Great gifts are more than just objects; they touch the heart and spirit of both the giver and the recipient. The best gifts feel personal. We offer you many opportunities not just to shop but to touch, learn and experience what goes into making beautiful gifts that will be treasured. Our wonderful local artists, musicians and vendors are filling this holiday season at The Artisans with mini-events to reinforce that personal touch. Drop by for some locally crafted holiday spirit and keep checking back for updates.
November 10 & 17, 10 - 11am: Debbie Waugh
Our very own display diva, Debbie Waugh, demonstrates how to mix in the new with the old when creating an eclectic look for your Thanksgiving table. Bring along pieces or color samples from home to work with.
November 11 & 12, 11am - 4pm: Stefan's Jewelry Trunk Show
Nathalie Dinar will be here to show the extensive collection of jewelry she imports from Israeli artisans. Israeli jewelry has a very distinctive look that is at once modern and organic. Texture is an important element, often enhanced by slight oxidation that sets off the detail. Some pieces incorporate other materials like 2000-year-old Roman glass, semi-precious gemstones or 14K gold overlay. Roman glass fragments are excavated throughout Israel, which was a center of glass production during the Roman Empire. Soil conditions there have infused the buried glass with mineral deposits which manifest as beautiful, iridescent patina. No two pieces are alike and all jewelry comes with a certificate of authenticity.
November 18 - 22: J.J. Meneau Trunk Show
Fine jewelry event: sterling and gold with many varieties of gems, some with diamond details. JJ's collection also boasts an impressive collection of pearls in bold sizes and gorgeous colors. Both classic and more contemporary styles are represented to suit every woman. Special pricing (30% off!) makes this a unique opportunity to stock up for the holidays.
November 25, 4 - 7pm: Enid Romanek
Enid will demonstrate her pet portrait skills. Famous for her happy prints of iconic DC landmarks, Enid also loves to do portraits of pets and even houses. Pen and ink drawings with watercolors can be reproduced onto cards and announcements. Do you have a pet you'd like to commemorate?
November 27, 2 - 4pm: Jody Marshall
Jody performs on hammered dulcimer. Jody is a holiday regular and will play tunes from her CD Carol of the Bells. The dulcet tones provide a delightful ambiance for the season. She has performed at The Smithsonian, the Kennedy Center and the White House, so we're glad that she's always happy to come play for us.
December 1, 5 - 7pm: Paul Moran
Paul shows off his slyly humorous decoupage boxes. Paul likes to tweak famous art or recognizable characters and our funny bones at the same time. The visual puns make us look at art in a brand new way. He can also create custom boxes using copies of photographs or printed materials that are meaningful to you, to celebrate a person, occasion or passion.
December 2 - 4: Baggallini Trunk Show
This extremely popular line of travel and fashion purses, totes and organizers will be featured at 10% off December 2 - 4 only. The company is sending us an expanded selection of styles, colors & prints for a limited time only. Register at the store to win a free Baggallini purse or tote of your choice! Check it out pronto!
December 3, 2 - 4pm: Lynn Wilson Trunk Show
Local seamstress and self-proclaimed "recovering lawyer" Lynn Wilson brings us her Family Ties for guys and retro styled aprons for both guys and gals. Lynn searches out unusual seasonal and thematic prints - sports are a popular motif - for her cotton ties and rich silks in more traditional patterns.
December 7, 4 - 7pm: Judy Harkins
Judy demonstrates her French beadwork snowflake technique. The Artisans has never had a Christmas without her snowflakes, and she can't even think about how may have sold in the past 22 years! Flat and not fragile, they make ideal gifts to be mailed. Have some from years past that the kids/cat/dog mangled? Bring them in for a little complimentary TLC twisting.
December 8, 5 - 7pm: Armine & Anna Yergat
The mother and daughter team display their beaded fiber jewelry. Variegated eyelash yarns combine with luminous glass beads in multi-strand necklace, bracelet and earring creations. They are light, colorful, and transitional in style - meaning that they go with everything!
December 9, 5 - 7pm: Nanette Bevan
Nanette brings her luscious fused glass jewelry and new magnet and coaster designs. Layers of different colors and textures of glass fuse together in a glass kiln to create jewelry with depth and lovely translucence. Nanette also makes clip earrings - always hard to find!
December 11, 2 - 4pm: Suzi Weinert
Meet the author of Garage Sale Stalker, a mystery thriller set right here in her long-time hometown of McLean! It's Suzi's debut novel and has been a hot seller for us. She'll sign books, chat about her inspiration for the story, and even share Garage Sale tips!
December 15, 4 - 7pm: Stacy Harkins
Stacy juxtaposes the sparkling clarity of gemstones with the textures of hand-hammered metals, creating jewelry with a romantic yet organic feeling. Her collection is inspired by the colors and textures of her materials and the natural world. Her focus is on creating clean yet intricate lines and harmonizing the colors of gemstones, from the soft and subtle to the bold and colorful.
December 16, 5 - 7pm: Peter Princiotto
Peter performs his signature blend of classical, jazz and rock on guitar. A prolific teacher, composer and music publisher as well as entertainer, Peter is another of our local celebs. He's been in numerous bands and groups since he graduated from Langley High School in the Seventies. We have his latest CD, Life's Mystery; pick one up for Peter to autograph.