Drop in knitting and crochet at The Mermaid Art Studio

halfmoonshawlbrownbluetrim5Beach Girls Purls and the Mermaids are hosting a knitting/crochet circle! Open to all levels: beginners, beginner+, intermediate and advanced. Bring your WIP (work in progress), a cup of tea, and spend a little time chatting and stitching in the company of like-minded fiber folks. If you need a refresher on how to cast on, bind off, or the difference between a HDC and DC, come on by. Now is a great time to start your holiday projects!

Wednesdays from 7-9pm. $20/session. Open to adults and serious teens. Register in advance or just drop in.

Learn more and register online.

Dates:
Wed. Nov. 20
Wed. Dec. 4
Wed. Dec. 11
Wed. Dec. 18
Wed. Jan. 8
Wed. Jan. 15
Wed. Jan. 22
Wed. Jan. 29
Wed. Feb. 5
Wed. Feb. 12
Wed. Feb. 19
Wed. Feb. 26

Learn to Knit and Crochet at The Mermaid Art Studio

mermaidartstudiologo2aAnnouncing the launch of The Mermaid Art Studio in Long Beach’s West End! Starting Monday Sept. 23, we’ll be open for business with classes and workshops for kids, teens and adults in painting, drawing, mixed media, knitting, crochet, bookbinding, upcycled projects and more!

For all the folks who’ve asked about lessons or general help with a pattern, this is the place! We’re planning group classes as well as one-on-one sessions, and eventually drop-in sessions (probably in the winter) where you can come hang with like-minded fiber fans.

Visit us at www.themermaidartstudio.com or on Facebook.

The Mermaids Are Coming To The West End of Long Beach

emptystudiofrontLong Beach artists Denise Collins and Laura Bykowski, founders of the original Mermaid Art Studio, plan to relocate to a new home in the heart of the West End as part of Long Beach’s post-Sandy recovery. Bruised but not broken…rebuilding Long Beach one paint stroke at a time!

The Mermaid Art Studio will be a community-focused Center for the Arts.  The studio will offer after-school classes for elementary school aged children, tweens and teens, in addition to adult classes and workshops in Printmaking, Book Binding, Painting, Drawing, Fiber Arts, Weaving, Recycled Art, Papier-mâché, and much more.

mermaidsdeniselauraOpen studio hours will be offered during the day as well as on Fridays for Teen Night. Birthday Parties, Ladies Nights and First Friday events are part of the studio’s programs.

Help us make our dreams a reality by contributing to our fundraising campaign.

“Like” The Mermaid Art Studio on Facebook for news and updates, including our grand opening in September, as well as upcoming classes and workshops:
https://www.facebook.com/TheMermaidArtStudio

New Yarn! Make Your Own Masterpiece! Hat, Scarf, Cowl…

seagrass4Me n Sue have been spinning a lot– separately but together, in terms of inspiring each other and using the same types of fiber. We’ve got a lot of new art yarns and patterns for knitters– check us out this summer at Arts in the Plaza, at our online Etsy store and on Facebook. Let us know what you like to knit.

marinebiology4

We know it’s hot, but if you’ve been thinking about custom project, let’s chat! We’ve got time and materials for a truly original creation. beachgirlspurls [at] gmail [dot] com or facebook.com/beachgirlspurls1.

 

Sun Nov 11- Shop BGP at Long Beach Holiday Boutique

Shop Small Business and Local before Sat. Nov 26!
Beach Girls Purls at the Long Beach Catholic School Holiday Boutique and Fair
Sun Nov 20, 9-4
735 W. Broadway, in the gym

Bring your holiday wish lists! We’ll have lots of new Kerry hats, cowls in all different shapes/styles/fibers, a new flock fingerless/texting mittens, felted and knit hand bags, yarn, and a few sweaters. Custom orders for Fiona, Stephanie, Pat, Jen and Cody are ready for pickup.

Need a small, thoughtful and inexpensive gift? Browse our collection of banana leaf journals and ipod/cell phone cozies ($15 each). Have a knitty friend? Indulge her creativity with a small or more generous skein handspun yarn ($10-15 and up). One size fits many? Try our fingerless mittens, a neckwarmer/cowl (all $30 and up) or a felted handbag ($35 and up). Ask us about custom orders– we have ideas!

Let’s crochet, ladies!

There are still a few spots open in Friday’s Ladies Night Let’s Crochet class. Beginners and students of all levels welcome! Learn basic crochet stitches or expand your skills in a super relaxed environment. Personal attention, no stress, BYOB & we provide the tasty snacks.

If you are keen on making a specific project, check out our ideas/materials list on page 3 for a scarf, cowl, purse/handbag, hat, wrist warmers (or texting mittens), water bottle/coffee cup cozy, IPod/cell phone holder, or beaded chunky necklace.

Additional materials and needles are also available at the Studio…So no worries, ladies! Just bring your lovely selves!

Friday October 28, 7pm-9pm (ish) $40. Download the registration form or email beachgirlspurls@gmail.com. Hosted by Denise Collins and Laura Bykowski.

Oct 2 – Shop Fall Knits at Arts in the Plaza

Yesterday was a groovy Sunday at Arts in the Plaza, twirling to the tunes of Retro 69. Nice to see our friends and meet new knitty folks.

See us Sun Oct 2 for your fall hats, cowls, fingerless mittens and ponchos. Talk to us about holiday gift ideas. Plus we have new felted handbags! No cash? No problem–we take now credit cards in person.

Sunday October 2, 10a-5p at Kennedy Plaza in front of City Hall, Long Beach NY 11561.

Shop BGP online@Etsy.

Let’s crochet! Classes for kids & adults

Learn to crochet, sew or make holiday gifts! Classes geared towards beginners and students looking to advance their skills. Crochet a scarf, cowl, purse/handbag, hat, wrist warmers (or texting mittens), water bottle/coffee cup cozy, IPod/cell phone holder, or beaded chunky necklace.

Download the flyer. RSVP via email to beachgirlspurls@gmail.com — space is limited!

** Mermaid Studio & Beach Girls Purls 2011 Fall Workshops **

Let’s Crochet  – 4th grade and up.
Saturdays: Oct. 15, Oct. 29, Dec. 3. 12-3 pm.

All levels welcome! Learn how to crochet or expand on your skills! Students will work on a variety of projects and stitches. Individual personal attention will guarantee that each student fully develops their OWN talent! Register for more than one session to maximize your skills. Multiple class discount. Bring your own materials.
Cost per session: $50.00   Two sessions: $80.00  Three sessions:  $110.00

Let’s Crochet  – Ladies  Night.
Fridays: Oct. 28, Dec. 9. 7-9pm (ish).

Learn basic crochet stitches or expand your skills in a relaxed environment. Explore your creativity – students may work on a variety of projects depending on individual interests. Personal attention and no-stress atmosphere! BYOB and your own materials, we provide tasty snacks. Cost: $40/session.

Holiday Gift Making Workshop  – 4th grade and up.
One session: Fri. Nov. 11 , 11am-3pm
This is a day of fun and creativity! Learn to make unique holiday gifts for friends and family using a wide variety of materials. Students will leave the workshop with several completed projects. All materials included. Bring your lunch. Cost: $80.

 

Sun Sept 4@Arts in the Plaza

NEW! charcoal & chard cowl in ez care acrylic/wool

Visit our booth at Arts in the Plaza this Sunday Sept 4. From 10am-5pm, in front of LB City Hall.

Get yourself something nice for back to school! We’ll have hats, cowls, fingerless/texting mittens, handbags, ponchos, handspun yarn & blank books/journals.

Shop us on Etsy but see us in person for the latest yarns and knits hot off our needles.

Custom orders for Joyce (turquoise hat), Diane (white hat for yoga) and Penny (three 2-square cowls) will be ready for pick up!

New merch! This weekend!

Come early to the boardwalk fair this weekend for the best pick of new BGP knit stuff (not even on Etsy yet). Lots of firsts & exclusives! In addition to brand-spankin-new kerry hats & cowls, summer & fall weight wraps/ponchos, yarn & quilts, we’ve got a flock of fittens and felted handbags, knit stuff for babies & kids, blank journal books and photo albums, and a one-of-a-kind Kerry swingy sweater in Minty Chocolate Chip yarn, *perfect* for cool fall nights.

August 20 & 21 – Long Beach Arts & Crafts Fair

Shop Beach Girls Purls this weekend Aug 20-21 at the Long Beach Arts & Crafts Fair on the boardwalk – it’s going to be hot!

We’ll have all sorts of stitched & spun gifts & goodies, including Kerry’s famous hats & cowls, summer shrugs in Italian cotton, sweaters & ponchos, handspun yarn, blank books/journals, quilts and more.

Hand made by locals, one-of-a-kind treasures. Come on by, say hi, see what’s new. 9am-6pm, Sat. & Sun.

Previews at our Etsy shop.

Mermaid Studio book art camp- week 2

Wow- this week was a snorcher but all our budding bookbinders & book artists performed exceptionally!

Creative energy produced enough books to fill a library, including:

  • Books using the rabbit stitch (japanese stab binding)
  • Pamphlet folders with the kitten stitch
  • Accordion books with our relief plates
  • Instant books with no sewing
  • Paper bag books
  • Pocketbook books from recycled, melded plastic bags with pockets, flaps & decorative sewing
  • Portfolio folders with our own decorative paper

Plus crocheting, weaving, painting, drawing, sewing & more. A big thanks for Ms. Collins for all the ice pops, cold drinks, snacks & kiddie pool to keep us cool.  Can’t wait to see some of you again next week!

 

Book art camp@The Mermaid Studio

The first week of bookbinding art camp wraps up today and I am completely blown away at the joy & fearless creativity of these kids!

 

While their variations on stab binding are untraditional, they’ve mastered the pamphlet stitch (or “find the kitten” stitch) and are *glowing* when they fill an entire book with their own artwork.

Each day is more draining than a 3 hour butt-kicking w/MFC but oddly inspirational, too. Jumping off into new directions…

* thanks ms collins & all the helpers: jessica, morgan, hanna, sarah & charlotte! *

blue crochet cuff

special request– crochet cuff in blue ribbon yarn, 3-1/4″ wide and about 6-1/2″ cir. hope you like it, elaine-

materials: glass beads and yarn- Calella from Valeria di Roma; 31% acrylic, 32% modal, 37% nylon; [ribbon style]; color/tintada 10170/289; imported from spain, sant sebastia. dimensions:  3-1/4″ W, about 6-1/2″ cir. care: hand wash, line dry. do not machine launder.