Don’t miss out on some great fun in the sun at Fiesta Hermosa this long weekend in Hermosa Beach, CA! This is a HUGE event for locals and tourists alike with stunning artwork, interesting crafts of all kinds, great food (love the fresh fruit skewers) and music, and rides for the kids – not to mention your a block up from the beach, and all the great shops in the center of Hermosa are just waiting to show you their wares. A great time will surely be had by all – the beach people know how to do fairs and festivals, you can be sure.

Having worked this show before, I can tell you it is quite a happening place – I remember trying to make my way down the aisle way and getting lifted up literally by the crowd around me – hey it got me back to my booth quickly, and quite a community feel. It is not always that crazy busy though. Go check it out first thing in the morning with a cup of joe from Java Man, and you can’t ask for a more relaxing way to ease into your pre-summer day!

And here is a message from Silvia:

Hello Dearest Friends,

I will show my Jewelry and Paintings at the
Bi – Annual Fiesta Hermosa Memorial Day Weekend May 24, 25 & 26, 2008, 10 am to 6 pm in Hermosa Beach.
If you’re there please stop by for a little chat.
My booth will be on Pier Avenue in front of the Toy Jungle.

May you touch the lives
of all who meet you
by the very force of your spirit and love.

Silvia

For more information on the fair visit: www.fiestahermosa.com 

To view some of Silvia’s wonderful work, click here

Photograph Courtesy of Arlene Yakush

Take a journey…

Greetings!

Here is a message from a flyer I received yesterday about a fabulous event happening tomorrow:

This Wednesday, May 14, South Bay Hands on Art will host its annual Picasso and Pizza event on the patio of Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza. Don’t miss the great fun and delicious food as HoA presents a night out that will bring a smile to your palate!

Bid on a fanciful collection of artist’s pieces in the silent auction. Fabulous food and drinks and door prizes are included in the ticket price.

Sammy’s is donating 100% of the proceeds to support Hands on Art.
Hands on Art is a volunteer-run program that teaches art to kids in the Redondo Beach public schools and several local private schools. Hands on Art also runs an outreach program, bringing art to children in schools in Compton and Lennox.

The event is scheduled for 5:30 to 8p.m. Sammy’s is located between PCH and the AMC Theaters in Rolling Hills Plaza.

For tickets, call program chair Michelle Solley at (310) 372-4401 or email her at michellesolley@aol.com

For more information on South Bay Hands on Art, visit their site at:

www.southbayhandsonart.org

Enjoy Silvia’s work up close and personal at the
Redondo Beach Art Group’s:

“Impressions of the Marsh”
Ongoing through Saturday, May 17, 2008 with
Artist’s Reception May 10, 2008 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm

(That’s this weekend!)

Go enjoy some time with nature and art – a combination that is sure to refresh and inspire at:

Madrona Marsh Preserve and Nature Center
3201 Plaza del Amo
Torrance, CA 90503
www.friendsofmadronamarsh.com

For information on future events of the Redondo Beach Art Group
check out their website at: www.redondobeachartgroup.org

and of course, to view more of Silvia’s amazing paintings and jewelry click here!

New necklaces just added – remember it’s
Mother’s Day this weekend!

Recently when we went to visit the Korean Bell of Friendship, we wandered the nearby artist community of Angels Gate. Scattered on the hills of
San Pedro, in renovated army barracks, this wonderful art center houses some magnificent creators that communicate in a wide range of mediums. You must take some time to go stroll around there – lots of interesting things to see, and it is a real treat to be able to observe the artists as they do what they do.
For more information on exhibits, future shows and classes at
Angels Gate, visit www.angelsgateart.org

One of the most compelling studios we came across, was that of
Myung Jin Kim. Her lighthearted and detail oriented eye and hand for whimsy and natural beauty kept us engaged for quite some time. She greeted us warmly, and offered us some tasty treats to snack on while we browsed, and I have since been back to make some unique gift purchases – I can’t wait to give them to their intended recipients! She shows her work in several galleries around the country, and if you are interested in upcoming shows visit her website at www.mjceramics.com

For the opportunity to enjoy some of her exquisite pieces, click here.

Seeking respite from the pre-summer heat (around 97 degrees F) yesterday, we met with friends and traveled south to San Pedro to hang out on the lawn that surrounds the Korean Bell of Friendship. Sitting high on the hills and overlooking the broad expanse of the Pacific, we couldn’t have picked a better spot to receive some much needed mid-afternoon ocean breeze. Amidst the beautiful gardens that seemed to be filled with ladybugs, there were many kite flyers with their colorful dragons and fierce looking bugs. We even got to enjoy some music and view a wedding that was taking place right next to the bell. Sitting in the grass, watching the kids wrestle, having a nice conversation with my friend was a perfect completion to a wonderful but hot afternoon.

This elaborately embellished and massive bell and the gorgeous pagoda-like pavillion that houses it, was donated to the people of Los Angeles in 1976 from the people of the Republic of Korea to honor veterans of the Korean War, to commemorate the U.S. bicentennial, and as a memorial of lasting Friendship between our two countries. There are many things to be found in the detailed relief work at the base of the bell, and all the ornate structuring and painting work that went into this is just stunning as you can see by the picture above.

It is a very peaceful place to retreat to for a picnic, to visit with loved ones, or to just lay back on the grass and relax in the sun.

The Korean Bell of Friendship is located in Angels Gate Park (review on that to be coming soon) at:

Gaffey and 37th Street
San Pedro, CA 90731

Visit the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce for more information:

www.sanpedrochamber.com/champint/korenbel.htm

A message from Silvia…

Dear All,

I will be holding 3 Wire Wrapping Sessions and display my newest collection of wire wrapped jewelry for you to enjoy at the Hands on Art Fundraiser “Chalk It Up”.

on Saturday, April 26, 2008
10:00am to 4:00pm at

Parras Middle School
200 North Lucia
Redondo Beach, CA 90278

10:30am to Noon (full)
12:30pm to 2pm (1 space left)
2:30pm to 4pm (open)

The cost of a workshop is $15.00 per person.
All money from the work shop will be donated to Hands on Art.

This is a wonderful opportunity to make something out of the stones, ocean glass, beads or jewels you’ve tucked away and always planned on doing something with. And if you don’t have a special stone, they will be available to purchase for $1. (that’s right, $1!)

For more information please go to

www.southbayhandsonart.org/pages/events.html

See you there!

Silvia

A message from Claudia…

Hey Great Ones!!!

I will sell all my created healing products, such as Therapeutic Herbal Neck Wraps and Eye Pillows, Back/Abdomen Wraps to velcro around your waist. Balancing Energy Sprays, Crystal Heart Pet Charms for our furry ones, and some jewelry for our purse or keychain.

Come stop by and check out our Hands On Art Gallery created by our children and local artists.

Hope to see you there!

Live well, Laugh often and Love Always
Claudia

As if the charming, picturesque, welcoming village of Ojai wasn’t enough in itself to make it the perfect mini vacation destination…

There is also the Suite 1 Inn.

This enchanting little hideaway, tucked into the trees, off of the beaten path that is East Ojai Avenue, is paradise unto itself, with its many artistic intricacies, harmoniously eclectic furnishings, and its completely mood altering aura.

Located approximately 60 miles north of Los Angeles, and about an hour and a half away from LAX with no traffic, you couldn’t ask for a better get away!

Lovingly created by two kind-hearted, and exceptionally imaginative artists and massage therapists - Iris and Kirk, this sanctuary for one or two, is the quintessential escape when you need a swift repose – and between the magnificent shower that you won’t ever want to get out of, and the lovely garden with private hot tub, you won’t feel like leaving the premises anytime soon. They offer in suite massage, indoors or out; chilled champagne and roses on request; and exceptional gourmet dining on your private patio or in your room. Tell me, what more could one want?

However, when you are ready to venture out, you can enjoy wandering around the center of town with all of its wonderful galleries, intriguing shops and fine restaurants. Don’t miss taking a stroll through Libby Park, either in the day for a bit of tennis or to listen to some live music, or after dark – a great way to end the evening after a really great meal.

There is a terrific bike/horse path that stretches through town, and
Lake Casitas isn’t far away to enjoy a day of fun in the sun while swimming, boating or fishing. The ever popular Ojai Wine Festival is hosted there every June, and a variety of other art and music festivals can be found throughout the city, throughout the year. There is also great golf and spa opportunities if that is more to your liking.

Truly a place to fall in love with…

For fabulous pictures of the suite and additional booking information, go to their site at www.suite1innojai.com

602 East Ojai Avenue, Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 646-7869

And for more information about the magical city of Ojai, visit www.ci.ojai.ca.us

Photograph compliments of Arlene Yakush

Newly opened within the compound of the
Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
is Liu Fang Yuan – California’s first classical Chinese Garden.

Carefully designed with respect to the given environment and all the necessary elements representative of a traditional Chinese Garden, this extraordinary treasure brings beauty and balance to the area, and enriches the minds and souls of all that walk along its paths.

Combining exquisite architecture, wonderful water elements and rock placement, a variety of gloriously fragrant flowers and trees, and “layers of meaning and symbolism”, one will soon realize “that there is much more to this beautiful landscape then meets the eye. ”

You could spend days exploring at the Huntington, it has so much to offer over so many gorgeous acres where the scene changes significantly around every corner, and through lovely buildings that contain galleries, exhibits and a fabulous gift shop. Make reservations for high tea, or take out simpler fare at their tasty cafe, and picnic under the trees.

Certainly an amazing way to spend a day, no matter the path you decide to venture out on.

For more information go to:

The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, CA 91108
(626) 405-2100
www.huntington.org

and to view more beautiful photographs of the garden and other wonderful things by Arlene Yakush, please click here.

Happy Sauntering!