Each year Kaari Meng hosts artisans from near and far at her delightful and inspiring shop, French General, hidden within the ordinary humdrum of Los Angeles. The Art of Craft event featured talented instructors, amazing projects and a bevy of beautiful and creative souls ready to learn.

From the outside, French General is a lovely peach building with a simple sign and striped awning, but once you step inside you enter the world of a French Brocante, resplendent with miniature religious icons, bolts of beautiful fabric, vintage ribbons, millinery, beads and charms, and antique trims and ephemera brought back from the countryside of France.

Surrounded by this extraordinary collection of goods, you start to feel the inspiration to create and what better setting than at a table filled with good friends and a class taught by the very talented Molly Meng? After a morning filled with pancakes and catching up, my friend, Julie Weller, and I, joined our friends to create a shrine, made from vintage books and ephemera, waxed flowers, vintage photos, gorgeous beads and magical, miniature gold rings.

Later that evening we were joined by a creative society of guests for the Soiree, including some of the students from earlier in the day and Kaari’s friends who were in town for the Craft and Hobby Association convention that was happening the same weekend.

Enjoy some of the moments from this wonderful day!

Julie and her new gnome friend

French General

Vintage ribbons in pinks and reds

Vintage ribbons and trims

Jewelry Kits

Religious icons

Kaari’s line of Fabric

Inspiration Boards

Hand stitched and beaded pillow made by Pam Garrison

Inspiration

Shrine Kit

My completed shrine

Julie, Kaari and me

Julie, Molly and me (or I, however you like to say it)

Jo Packam and me

Me and Julie Baxley

Sweets for the Soiree

Julie, Pam Keravouri and me

Me with Brenda Walton

Brenda Walton’s latest creations made using her new dies with Sizzix

xo,

Christine Barker