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Yesterday's <u>Philadelphia Inquirer</u> has a more-than-full-page
color photo (on pages W22 - W23) of Sean Gilvey at Hudson Beach Glass.<br>
<br>
<img src="cid:part1.02070300.03050501@glassblower.info" alt=""><br>
<br>
In addition to Hudson Beach Glass, the article also also describes the
Make-Your-Own experiences at WheatonArts (formerly Wheaton Village). <br>
<a href="http://www.philly.com/inquirer/weekend/35983994.html"><br>
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/weekend/35983994.html</a><br>
<h2>Decorations or gifts will have that personal touch if you make
them. Art studios and galleries can provide aid.</h2>
<p class="byline">By Jen A. Miller </p>
<p class="byline lastline">For The Inquirer</p>
Sure, you could go to your friendly neighborhood chain store and buy a
boatload of stuff to deck your halls and tree. But why get something
everyone else has when you could do it yourself with a little help from
local art studios and galleries?
<p> Making your own festive adornments or gifts is fun and a great
holiday bonding activity if you're taking the family or friends, and
it's a boon for local businesses and the planet. Not only are you
supporting local artists and galleries by spending time and money in
their studios, but you're also being eco-friendly as well.</p>
<p> You can also save a few bucks by getting handmade items without the
handmade cost - sweat equity, after all, works on more than just home
improvements.</p>
<p> Whether you're a beginner or a pro, here are four places to go to
add a personalized touch to items to trim the tree, decorate your home,
or present as gifts this holiday season.</p>
<p> </p>
<h3>The Needlepoint Boutique </h3>
Even if you've never sewn a button back on your coat, you can make DIY
holiday ornaments at the Needlepoint Boutique. This Collingswood spot
is both shop and studio, so you can pick up your Santa, angel or
hot-air-balloon ornament pattern, or you can get help in starting a
project.
<p> "A lot of the time people don't know how to do needlepoint, but
they like something in my store, and I sit down with them and give them
a private lesson on how to do it," says owner Stacey Chakov. The shop
hosts a group session from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, when crafters of all
skill levels come together to work on projects, help one another, and
gab. The group brings its own wine to sip, and new needlepointers are
always welcome.</p>
<p> </p>
<hr><font face="Arial" size="2">The Needlepoint Boutique, 807 Haddon
Ave., Collingswood. <span isdynflag="1"
info="Call +18562407904;0;+18562407904;0;"
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needlepointboutique.com. Open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 9
p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. Ornament
kits start at $12.</font>
<p> </p>
<h3>The Expressive Hand </h3>
If the finer points of sewing aren't your thing, give the brush a try
at the Expressive Hand, a paint-your-own-pottery studio. "You pick your
own piece, paint it, leave it for a week, come back, and pick it up,"
says owner Abby Longo.
<p> The Expressive Hand offers a range of holiday ornaments, including
reindeer, angels, pet paws, snowmen, stars, stockings and Christmas
trees, along with menorahs and dreidels. Give yourself time - the last
day to paint for Hanukkah is Thursday; for Christmas, it's Dec. 21 for
your ornament or gift to be finished in time for the holiday.</p>
<p> </p>
<hr><font face="Arial" size="2">The Expressive Hand, 622 S. Ninth St. <span
isdynflag="1" info="Call +12675192626;1;+12675192626;0;"
onmouseup="SkypeSetCallButtonPressed(this, 0,0,0)"
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context="267-519-2626" reallyisdynflag="1" fax="0" rtl="false"
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title="Call this phone number in United States of America with Skype: +12675192626"
onmouseout="SkypeSetCallButtonPart(this, 0)"
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class="skype_tb_injection_right" id="__skype_highlight_id_right"><span
style="background-image: url(chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/cb_normal_m.gif);"
class="skype_tb_innerText" id="__skype_highlight_id_innerText">267-519-2626</span><span
style="background-image: url(chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/cb_normal_r.gif);"
class="skype_tb_injection_left_img"
id="__skype_highlight_id_right_adge"></span></span></span>. <a
href="http://www.expressivehand.com">www.expressivehand.com</a>.
Open 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays; 10:30 a.m. to 8
p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Studio fees
are $8 for children and $10 for adults plus the price of pottery.</font>
<p> </p>
<h3>Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center </h3>
For a truly DIY gift, head down to Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center in
Millville, N.J., to make your own glass item. You can take molten glass
and shape it into a paperweight, vase, bead or bowl with the help of a
master glass artist at the Glass Studio, which is a replica of the T.C.
Wheaton Glass Factory. The class is open to people ages 16 and older.
<p> If you're looking for inspiration, be there Sunday or on Dec. 21,
when artist Deborah Czeresko will be making oversize, seasonal objects
from hot molten glass. Czeresko and her team of elves offer three
public showings on those days, at 11 a.m., 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.</p>
<p> </p>
<hr><font face="Arial" size="2">Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, 1501
Glasstown Rd., Millville, N.J. <a href="http://www.wheatonarts.org">www.wheatonarts.org</a>.
Glass-making sessions are by appointment; call <span isdynflag="1"
info="Call +18568256800;2;+18568256800;0;"
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class="skype_tb_innerText" id="__skype_highlight_id_innerText">856-825-6800</span><span
style="background-image: url(chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/cb_normal_r.gif);"
class="skype_tb_injection_left_img"
id="__skype_highlight_id_right_adge"></span></span></span>,
Ext. 139. Prices vary by class: $55 for glass bead experience, $75 for
paperweight experience; $135 for bowl or vase experience.</font>
<p> </p>
<h3>Hudson Beach Glass </h3>
If the idea of DIY glass is too daunting, check out Hudson Beach Glass,
where you can pick the color and pattern you want in a glass ornament,
and owner Sean Gilvey (a third-generation glass blower, pictured here)
will help you make the item come to life.
<p> "You get to spin the blow pipe, and Sean molds it for you," says
Emily Gilvey, who runs the studio with her husband. "You blow it up
with your own breath." </p>
<p> It's not just for grown-ups, either - children ages 7 and older can
make their own ornaments. With a little help, of course.</p>
<p> </p>
<hr><font face="Arial" size="2">Hudson Beach Glass, 26 S. Strawberry
St. <span isdynflag="1" info="Call +12673191887;3;+12673191887;0;"
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class="skype_tb_injection_right" id="__skype_highlight_id_right"><span
class="skype_tb_innerText" id="__skype_highlight_id_innerText">267-319-1887</span><span
style="background-image: url(chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/cb_normal_r.gif);"
class="skype_tb_injection_left_img"
id="__skype_highlight_id_right_adge"></span></span></span>. You can
make ornaments from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m.
Sundays. Fee is $30.</font>
<p> <font face="Arial" size="2"> </font></p>
<p> <font face="Arial" size="2">Jen A. Miller is author of "The Jersey
Shore: Atlantic City to Cape May."</font></p>
<br>
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