Getting ready for Valentines's day...


Come to the Nest and enjoy music, good food and gorgeous jewelry...we hope to see you!

~CELEBRATING OUR ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY~


WORKS OF HAND AND HEART

Saturday, February 5th
3:00-5:30pm


~refreshments and appetizers will be served~

LYNNE CARMODY








GLORIA PRINS

Store Hours in 2011

Store Hours in 2011!

Monday - Friday 10am-6pm
Saturday 10am-5pm
Closed Sunday

Happy New Year!

A great time to reflect, make some positive changes and set those resolutions! I hope you don't get discouraged if your not able to keep them all...sometimes life happens! God only knows we always have the best intentions.
Here at the nest we have made quite a few resolutions for 2011. I am sooo excited to share.
Reflecting back on 2010...the year has been so eventful, eyeopening, inspiring, fulfilling and just wonderful. Considering our poor economy, the struggles of so many people and our time of uncertainty...truly, all our customers and vendors were so complimentary, positive, friendly and patient. It was a joy to come to work...so thank you for a great first year.
Stay tuned as we are almost ready to launch our new website with online shopping. Thanks to John Culpepper, our website designer (whom I recommend highly!) is helping us out in this arena. We are combining all kinds of technological terms...I hope you find it to be very user friendly and beautiful.
Our continuous efforts of bettering the shop...we have some really great vendors and beautiful merchandise, try to stop in if you can. We will be receiving new books in shortly and new merchandise is starting to flow in again.
We are also just about ready to launch our own "belle's nest" product line...it's small, but it's a beginning.
We are very excited about the year ahead and will keep you updated on all that's new...join our mailing list for monthly updates.
Happy New Year!

Events

~This Saturday~
December 18
noon-2pm

Veronica Leroy will be at Belle's Nest representing these beautifully made items:

Yarn Lab
Small Trades

Appetizers and beverages will be served.

~This Sunday~
December 19
8am-10am

A special morning just for our customers, meaning you:)

Receive $5 off any purchase of $25 or more.
Receive a $10 coupon good to use anytime next year!

Enter your name to win one of the following:
(no purchase necessary)

*Belle's box of assorted goodies valued at $100

* 1 Box of (8) soy candles every month for 2011 (2 winners will be chosen)
valued at @ $20 per box/12 months = $240

* Private Precious Metal Clay Class (you and a friend).
Instructor: Gloria Prins
Date to be determined (February).
Each of you will receive a 16 gram packet of Sterling Silver clay, enough to make
a few special custom pieces of your own!
Value = big money:)
Class will either take place at home studio or at the shop.

Breakfast delights, coffee and tea will be served.

Almost Christmas

Christmas is almost here...
A few days left before we celebrate! There is so much to write about...I can't wait to recap the year we have had, reflect on the positives and post pictures of how we evolved. Our tenth month in business...thank goodness, it's been great! I wish I could stay to write, but it's busy at the store...so I'm off to work. I'll write soon!

Happy shopping this weekend! Stop by if you can for a cup of coffee and cheer!

STORE HOURS...
SUN 10am-5pm
MON-SAT 10am-6pm

December 20-23 9am-7pm
December 24 9am-Noon

Wish List

It's that time of year...The holidays have quickly approached. This year feels so different from the years past...
The idea of giving and giving thanks has so much meaning. Not losing sight, appreciating the beautiful country we live in, the friends and family that surround us and the freedoms we have to have this awesome communication with one another to share ideas and thoughts ...it truly can be overwhelming. For us at Belle's Nest, we are always hoping to inspire, share ideas, help artists and give you the best service possible...so thank you!

If you visit the shop, you know we are always changing things around, Christmas is no exception... we are receiving new merchandise weekly!

On the weekends, we'll be serving coffee or hot cider...wish lists can be made, gift certificates can be purchased and custom wrapping is available.

We look forward to your visit!

Something New from Zazu!

Zazu, one of our favorite artist just brought in her new repurposed stuffies. Zazu's color combination's and textures make the animals so charming and adorable, they bring me back to when I was a kid...I want to take one home! My daughter enjoys them just as much as I do ~ selfishly, I'm purchasing them for the both of us to share... how many can we possibly own???
Zazu is working on making the "Nutcracker" dolls, some gorgeous advent calendars and so much more...please come check out her work on November 20 for our artist trunk show or visit her animals daily at the Nest!

Halloween

Halloween in Sierra Madre is a pretty big deal! I've lived here for 7 years and never quite realized the "event" it's become and probably always has been. My kids nor I have ever appreciated the extent of activities our town has to offer until now...it's never too late:) Our first Halloween at the shop...what an experience! The week began with the painting of our front window for a window contest, lots of business' participated...my daughter and her best friends created our window! The week ended with a Friday afternoon of trick or treating and a parade. Gloria had a marvelous idea of making a haunted house on the side of the shop...the concept was great but didn't turn out quite as we expected...actually, it was somewhat chaotic... so busy, we didn't have time to take photos (ugh!) Hundreds of kids come through trick or treating, they had a blast! It was really cool to see such a community atmosphere and everyone just having plain ole FUN. We'll be ready for the crowds next year!

Customer Appreciation!

The other day at the shop, one of our wonderful customers came in and purchased some terrific bird napkin rings...I casually commented,
"I would love to see how you display them" she so willingly sent us photos of them along with photos of some other goodies she's purchased from us. Thank you Susanne for the beautiful photos!

photos by susanne hayek
www.susannehayekphotography.com

Almost November!

Wow, how this year has flown by....Belle's Nest has survived several amazing events! The tragedy is we don't have photos! We were so busy, somewhat overwhelmed and having such a good time, nobody took pictures...ugh!
We've been through a taste of Sierra Madre, what a great event and wonderful cause... The Wine and Jazz walk...WOW! It was a beautiful night, we served Bodega Wine from San Antonio Winery, our food was catered by A&B Catering (delicious!) and the amount of people and supporters was amazing. It was a great time, we are so looking forward to it again next year. If you didn't get to participate, I highly recommend it...there was music in the streets, most of the business' served great wines, and were paired with wonderful restaurants...just a really lovely evening.

Our Dia de los Muertos trunk show was great...you still have time to view the work of Rachel Adams...so eclectic and fun! I just love this holiday and form of art!

Today we had a kids craft class...truly a craft. The class was taught by Elyse Paek. She made Paper Mache pumpkin bowls with the kids...I forgot how much fun paper mache is...we suggested an adult class. The weather outside lent itself to a great fall day putting us in the Halloween spirit. Scroll down as Elyse will continue with fun, hands on craft projects for the kids.
If that wasn't enough...please join us for our very first annual "Belle's Nest Artist Closet Sale" A few of us are getting together to sell our fabrics, notions, clay tools, paper, jewelry supplies, beads, etc...you name it, we may have it! We are cleaning house and hopefully our trash will become your treasure...look out for further details! Date of event is November 8th!

Kids Class...Spider Web

Spooky Halloween Webs!!!
Instructor: Elyse Paek

Make these spooky webs just in time for Halloween.
All materials included in this fun class.

Friday October 22, 3:30-4:30pm
Bean Town Ice cream included after class is over.
$20 fee

sign up early...classes are limited

Halloween on the Horizon!

Witches of Clay

Halloween is on the horizon...
Treat your kids to a fun class of clay making witches you will always treasure!

Instructor: Moira Love
Cost: $25

Class Dates...

Friday, October 8 4-6pm
Tuesday, October 12 4-6pm
Space is limited...please call or email to reserve
626-355-0200 / info@bellesnest.com

Happy Fall!

With a new season comes a time for re-evaluation, rejuvenation and feeding of the soul. So many wonderful signs of new beginnings and good energy have settled upon the nest. Upon our "tree of life" made by Melissa Castillo was perched the most amazing insect, a beautiful dragon fly. The timing of his appearance was perfect, when and how he got in is unknown, but his visit was soooo welcomed!

Fun at the Flea Market!

Last week we had the chance to check out the new flea market at Dodger Stadium. The kids came along hoping to find their own treasures...
It was such a cool feeling driving into the enormous parking lot of Dodger Stadium without the intention of going to a game.
Freely driving around, we found the tents!
Parking was free, $7 to get in, our kids passed without paying so all was good!
For some reason hunger sets in when you arrive at a flea market or amusement park...so after a couple aisles, we looked for food.
A great selection of food trucks...they are so popular now! These trucks are gourmet restaurants on wheels...nothing like the old roach coach...the view from up top was spectacular.

We had a great time:) It was not very crowded, vendor selection was somewhat slim and the vintage section was only a couple of aisles wide...but overall, we found some cool stuff, ate good food and really enjoyed ourselves.
Hopefully the flea market will catch on...we will continue to support!

We love mixing old with new!!!

Six Month Anniversary!

It is so hard to believe Belles Nest is in it's sixth month of business! We just had Chris' art exhibit...we think his work is very cool. A good time was had by all and what a wonderful response he received. It was a beautiful night and the back patio was the perfect setting. At the conception of Belle's Nest, featuring an artist and having the receptions every month was something we really wanted to do. This was merely to give an aspiring artist or seasoned artist exposure and at the same time make for a nice evening to relax, socialize and as always...inspire, be inspired and talk "art."

As we continue to settle in, our minds never sleep! With the holidays quickly approaching, new merchandise is slowly coming in from many of our marvelous crafter's. New cards from Erin Sloan just arrived, beautiful pottery from Lori Koop... her signature words of inspiration! Great new tiles from Ramona Paloma and cool prints by Anna See are just a few items to come look at.
If there is something you want us to carry, please let us know ~ we will do our best to find it for you.
Furniture pieces are finally for sale...they will be posted on flicker soon if you can't make it in.
Custom work is also being offered by us and many vendors! If you are looking for gifts for your clients, corporate gifts, party favors, bridal party gifts, etc....please consider us ~ we can create something very special for you.
We appreciate all feedback and love your suggestions....so for now, THANK YOU for following us, shopping with us and supporting "hand made"!!

Artist Reception

CHRIS DODGE
ARTIST RECEPTION
AUGUST 20
6-8PM
join us for some wine, and light appetizers!

Artist Chris Dodge writes...

Painting is highly therapeutic for me. My subjects gravitate towards things I enjoy, interesting compositions, or things that I think are amusing. I have a tendency to lean towards food and animal portraits. I'm not trying to paint subjects that will necessarily sell or help me gain popularity. I've found that by painting with an honest agenda, my artwork has a way of organically finding its own audience.

New Products

Beautiful bowls, mugs and planters just arrived from CG Ceramics...









Come see and feel the new Pillows from Out of Necessity. Denise always combines the nicest patterns and picks just beautiful fabrics...you can never have too many pillows!!

Gleena

New porcelain dishes from "gleena" have worked there way from Rhode Island all the way to our shop...and they are beautiful! The patterns are lovely and the dishes are so one of a kind, any kitchen counter or cabinet would scream for joy.

Merchandise

We brought in a selection of books for the garden, organic living, home and crafts...a new grouping of table top books is arriving soon.

Mixing the old with new...vintage pillows and bags, they are so pretty!
Selling monsters and one of a kind gifts for kids...they create a very special gift!

Summer has certainly arrived! The heat is pretty intense so we've been spending much time inside rather than the patio moving and re merchandising ...no surprise! The never ending changing of the shop ~ at times we laugh at ourselves in exhaustion, but in the end the shop looks pretty fresh and we're happy!

Mosaic Workshop

Thursday we had another workshop for kids...it was a nice turnout and again, the kids are so creative! They seemed to enjoy themselves and made mosaic pots and planted succulents. Most of the project started off as gifts for others, but in the end, most of the kids didn't think they were going to be able to part with their new mosaic.