternoon, August 10th, at CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles, at 112 East 22nd Street, Warehouse 10, near Miner.\u00a0 Admission is free and refreshments will be served.\u00a0 Come prepared to applaud very enthusiastically!<\/em><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=4820\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=4584\">A Red, White and Blue Invitation<\/a>  June 21, 2014<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/fireworks-in-the-sky.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4591\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/fireworks-in-the-sky.jpg\" alt=\"fireworks in the sky\" width=\"600\" height=\"502\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/fireworks-in-the-sky.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/fireworks-in-the-sky-300x251.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/fireworks-in-the-sky-358x300.jpg 358w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Hooray!\u00a0 Long Beach&#8217;s traditional Independence Day fireworks celebration is returning to Veterans Memorial Stadium, after a two-year absence!<\/p>\n<p>And <a href=\"http:\/\/calbarts.org\/\">Cultural Alliance of Long Beach<\/a> would like to know if you can help them celebrate.<\/p>\n<p>On July 4, prior to the fireworks show, they need up to six artist volunteers to coordinate theme-related art activities in the parking lot,.prior to the fireworks show.\u00a0 They&#8217;d also like to hear from performing artists who might like to donate their time.\u00a0 If you&#8217;re a local artist who&#8217;d like to help,. please email calbarts@gmail.com.<!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/CALB-sign1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3208\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/CALB-sign1.jpg\" alt=\"CALB sign1\" width=\"700\" height=\"301\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/CALB-sign1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/CALB-sign1-300x129.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/CALB-sign1-500x215.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Not familiar with <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/Cultural-Alliance-of-Long-Beach\/313232145400616\">CALB<\/a>?\u00a0 They&#8217;re Long Beach&#8217;s arts-support community, who make arts accessible to the public and support working artists in all disciplines.\u00a0 This October, they&#8217;ll celebrate their two-year anniversary&#8211;and if you&#8217;d like to see some of what they do, you might like to start this afternoon!\u00a0 Today at 3:00, they&#8217;re having their Summer Solstice Celebration, and you&#8217;re invited!<\/p>\n<p><em>Cultural Alliance of Long Beach hosts their Summer Solstice Celebration from 3:00 to 7:00 pm today with Mayan and Aztec dances, songs, cultural art and flute building.\u00a0 They&#8217;re located at 729 Pine Avenue, near East 7th Street, in Long Beach, and admission is free.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=4584\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=4552\">Handmade With Love&#8230;and Inspiration<\/a>  June 14, 2014<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><div id=\"attachment_4568\" style=\"width: 510px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/HMSB_logo2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4568\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4568\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/HMSB_logo2.jpg\" alt=\"(Graphic courtesy of Handmade in South Bay, and used with permission.)\" width=\"500\" height=\"502\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/HMSB_logo2.jpg 500w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/HMSB_logo2-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/HMSB_logo2-298x300.jpg 298w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-4568\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Graphic courtesy of Handmade in South Bay, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p><em>by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/em><\/p>\n<p>How time flies when you&#8217;re creating, inspiring, supporting artists&#8230;and giving back to the community.<\/p>\n<p>(Of course, <em>all<\/em> of the above are fun!)<\/p>\n<p>Unbelievably, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.handmadeinsouthbay.com\/\">Handmade in South Bay <\/a>will soon celebrate its one-year anniversary!\u00a0\u00a0 According to their<a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/handmadesouthbay?ref=hl\"> Facebook page<\/a>, this gifted group of handmade-only entrepreneurs started up last September.\u00a0 Since then, they&#8217;ve hosted: a December Handmade Boutique, a full-out Holiday Boutique, a First Annual Spring Boutique in April, and now they&#8217;re planning both a Sizzling Summer Bazaar, next month, and a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/events\/684457381602005\/?ref=22\">&#8220;Salute to the Troops&#8221; <\/a>fundraiser in September!<!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/HMSB-Sizzling-Summer-Bazaar.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4572\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/HMSB-Sizzling-Summer-Bazaar.jpg\" alt=\"HMSB Sizzling Summer Bazaar\" width=\"438\" height=\"614\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/HMSB-Sizzling-Summer-Bazaar.jpg 438w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/HMSB-Sizzling-Summer-Bazaar-214x300.jpg 214w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 438px) 100vw, 438px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>(Can you tell, we&#8217;re talking about some passionate, committed artisans here?)<\/p>\n<p>Handmade in South Bay also offer members&#8217; classes, hold monthly meetings and publish a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.handmadeinsouthbay.com\/create-hmsb-blog\">blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>HMSB Boardmember Barb Lieberman, proprietor of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Seeds2Inspire\">Seeds of Inspiration<\/a>, shared the story of Handmade in South Bay&#8217;s creation, and the ways they support the local community.<\/p>\n<p><em>Handmade in South Bay will host their Sizzling Summer Bazaar at Ken Miller Center, in Torrance, on July 27th.\u00a0 They&#8217;re currently accepting <a href=\"http:\/\/www.handmadeinsouthbay.com\/upcoming-events--calendar.html\">applications<\/a> for vendors (till July 1) and looking for &#8220;young entrepreneurs&#8221;, under 18, to exhibit their creations.<\/em><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=4552\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=4524\">Inspiration in the Air<\/a>  June 7, 2014<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><div id=\"attachment_4543\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/barb-lieberman1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4543\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4543\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/barb-lieberman1.jpg\" alt=\"(Photograph courtesy of Ellie Lieberman and used with permission.)\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/barb-lieberman1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/barb-lieberman1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/barb-lieberman1-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-4543\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photograph courtesy of Ellie Lieberman and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0by Noella Noelophile\u00ae<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Barb Lieberman creates what amounts to a handcrafted hug.<\/p>\n<p>Her designs evoke my favorite grandmother&#8217;s perfume, Christmas cookies, and the lilac tree that always bloomed on an early-spring morning in the back yard.<\/p>\n<p>And while her creative endeavor, <a href=\"http:\/\/ourseedsofinspiration.com\">Seeds of Inspiration<\/a>, is technically a family-owned small business, it&#8217;s really more of a calling.\u00a0 Barb says her goal is to use her talents to inspire, relax, rejuvenate&#8211;and give back.<!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p>Barb crafts aromatherapy pillows, sachets, &#8220;mug-huggers&#8221; and other <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/SeedsofInspiration12\">unique\u00a0 items<\/a>&#8211;based on her knowledge of the ways scent enhances our lives.\u00a0 From the first day of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Seeds2Inspire\">Seeds of Inspiration<\/a>, in autumn of 2012, Barb has donated a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ourseedsofinspiration.com\/our-charitable-partners.html\">portion of her proceeds to charity<\/a>.\u00a0 According to Barb&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/listing\/119165779\/care-package-donation-apple-pie-scented?ref=shop_home_feat_1\">Etsy store<\/a>, from now through the end of this month, she&#8217;ll be giving ten percent of all her sales to San Pedro-based<a href=\"http:\/\/sanpedropackagesforpatriots.com\/\"> Packages for Patriots\u2122<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Barb, who is an avid gardener, shared the story of creating Seeds of Inspiration, talked about the inspiration she&#8217;s living and explained some of the ways aromatherapy can make a difference.<\/p>\n<p><em>You&#8217;ll get TWO opportunities to meet Barb and see her Seeds of Inspiration creations&#8211;including a new one created especially for the occasion&#8211;at the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ojaivalleylavenderfestival.org\/\">Ojai Valley Lavender Festival<\/a>, Saturday, June 28&#8211;AND at Handmade in South Bay&#8217;s Sizzling Summer Bazaar, coming up in July!<\/em><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=4524\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=4229\">Vintage Humor and Fun<\/a>  March 1, 2014<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><div id=\"attachment_4238\" style=\"width: 518px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/kristy-streicker1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4238\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4238\" alt=\"(Photo courtesy of Kristy Streicker, and used with permission.)\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/kristy-streicker1.jpg\" width=\"508\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/kristy-streicker1.jpg 508w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/kristy-streicker1-254x300.jpg 254w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 508px) 100vw, 508px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-4238\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo courtesy of Kristy Streicker, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p class=\"size-full wp-image-4232\">One of jewelry designer<a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/kscustomjewls\"> Kristy Streicker&#8217;s <\/a>most popular pieces is a delicate, lacy-looking cameo, representing a beautiful woman.<\/p>\n<p>And then, a closer look reveals&#8211;the woman is a skeleton.<\/p>\n<p>Kristy, who creates vintage-look wearables, crafts both more traditional pieces (her silver flower earrings are gorgeous!) and edgier ones, like the skeleton cameo and her Halloween zombie earrings.\u00a0\u00a0 She started her small business,<a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/KristysUniqueJewelry\"> Kristy&#8217;s Custom Creations<\/a>, in 2009, and recently ran a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.kickstarter.com\/projects\/825452426\/unique-vintage-style-and-skull-cameos-and-padlock\">successful Kickstarter campaign<\/a> with her cameo skeleton necklaces.<\/p>\n<p>Kristy talked about her creations, the genesis of her small business, and her life as a creative\u00a0 entrepreneur.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=4229\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=4247\">Kristy Streicker Interview, Part Two<\/a>  March 1, 2014<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p>Artist\/entrepreneur <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/KristysUniqueJewelry\">Kristy Streicker<\/a>, of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/kscustomjewls\">Kristy&#8217;s Custom Creations<\/a>, previews the special things she plans to make for Christmas (and Halloween) 2014!<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=4247\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=4209\">Crazy Enough to Inspire<\/a>  February 22, 2014<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/lisa-and-carol2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4216\" alt=\"lisa and carol2\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/lisa-and-carol2.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"452\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/lisa-and-carol2.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/lisa-and-carol2-300x226.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/lisa-and-carol2-398x300.jpg 398w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It takes a lot of craziness to put a magazine together,&#8221; says artist <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stampinqueencreations.blogspot.com\/\">Lisa Rojas<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>She would certainly know.<\/p>\n<p>And so would fellow artists <a href=\"http:\/\/www.carolheppner.com\">Carol Heppner<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/creativitystirsthesoul.com\">Ann Butler<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/theresacifali.com\">Theresa Cifali<\/a>.\u00a0 The four of them are the creative team behind <a href=\"http:\/\/bellacraftsquarterly.com\/\">Bella Crafts Quarterly<\/a>\u2122!<\/p>\n<p>Now, in case you&#8217;re unfamiliar with <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BellaCraftsQuarterly\">Bella Crafts Quarterly<\/a>\u2122&#8211;it&#8217;s a free digital publication, filled with cool DIY projects, artist profiles, articles on crafts entrepreneurship, and social-media tips for artists.\u00a0 Carol, Lisa, Ann and Theresa started Bella Crafts Quarterly in 2012, with the goal of inspiring everyone&#8211;entrepreneurs and hobby crafters alike.<!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p>Looking through their Winter 2013 issue, I personally love the soldered pendant how-to, tips on Twitter for crafters and that gorgeous &#8220;Lovely Luminary&#8221; candle Lisa came up with.\u00a0 And her article on hosting a card swap may very well be something you&#8217;d like to bookmark, for next Christmas season.\u00a0 But that&#8217;s just me&#8211;they have a Spring issue coming up soon, and you&#8217;re likely to find other personal favorites!<\/p>\n<p>At the Craft and Hobby Association&#8217;s 2014 Winter Trade Show, Carol and Lisa talked about their background as artists, the origins of their magazine, and their lives as a creative team.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=4209\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=4181\">Urban Inspiration<\/a>  February 8, 2014<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/gaby-and-co1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4188\" alt=\"gaby and co1\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/gaby-and-co1.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"452\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/gaby-and-co1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/gaby-and-co1-300x226.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/gaby-and-co1-398x300.jpg 398w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>What did you see on your most recent commute?\u00a0 How did it inspire you?<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/hellogabyandco\">Gaby Contreras<\/a> answers those questions on a daily basis.<\/p>\n<p>Gaby creates patterns, illustrations and silkscreens, based on what she sees on her way to work.\u00a0 Her designs are available as zip pouches, zines and more through her small business, <a href=\"http:\/\/gabyandco.com\/\">Gaby &amp; Co<\/a>.\u00a0 And she&#8217;s looking forward to exhibiting more of her work at <a href=\"http:\/\/lazinefest.com\/\">L.A. Zine Fest<\/a>, coming up next weekend!<\/p>\n<p>At the Designers&#8217; Showcase in the Craft and Hobby Association&#8217;s recent Winter Trade Show, Gaby talked about her background, her creative process and future plans&#8211;and offered a daily artists&#8217; exercise!<\/p>\n<p><em>L.A. Zine Fest happens Sunday, February 16th, from 10 am to 5 pm, at Helms Bakery, 8703 Washington Boulevard at Helms Avenue, in Culver City.<\/em><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=4181\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=4163\">Her Art Equals Living the Dream<\/a>  February 1, 2014<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/elizabeth2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4171\" alt=\"elizabeth2\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/elizabeth2.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"452\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/elizabeth2.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/elizabeth2-300x226.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/elizabeth2-398x300.jpg 398w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Conventional &#8220;wisdom&#8221; holds that &#8220;art doesn&#8217;t pay the bills&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.educationartstore.com\/\">Elizabeth Shepard<\/a> can challenge that statement&#8211;as neither wise nor true.<\/p>\n<p>Elizabeth is a professional illustrator and designer, who has been a working artist all her life.\u00a0\u00a0 And not only does she love being creative for a living&#8211;she maintains that others can do the same thing.\u00a0 She conducts classes and has created a workbook to help artists realize their dreams of earning a living with their talents and creativity.<\/p>\n<p>At the Designer&#8217;s Showcase of the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CraftandHobby\">Craft and Hobby Association<\/a>&#8216;s 2014 Winter Conference and Trade Show, she talked about her experiences as a working artist and the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tascofcalifornia.org\/tascjobs?mode=MessageList&amp;eid=1413519\">resources <\/a>she offers, as the steps towards making a living doing something you love.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=4163\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=4144\">A &#8220;Sparkly&#8221; Inspiration<\/a>  January 26, 2014<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/erica-with-crystals2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4152\" alt=\"erica with crystals2\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/erica-with-crystals2.jpg\" width=\"498\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/erica-with-crystals2.jpg 498w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/erica-with-crystals2-249x300.jpg 249w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 498px) 100vw, 498px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Designer, entrepreneur and author <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/psimadethis\">Erica Domesek<\/a> has a mission: to make the world around her more fun&#8211;and beautiful&#8211;with her talents.<\/p>\n<p>During the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CraftandHobby\">Craft and Hobby Association&#8217;<\/a>s recent Winter Conference and Trade Show, she demonstrated some ways to do that.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/workshop-too-4.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4157\" alt=\"workshop too (4)\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/workshop-too-4.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"452\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/workshop-too-4.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/workshop-too-4-300x226.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/workshop-too-4-398x300.jpg 398w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/blinging1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4158 aligncenter\" alt=\"blinging1\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/blinging1.jpg\" width=\"545\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/blinging1.jpg 545w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/blinging1-272x300.jpg 272w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 545px) 100vw, 545px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Enthusiastic students gathered around as Erica\u00a0 taught a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.create-your-style.com\/Content.Node\/SWAROVSKI-ELEMENTS.en.php\">Swarovski Crystal\u00a0<\/a>workshop.\u00a0 The women learned to create either a dinner ring or a bracelet&#8211;and everyone appeared to have a great time!<\/p>\n<p>After the workshop, Erica talked about creating her fashion and lifestyle line, <a href=\"http:\/\/psimadethis.com\/\">P.S. I Made This, <\/a>as well as her new DIY-project book,<a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s\/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_10?url=search-alias%3Daps&amp;field-keywords=erica%20domesek&amp;sprefix=Erica+Dome%2Caps%2C227&amp;rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aerica%20domesek\"> P.S. You&#8217;re Invited<\/a>!<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=4144\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=4121\">&#8220;Wondrous&#8221; Stitchery<\/a>  January 18, 2014<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/nathan1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4130\" alt=\"nathan1\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/nathan1.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"527\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/nathan1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/nathan1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/nathan1-398x300.jpg 398w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>When most people knit or crochet, they think in terms of afghans, stuffed toys and wearables.<\/p>\n<p>Fiber artist <a href=\"http:\/\/nathanvincent.com\/\">Nathan Vincent <\/a>thinks much, much bigger.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/easter-island1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4132 aligncenter\" alt=\"easter island\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/easter-island1.jpg\" width=\"450\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/easter-island1.jpg 450w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/easter-island1-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/a>Nathan&#8217;s creations were an eye-catching attraction at the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CraftandHobby\">Craft and Hobby Association<\/a>&#8216;s recent Winter Conference and Trade Show.\u00a0\u00a0 He had designed, and supervised the knitting and crocheting of &#8220;Seven Wonders of the World&#8221;, for the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.lionbrand.com\/\">Lion Brand Yarns<\/a> exhibit!<!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/sphinx.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4133\" alt=\"sphinx\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/sphinx.jpg\" width=\"482\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/sphinx.jpg 482w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/sphinx-241x300.jpg 241w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 482px) 100vw, 482px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/pisa11.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4135\" alt=\"pisa1\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/pisa11.jpg\" width=\"450\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/pisa11.jpg 450w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/pisa11-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/seven-wonders-pt-11.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4136\" alt=\"seven wonders pt 1\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/seven-wonders-pt-11.jpg\" width=\"478\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/seven-wonders-pt-11.jpg 478w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/seven-wonders-pt-11-239x300.jpg 239w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 478px) 100vw, 478px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Nathan talked about his artistry and the process of creating his imaginative exhibition, and offered a preview of some <a href=\"http:\/\/www.lionbrand.com\/freePatterns.html\">free patterns<\/a>, available online from Lion Brand!<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=4121\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=4057\">CHA and You<\/a>  January 12, 2014<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/Anaheim-convention-center.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4071\" alt=\"Anaheim convention center\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/Anaheim-convention-center.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"556\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/Anaheim-convention-center.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/Anaheim-convention-center-300x278.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/Anaheim-convention-center-323x300.jpg 323w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>by Noella Noelophile\u2122<\/em><\/p>\n<p>OK.\u00a0 Admittedly, this particular post didn&#8217;t start out this way.<\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;d planned to tell you all about what was happening at the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.craftandhobby.org\/eweb\/StartPage.aspx?site=cha\">Craft and Hobby Association&#8217;s<\/a> 2014 Mega Show, going on from now through Tuesday at the Anaheim Convention Center.<\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;ll still do that.\u00a0 But first, here&#8217;s something you might like to use immediately.<\/p>\n<p>These are just a few of the creative resources available for your use, courtesy of the talented and passionately artistic people on-hand at this, the largest international trade show in the world.<br \/>\n<!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/andrej1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4072\" alt=\"andrej1\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/andrej1.jpg\" width=\"520\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/andrej1.jpg 520w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/andrej1-260x300.jpg 260w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 520px) 100vw, 520px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Let&#8217;s start with the brand-new online creative community,<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cre8time.org\/\"> cre8time.org<\/a>, which contains free DIY project videos and how-to&#8217;s.\u00a0 Craft and Hobby Association President and CEO Andrej Suskavecic says that this is an online movement designed to help people reclaim their creativity.\u00a0 (Think about it&#8211;what <em>don&#8217;t<\/em> you do, that you&#8217;d like to, when everything else seems to be clamoring for your attention?)<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/cre8time1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4074\" alt=\"cre8time1\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/cre8time1.jpg\" width=\"501\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/cre8time1.jpg 501w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/cre8time1-250x300.jpg 250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 501px) 100vw, 501px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"mce-wp-nextpage\" title=\"Next page...\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Cre8time\">Cre8time.org<\/a> encourages everyone to take just 8 hours out of a month, to do something of a creative nature&#8211;knitting, painting, jewelrymaking, name it&#8211;and share it online.\u00a0 Check out the videos and project descriptions, you are certain to find something fun&#8211;and be thinking about what <em>you<\/em> might like to post, as a part of this community.\u00a0 <!--nextpage--><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/lisa-and-carol1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4077\" alt=\"lisa and carol1\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/lisa-and-carol1.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"452\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/lisa-and-carol1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/lisa-and-carol1-300x226.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/lisa-and-carol1-398x300.jpg 398w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Next?\u00a0 Well, how about this&#8211;a free online quarterly crafts magazine, which you can read and download?\u00a0 That would be <a href=\"http:\/\/bellacraftsquarterly.com\/\">Bella Crafts Quarterly<\/a>, which was the inspiration of four hugely talented women in 2012.\u00a0 I had the pleasure, this afternoon, of talking to Editor-in-Chief Carol Heppner and Editor-at-Large Lisa Rojas about their magazine, which Lisa said &#8220;took a lot of craziness&#8221; to put together.\u00a0 Clearly, it&#8217;s a creative &#8220;craziness&#8221; both of them love passionately&#8211;and you will, too.\u00a0 Check them out on <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BellaCraftsQuarterly\">Facebook<\/a>&#8211;and if you happen to be a blogger who loves crafts and writing about them, they&#8217;re looking for some guest bloggers!\u00a0 They&#8217;d like to hear from you, at info@bellacraftsquarterly.com.<\/p>\n<p>And there&#8217;s another opportunity available for you, too.\u00a0 <!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/elizabeth1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4080\" alt=\"elizabeth1\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/elizabeth1.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"452\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/elizabeth1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/elizabeth1-300x226.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/elizabeth1-398x300.jpg 398w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Perhaps you&#8217;d like to know more about making a living as an artist.\u00a0 Conventional &#8220;wisdom&#8221; holds that that&#8217;s difficult, if not impossible.<\/p>\n<p>Nonsense, says <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tascofcalifornia.org\/tascjobs?mode=MessageList&amp;eid=1413519\">Elizabeth Shepard<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Not only has Elizabeth been making a living as a professional artist for most of her life&#8211;she also teaches workshops called, &#8220;How to Make a Living As an Artist&#8221;, all over the Los Angeles area, and she&#8217;s written a book, &#8220;Your Art Workbook&#8221;.\u00a0 You can find out more by e-mailing her, at eliza.artist@gmail.com.<\/p>\n<p>And that&#8217;s it&#8211;except to tell you that I can&#8217;t wait to share the stories of these amazing creative people with whom I had the opportunity to speak, this weekend at the the Craft and Hobby Association&#8217;s 2014 Conference and Trade Show!\u00a0 Look for their interviews to show up here next, on noelophile.com!<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=4057\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=3874\">Spinning Into Christmas<\/a>  December 13, 2013<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/miryha-runnerstrom1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3888\" alt=\"miryha runnerstrom1\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/miryha-runnerstrom1.jpg\" width=\"452\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/miryha-runnerstrom1.jpg 452w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/miryha-runnerstrom1-226x300.jpg 226w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 452px) 100vw, 452px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Miryha Runnerstrom is sharing a tradition.<\/p>\n<p>As she explained in an earlier <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=909\">interview<\/a>, her interest in fiber art started as a very small girl, when she watched her mother and grandmother knitting and crocheting.\u00a0 Today, artist\/entrepreneur Miryha creates <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ravelry.com\/designers\/miryha-runnerstrom\">knitting patterns<\/a>, as well as hand-spinning and hand-painting her own yarns, which she offers through her small business, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BlarneyYarn\">Blarney Yarn<\/a>.\u00a0 Her colorways are breathtaking&#8211;some look almost-edible, while others evoke autumn, a swim in the Caribbean or the light just after sunset.<\/p>\n<p>In this update, recorded just before Thanksgiving, Miryha catches us up on what&#8217;s been happening with <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/blarneyyarn\">Blarney Yarn<\/a>.\u00a0 And she shared some good news&#8211;she&#8217;s created some brand-new knitting patterns, which she&#8217;ll have available&#8211;along with her knitting kits, spindle kits and that luscious-looking yarn&#8211;when she exhibits at the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/RenCraftFair\">Renegade Craft Fair<\/a>, in Los Angeles, this weekend!<\/p>\n<p><em>Miryha (pronounced MARIAH) will be exhibiting her yarns at Booth 63 of the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.renegadecraft.com\/\">Renegade Craft Fair&#8217;<\/a>s Los Angeles Winter Show this Saturday and Sunday, December 14 and 15, in Los Angeles State Historic Park.<\/em><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=3874\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=3890\">Miryha Runnerstrom Interview, Part Two<\/a>  December 13, 2013<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p>MIryha Runnerstrom, proprietor of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BlarneyYarn\">Blarney Yarn<\/a>, talks about the directions in which her creations are evolving and her perspective on exhibiting in shows&#8211;<em>and<\/em> shares a busy entrepreneur&#8217;s tip for getting ready for Christmas!<\/p>\n<p><em>Miryha (pronounced MARIAH) will be exhibiting her yarns at Booth 63 of the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.renegadecraft.com\/\">Renegade Craft Fair&#8217;<\/a>s Los Angeles Winter Show this Saturday and Sunday, December 14 and 15, in Los Angeles State Historic Park.<\/em><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=3890\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=3773\">Handmade, Indie and Fun<\/a>  December 12, 2013<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><div id=\"attachment_3792\" style=\"width: 790px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/Handmade-for-the-Holidays.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3792\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3792\" alt=\"(Graphic courtesy of A Little Known Shop, and used with permission.)\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/Handmade-for-the-Holidays.jpg\" width=\"780\" height=\"1008\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/Handmade-for-the-Holidays.jpg 780w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/Handmade-for-the-Holidays-232x300.jpg 232w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-3792\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Graphic courtesy of A Little Known Shop, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p><em>by Noella Noelophile\u2122<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The late Mae West is quoted as saying, &#8220;Too much of a good thing, is wonderful.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>If she were alive today, she might be saying that about this weekend.<\/p>\n<p>On Saturday, December 14th, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ALittleKnownShop\">A Little Known Shop<\/a>, in Anaheim, will have their &#8220;Handmade for the Holidays&#8221; boutique, from 11 am to 4 pm.\u00a0 They&#8217;ll be offering all kinds of great crafts&#8211;including jewelry, Christmas decor, toys, and my personal weakness&#8211;handcrafted scented soaps.\u00a0 There&#8217;s also a &#8220;Dr. Who&#8221; art exhibit, by local artists.<\/p>\n<p>Christmas 2013 is special time for co-proprietors Eva Lacey and Danielle Ochoa&#8211;as you&#8217;ll hear from our earlier <a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=2536\">interview<\/a>, this is their first Christmas as small-business owners!<\/p>\n<p>But&#8211;they&#8217;re not the only ones celebrating a new venture.<br \/>\n<!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_3777\" style=\"width: 585px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/boutique-event-graphic.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3777\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3777\" alt=\"(Graphic courtesy of Handmade in the South Bay, and used with permission.)\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/boutique-event-graphic.png\" width=\"575\" height=\"443\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/boutique-event-graphic.png 575w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/boutique-event-graphic-300x231.png 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/boutique-event-graphic-389x300.png 389w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 575px) 100vw, 575px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-3777\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Graphic courtesy of Handmade in the South Bay, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Brand-new independent artisan group, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/handmadesouthbay?ref=hl\">Handmade in the South Bay<\/a>, are having their debut &#8220;big&#8221; event this Saturday, with all kinds of amazing creations. \u00a0 They&#8217;ll have at least twenty-five handmade-only businesses on hand at the Lomita-Harbor City Kiwanis Club, from 10 am to 3 pm for their &#8220;First Annual Holiday Boutique&#8221;.\u00a0 Santa will be visiting, as will <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/eddie.deangelini\">Eddie DeAngelini, of Collectors<\/a>, to sign copies of his new book.\u00a0 And you can bring the children for make-and-take crafts, courtesy of Brownie Troop 15585, Boy Scout Troop 851 and Cub Scout Pack 851!<\/p>\n<p>And besides supporting and promoting independent South Bay artist\/entrepreneurs, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.handmadeinsouthbay.org\/\">HMSB<\/a> also offers a chance to &#8220;give back&#8221; at Christmastime.\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.friendsoftorrea.org\/\">Friends of Torrance Exceptional Athletes<\/a> will be there to accept gently-used sports equipment and financial donations. There will also be a food drive for <a href=\"http:\/\/www.communityschild.org\/\">Community&#8217;s Child<\/a>, a nonprofit dedicated to serving homeless women with infants.<\/p>\n<p>Merry Community Christmas&#8211;and have fun this weekend!<\/p>\n<p><em>A Little Known Shop, in Anaheim, is located at 423 South Brookhurst Street, south of West Broadway.\u00a0 Their &#8220;Handmade for the Holidays&#8217; boutique is happening Saturday, December 14th, from 11 am to 4 pm.\u00a0 Meanwhile, Handmade in the South Bay will have their First Annual Holiday Boutique on the same day, from 10 am to 3 pm, at Lomita-Harbor City Kiwanis Club, located at 24822 Narbonne Avenue, south of West 248th Street.<\/em><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=3773\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=3710\">Partners in Creativity<\/a>  November 30, 2013<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/marie2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3714\" alt=\"marie2\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/marie2.jpg\" width=\"339\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/marie2.jpg 339w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/marie2-226x300.jpg 226w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 339px) 100vw, 339px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>What happens when you combine ceramics with woodworking?<\/p>\n<p>Ask <a href=\"http:\/\/camp.interlochen.org\/person\/marie-perrin-mcgraw\">Marie Perrin-McGraw<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/vimeo.com\/30930375\">Robert Turek.<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/robert2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3715\" alt=\"robert2\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/robert2.jpg\" width=\"339\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/robert2.jpg 339w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/robert2-226x300.jpg 226w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 339px) 100vw, 339px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Marie and Robert met at Cranbrook Art Academy and became partners, both in life and in design.\u00a0 As a talented <a href=\"http:\/\/perrinmcgrawandturek.com\/about\/\">creative team<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/perrinmcgrawandturek.com\/about\/\">,<\/a> they&#8217;ve\u00a0 been collaborating on projects since 2011.\u00a0 This year, they began combining her favorite creative medium with his, in their brand-new contemporary-art product line, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/LusteredWalnut\">Lustered Walnut<\/a>.\u00a0 And they&#8217;ve incorporated their sense of humor right into their mugs, jewelry and furniture!<\/p>\n<p>The couple talked about some of their <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/lusteredwalnut\">Lustered Walnut<\/a> creations, the lessons they&#8217;ve learned as small-business owners and what they would like to teach their six-month-old son about being an artist.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=3710\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=3726\">Marie Perrin-McGraw and Robert Turek Interview, Part Two<\/a>  November 30, 2013<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=3729\">Marie Perrin-McGraw and Robert Turek Interview, Part Three<\/a>  November 30, 2013<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=2583\">Fast But Festive<\/a>  November 27, 2013<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/danielle-and-eva-closeup1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2589\" alt=\"danielle and eva closeup1\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/danielle-and-eva-closeup1.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"511\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/danielle-and-eva-closeup1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/danielle-and-eva-closeup1-300x219.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/danielle-and-eva-closeup1-410x300.jpg 410w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a>Remember the Christmases of yesteryear?\u00a0 When the whole family made salt-dough ornaments, or gathered greenery and hung it all through the house?<\/p>\n<p>Your schedule just may not allow for that in 2013.\u00a0 And no one would understand the problem better than Eva Lacy and Danielle Ochoa.<\/p>\n<p>Eva and Danielle are two of the three co-proprietors of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ALittleKnownShop\">A Little Known Shop<\/a>, a new retail artists&#8217; collaborative in Anaheim.\u00a0 And this will be their first Christmas as shop owners.<\/p>\n<p>So, in between arranging displays, teaching crafts workshops, hosting and planning special Christmas events and serving customers, they&#8217;ve figured out how to make things\u00a0 look Christmasy&#8211;without having to spend hours they don&#8217;t have.<\/p>\n<p>Eva and Danielle shared some of their favorite easy decorating tips.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=2583\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=3661\">Culturally Amazing, Long Beach<\/a>  November 25, 2013<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/CALB-sign1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3208\" alt=\"CALB sign1\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/CALB-sign1.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"301\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/CALB-sign1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/CALB-sign1-300x129.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/CALB-sign1-500x215.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>by Noella Noelophile\u2122<\/em><\/p>\n<p>This Black Friday, how would you like to support some gifted artists?<\/p>\n<p>Good!\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/Cultural-Alliance-of-Long-Beach\/313232145400616\">CALB<\/a> just happens to have a lot of them.<\/p>\n<p>This Friday, November 29th, the <a href=\"http:\/\/calbarts.org\/\">Cultural Alliance of Long Beach <\/a>is sponsoring a &#8220;Black Friday Art Market&#8221;, with 22 tables of art available for sale.\u00a0\u00a0 Artists exhibiting will include: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.emilykiwatanaka.com\/\">Emily Kiwa Tanaka, <\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PaulHogueLB\">Paul Hogue, <\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thearobertshaw.org\/artwork\/\">Thea Robertshaw <\/a>and <a href=\"http:\/\/calbarts.org\/artist-profile-norma-haas-rosen\/\">Norma Rosen<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>CALB is more than an art gallery, performance venue or community organization&#8211;even though it combines all three.\u00a0\u00a0 Their mission is to provide a collaborative center for artists of all ages and disciplines to work, connect and perform.\u00a0\u00a0 Since their inception in October of 2012, they&#8217;re hosted almost every type of artist-supporting event imaginable: screenings, performances, exhibits, and special events like their &#8220;Cherry Blossom Festival&#8221;, complete with hands-on workshops, last spring.<br \/>\n<!--nextpage--><br \/>\nTen percent of the proceeds from their &#8220;Black Friday Art Market&#8221; will go to support their programs&#8211;which promise to continue adding a lot of color and vibrancy to downtown Long Beach as they continue in their second year.<\/p>\n<p>Oh&#8211;and before I forget, they&#8217;d also like to invite you to a party.\u00a0 Their &#8220;Holiday Party&#8221; (I like the term <em>&#8220;Christmas party&#8221;<\/em> myself, but that&#8217;s just me!) happens on Wednesday, December 10th at 7:30 pm.\u00a0\u00a0 Come celebrate with some very cool talented &#8220;creatives&#8221;!<\/p>\n<p><em>The Cultural Alliance of Long Beach will host their &#8220;Black Friday Art Market&#8221; on Friday, November 29th, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Bungalow Art Center, 737 Pine Avenue in downtown Long Beach.\u00a0 The Bungalow Art Center will also be the venue for their Holiday Party, happening at 7:30, Wednesday, December 10th.<\/em><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=3661\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=3406\">Changing the World With Creativity<\/a>  November 17, 2013<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><div id=\"attachment_3426\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/WF-November-Calendar.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3426\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3426\" alt=\"Graphic courtesy of Handmade in South Bay, and used with permission.\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/WF-November-Calendar.png\" width=\"800\" height=\"529\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/WF-November-Calendar.png 800w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/WF-November-Calendar-300x198.png 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/WF-November-Calendar-453x300.png 453w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-3426\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Graphic courtesy of Handmade in South Bay, and used with permission.<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Yayyyy!\u00a0 Southern California has a brand-new creative community!<\/p>\n<p>And they&#8217;re showing everyone what they can do.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/handmadesouthbay\">Handmade in South Bay<\/a> is a new organization of handmade-only entrepreneurs.\u00a0 Their mission is to support and promote creative small business owners in the South Bay community.\u00a0 And that mission translates into: lots of cool creations, fun ideas and DIY classes, available this Christmas season as they get going!<\/p>\n<p>All through this month and December, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.handmadeinsouthbay.org\/\">Handmade in South Bay<\/a> will be offering &#8220;Handmade for the Holidays&#8221; DIY classes in El Segundo.\u00a0 Their upcoming offerings include <a href=\"http:\/\/www.handmadeinsouthbay.org\/upcoming-events\/whole-foods-d-i-y\/\">workshops <\/a>on creating safety-pin bracelets (we remember these from the 1970s!\u00a0 They&#8217;re a very cool vintage craft!), Hanukkah stamps, and decorating holiday tables.<\/p>\n<p>And they&#8217;ll just be getting warmed up at that point.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=3406\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=3380\">Handcrafting Something Amazing<\/a>  November 11, 2013<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/rondo-mieczkowski1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3442\" alt=\"rondo mieczkowski1\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/rondo-mieczkowski1.jpg\" width=\"569\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/rondo-mieczkowski1.jpg 569w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/rondo-mieczkowski1-243x300.jpg 243w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 569px) 100vw, 569px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Avoiding temptation just became considerably more difficult.<\/p>\n<p>Now, Rondo Mieczkowski&#8217;s\u00a0 award-winning artisan foods <a href=\"http:\/\/www.goodeggs.com\/coldwatercanyonprovisions\">are available for delivery.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Rondo, who founded his small business, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/Coldwater-Canyon-Provisions\/175471382534348\">Coldwater Canyon Provisions<\/a>, in 2010, handcrafts some amazing things, using family recipes.\u00a0 Among his <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/ColdwaterCanyon\">more unusual offerings<\/a>: blueberry jam, pickled apples, and strawberry rhubarb jam.<\/p>\n<p>That jam is actually a milestone of sorts&#8211;it won a &#8220;Best in Show&#8221; award at the 2010 California State Fair&#8211;and convinced Rondo to start offering his handcrafted specialties commercially.<\/p>\n<p>Rondo talked about his experiences as an entrepreneur, some of his Coldwater Canyon specialties and his plans for the future.<\/p>\n<p><em>Rondo offers his Coldwater Canyon creations&#8211;including award-winning Tarragon Cherries and his incredible bread-and-butter dill pickles&#8211;both on <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/ColdwaterCanyon\">Etsy<\/a> and at the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.studiocityfarmersmarket.com\/HOME.html\">Studio City Farmers&#8217; Market<\/a> every Sunday from 8 am to 2 pm.\u00a0 He will also be exhibiting at the <a href=\"http:\/\/stateofunique.com\/unique-la\/\">Unique L.A.<\/a> Holiday Show, in early December, and the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.renegadecraft.com\/losangeles-winter-home\">Renegade Craft Fair Winter Market,<\/a> in Los Angeles, the following week.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=3380\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=3445\">Rondo Mieczkowski Interview, Part Two<\/a>  November 11, 2013<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p>Think this bestseller from Rondo Mieczkowski&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/Coldwater-Canyon-Provisions\/175471382534348\">Coldwater Canyon Provisions<\/a> looks tempting?\u00a0 Wait&#8217;ll you hear about the original handcrafted specialties he offers!<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=3445\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=3168\">Dreams In Full Bloom<\/a>  October 23, 2013<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/angela41.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3274\" alt=\"angela4\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/angela41.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"527\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/angela41.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/angela41-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/angela41-398x300.jpg 398w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Angela Price excels at creating beauty.\u00a0 And she doesn&#8217;t need a lot of space to work her magic.<\/p>\n<p>Angela, who is the owner of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/EdenCondensed\">Eden Condensed<\/a>, specializes in small-space garden design, and creates <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/EdenCondensed\">unique miniature gift terrariums, vintage container gardens and some other fun stuff!<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Angela talked about the origins of her small business, <a href=\"http:\/\/edencondensed.com\/\">Eden Condensed, <\/a>and her life as an artist\/entrepreneur.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=3168\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=3182\">Angela Price Interview, Part Two<\/a>  October 23, 2013<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><div id=\"attachment_3280\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/eden-condensed-terrarium2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3280\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3280\" alt=\"Design \u00a9 2013, Eden Condensed, and used with permission. \" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/eden-condensed-terrarium2.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"544\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/eden-condensed-terrarium2.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/eden-condensed-terrarium2-300x233.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/eden-condensed-terrarium2-386x300.jpg 386w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-3280\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Design \u00a9 2013, Eden Condensed, and used with permission.<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Artist\/entrepreneur Angela Price, of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/EdenCondensed\">Eden Condensed,<\/a> tells the stories behind her <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/EdenCondensed\">handcrafted miniature terrariums<\/a>&#8212;<em>and<\/em> offers a\u00a0 preview of her new creations for Christmas, 2013!<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=3182\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=3187\">Angela Price Interview, Part Three<\/a>  October 23, 2013<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/angela6.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3276\" alt=\"angela6\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/angela6.jpg\" width=\"527\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/angela6.jpg 527w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/angela6-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 527px) 100vw, 527px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>What works&#8211;and what <em>doesn&#8217;t<\/em>&#8211;for an independent entrepreneur?<\/p>\n<p>Artist Angela Price, of <a href=\"http:\/\/edencondensed.com\/\">Eden Condensed<\/a>, answers these questions with a look at her experiences, operating and promoting her <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/EdenCondensed\">small business<\/a>.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=3187\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=2646\">Where Tradition Becomes New<\/a>  October 19, 2013<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/erin-zamrzla-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2662\" alt=\"erin zamrzla 1\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/erin-zamrzla-1.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"666\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/erin-zamrzla-1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/erin-zamrzla-1-300x285.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/erin-zamrzla-1-315x300.jpg 315w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Bookbinding is an ancient art&#8211;literally dating back to the beginning of writing.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.erinzam.com\/\">Graphic designer and author Erin Zamrzla<\/a> manages to make it something new.\u00a0 And she also makes it accessible to crafters, as a way to create unique Christmas gifts!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/people\/erinzam\">Erin not only crafts unique book<\/a>s for active twenty-first century lifestyles, but shows fellow creatives &#8220;how-to&#8221; in her own new book, <em><a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Erin-Zamrzla\/e\/B00409K1OM\">Handmade Books For Everyday Adventures.\u00a0<\/a> <\/em>Among the special projects she demonstrates: a photo-notes book; a &#8220;write-your-own story&#8221; journal; a nature excursions leaf and flower press; and this necklace book!<em> <\/em><\/p>\n<p>At the Los Angeles Summer Renegade Craft Fair, Erin talked about her creations, her life as an artist\/entrepreneur, and some of the projects her readers may want to consider, as special Christmas gifts.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=2646\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=2536\">Fun, Community and Talent<\/a>  October 17, 2013<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/danielle-and-eva-in-shop1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2553\" alt=\"danielle and eva in shop1\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/danielle-and-eva-in-shop1.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"606\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/danielle-and-eva-in-shop1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/danielle-and-eva-in-shop1-300x259.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/danielle-and-eva-in-shop1-346x300.jpg 346w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>For Danielle Ochoa and Eva Lacy, Christmas 2013 came early..<\/p>\n<p>This Christmas season will be their first one as full-time small-business owners&#8211;after opening <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ALittleKnownShop\">A Little Known Shop<\/a> in May!<\/p>\n<p>This &#8220;crafty&#8221; new venture, in a hidden plaza in Anaheim, is a retail space showcasing the work of more than thirty\u00a0 local, independent artists.\u00a0 And Danielle and Eva celebrated their first months in operation with all kinds of interactive events: workshops, giveaways, participation in a series of &#8220;Crafternoons&#8221; designed by <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/themakerysocal\">The Makery <\/a>owner\/operator Lisa Cherry&#8211;and even a flash mob!<\/p>\n<p>Now, <a href=\"http:\/\/alittleknownshop.wordpress.com\/\">A Little Known Shop<\/a> is getting ready for a busy Christmas season!\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Danielle and Lisa talked about their own backgrounds as artists, and how their dream became a reality.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=2536\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=2559\">&#8220;A Little Known Shop&#8221;, Part 2<\/a>  October 17, 2013<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"http:\/\/alittleknownshop.wordpress.com\/\">&#8220;A Little Known Shop&#8221;<\/a> proprietors Danielle Ochoa and Eva Lacy recalled last May&#8217;s grand opening of their independent artists&#8217; collaborative in Anaheim.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=2559\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=2564\">&#8220;A Little Known Shop&#8221;, Part Three<\/a>  October 17, 2013<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p>So, what are some of the special events <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ALittleKnownShop\">&#8220;A Little Known Shop<\/a>&#8221; will be planning, this season?\u00a0 They&#8217;re starting off with a spooky Halloween!\u00a0 Proprietors Daniella Ochoa and Eva Lacy offered a preview.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=2564\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=2569\">&#8220;A Little Known Shop&#8221;, Part Four<\/a>  October 17, 2013<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p>Suppose <em>you<\/em> have a dream&#8211;similar to what happened for Danielle and Eva when they opened<a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ALittleKnownShop\"> A Little Known Shop<\/a> in Anaheim?\u00a0\u00a0 Danielle talks about what you might expect, in terms of some of the highs and lows.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>A Little Known Shop, at 423 South Brookhurst, in Anaheim, is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.<\/em><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=2569\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=2350\">Designing a New Tradition<\/a>  October 15, 2013<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/jennifer-gomez-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2362\" alt=\"jennifer gomez 1\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/jennifer-gomez-1.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"527\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/jennifer-gomez-1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/jennifer-gomez-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/jennifer-gomez-1-398x300.jpg 398w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Remember the early-December afternoons when Grandma tied on her apron and whipped up your favorite Christmas cookies? \u00a0 Or the skirt Mom liked to wear on summer vacations?\u00a0 <em>Or<\/em> the family celebrations, when she set the table with the good china and linen napkins?<\/p>\n<p>Fabric artist Jennifer Gomez remembers them well.<\/p>\n<p>Talented Jennifer designs sets of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/TraditionallyUnique?page=1\">colorful cloth napkins, vintage-look aprons, classic skirts <\/a>and more for her small business, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/Traditionally-Unique\/123632960998744\">Traditionally Unique<\/a>!\u00a0\u00a0 Unlike their old-time counterparts, though, these handmade creations have vibrant colors,user-friendly shapes (her cloth napkins are rectangular, so they won&#8217;t slide to the floor and leave you hunting under the table!), and the idea, as <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/traditionallyunique\">Jennifer&#8217;s Etsy page<\/a> says, of being &#8220;easy and fun&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>At the springtime Patchwork Show, Jennifer talked about her background of her fabric art, some of her favorite fabric art and the designs she has available for Christmas (or Hanukkah) shopping season, 2013.\u00a0\u00a0 (And, heads-up&#8211;if you have a classic-style gift in mind and don&#8217;t see it on her Etsy page, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/traditionallyunique?page=2#\">she does do custom orders<\/a>!)<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=2350\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=3248\">&#8220;Artisanal&#8221; Excellence<\/a>  October 13, 2013<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/samples1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3261\" alt=\"samples1\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/samples1.jpg\" width=\"527\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Would you like a sample?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Those words were repeated throughout the afternoon&#8211;and saying &#8220;no&#8221; didn&#8217;t seem like a very fun option.\u00a0 (Full disclosure: this reporter took complete advantage of proffered samples&#8211;and expects to be doing the extra workouts to prove it!)<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/artisanal-welcome1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3259\" alt=\"artisanal welcome1\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/artisanal-welcome1.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"527\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/artisanal-welcome1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/artisanal-welcome1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/artisanal-welcome1-398x300.jpg 398w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>At the second day of today&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ArtisanalLA\">Artisanal LA<\/a> Fall 2013 show, the offerings were tempting, unusual and in some cases&#8211;previously unimaginable.\u00a0 (<em>Coconut<\/em> bacon?\u00a0 Hey, why not?)<\/p>\n<p>Today&#8217;s show involved two floors of the downtown LA Mart, with exhibitors&#8211;both food vendors and craftspeople&#8211;on the second floor, and workshops and book signings on the 11th.<!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Stand-out favorites in a superb lot?\u00a0 Well, that&#8217;s a tough choice, but among the crafters,\u00a0 I especially liked these mugs, crafted by Marie Perrin-McGraw and Robert D. Turek, of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/lusteredwalnut\">Lustered Walnut<\/a>:..<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/marie1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3252\" alt=\"marie1\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/marie1.jpg\" width=\"527\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/marie1.jpg 527w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/marie1-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 527px) 100vw, 527px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/robert1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3254\" alt=\"robert1\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/robert1.jpg\" width=\"527\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/robert1.jpg 527w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/robert1-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 527px) 100vw, 527px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>And<\/em> these gorgeous wood items crafted by Linda Hsiao and Kagan Taylor of <a href=\"http:\/\/knotworkla.tumblr.com\/\">Knotwork.<\/a>..<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/knotwork1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3257\" alt=\"knotwork1\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/knotwork1.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"527\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/knotwork1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/knotwork1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/knotwork1-398x300.jpg 398w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230;and there was just no resisting these cute mini-terrariums by Angela Price, of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/EdenCondensed\">Eden Condensed<\/a>.\u00a0 (Wait&#8217;ll you see what she&#8217;s created for Christmas, this year!)<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/angela4.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3263\" alt=\"angela4\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/angela4.jpg\" width=\"2144\" height=\"2848\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/angela4.jpg 2144w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/angela4-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/angela4-770x1024.jpg 770w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2144px) 100vw, 2144px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>And nobody could resist the free poems <a href=\"http:\/\/www.typewriterpoetry.com\/about\/\">Billimarie Robinson<\/a> was writing, on her PINK vintage Royal manual typewriter!\u00a0\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/billimarie3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3267\" alt=\"billimarie3\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/billimarie3.jpg\" width=\"552\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/billimarie3.jpg 552w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/billimarie3-236x300.jpg 236w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 552px) 100vw, 552px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Now&#8211;how about the food?\u00a0 Suffice it to say that choosing favorites wouldn&#8217;t do anybody justice&#8211;it was all incredible!\u00a0\u00a0 However, our <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/media\/set\/?set=a.466769440104573.1073741829.259703624144490&amp;type=1\">Facebook gallery<\/a> does feature a few of the food vendors who were willing to be photographed (and thank you, to all of them!).<\/p>\n<p>Artisanal LA organizers say they may not have a &#8220;Pop-Up Holiday&#8221; show this year&#8211;there IS a lot involved, to coordinating everything here, and they would have eight weeks, max, turn-around time to get everything ready.\u00a0 But you can be sure we&#8217;ll be watching for the next &#8220;Artisanal&#8221; show!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=3248\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=3111\">Sweet Melodies, Expertise and Humor<\/a>  September 21, 2013<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><div id=\"attachment_3126\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Jo-pel_6001.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3126\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3126\" alt=\"Photograph courtesy of Wayne Jiang, and used with permission.  Wayne Jiang and Patricia Delich are the creators of the new documentary, &quot;HEARTS OF THE DULCIMER.&quot;\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Jo-pel_6001.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"614\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Jo-pel_6001.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Jo-pel_6001-293x300.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-3126\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photograph courtesy of Wayne Jiang, and used with permission. Wayne Jiang and Patricia Delich are the creators of the new <a href=\"http:\/\/dulcimuse.com\/\">documentary<\/a>, &#8220;HEARTS OF THE DULCIMER.&#8221;<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"size-full wp-image-3118\" href=\"http:\/\/lapidusmusic.com\/\">Joellen Lapidus<\/a> knows all about dulcimers.<\/p>\n<p>A musician most of her life, she&#8217;s been crafting the instruments since the 1970s&#8211;as well as playing and teaching others to play them.<\/p>\n<p>Joellen evokes her instrument&#8217;s Appalachian roots, transports audiences to a simpler time and tempts her listeners to start dancing!\u00a0 She also comes up with some well-crafted interpretations of Bob Dylan and Joan Baez compositions.\u00a0 But her original <a href=\"http:\/\/lapidusmusic.com\/music.html\">music<\/a> tends to be the standout part of her shows&#8211;incorporating catchy melodies, a sense of humor and a sound that&#8217;s by turns jazzy, thoughtful and poignant<\/p>\n<p>Joellen, who will be performing a free concert at <a href=\"http:\/\/craftedportla.com\/calendar\/2013-10\">CRAFTED, in San Pedro,<\/a> on October 19th, talked about her creative process and offered a preview of some of the songs she and two of her favorite musicians will be performing.<\/p>\n<p><em>Joellen Lapidus will be playing dulcimer and accordion at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Craftedportla\">CRAFTED<\/a>, at 110 East 22nd Street in San Pedro, from 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm on Saturday, October 19th.\u00a0 The performance is free.<\/em><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=3111\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=3054\">The Consummate Artist<\/a>  September 14, 2013<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><div id=\"attachment_3072\" style=\"width: 527px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/jodulc411.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3072\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3072\" alt=\"(Photograph courtesy of Maureen McTeague, and used with permission.)\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/jodulc411.jpg\" width=\"517\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/jodulc411.jpg 517w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/jodulc411-221x300.jpg 221w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 517px) 100vw, 517px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-3072\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photograph courtesy of Maureen McTeague, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"size-full wp-image-3068\" href=\"http:\/\/lapidusmusic.com\">Joellen Lapidus<\/a> is engaged in a labor of love.<\/p>\n<p>True, she is a professional (classically-trained) musician.\u00a0\u00a0 A songwriter, she composes and performs music for, and teaches, the dulcimer.\u00a0\u00a0 She has also written<a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s\/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&amp;field-keywords=Lapidus%20on%20dulcimer\"> a step-by-step guide to learning the instrument.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>But her interest goes far beyond that&#8211;to actually <em>building<\/em> custom dulcimers.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=3054\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=2746\">Making Magic Happen for Artists<\/a>  August 2, 2013<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/steve-with-art-and-sign1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2752\" alt=\"steve with art and sign1\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/steve-with-art-and-sign1.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"527\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/steve-with-art-and-sign1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/steve-with-art-and-sign1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/steve-with-art-and-sign1-398x300.jpg 398w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>How many organizations do you know, that have been supporting artists for seventy-seven years?<\/p>\n<p>Well, here&#8217;s one.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"http:\/\/sanpedroart.org\/wp\/\">San Pedro Art Association<\/a>&#8211;who <a href=\"http:\/\/craftedportla.com\/ribbon-cutting\/\">just recently opened a booth in CRAFTED <\/a>at the Port of Los Angeles&#8211;offer classes, networking events and chances for members to exhibit their work.\u00a0 They also just sponsored a highly successful &#8220;All Grades Student Art Competition&#8221; for San Pedro schools.<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/winners1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2754\" alt=\"winners1\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/winners1.jpg\" width=\"527\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/winners1.jpg 527w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/winners1-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 527px) 100vw, 527px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Steve Magee is both the Vice President of the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sanpedroartassociation\">San Pedro Art Association<\/a>, and a master framer who loves what he does!\u00a0 He talked about what the SPAA offers artists, and your chance to come by and see what their talented members have been creating!<\/p>\n<p><em>The San Pedro Art Association have booth #A133 at CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles, in addition to their gallery in Berth 77 of San Pedro&#8217;s Ports o&#8217; Call Village.\u00a0 CRAFTED is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 6 pm.\u00a0 SPAA&#8217;s gallery hours at Ports o&#8217; Call are Tuesday through Sunday, 11:30 am to 6 pm.<\/em><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=2746\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=2098\">The Artistry of the Brush<\/a>  April 27, 2013<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Henry-teaching-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2109\" alt=\"Henry teaching 1\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Henry-teaching-1.jpg\" width=\"528\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Henry-teaching-1.jpg 528w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Henry-teaching-1-226x300.jpg 226w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 528px) 100vw, 528px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Feel the bristles,&#8221; directed calligrapher Henry J. Josefsberg, Esquire, during <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/Cultural-Alliance-of-Long-Beach\/313232145400616?group_id=0\">CALB<\/a>&#8216;s recent Cherry Blossom Festival.<\/p>\n<p>Intrigued, his student touched her brush to the ink block.\u00a0 Henry, who has a background in art history, then patiently talked her through the process of drawing the Chinese symbol for &#8220;happiness.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0 Meanwhile, other visitors watched with interest&#8211;and lined up for their chance to learn.<\/p>\n<p>The painstaking process of Chinese calligraphy seems miles away from our three-minute-microwave and instant-download culture.\u00a0 But Henry, who is both an attorney and a filmmaker\/photographer by profession, clearly loves every moment of it.<\/p>\n<p>Henry talked about his background in calligraphy, and its role as a building block for Chinese art.\u00a0 Great news: if you missed his lessons at the <a href=\"http:\/\/calbarts.org\/\">Cultural Alliance of Long Beach<\/a> in early April, he&#8217;s also scheduled to teach a calligraphy class through <a href=\"http:\/\/www.csulb.edu\/colleges\/chhs\/centers\/olli\/\">CSULB&#8217;s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute<\/a>, Tuesday evenings in June!<\/p>\n<p><em>Henry will be teaching beginning calligraphy classes through CSULB&#8217;s Osher Life Long Learning Institute, Tuesdays at 5:30, starting July 9th.\u00a0 Classes run through August 13th,\u00a0 at the Cultural Alliance facility in downtown Long Beach, on Pine Avenue at Seventh.\u00a0 Advance registration is required; for more information, e-mail olli@csulb.edu.<br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=2098\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=2116\">Zen and the Art of Calligraphy<\/a>  April 27, 2013<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Henry-teaching-too.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2120\" alt=\"Henry teaching too\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Henry-teaching-too.jpg\" width=\"592\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Henry-teaching-too.jpg 592w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Henry-teaching-too-253x300.jpg 253w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 592px) 100vw, 592px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Artist Henry Josefsberg was a popular draw at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/Cultural-Alliance-of-Long-Beach\/313232145400616?fref=ts\">Cultural Alliance of Long Beach<\/a> recently.\u00a0 Guests lined up for Henry&#8217;s lessons in Chinese calligraphy during CALB&#8217;s first-ever Cherry Blossom Festival!<\/p>\n<p>Here, Henry gives a mini-lesson in calligraphy basics&#8211;and demonstrates that calligraphy starts before the brush ever touches the paper!<\/p>\n<p><em><em>Henry will be teaching beginning calligraphy classes through CSULB&#8217;s Osher Life Long Learning Institute, Tuesdays at 5:30, starting July 9th.\u00a0 Classes run through August 13th,\u00a0 at the Cultural Alliance facility in downtown Long Beach, on Pine Avenue at Seventh.\u00a0 Advance registration is required; for more information, e-mail olli@csulb.edu.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=2116\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=2129\">Broadening Horizons<\/a>  April 27, 2013<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Henry-teaching-three.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2134\" alt=\"Henry teaching three\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Henry-teaching-three.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"535\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Henry-teaching-three.jpg 700w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Henry-teaching-three-300x229.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Henry-teaching-three-392x300.jpg 392w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Henry J. Josefsberg, Esquire, is an attorney, photographer, filmmaker and art historian.<\/p>\n<p>But a completely different area of his expertise had guests lining up to learn from him at the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/Cultural-Alliance-of-Long-Beach\/313232145400616?fref=ts\">Cultural Alliance of Long Beach&#8217;<\/a>s recent Cherry Blossom Festival.<\/p>\n<p>Henry is an expert on Asian calligraphy!\u00a0 At the Cherry Blossom Festival, he invited guests to choose one of a number of Chinese characters.\u00a0 Then, he patiently talked each visitor through creating the character he or she had selected.<\/p>\n<p>Henry talked about a lesson he himself had recently learned, about his art.\u00a0 He also gave details on his upcoming beginners&#8217; calligraphy class, which he&#8217;ll be teaching in downtown Long Beach in June.<\/p>\n<p><em><em>Henry will be teaching beginning calligraphy classes through CSULB&#8217;s Osher Life Long Learning Institute, Tuesdays at 5:30, starting July 9th.\u00a0 Classes run through August 13th,\u00a0 at the Cultural Alliance facility in downtown Long Beach, on Pine Avenue at Seventh.\u00a0 Advance registration is required; for more information, e-mail olli@csulb.edu.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=2129\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=1893\">&#8220;Pointedly&#8221; Gifted<\/a>  March 2, 2013<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/karen-with-pointilism-work.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1906\" alt=\"karen with pointilism work\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/karen-with-pointilism-work.jpg\" width=\"554\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/karen-with-pointilism-work.jpg 554w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/karen-with-pointilism-work-237x300.jpg 237w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 554px) 100vw, 554px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>An explosion of color&#8230;textures that make everybody want to touch what they&#8217;re seeing&#8230;and lots of time spent creating something breathtaking.<\/p>\n<p>Those are some of the components of the works of artists <a href=\"http:\/\/www.artslant.com\/global\/artists\/show\/58123-dean-triolo\">Dean Triolo<\/a> and Craig Allen.\u00a0\u00a0 Their works recently appeared on display in the first of three galleries we toured at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/Cultural-Alliance-of-Long-Beach\/313232145400616\">Cultural Alliance of Long Beach.<\/a> \u00a0 Cultural Alliance of Long Beach is an exciting, and relatively new, nonprofit arts organization in downtown Long Beach. \u00a0 Their mission is to support working artists&#8211;in all disciplines&#8211;and connect them with the public, to display (and often, sell!) their work.<\/p>\n<p>Space manager, grant writing expert and CALB secretary Karen Reside talked about the works on display, and explained the artists&#8217; style&#8211;pointilism.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=1893\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=1800\">An Enchanting &#8220;Obsession&#8221;<\/a>  February 12, 2013<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/shirlee-yantz-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1812\" alt=\"shirlee yantz 2\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/shirlee-yantz-2.jpg\" width=\"488\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/shirlee-yantz-2.jpg 488w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/shirlee-yantz-2-244x300.jpg 244w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 488px) 100vw, 488px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/EnchantedChic\">Shirlee Yantz<\/a> is having fun&#8230;and so are her customers!<\/p>\n<p>For her small business, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/EnchantedChic\">Enchanted Chic<\/a>, Shirlee creates warm, imaginative, and very often <em>humorous<\/em> fused-glass jewelry, plates, and custom art!\u00a0\u00a0 Recently, she expanded her calling (well, OK, she says it&#8217;s an &#8220;obsession&#8221;) by opening her shop at <a href=\"http:\/\/craftedportla.com\/\">CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>While I personally love her <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=598101340205052&amp;set=a.598101210205065.150748.519946614687192&amp;type=3&amp;theater\">hearts<\/a> and would advise any bride-to-be to ask her what she has for a wedding cake topper, she can make anything you request, in glass.<\/p>\n<p>Shirlee talked about her interest in her medium, and some of her experiences creating special pieces.\u00a0 Wait&#8217;ll you hear about her funniest custom order!<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=1800\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=1698\">Bad Cats, Great Beads<\/a>  February 2, 2013<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/rain-hannah-with-seals.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1724\" alt=\"rain hannah with seals\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/rain-hannah-with-seals.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"797\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/rain-hannah-with-seals.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/rain-hannah-with-seals-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Rain Hannah is living her creative dream&#8230;and expanding it.<\/p>\n<p>Her whimsical line of handcrafted jewelry, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/honeyandollie\/about\/\">Honey and Ollie<\/a>, is now available at her<a href=\"http:\/\/craftedportla.com\/honey-ollie\/\"> stall at CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles<\/a>&#8211;where Rain not only sells her own work, but displays fellow artists&#8217; creations for sale.\u00a0\u00a0 Her journey, as an artist, tends to inspire friends to craft their own creative paths.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/rain-with-seals.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1725\" alt=\"rain with seals\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/rain-with-seals.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"452\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/rain-with-seals.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/rain-with-seals-300x226.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/rain-with-seals-398x300.jpg 398w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In her<a href=\"http:\/\/honeyandollie.com\/about-honey-ollie\/\"> blog,<\/a> Rain says that providing that inspiration&#8230;along with delight&#8230;is her life&#8217;s purpose. \u00a0 Recently, she herself was inspired to share her delight in handcrafted beads, by opening her second <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Craftedportla\">CRAFTED<\/a> business, <a href=\"http:\/\/twicsy.com\/i\/Grupdd\">Six Bad Cats!<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 Rain explained the origin of that name, and talked about her adventures as a creative entrepreneur.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=1698\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=1682\">Living Her Passion<\/a>  January 26, 2013<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/suzanne-colucci.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1686\" alt=\"suzanne colucci\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/suzanne-colucci.jpg\" width=\"452\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/suzanne-colucci.jpg 452w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/suzanne-colucci-226x300.jpg 226w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 452px) 100vw, 452px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Fair warning: if you stop by <a href=\"http:\/\/craftedportla.com\/belandaria-designs\/\">Suzanne Colucci&#8217;s booth at CRAFTED<\/a>, you may just fall in love.<\/p>\n<p>For her small business, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.belandaria.com\/\">Belandaria Designs<\/a>, Suzanne creates <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/BelandariaDesigns\">breathtaking jewelry, handcrafts beads, and does custom work<\/a>.\u00a0 Suzanne shared the story of how she started Belandaria Designs&#8211;at a time when her then-career wasn&#8217;t challenging her creativity.<\/p>\n<p>As we chatted at <a href=\"http:\/\/craftedportla.com\/\">CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles<\/a>, she also explained the origins of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/Belandaria-Designs\/244679263059\">Belandaria&#8217;s <\/a>name.\u00a0 We won&#8217;t spoil it&#8211;you&#8217;ll just have to listen!<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=1682\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=1654\">Beads, Fiber and Imagination<\/a>  January 22, 2013<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=1677\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1677\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1677\" alt=\"michelle in her CRAFTED store\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/michelle-in-her-CRAFTED-store-.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"797\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/michelle-in-her-CRAFTED-store-.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/michelle-in-her-CRAFTED-store--225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/craftedportla.com\/\">CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles<\/a> has just welcomed a brand-new member to their community!<\/p>\n<p>Designer Michelle Waller, proprietor of Bohemian Rags, handcrafts beaded suede bags, fiber-art jewelry, hooked rugs&#8230;<em>and<\/em> creates cactus terrariums!\u00a0\u00a0 Her background in clothing design stands her in good stead: each of her handcrafted shoulder bags can be described as one-of-a-kind wearable art.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=1675\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1675\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1675\" alt=\"michelle with her bags 1\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/michelle-with-her-bags-1.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"452\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/michelle-with-her-bags-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/michelle-with-her-bags-1-300x226.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/michelle-with-her-bags-1-398x300.jpg 398w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Talented Michelle talked about her bestselling items, how she first started crafting, and her recent decision to pursue her dream of making a living with her creations.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=1654\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=1573\">Blue-Ribbon Creativity<\/a>  January 11, 2013<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?attachment_id=1602\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1602\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1602\" alt=\"melissa abercrombie\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/melissa-abercrombie.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/melissa-abercrombie.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/melissa-abercrombie-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/melissa-abercrombie-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>About twenty years ago, fine artist Melissa Abercrombie began collecting medals.\u00a0\u00a0 Today, she works them into her vintage jewelry business, <a href=\"http:\/\/blueribbonsalvage.com\/\">Blue Ribbon Salvage<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Melissa says<a href=\"http:\/\/blueribbonsalvage.bigcartel.com\/\"> her creations<\/a> play on an interest she developed during her growing-up years.\u00a0 &#8220;My grandmothers were both Catholic, and they would give me medals for different occasions,&#8221; she recalls.\u00a0\u00a0 &#8220;I would wear (the medals)\u00a0 on chains, and it wasn&#8217;t a big leap to start doing a more ornate version of that.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>In her<a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BlueRibbonSalvage\"> Blue Ribbon Salvage<\/a> creations, Melissa specializes in pieces made with personal-merit medals&#8211;such as those awarded in athletic events.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;m a cyclist, so I get a lot of bicycle-race ones.&#8221;\u00a0 Then, she can group related pieces together, add gemstones that match the hues of the medals, or pair them with a sterling or brass chain that matches the patina.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=1573\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=909\">Her &#8220;Spin&#8221; On Creativity<\/a>  November 19, 2012<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/miryha-runnerstrom-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-965\" title=\"Miryha Runnerstrom spinning her handcrafted yarn\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/miryha-runnerstrom-2.jpg\" alt=\"Miryha Runnerstrom spinning her handcrafted yarn\" width=\"450\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/miryha-runnerstrom-2.jpg 450w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/miryha-runnerstrom-2-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>For Miryha Runnerstrom, learning to knit was just the starting point.<\/p>\n<p>Miryha&#8217;s small business,<a href=\"http:\/\/blarneyyarn.com\/\"> Blarney Yarn<\/a>, specializes in handspun and hand-dyed yarns.\u00a0 Her <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/blarneyyarn\">Etsy shop<\/a> features handpainted spinning fibers and yarns, in colors that could best be described as &#8220;luscious&#8221;.\u00a0 She also offers spinning kits (how&#8217;s that for a great gift for a crafter on your Christmas list?) and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ravelry.com\/designers\/miryha-runnerstrom\">knitting patterns!<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Miryha (pronounced <em>Mariah<\/em>) talked about her fiber art and her latest creations.\u00a0 Would you like to chat with her about yarns, spinning, knitting&#8211;and see some of her custom <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BlarneyYarn\">Blarney Yarn<\/a> rovings firsthand?\u00a0 She&#8217;s exhibiting at the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.renegadecraft.com\/losangeles-holiday-info\">Third Annual Renegade Craft Fair Holiday Market, in Los Angeles,\u00a0 December 8th and 9th!<\/a><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=909\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=749\">Cutting-Edge Creativity<\/a>  November 13, 2012<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/cameron-with-his-cutting-board-resized1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-764\" title=\"Cameron Oehler with one of his cutting boards\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/cameron-with-his-cutting-board-resized1.jpg\" alt=\"Cameron Oehler with one of his cutting boards\" width=\"450\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/cameron-with-his-cutting-board-resized1.jpg 450w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/cameron-with-his-cutting-board-resized1-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Independent designer and woodworker Cameron Oehler says his business&#8217;s name is &#8220;kind of a nerd joke.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;My company is called<a href=\"http:\/\/1337motif.com\/?page_id=2\"> Leitmotif, and it&#8217;s spelled &#8216;1-3-3-7-m-o-t-i-f,&#8217;<\/a>&#8221; he explains.\u00a0 &#8220;&#8216;Leet&#8221; is from video games.\u00a0 It stands for &#8216;elite&#8217;, and &#8216;1-3-3-7&#8217; kind of looks like &#8216;l-e-e-t&#8217;.\u00a0 It&#8217;s something you would say about yourself or someone else, playing video games.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Quality is Cameron&#8217;s game when he creates his coasters, jewelry and cutting boards.\u00a0\u00a0 His high standards come from his growing-up years, learning his craft.\u00a0 &#8220;My father has been a custom cabinetmaker for forty or fifty years,&#8221; Cameron says.\u00a0 &#8220;So I started doing woodworking as a summer job for him, throughout my childhood.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>From that woodworking background, Cameron branched off to create his original coasters, jewelry and cutting boards &#8220;four or five years ago.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The board he&#8217;s displaying here is a fan patten he designed, and is made of walnut and maple.\u00a0 For Christmas 2012, Cameron says he hopes to have created some new art deco-patterned jewelry in ebony and brass.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=749\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=553\">Putting the &#8220;Fun&#8221; in Feminine<\/a>  November 9, 2012<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/shawna-with-twirls-and-twigs-clothing1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-561\" title=\"Designer Shawna Dalton with her Twirls and Twigs creations\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/shawna-with-twirls-and-twigs-clothing1.jpg\" alt=\"Designer Shawna Dalton with her Twirls and Twigs creations\" width=\"600\" height=\"452\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/shawna-with-twirls-and-twigs-clothing1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/shawna-with-twirls-and-twigs-clothing1-300x226.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/shawna-with-twirls-and-twigs-clothing1-398x300.jpg 398w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Twirling.\u00a0 Around and around, till your skirt whirls out, and the room spins when you stop.\u00a0 And when you do, you laugh and want to do it again.<\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;s part of being a little girl&#8230;<em>and<\/em> part of the inspiration behind Shawna Dalton&#8217;s clothing designs!<\/p>\n<p>Shawna realized that environmentally-friendly children&#8217;s clothing, designed with a spirit of play and fun, didn&#8217;t really exist&#8211;yet.\u00a0 So, she designed her <a href=\"http:\/\/www.twirlsandtwigs.com\/\">Twirls and Twigs <\/a>line!<\/p>\n<p>When little girls wear Shawna&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/Twirls-and-Twigs\/74632691686\">Twirls and Twigs<\/a> creations, no mom ever has to say, &#8220;Stop twirling around, you&#8217;ll tear your dress!&#8221;\u00a0 These are sturdy, yet beautiful clothes&#8230;that take the &#8220;play factor&#8221; into account.<\/p>\n<p>Shawna talked about the origins of her small business, her <a href=\"http:\/\/twirlsandtwigs.com\/blog\/\">Twirls and Twigs<\/a> designs for Christmas 2012&#8230;<em>and<\/em> the ultimate compliment she receives, from the wearers of her dresses!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=553\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=622\">An Artist With a Mission<\/a>  November 7, 2012<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/deborah-of-jungle-bee-resized.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-624\" title=\"Deborah Selva in her CRAFTED store\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/deborah-of-jungle-bee-resized.jpg\" alt=\"Deborah Selva in her CRAFTED store\" width=\"600\" height=\"452\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/deborah-of-jungle-bee-resized.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/deborah-of-jungle-bee-resized-300x226.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/deborah-of-jungle-bee-resized-398x300.jpg 398w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Deborah Selva is a jewelry designer who has always loved crafts.\u00a0 But she didn&#8217;t realize she was a mosaic artist&#8211;till less than a year ago!<\/p>\n<p>When Debbie took a mosaic class, she discovered that she was a natural.\u00a0\u00a0 Orders started pouring in for her work&#8230;and she wound up, as she says, &#8220;making money having fun&#8221; with her small business, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thejunglebee.com\/\">The Jungle Bee<\/a>!<\/p>\n<p>But art is only one of Debbie&#8217;s passions.\u00a0 A mom and gifted teacher, she uses her creative talents to support her school, East Valley Academy, and to teach her students about entrepreneurship.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=622\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=644\">Debbie Selva Interview, Part 2<\/a>  November 7, 2012<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=300\">Color, Stitches and Joy<\/a>  November 5, 2012<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/patsy-quilting-cropped-resized.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-414\" title=\"Patsy Johnson quilting\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/patsy-quilting-cropped-resized.jpg\" alt=\"Patsy Johnson quilting\" width=\"600\" height=\"378\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/patsy-quilting-cropped-resized.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/patsy-quilting-cropped-resized-300x189.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/patsy-quilting-cropped-resized-476x300.jpg 476w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>When you hear the words &#8220;patchwork quilt&#8221;&#8211;what memories come to mind?<\/p>\n<p>Whatever, or whoever,\u00a0 just crossed your mind&#8230;probably left you smiling.\u00a0 And that&#8217;s the feeling of warmth <a href=\"http:\/\/patsyjohnsonquilts.blogspot.com\/\">Patsy Johnson<\/a> evokes, with her quilts and quilted tote bags, at <a href=\"http:\/\/craftedportla.com\/\">CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"www.patsyjohnsonquilts.com\">Patsy&#8217;s<\/a> artistry combines the quilting techniques she saw, growing up, with her love of innovation.\u00a0 As a member of the <a href=\"http:\/\/themodernquiltguild.com\/\">Modern Quilt Guild<\/a>, she explores new ways of growing in her craft&#8211;including creating quilted covers for personal technology devices!<\/p>\n<p>Patsy, who &#8220;escaped&#8221; a corporate career four years ago, talked about her creations and her new life of doing what she loves.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=300\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=416\">Patsy Johnson Interview, Part 2<\/a>  November 5, 2012<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/patsys-sign-cropped1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-421\" title=\"Patsy Johnson Quilts sign\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/patsys-sign-cropped1.jpg\" alt=\"Patsy Johnson Quilts sign\" width=\"600\" height=\"314\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/patsys-sign-cropped1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/patsys-sign-cropped1-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/patsys-sign-cropped1-500x261.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=416\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=314\">Evoking the Past With Humor<\/a>  November 3, 2012<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/deborah-of-heart-of-the-matter-resized.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-389\" title=\"Artist Deborah Ammar with her assemblage art\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/deborah-of-heart-of-the-matter-resized.jpg\" alt=\"Artist Deborah Ammar with her assemblage art\" width=\"452\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/deborah-of-heart-of-the-matter-resized.jpg 452w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/deborah-of-heart-of-the-matter-resized-226x300.jpg 226w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 452px) 100vw, 452px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Deborah Ammar is having fun!\u00a0 And her compositions are likely to make you laugh, make you think <em>and<\/em> start conversations.<\/p>\n<p>Deborah&#8217;s art form is &#8220;assemblage,&#8221; where she combines seemingly-unrelated elements in a theme-related.\u00a0 The results are intriguing, different and, in an unconventional way&#8211;beautiful.<\/p>\n<p>During recent a visit at her new shop at <a href=\"http:\/\/craftedportla.com\/\">CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles<\/a>, Deborah talked about her work as an artist and some of her experiences as an entrepreneur with her small business, Heart of the Matter.\u00a0 Wait&#8217;ll you hear what she&#8217;s making for Christmas!<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=314\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=372\">Weaving the Colors of Festivity<\/a>  November 1, 2012<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/tish-with-her-work-cropped1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-378\" title=\"Tish Pollack with handwoven necklace\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/tish-with-her-work-cropped1.jpg\" alt=\"Tish Pollack with handwoven necklace\" width=\"498\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/tish-with-her-work-cropped1.jpg 498w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/tish-with-her-work-cropped1-249x300.jpg 249w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 498px) 100vw, 498px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Fine-jewelry designer Tish Pollack loves sparkly things&#8211;and you will, too!<\/p>\n<p>Tish incorporates beads, gems and semi-precious stones from all over the world into her unique <a href=\"http:\/\/www.divabeads.biz\/galleries\/index.html\">necklaces, earrings and bracelets.<\/a>\u00a0 Her small business, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.divabeads.biz\/\">Diva Beads<\/a>, is now one of the stores at <a href=\"http:\/\/craftedportla.com\/\">CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles<\/a>, in San Pedro.<\/p>\n<p>Tish, who has a background as a makeup artist, uses her artist&#8217;s eye to create some amazing color combinations as she hand-weaves her necklaces, bracelets and earrings!\u00a0 And in addition to exhibiting her work, Tish also teaches classes.\u00a0\u00a0 She did a &#8220;make-and-take&#8221; for CRAFTED&#8217;s recent Etsy party.\u00a0 If we&#8217;re very lucky, she might teach additional classes before Christmas (and Hanukkah) this year.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, when you visit Diva Beads at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Craftedportla\">CRAFTED<\/a>, be sure to look for Tish&#8217;s custom-made Christmas and Hanukkah designs.\u00a0 And if you have questions about Hanukkah, she can give you answers!<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=372\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=519\">A New Twist On Pie<\/a>  October 29, 2012<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/tonya-with-pies-use-this-resized.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-526\" title=\"Tonya Dooley with her artisanal pies\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/tonya-with-pies-use-this-resized.jpg\" alt=\"Tonya Dooley with her artisanal pies\" width=\"423\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/tonya-with-pies-use-this-resized.jpg 423w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/tonya-with-pies-use-this-resized-211x300.jpg 211w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 423px) 100vw, 423px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Who would have thought that <em>pies<\/em> could be small, cute and available on a stick?<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CutiePieThat\">Tonya Dooley<\/a> did.<\/p>\n<p>During a special occasion in her life, Tonya used her baking skills to create something unique for friends.\u00a0 And her inspiration led to her artisanal-baking small business, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cutiepiethat.com\/\">Cutie Pie That!<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=519\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=302\">Warmth and Humor in Wax<\/a>  October 27, 2012<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/pao-ling-with-cupcake-resized.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-331\" title=\"Artist Paoling Che with handmade cupcake candle\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/pao-ling-with-cupcake-resized.jpg\" alt=\"Artist Paoling Che with handmade cupcake candle\" width=\"452\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/pao-ling-with-cupcake-resized.jpg 452w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/pao-ling-with-cupcake-resized-226x300.jpg 226w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 452px) 100vw, 452px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/kokocandles\">Paoling Che<\/a> is having fun!\u00a0 This exuberant candlemaker&#8217;s talents will probably make you laugh.\u00a0 Sure, she has standard handmade scented candles among her stock for her small business, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.kokocandles.com\/\">Koko Candles<\/a>&#8211;but wait till you hear what some of her specialties are! \u00a0 (Hint: she bills them as &#8220;candles for the nonboring!&#8221;)<\/p>\n<p>For Christmas?\u00a0 You&#8217;ll just have to wait and be surprised&#8211;she&#8217;s developing a line of Halloween candles right now.\u00a0 We can&#8217;t wait to see what she comes up with, in terms of Christmas designs!<\/p>\n<p>During our visit, Paoling talked about her craft, the origins of her small business and one of her most imaginative bestsellers!\u00a0 (Hint: If you thought a lump of coal was a funny gift, wait&#8217;ll you hear about the&#8230;no, we won&#8217;t give it away!\u00a0 You&#8217;ll just have to listen.)<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=302\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=78\">Multitalented: &#8220;Random Nicole&#8221;<\/a>  October 21, 2012<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/Nicole-Stevenson.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-834\" title=\"Nicole Stevenson with her creations\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/Nicole-Stevenson.jpg\" alt=\"Nicole Stevenson with her creations\" width=\"465\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/Nicole-Stevenson.jpg 465w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/Nicole-Stevenson-232x300.jpg 232w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 465px) 100vw, 465px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>When does Nicole Stevenson sleep?!?\u00a0 She co-founded the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.patchworkshow.com\/\">Patchwork Indie Arts and Crafts Festival<\/a>&#8230;created her own <a href=\"http:\/\/randomnicole.com\/\">fashion, art and accessory line<\/a>&#8230;teaches workshops&#8230;co-founded and coordinates the innovative yearly independent-business conference, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.craftcationconference.com\/\">&#8220;Craftcation,&#8221;<\/a> with her aunt, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.roadlesstraveledstore.com\/\">Delilah Snell.<\/a>..and in her spare time, she&#8217;s working on her Master of Fine Arts in creative writing!<\/p>\n<p>Noelophile<strong>\u2122<\/strong> asked her about her own art, which you&#8217;ll see in her design line,<a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/Random-Nicole\/204806859583305\"> &#8220;Random Nicole.&#8221;<\/a><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=78\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=91\">Delicious Luxury: C Salt Gourmet<\/a>  October 18, 2012<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/courtney-of-c-salt-cropped-and-resized-to-use.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-537\" title=\"Courtney Dudman Donley with her handmade chocolates\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/courtney-of-c-salt-cropped-and-resized-to-use.jpg\" alt=\"Courtney Dudman Donley with her handmade chocolates\" width=\"463\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/courtney-of-c-salt-cropped-and-resized-to-use.jpg 463w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/courtney-of-c-salt-cropped-and-resized-to-use-231x300.jpg 231w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 463px) 100vw, 463px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>For Courtney Dudman Donley, it all began with a Christmas gift.<\/p>\n<p>According to Courtney&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/csaltgourmet.com\/\">C Salt Gourmet website<\/a>, she first began crafting Christmas chocolates as gifts for friends and family.\u00a0 Her creations, complete with festive red cherries and green pistachio nuts, were a huge hit&#8211;and a small business was born.<\/p>\n<p>Today, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.csaltgourmet.blogspot.com\/\">Courtney&#8217;s C Salt Gourmet<\/a> includes hand-delivered truffles, pine-nut and pistachio brittle, and yes, her cherry-and-pistachio chocolate&#8211;which won an <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ocweekly.com\/bestof\/2008\/award\/best-homemade-chocolate-256738\/\">OC Weekly &#8220;Best Homemade Chocolate&#8221; award!<\/a><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=91\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=122\">With Bells On: SpokeN Wheel<\/a>  October 16, 2012<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/sasha-with-bicycle-bell-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-551\" title=\"Artist Sasha Jordan with handcrafted bicycle bells\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/sasha-with-bicycle-bell-1.jpg\" alt=\"Artist Sasha Jordan with handcrafted bicycle bells\" width=\"600\" height=\"698\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/sasha-with-bicycle-bell-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/sasha-with-bicycle-bell-1-257x300.jpg 257w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Where most of us see a bicycle&#8211;artist Sasha Jordan sees inspiration!\u00a0 Sasha handcrafts customized bike-based jewelry and bike accessories.\u00a0 One of the big sellers for Sasha&#8217;s design company, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/spokenwheeldesigns\">SpokeN Wheel<\/a>, is her line of bike bells.<\/p>\n<p>Sasha&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/SpokeNWheel?section_id=7326990\">handcrafted bike bells<\/a> range from whimsical (a cat with a moustache and mini-top hat, for example!) to elegant (gold with crystal).\u00a0 And she also creates<a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/SpokeNWheel?section_id=7892499\"> jewelry from bike chains<\/a>&#8211;as well as necklaces with a bicycle theme!<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=122\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=63\">Retro Creative:&#8221;Look Coy&#8221;<\/a>  October 15, 2012<div class=\"lcp_content\"><p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/alexandria-with-fascinator.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-547\" title=\"Alexandria Huggett with her &quot;peppermint&quot; fascinator\" src=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/alexandria-with-fascinator.jpg\" alt=\"Alexandria Huggett with her &quot;peppermint&quot; fascinator\" width=\"826\" height=\"698\" srcset=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/alexandria-with-fascinator.jpg 826w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/alexandria-with-fascinator-300x253.jpg 300w, https:\/\/noelophile.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/alexandria-with-fascinator-355x300.jpg 355w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 826px) 100vw, 826px\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Remember the timeless style of Audrey Hepburn&#8230;and your grandma, when she dressed up&#8230;and more recently, Kate Middleton?\u00a0 That&#8217;s what artist Alexandria Huggett evokes, with her handmade vintage jewelry and accessories!\u00a0\u00a0 Alexandria designs her own jewelry and fascinators as part of her small business, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.lookcoy.com\/\">&#8220;Look Coy.&#8221;<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 You can see Alexandria&#8217;s work <a href=\"http:\/\/www.lookcoy.etsy.com\">in her Etsy store.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>And this peppermint-twist fascinator is only one of her Christmas designs.\u00a0 When we spoke at the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.patchworkshow.com\/index.php\">Patchwork Indie Arts and Crafts Festival<\/a>, her other one had already sold out&#8211;and she had some new designs forthcoming.\u00a0 (Please note&#8211;at the time of our conversation, it was only June!)<\/p>\n<p>During our conversation, Alexandria shared one of the most unusual&#8211;and fun&#8211;Christmas memories we&#8217;ve ever heard.\u00a0 We won&#8217;t spoil it&#8211;you&#8217;re just going to have to listen!<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/?p=63\" title=\"Continue reading &rarr;\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/li><\/ul><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Never give a boring gift&#8211;at Christmas or any other time!\u00a0 Here are some independent artist\/entrepreneurs Noelophile\u2122 discovered.\u00a0\u00a0 They create some seriously cool stuff, and some also teach workshops, in their area of expertise!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"sidebar-page.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-18","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/18","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=18"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/18\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":441,"href":"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/18\/revisions\/441"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/noelophile.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=18"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}