Calling all East Coast artists!  A brand new retreat is coming to the DC Metropolitan Area!

It is really the culmination of a little dream to make that announcement.  There has been a whole lot of planning, discussing, wishing, and collaborating that has gone on for months around here.  Jeanette Ryan and I both noticed the lack of national caliber workshops in the DC area, and dreamed about how wonderful it would be if our favorite instructors would teach right here.  Along the way, those little “what ifs” turned in to an idea – why not make this a reality.  Fast forward to today, and what we had imagined is now a real event.  Jeanette and I are so excited to announce that we are the cofounders of ArtBliss, and we plan to bring you inspiring one-day jewelry and mixed media workshops as well as retreat-weekend events.

Some of you will be joining us for our sold-out workshop with Richard Salley on the 24th.  And just wait and see what we have in store for you this Fall!  We have an incredible grand-opening event scheduled in September .  The cozy and new venue location is easily accessible to the airport (with a free shuttle service!),  right here in centrally  located Northern Virginia.  The Inaugural Event  will feature a Meet and Greet Reception that you won’t want to miss (imagine meeting some of your favorite instuctors while nibbling on what I consider the best brownies in the DC area!).  Our debut event will feature some of the most sought-after instructors in the field.   We are thrilled to welcome Deryn Mentock for her first East Coast teaching event.   If you love lampwork, this will be the first opportunity to learn from the popular artist and author, Kerry Bogert.  If metalwork has been calling your name, come take a class with a metalsmith whose classes are always in demand, Melissa Manley.  For those of you who love to work with vintage ephemera, paper and inks, the well-loved Lesley Venable will be here to teach you the techniques you always wanted to learn.  Here are just a few of the classes that will be available at The Inaugural Event:

We hope our retreats are just what you were wishing for as well:  a place to come and be inspired, to learn from your favorite  instructors, and to create new friendships with like-minded artists.  Oh, and did I mention that both day and evening classes will be available?   Lunch is included with the a full-day workshop… you’ll have plenty of opportunity to visit with your art friends, new and “old”!

We need YOU!  With ArtBliss being a brand-new event, we could sure use your help spreading the word.  We realize the best way to share the  news about the The Inaugural Event is through our friends in the jewelry and mixed media communities.  If you could share the event by posting information on your blogs, Facebook, or Twitter, we’d really appreciate it.   We have a few blog badges for you to use if you are so inclined ( see them here).   As a little Thank You, Jeanette and I would like to offer a give away, with 3 chances to win!  The winners will be drawn in one week.  Just look what you can win (click on the photos to learn more details about the prize):

To recap, to enter this give away, please help us to promote ArtBliss on your blog, Twitter and/or Facebook. The deadline to enter is 10:00 p.m. EST on Thursday, May 27th.  The winners will be announced on May 28th.  First place will win the Europunch tool and case, second place will win the leather sandbag for metalwork, and the 3rd place winner will win the beautiful ceramic beads by Jennifer Heynen.

I cannot close without giving credit to some wonderful designers who helped behind the scenes in creating ArtBliss’ face to the world.  We were so grateful to work with an incredibly talented web designer.  She was receptive to one revision after the other, all the while working her magic with coding and web design.  She will open her own web design site soon and we’ll be sure to promote it then (stay tuned!).  Our sweet event blog button was created by Vintage Susie’s Custom Blog Design.  When I saw the recent work that Susie did for Diane Cook, I just knew I that I’d love for her to create an image for us.  And lastly, our super cool vintage  Uncle Sam logo was created by the fantastic graphic designer, Amber Brien.  You’ll want to consider these amazing ladies when promoting your own businesses. 

THANK YOU for celebrating the ArtBliss grand-opening with us!!!