It's all go at the studio in Luc-sur-Orbieu. I have loads of different projects on the go as well as a daughter who is eager to learn to walk and is climbing up anything she can get hold of! This is her showing off a couple of weeks ago!

Today is the deadline for proposal submissions for the Euro Clay Carnival in October 2009 in France. The committe has a very difficult task of choosing who will instruct. If you are not already a member of European Polymer Clay People then why not join us now - it's free!

I am also in the midst of organising the 16th annual art exhibition in Luc-sur-Orbieu which will take place mid August. More information in due course!

And on top of all of this I am running my polymer clay workshops once a week, considering standing for a position on the NPCG board and trying out a new line of polymer clay art - ssshh a secret for the minute. I honestly think I am busier now than when I lived in the UK - and more happier, fulfilled, valued, stretched.... - OK I'll stop now!

Yes - it's that time of year when the bikini appears along with the suncream and a car load of stuff including the kitchen sink!

See you in July - will be thinking of you all!

xxx

They have conferences, demonstrations, workshops and artists all in full display. I will be with the Métiers d'art du Pays Cathare group in the wonderful Abbey of Caunes Minervois.

The weekend was a great success in terms of visitors, weather and polymer clay sales. It was really strange however to notice that Saturday's visitors bought mainly polymer clay objects (salad servers / bottle stoppers etc.,) and Sunday's crowd focused on my polymer clay jewellery. Two designs were so hot off the press that I never even managed to photo them before they were sold.

We bought some Piments plants - Bresse and a Hungarian one (can't remember the name....) and of course some Basil for my homemade tomato sauce. The quality of the plants were excellent. And this leads me on to the fertiliser which was free.

So today, I spent part of the afternoon, bagging 30 litre bags of horse manure - great! So romantic as you can imagine! At least we'll have the best veggie patch in Luc-sur-Orbieu!

Who inspires us all with such wonderful colours & designs.

The idea behind the carnival is to group together a range of well known polymer clay artists / teachers and run several workshops over a 2 - 4 days (depending upon numbers).

The event will take place in the Aude region of France (near Lézignan Corbières to be precise). The workshops will be conducted primarily in English however other European Languages will hopefully be catered for.

If you are interested in taking part or simply receiving more information then please contact me or follow the updates on European Polymer Clay People

Following on from my previous posting here are the finished designs. I have already sold "Saffron Ray" pictured in the right hand column of "Hot off the bench".

The cuff and ring make a stunning combination but are also for sale separately.

The "Saffron Twist" is equally delicious, delicate & light.

Now I am in the process of trying to get my head around the Luc Sur Orbieu, blason and work out how to make a wine stopper with this emblem and the croix d'oc on!

Thank you for your continued support and comments.

Kylee

Here are three invitations to three very different events! Hope to see you there!

The classes at Lunes Bijoux will run as regularly as there is demand. I have decided to work to my clients needs rather than have a rigid timetable. This way the mum with 18 month old twins, the accountant with long hours and the travel rep all get what they want. I'm happy and hopefully they will be. I was amazed with the response at the opening on Saturday.

Below - in French (of course) are the exact course details

Stages de Bijoux* (cours + outils compris / *perles apprêts etc., non compris) - 12€

Bijoux 1-"Fantasy Twig" ou "Multi"

Bijoux 2-"Twangle" (collier / bracelet)

Bijoux 3-Boucles d'Oreilles (3 paires différentes)

Bijoux 4-Objets d'art (à vous de choisir le thème)

Stages - Pâte Polymère (fimo) (toutes fournitures comprises)

Débutant - 30 € (5 heures environ sur 2 jours)

Intermédiaire - 50 € (6 heures environ sur 2 jours)

Plusieurs thèmes et possibilités sont réalisables. N'hésitez pas à nous contacter.

Stages en anglais & français

We are already looking to combine classes with wine tasting opportunities at the local caves, golf, fishing and swimming. The village has several gites alongside B&Bs. And what with the Pays Cathare mark of quality I was award in 2006 I am listed in the main tourist guides for 2008. Hopefully there is a rosy future head for Lunes Bijoux!

Now if you struggled understanding the above in French - have a listen to Jack speaking about his experience with Greek! Fantastic!

Bijoux & Banter

Lunes Bijoux 

Should you require any additional details please do not hesitate to contact me!

So petit à petit I managed to convince them that it would work together and that if we held the event in April rather than February we could hopefully attract outside stands and even a grillade at lunchtime. March here in France is a complete no no this year, the first weeeknd is "la fête des grandmères" and then the following two weekends are the all important municipal elections and then of course Easter. So I have won the first round....but I'm along way from the finishing line.

Then I had the all important task of collecting the big red folder from the ex-president sealing my fate as the new president! So what next? Well I have a folder to explore, a letter of invitation to write and I need to contact our charming village journalist to inform him not only of a change in presidency but also of the event itself!

For those of you reading this and living locally please make a note in your diary - Sunday 6 April, Salle Jean-Jaurès, Luc Sur Orbieu. Anyone requiring more information regarding exhibiting etc., please contact me as soon as possible! Ok, off to climb my mountain....

......but before I do a picture for the weekend - where in the world?

We have just spent a wonderful lazy Sunday afternoon at Gruissan Plage.

Gruissan is a real mix of old and new. It's a wonderful sleepy village in the winter and a bustling tourist resort in the summer. On a winter's day you struggle to find restaurants open; in summer you struggle to get a table!

The old part of Gruissan - Gruissan Village is a circular village with a 13th Century tower occupying the central position. Bastille Day firework celebrations are stunning from the tower showering out across the étang (lake). The sunsets over the lake with their matching flamingos are simply beauty at it's best!

The beach part of Gruissan is for me divided into two distinct parts, the"sauvage" side (wild) where we went off-roading and the commercial side. The commercial side has row upon row of beach chalets, 1300 in all. I suppose there is a quaintness to them but not on a French scale! They date back to the beginning of the 19th century and even became famous during the filming of Betty Blue. And then there is Gruissan Port with over 1000 berths for boats, restaurants and bars and all the local tourist attractions.

Gruissan is an ideal holiday base, it has so much to offer and for us we have the added luxury of it being only a half hour away from home. So, we are able to pop down to the port out of season and dine in peace, wander around the étangs surrounded by the cackle of flamingos or plunge our way down the dunes in the 4x4! What more could you ask for?

It's one of those "love it or hate it" things in life. Personally I love them especially when washed down with a bottle or two of Veuve Clicquot, (their website is worth a visit!) although nowadays it tends to be more Blanquette de Limoux!

So what is it about oysters that I love? I suppose it's their sensual taste and texture. Oysters are also extremely rich in nutrients: zinc, calcium, copper, iodine & magnesium.

I personally love oysters served straight from the shell with a splash of Tabasco & lime juice or alternatively cooked hot as Oyster Kilpatrick

Oysters in France are no longer considered as a delicacy. Most Sunday mornings in winter we stroll down to Les Halles in Narbonne to collect a kilo of oysters. Their freshness is just so appealing....and with Christmas just around the corner I imagine we will be eating them by the bucket full!