Workshops to Come

The first terrarium workshop I’ll be hosting (on 11/19) is going to be a general terrarium workshop. After that, however, I have a whole series of workshops planned. Exact dates to be determined still, but keep an eye on this space, or follow me on Twitter or FB to get the latest!

DECEMBER: Gifts!

In this workshop, we’ll make a full dozen terrariums, all of which can be used as gifts for your family and friends. The $100 fee will cover the actual containers that the terrariums will be in, as well as plants, gravel, and all your terrarium needs. You’ll leave with 12 beautiful gifts, and the knowledge of how to make terrariums for yourself in the future! I’ll even show you how to pack them for shipping!

These tiny teacup terraria make perfect gifts.

JANUARY: Tiny Temples

The Tiny Temple Terrarium Workshop guides you in making your own shrine terrarium. The focus will be on Buddhist iconography, however all faiths are welcome to participate. We will discuss the mechanics of making terrariums, but also their function as tools for contemplation and the raising of our awareness. Before constructing our terrariums, we will meditate for a bit. The fee will be $75. You will need to provide your own container for this one. If you need a light set, feel free to contact me and I can have some available for purchase at the workshop.

Underneath the Bodhi Tree

FEBRUARY: Kids Terrariums

This one is fun for the whole family. A special kids workshop, for children 6 and up. Everything will be provided, from glassware to plants. A great way to learn about microclimates and environments, while exercising your creativity and imagination.  Plus, what could be a better activity on a cold, blustery, February day? Price TBD.

Astronaut Jones discovers Rivers of Pearl in a candy jar!

Hope to see you soon!

Workshop!

Hi Everyone! I am so excited to be announcing this: We finally have a date for our first ever Terrarium Workshop!

First Contact Series: Rivers of Pearl (2011)

WHEN:

Saturday, November 19th, 2011, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

WHERE:

Five Pointz Studios in Queens. Take the E, G or 7 trains to COURT SQUARE. You can see the building from the exit. It’s across the street from PS 1 – there is a short flight of stairs to the doorway. We will meet outside the building. The studio is on the 3rd floor, and there is no elevator, I’m sorry to say.

HOW MUCH:

The cost is $75. This cost includes your lesson, as well as materials (plants, mosses, grasses, etc.) You will bring your own container(s) to become terrariums, as well as any meaningful or decorative items such as focal rocks, figurines, etc.) Know that you can always add these later as well – most important is that you bring at least ONE container for your terrarium.

HOW MANY:

The workshop is limited to 10 (TEN) people.

WHAT YOU NEED:

An open mind, a willingness to get your hands dirty, and at least one terrarium container. If you choose to do only one, go big! Get something that’s at least 12″x12″x12″. If you prefer to do several small ones, I recommend three or four mason jars in a pint or quart size! Places to look for containers: thrift stores, home goods stores, places like TJ Maxx, Home Goods, Pottery Barn (pricey, but beautiful!), and others.

If you have a question or concern about a possible terrarium, feel free to email me at nicole@gala.ws with your question. Pictures are great too if that’s doable for you.

HOW TO PAY:

We accept paypal, cheques, and credit cards. You may choose to pay upfront, or you may reserve a spot with a $25 downpayment, the rest to be paid the day of the workshop. You can paypal GALA directly: paypal@gala.ws. Our paypal account accepts credit cards. Please feel free to contact me if you need to pay another way.

Questions? Comments? Comment here or email me: nicole@gala.ws

Hope to see you there!

Autmn Travels

It’s been a whirlwind 6 weeks, let me tell you!

Playing with shells on Peaks Island, ME.

So many exciting things have been happening. First of all, I’ve moved GALA into an actual *workspace*! This is very exciting as I’ve been working out of our 1 bedroom apartment, and it’s been a little crowded. Perhaps that’s an understatement.
My husband just moved his photography business to a new studio, and he and his studiomate are kindly subletting some space to me as well! This has not only quadrupled my storage/production space, it also means that I now have space to hold workshops.

Working space, works.

I’m figuring out when the first workshop will be  – I’m aiming for mid-November, with more workshops in January, February and every month after that! Even better, the studio is very easy to get to – right accross the street from P.S. 1, in Five Points Studios. It’s not even a full block from the 7 train. Marvelous.

After a couple of requests, I’m now offering gift certficates. These can be used towards garden coaching, workshops, terraria, or whatever you like that GALA offers. For example, on of my clients bought four hours of garden coaching as a gift for a family member, to be redeemed at any time, and in whole or in multiple visits as needed. Pretty exciting stuff!

But on to the really fun stuff: Travel! I just got back from two major trips. The first was in late September, to see my in-laws in Florida. We explored gardens and spent a day at the beach, and had a lot of family time. Very excellent.

Then, two weeks later, we left for our NorthEast whirlwind tour. First we hit up Burlington VT to see the leaves change, and visit Lake Champlain and family friends.

This studio makes the MOST BEAUTIFUL lamps out of old glass and metal that I've ever seen. Just gorgeous!

That was followed up with a visit to Boston to see old friends and their new babies. Lastly, we headed to Peaks Island where we saw our old friends Cat & Dima. They’ve moved from the house where we set up their old garden, to a bigger, more beautiful house, with a more challenging landscape! I can’t wait to help them get it growing! It has a ton of potential for semi-wild edibles, as well as a small kitchen garden.

We saw some wonderful things on our trip! Peaks Island is so marvelous. I’m glad we have friends to show us it’s wonderful secrets.

Seabirds in the shingles of a cottage on Peaks Island, ME.

We wandered the island without our guides, but we never would have entered the flooded out WWII fort without their knowledge – or their flashlights. It was dark, but beautiful. I hope we go back!

Light, dark, water, graffiti.