Grouse Studios

French Herbs in Frenchtown-Cooking Demo

Grouse — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 22:42:32 +0000

HEY EVERYONE, CHERYL IS UP TO IT AGAIN, SHE IS DOING A FANTASTIC COOKING DEMO/LIGHT LUNCH IN THE CLASSROOM. DO NOT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ENJOY A GREAT DEMONSTARTION and LEARN ABOUT COOKING WITH HERBS . THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO SPEND A FEW HOURS AND GET SOME TIPS. PLEASE BRING A FRIEND OR TWO, WE LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING YOU.

French Herbs in Frenchtown

Do you love all things French? Grouse Studios will host a cooking demo and light lunch featuring local, organic produce and selection of French herbs from the garden with professional cook and herbalist Cheryl Karcher. Saturday, August 21^{st 12 noon – 3pm. $35}

^{Must register in advance by Wednesday, 8/18. Please call GrouseStudios 908-399-0247 or 908-319-0012}

Shop at My New Ruby Plaza on-Line Store

Grouse — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:32:13 +0000

SOLD ! to the man from Colorado

I am happy to annouce my new on-line store at Ruby Plaza. I just sold my first piece to a customer in Colorado. Please check out Ruby Plaza for Antiques, collectibles and handcrafted items (new and old items) and great Home Decor’ and Jewelry. This piece is from a series of jewelry fashioned from solid sterling silver cutlery. It is a very fun piece !!! Check out my site http://www.rubyplaza.com/shop/sinksandsilverjuls

Summer Art Classes

Grouse — Sat, 29 May 2010 14:29:33 +0000

JOIN THE FUN AT GROUSE STUDIOS

REGISTER NOW FOR SUMMER

EVENTS, CLASSES, WORKSHOPS

CHILDREN’S ART CLASSES

Join me for a tour through various mediums and materials to create your own art pieces. This is an exploration in using your imagination and thinking outside the box. We will use some ordinary items in extraordinary ways. 4 days per week, Monday-Thursday 9:30 am – 11:30 am July 26-29, August 9-12 and August 23-26. Fee/session $ 135.00/child, (10% disc. for more than one child in same family)

CREATE A TILE MOSAIC

Learn how to use tile and other items to create a one-of-a-kind mosaic. 4 evenings needed to complete your project and learn all the steps to creating and keeping your artwork for years. July 26,27,29 & 30,6:00 pm-8:00 pm $130.00/person.

Jewelry/Silversmithing: Adults

Learn the tools & techniques needed to design, build & finish your own sterling silver pieces. You will learn a skill which you can use in creating your own business or create great gifts which are handmade by you. Wednesday Evenings 7:00-8:30 pm for 8 weeks. $ 235.00/person

Registration & Payment is required

for all classes and workshops.

Soup Class was great fun

Grouse — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:06:56 +0000

Well, you missed it. Yeah, I know, you had something else to do that day or YOU THOUGHT YOU KNEW HOW TO MAKE SENSATIONAL SOUP……..well, even I, a cook extraordinare learned a SECRET or TWO from Cheryl and I am not telling you what they were…………ha, ha,ha, so there!!!! I guess you will not be so confident next time you are making bland, extra ordinary soup, you may think you know it all, but let me tell you, if the bowl is not emptied and cleaned within an inch of it’s life, you did not make a sensational soup. So keep your eyes on your guests and keep hoping that they don’t notice your soup short comings. Until we meet again, good luck suckers !!!! Incidently, we enjoyed cream of asparagus and french onion au gratin, ha, ha, ha !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mosaic Class is Coming Soon

Grouse — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 22:50:06 +0000

Learn to mosaic. You can use alot of different materials to create a mosaic of your very own. This was created in a number of steps over several days. Approx. 2 hours lay-out. One hour prep of table surface and table base. Two more hours to pick-up the pieces, to apply the adhesive and then to replace all of the pieces. The adhesive then has to cure or dry. You can then grout (build up the area which surrounds the tiles and mosaic pieces) to give the top an even surface. This can take about two more hours to get a nice finish and to uncover the areas you want exposed. The grout must be allowed to cure then you can seal the grout surface. The glass edges were also ground to be sure no one would cut themselves. The base of the table was painted cobalt blue and the sea shells were given a light coat of water based urethane to enhance the natural color. This tabletop was created using a combination of square tiles, six sides tiles, broken glass and sea shells. The table is shown before the grout was applied. The finished table is for sale at my shop $ 200. I will be taking reservations for a class wheich will be held in April. Start looking for a piece of furniture which you may wish to create a mosaic for. You may also begin with a picture frame, a serving tray, a wood box. The piece you select should have a recess in the top or have a surface to which a trim piece can be added (this will hold everything in and allow the surface to be leveled). Call me if you wish to attend the class, I will be announcing the date in the next two weeks.

Cooking Demo/A Great Lunch Date

Grouse — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 18:31:51 +0000

ONLY 5 MORE DAYS UNTIL “SECRETS TO SENSATIONAL SOUPS”. DO NOT MISS OUT ON REGISTERING FOR THIS WORKSHOP !!! YOU CAN ENJOY A COMPLIMENTARY GLASS OF WINE OR TEA WHILE YOU LEARN THE “SECRETS” TO CONSTRUCTING A SENSATIONAL SOUP !!! YOU HAVE TRIED ALOT OF SOUPS, BUT WHAT MAKES SOME SOUP STAND OUT ? FLAVOR, YES, FLAVOR, FIND OUT WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PREPARE A DELICIOUS SOUP AND KEEP THEM COMING BACK FOR MORE. THIS IS ALSO A PERFECT WAY TO SPEND 2 HOURS AND ENJOY A LUNCH DATE, WE WILL BE TEACHING YOU THE “SECRETS” AND YOU WILL ENJOY A BEVERAGE, AND THE FINISHED SOUPS WITH BREAD AND CRUDITE’S. SO BRING YOUR FRIENDS, YOUR WIFE, YOUR MOM AND YOUR DAD , ENJOY THE CLASS, HAVE LUNCH AND STILL PLENTY OF TIME TO SEE THE TOWN. THE CLASS IS ON SATURDAY FROM 1-3 PM. DO NOT MISS OUT !!! IT IS SOUP TO NUTS !!! YOU MUST REGISTER BY CALLING (908)399-0247.

Jewelry/Silversmithing Course

Grouse — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:06:59 +0000

APRIL/ MAY – JEWELRY/SILVERSMITHING - LEARN THE PROPER USE OF TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL TO MAKING HANDCRAFTED STERLING SILVER JEWELRY WITH PROFESSIONAL RESULTS. YOU WILL LEARN TO MANIPULATE VARIOUS FORMS AND GAUGES OF SILVER WIRE AND FLAT SILVER, THE PROPER USE OF THE JEWELER’S SAW, FILES AND FORGING HAMMERS AS WELL AS CLEANING, SANDING AND POLISHING . YOU WILL SEE VARIOUS EXAMPLES OF THE TYPES OF SETTINGS WHICH CAN BE USED, AND YOU WILL MOST LIKELY SET A STONE BEFORE THE END OF THE CLASS. THE COURSE IS TAUGHT THROUGH A SERIES OF DEMONSTRATIONS AND INSTRUCTION AND EACH STUDENT WILL COMPLETE A NUMBER OF THEIR OWN PIECES. YOU WILL BE ABLE TO DESIGN, BUILD AND FINISH YOUR OWN PIECES LIKE A PRO. INSTRUCTORS: JULIA ROSE-DICK AND BOB JIORLE , 8 WEEK COURSE, 2 HOURS PER WEEK (WEDNESDAY EVENINGS) FROM 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM. FEE: $ 225.00/PERSON. YOU MAY ALSO TAKE AN ADDITIONAL ADVANCED CLASS WHEN YOU HAVE COMPLETED THIS COURSE.

Art Classes /Workshops In Frenchtown

Grouse — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:58:51 +0000

SIGN-UP NOW AS CLASS SPACE IS LIMITED (908)399-0247 TO REGISTER OR E-MAIL grousestudios@gmail.com.

MARCH 27 – SECRETS TO SENSATIONAL SOUPS – A GREAT DAY OUT . INVITE YOUR FRIEND, YOUR MOM OR DAD, OR SISTER OR BROTHER TO SPEND SOME TIME TOGETHER, GET SOME SOUP INSIGHT AND ENJOY A NICE LUNCH IN THE PROCESS. PRESENTED BY PROFESSIONAL COOK AND KITCHEN GARDENER, CHERYL KARCHER. LEARN TO CONSTRUCT NOT GOOD, NOT GREAT, BUT SENSATIONAL SOUP !! 1-3 PM, FEE: $25.00/PERSON, VERY REASONABLE FOR TIME WITH FRIENDS OR FAMILY, A LESSON AND SENSATIONAL SOUP !!

DRAWING COURSE -MARCH (START DATE TO BE DETERMINED BY ENROLLMENT) THIS INTRODUCTION TO DRAWING WILL EXAMINE LIGHT, LINE, VOLUME. THIS COURSE WILL BE USED TO EVAULUATE SKILL LEVEL AND DETERMINE SUBJECT MATTER FOR FOLLOW-UP INSTRUCTION. INSTRUCTOR: GREG NAPOLITAN, LOCAL ARTIST/CHAINSAW SCULPTOR. COURSE WILL CONSIST OF 3, TWO HOUR SESSIONS HELD ON CONSECUTIVE DAYS FRI, SAT & SUN 10AM-NOON.

PLEASE REGISTER BY CALLING (908)399-0247 OR E-MAIL GROUSESTUDIOS@GMAIL.COM

The Classroom @ Grouse Studios

Grouse — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 02:28:12 +0000

The Classroom at Grouse Studios is now accepting reservations for spring classes or workshops. Call or check this website for a complete list of classes being offered or schedule your own class or workshop in MY space. Contact Julia at (908) 399-0247 for details.

Handcrafted Artisan Soaps

Grouse — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:32:09 +0000

Ok, everyone, I am now very interested in handmade soap. I have been researching this and have found several sources for soap very close to home. I am conducting field (or bath) studies on manufacturers’ brands. Keep in mind these are handcrafted soaps, not mass produced, not pumped out strictly for profit, these are truely made with human hands with consideration and forethought. I am also pressuring friends, relatives and strangers to help me in my marketing research. I LOVE the three soaps I am currently purchasing for sale at my store.

The Three Brands I am currently offering are : Finger Lakes Soap Company: I discovered these products a number of years ago at the local farm and family store in VanEtten, New York. I became instantly addicted to Heather’s lip balms. I currently have at least three different scents/flavors in my purse at all time, I carry them in my camera bag and in a pocket of each of my winter coats. I NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT. I have been using her soaps for about 1 year and find them to be affordable, luxurios and varied in offerings (an excellent selection). I am now awaiting my new order of shampoo and bath salts. I can’t wait!

Next are, “Romancing the Skin” these hail from Battle Creek, Michigan and are made lovingly by the hands of my cousin’s wife, Kelly. I have only been using her soaps for a two month period, but I also find them to be very lovely. Kelly’s soaps are very organic, they have a less “flowery” scent than others that I have test sniffed. Her soaps have a very earthy scent and a nice clean finish on the skin. I have a lovely blue colored bar called “Stargazer” in my powder room downstairs, and I use it daily. I will let you know how long it lasts. Kelly’s Romancing the Skin bars are a bit firmer than the FingerLakes Soap bar, I think this is beacuse she used lard in some of the bars she makes. I will check to see if the addition of lard hardens the bar. I will also let you know why she uses it in some, and not in others.

And last, but certainly not least, is Stone Cottage SoapsWorks: this is a soap maker located in Frenchtown, the same town my shop is in. And let me tell you, David has a vast array of varieties (I think he told me, 225 scents) wow !! that is alot to choose from. I am currently using a bar “heliotrope”, wow, what a lovely scent. It is fragrant but not too “flowery” (contains Olive, Palm and coconut oils, Shea and cocoa butters, fragrance, white china and pink Kaolin clays). Really a nice subtle fragrance that stays with you for a little while after you have showered. David tells me that he will be releasing a mans’ shaving soap soon. I will let you know what my husband has to say about it as soon as we get some.

I am very happy to be carrying these craftsperson’s soaps, it make shopping alot of fun in my store and has been well received. I plan to expand in the coming months the offerings of these three artists.