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Sunday, December 30, 2012

The Phoebes window display at The Book Shop in Hayward was the most fabulous one yet!








Here are some photos from the December bookstore display:
Sharon, Stephanie and Kelly (the real Santa's helpers) were busy on Sunday, December 2, setting up the Phoebe window display at the bookstore on "B" Street in Hayward. They out-did themselves this year and the display is absolutely outstanding. As always, it is hard to take photos during the daylight hours, as there is so much reflection of buildings across the street on the window glass. However, these photos will give you some idea of just how adorable Santa's Workshop was this December.




Stephanie contributed her train set, which circled the Christmas tree. Her kitten doll and Zanaib's colorful lamb represented some of the toys in the workshop.

This elf worker (made by Jo) is taking a little much needed break from all the busy work that must be completed by Christmas Eve.


Another adorable elf is keeping busy making sure the toy makers have all the materials they need to finish the toys in time.

Santa is an equal opportunity employer, and you can be sure sure the female elves are a vintal part of the toy-making process! Mary did an outstanding job sculpting this one from clay.

Betts brought two of her toy inspectors to make sure all the toys are assembled correctly.

A quality control toy inspector carefully checks little lamb, and Donna's elf is double checking the list to make sure no child is overlooked.

Kelly's clay sculpted elf is sporting his new Christmas suspenders, while a toy inspector in his bunny slippers says the toy airplane is ready to be packed in the toy bag for Santa's sleigh.

Stephanie's sweet doll is going to make some little girl very happy this year. She is posing next to "The Night Before Christmas."

Phoebes Participate in the KPFA Crafts Fair 2012

A slightly different group of  Phoebes had a booth at the KPFA Crafts Fair at the Concourse in San Francisco on December 8 & 9. Once the booth was set up, everyone was in a hurry to beat the Friday afternoon traffic and head home. Some of my photos did not turn out and Suzanne's were slightly out of focus. However, these photos show some of the items not previously shown in the Fort Mason post. They give you an idea of what Phoebes and former Phoebes have been up to in the past months of preparation for the two shows.



Former long-time Phoebe Suzanne Duran displayed her amazing small dolls.

Here are two of Suzanne's "too cute" primitives and her adorable elf.
  
Donna Perry sold all but one of her fascinators.
 

Bonnie had a beautiful display of her hand-crafted pins.
 

This shows some of Stephanie's dolls, as well as her adorable animal ornaments, which were popular items.
 

Donna Perry displayed one of her newest dolls, "La Muse."
 

Another of Donna's dolls celebrated famous or influential women.
 

Donna also displayed fabric cuff bracelets with vintage costume jewelry embellishments.
 

This cuff Donna made from a vintage doily.







Phoebe Members Participate in Celebration of Craftswomen 2012


On November 24 and 25, former Phoebe Wanda Fudge organized a booth at the Celebration of Craftswomen show at Fort Mason in San Francisco. Phoebe members Mary Porter Vaughan, Zanaib Green, Kelly Mead, Bonnie Hoover, Stephanie Smith, and Donna Perry displayed dolls, as well as mixed media crafts.



Wanda's famous women series, complete with several Fridas, was a hit.


Bonnie's flat dolls, with her exquisite embellishments, were fabulous!
 
Bonnie's cloth doll was representative of her signature style.
 
Bonnie's two standing dolls on one base were so original and captivating.
 
Kelly's dolls, some with painted bodies, were primitive, yet feminine.



Kelly also displayed her famous tree toppers, and a very original mermaid.
 


A truly wonderful tree topper by Kelly.
 
Stephanie's sweet diminutive dolls were a sales success.



More of Stephanie adorable dolls—before they "flew out the door."

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

December Calendar and November Meeting Photos


Two dolls by Stephanie Smith



Calendar of Events

November 21-December 23, Sun Gallery Boutique, 1015 E. Street, Hayward. Reception December 8, 1-4 P.M. www.sungallery.org

 

November 24 and  25 (Saturday and Sunday 10 A.M. to 5 P.M.), Celebration of Craftswomen, Ft. Mason, Herbst Pavillion, S.F. Several Phoebes are participating. www.celebrationofcraftswomen.org

 

December 8 (Saturday 10 A.M. to 4 P.M.), Soroptimist International of the East Bay, Englander Restaurant, 101 Parrot Dr., San Leandro

 

December 10 and 11, KPFA Crafts Show, Concourse, 8th and Brannan, S.F. Several Phoebes are participating.

 

December 13, Phoebe Christmas Party. Sweet and Savory Potluck. Bring a dish to share. Hand-made gift exchange. 6:30 P.M., Alameda County Education Building.
 

 
Zanaib's little lamb... so cute!
 


Jo's two elf dolls for December window display at
The Book Shop on "B" Street in Hayward
 
 


Beautiful quilt squares by Jo. They are made with silk ties.
 
 


Donna's doll in honor of  The Muse.

 

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Photos from the October Phoebe Meeting


Sally and Bonnie checking out the
Phoebe 25th Anniversary cake
 
 
The Phoebes celebrated not only their 25th Anniversary, but also the opening of club membership to include more than the historcal number of 25 members. We welcomed the associates who became new members, as well and guests and soon-to-be first time new members. The theme was Halloween, and some got into the mood by wearing costumes and masks. There was a mask exchange and the creations were amazing. Barbara Willis donated one of her beautiful dolls to the raffle, and Sally Lampi donated a darling hand-felted pumpkin. Sally brought materials for a Halloween themed "make it and take it" craft project.
Our Historian Bonnie Hoover gave insight into the early beginnings of the club and provided photos, scrapbooks and mementos from the Phoebe archives. Show and tell participants displayed wonderful creations for all to see—silk and felted scarves, a needle-felted fish, a memory keeper book and tyvek covered book, and dolls, dolls, and more dolls. Dolls for the December "B" Street Bookstore window in Hayward. Altered dolls and dolls from Barbara Willis's class. There was ample time for sampling the food and cake, as well as visiting with and getting to know each other better. A very enjoyable evening.
 
Zanaib wearing her party hat!
 
A Flying Phoebe appliqued sweatshirt from the Phoebe archives. The design was from a doll pattern created by elinor peace bailey 25 years ago. 
 
Bonnie Hoover's Halloween themed doll
and Sally's felted pumpkin.
 
 
Barbara Willis's raffle doll
 
 

      Katie's altered dolls

Mary Porter Vaughan's sculpted elf doll for the window display
Some of the exchange masks


Colleen's giant felted fish


Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Happy Birthday Phoebes!

 And, Happy Halloween to All!
"Witchszd" by Cindy Urioste

Calendar of Events


October 1-7, Art and Soul Retreat, Portland, Ore., www.artandsoulretreat.com

October 3 (Wednesday), Phoebe Board Meeting, 7 P.M., Sally’s

October 6 (Saturday), Eden Holiday Craft Show, Marina Community Center, 9 A.M. – 4 P.M., 15301 Wicks Blvd., San Leandro, Free. Asian, Country and Contemporary clothing, ornaments, jewelry, food and gifts.


October 11 (Thursday), Phoebe Workshop, Face Sculpting and Coloring Techniques, Barbara Willis, Boy Scouts Building, 1001 Davis St., San Leandro, 9 A.M. – 4 P.M.

October 13 (Saturday), Doll and Bear Show, 10:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M., Alameda Co. Fairgrounds, Pleasanton. Over 150 tables; $5 admission.
 
October 18 (Thursday), Phoebe Member/Associate Meeting, Alameda Co. Education Bldg, 313 W. Winton, Hayward. 6:30 P.M. The challenge is a handmade elf, bear or toy for the bookstore window display. The exchange is a mask—any size, any theme. Don’t miss this meeting! We’ll be celebrating the Phoebes 25th Anniversary and Halloween. You are invited to wear a Halloween costume, hat or mask to really get in the swing of it, but these are optional. New changes, new classes, new events have already been planned for next year. Hear all about it!

November 15 (Thursday), Phoebe Meeting, 6:30 P.M., Alameda Co. Education Bldg., 313 W. Winton, Hayward.

November 24 and  25 (Saturday and Sunday), Celebration of Craftswomen, Ft. Mason, S.F. Several Phoebes are will be selling dolls, bags, jewelry, ornaments and other mixed media items.

December 8 and 9, KPFA Crafts Show, The Concourse, 8th and Brannan, S.F. Several Phoebes are participating.

December 13, Phoebe Christmas Party. Details to come.

Next year’s dues are payable as of October 1st
 
 
This vintage table/chair set was discovered years ago at a garage sale. Recently I decided to prepare it for painting decoratively for a shower present. It is for our God-daughter, who is expecting a boy in November. This is the second painted Child's set I have done. Submitted by Rosie Dennis.


A great idea for Halloween trees made from brown paper bags. Submitted by Rosie Dennis. Go to http://weefolkart.com/content/paper-bag-gnarly-trees for details.


 


An example of one of Bonnie Hoovers fabulous dolls!


 

 

Tuesday, September 11, 2012


 
 
"Orb Weaver"
 
by
 
Sondra Von Burg
 
 
 
 
See Sept. 22 on calendar regarding 
Sondra's class.
 










Calendar of Events

September 13-October 27, Wild Things and Mild Things, Cinema Place Gallery, 1061 B St., Hayward, Reception Thursday, Sept. 20, 5 to 7 P.M.


September 14-16, Harvest Festival Original Art and Craft Show, Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton. Fri and Sat 10-6; Sun 10-5

 
September 15, Tinsel and Treasures, 5th Annual Folk Art Show, Danville Veterans Memorial Bldg., 400 Hartz Ave., Danville, 10 A.M– 4 P.M., $5 admission. Phoebe Sharon Martin is participating. www.tinseltreasures.com

 
September 19–23 (Wednesday–Sunday), Art-Is-You, Sheraton Sonoma, Petaluma. There will be 36 teachers conducting 2-3 classes each during the day, and an evening trunk show on Saturday the 22nd. Go to www.art-is-you.com for additional information. Sharon Martin will be selling at the trunk show.

 
September 20, 21 and 22, Pleasanton Quilt and Sewing Festival, Alameda County Fairgrounds, 10 A.M. – 5 P.M. Free Admission. 

 
September 20, Phoebe Members Meeting, Enrichment/Judy; Snacks/Valerie; About/Bonnie. Members to vote on new by-laws and new officers.


September 22 and 29 (Saturdays), Sondra Von Burg's "Orb Weaver" two-day doll class at her studio in Berkeley. Check out the spidery fingers on her original pattern in the photo above. Contact Sondra at sondra@adada.com if you are interested.

 
September 29, Saturday, Halloween and Vine in Petaluma

 
October 1-7, Art and Soul Retreat, Portland, Ore., www.artandsoulretreat.com
 

October 11, Phoebe Workshop, Face Sculpting and Coloring Techniques, Barbara Willis, Boy Scouts Building, 1001 Davis St., San Leandro, 9 A.M. – 4 P.M.
 

October 18 (Thursday), Phoebe Member/Associate Meeting, Alameda Co. Education Bldg, 313 W. Winton, Hayward. 6:30 P.M. The challenge is a handmade elf, bear or toy for the bookstore window display. The exchange is a mask—any size, any theme. Don’t miss this meeting! New changes, new classes, new events have already been planned for next year. Hear all about it!

 
November 24 and 25, Celebration of Craftswomen, Ft. Mason, S.F. Several Phoebes are participating.

 
December 10 and 11, KPFA Crafts Show, The Concourse, 8th and Brannan, S.F. Several Phoebes are participating.
 

Month of December, Phoebe Christmas display at "The Book Shop," B Street, Hayward.
  
 
 
December 13, Phoebe Christmas Party. Details to come.

 
Next year’s dues will be payable as of October 1st

 

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Wayne Wichern Fascinator Class Photos


On July 14, Phoebe members, associates and friends traveled to Wayne Wichern's magical hat studio in Redwood City for his hat and fascinator workshop. The amazing studio was a wonderland of hats, hat blocks, hat-making equipment, and a sea of fabulous materials for making hats and embellishments. Above photo is Wayne showing hat construction to Rosie. 


Wayne was so generous with the materials he gave us for our fascinators. He demonstrated how to make the three black wired feathers shown here from felt scraps and gave us other beautiful feathers to use. This is one of the completed hats from the workshop.


Rosie's fascinator was whimsical and truly "one-of-a-kind." She added vintage rhinestone collar clips from her stash, and exquisite black gimp from Wayne's.



Mary's hat was also a work of art. She embellished it with brown horsehair and artificial flowers. She's ready to attend the Brit's next royal event.


Colleen's smile shows just how much fun the class was and her hat demonstrates the wonderful results of this very creative day.


Unfortunately the background is competing with Deb's very stylish hat with amazing felt embellishments.


Daisy was just starting out in this photo, but everyone finished one hat during the day of the workshop, and some finished two. Wayne gave us materials for two hats, so many of us are finishing the second one at home. Thank you, Wayne, for being so generous. Our kit fee was a bargain!


Here Rosie is showing off one of her beautiful rhinestone embellishments. See all those hat blocks in the background? Amazing!


We could pick from several basic hat styles. How cute is this—specially with the creative combination of embellishments?
This is Daisy's friend, who has a background in theatrical costuming.

Wayne was not only generous with his materials, but also with the wealth of knowledge he passed on to us regarding every step of blocking and finishing a hat base, techniques for making embellishments out of many different materials, and guides for finding those materials. Everyone attending raved about what a fun and wonderful workshop this was and were so glad they signed up. Many were contemplating taking more classes from Wayne. Thank you, Wayne, for a wonderful day. And, thank you Colleen for discovering Wayne and scheduling this workshop for the Phoebes.