November 29th, 2013
The artists in Southeastern Delaware are opening their doors to their studios once again, as they have been doing for 19 years. This is a free, self-guided tour of the studios of 13 of Delaware’s most talented artists and artisans, all located in Southeastern Sussex County. You can talk to them, ask questions, see them work, buy some of their pieces of art, but most of all, get to know them personally.
The event takes place on Friday, 11/29 and Saturday, 11/30 from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Remember to buy local and buy tax free in Delaware. More info? Please visit http://www.artstudiotour.com. Open the website and click on the map to see where all the studios are located.
Each artist has donated a piece of art for “Art in the Hat Raffle”. 100% of the proceeds from this raffle will benefit art programs throughout the local community. Raffle tickets are $4.99 each or 5 for $20. You can get them at each studio. To see what each artist has donated, please visit http://www.artstudiotour.com/raffle.htm.
One of my favorite artists is Tom Frey, who is located in Dagsboro. He is a woodturner. Mr. Frey uses mostly local woods that are stressed by nature.
His miniatures are beautiful and if you are lucky enough he might be working on some of them as you visit his studio.
Note: Damon Pla will not be on the tour this year.
Have a great time!!
November 26th, 2011
Rehoboth Beach
“A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who work with his hand and his mind is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist.” st. thomas aquina
The Delmarva Peninsula surprised us with a gorgeous Black Friday. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love to spend it in Delaware, my home. Black Friday brought lots of shoppers to the tax free shopping we offer in the State.
Rehoboth was very crowded. The weather? 68 degrees!! No parking to be found. My car was heading south on Rt. 1 to the town of Bethany Beach and then heading west for a few miles to start my own little tour of the 17th Annual Southeastern Artists Studio Tour.
Following are the 3 artists that I visited on Friday; all very different and all pursuing their passion.
Keith Toms is a Builder Blacksmith, originally from England, he makes Sussex County his home. He is located at 35160 Roxana Rd., Frankford, DE. Tel. 302-519-3731 E-mail? keithtoms@verizon.net.
Even though the address says Frankford, I really call that area Roxana. To get to it from Rt. 26 in Millville, take Rt. 17 to Roxana, go through the traffic light which is the junction of Rt. 17 and Rt. 20 and you will find his studio about 100 yards on the right. It is a garage next to a white house.
“The ability to directly shape metal has held my fascination since 1993, using the energy and rhythm of hammer and anvil, hot metal is transformed into subtle forms and curves that are inspired by both nature and industry. The techniques I use are much the same as they were hundreds of years ago, with a few modern twists that allow more contemporary design.”
Sunflowers are a specialty of his. You can see it in a lot of his work. He really can build anything. You can go through his portfolio and see some of his work.
I was looking at a piece to hang pots. It was huge. You would need a large kitchen. Keith told me that some of the bigger pieces do not take as long as the smaller ones. The smaller ones can take up to 50 hours for just one piece.
Keith is at his studio practically every afternoon. You can call him or e-mail him at keithtoms@verizon.net.
To be able to transform metal into such art was beautiful to see.
The next artist on my list was Tom Frey. He is a woodturner located at 30424 Marina Rd., Dagsboro, DE 19939. Tel. 302-732-6172. E-mail? tefpwf62@gmail.com. His studio hours are by appointment.
It is a little tricky to get there but just follow these directions and you will find it. Go west on Rt. 26. This becomes Rt. 26/20 in Dagsboro. Turn right at the stoplight to go into Dagsboro. Go through the stoplight in the center of the town (now Rt. 20) and turn right onto Piney Neck Rd. Go approx. 3 miles, take a right on Marina Rd. and his house is 3rd on the right. Got it?
“Tom has pursued a specialty of thin-walled, natural edge turnings using mostly local woods that are stressed by nature. A soft matte finish has become a second hallmark of Tom’s work. In 2009, Tom achieved Master designation in the Delaware By Hand organization.”
We were received with big smiles from Tom and Pat, his wife. She had hot cider, cheese balls, made by her and crackers. Delicious. I was hoping my kids would not eat the whole thing.
I am in awe of his work. It is so delicate using the most unique pieces of wood. He told me he has plenty of wood to work with. He does get mesquite from a friend and supplier in Texas. Mesquite is now being used for hardwood flooring.
His minis were so cute and he told me they were so easy to make. So, here he is at work.
His works of art are, definitely, conversation pieces. They are perfect for the person that has it all. Here are some more pictures.
Thanks Pat and Tom. You were so gracious receiving us all into your home.
The next artist is a self made painter; Damon Pla. If you were in Rehoboth Beach for the Independent Film Festival you probably saw his work. Every year artists submit their work, hoping to be chosen for what best describes the theme of the Festival. He won!!
I stopped by his Damon Pla Fine Arts Studio located at 119 South Newport Way, Dagsboro, DE 19939. From Rt. 1 go west on Rt. 26, turn right onto White’s Neck Rd. (Millville Pet Shop on corner). Travel 1.6 miles. Turn slight right into Bethany Forest. Take 1st left onto South Newport Way. House is at the end of the street facing you.
“Through ambience, composition, movement and light, creating art will always be an instrument for me to interpret my perception of our surroundings. To quietly converse with the viewer through my work, provoking thought and meditation, is my passion.”
His studio was comfortably crowded, people asking him questions. I met his Mom, who was visiting from Ft. Lauderdale. Damon is originally from Florida; home is here now. His wife was there to help out, as well.
His paintings were amazing capturing the essence of his subjects. You can contact Damon by calling him at 302-541-6057 (studio), 302-841-3790 (cell), or visit his website, www.DamonPla.com. Just like everyone else, he is on Facebook; facebook.com/damonpla.
He offers original paintings, limited editions, commissions, trompe l’oeil/murals.
It was great meeting you and your family, Damon.
Some were hungry, so, to finish a really nice day off to Nicola Pizza on Rehoboth Avenue we went. I told you at the beginning that Rehoboth Beach was so crowded; like any summer day. Finally, we found parking.
As usual, Nicola Pizza, hit the spot.
A walk through the Boardwalk and looking out to sea in such a clear and warm day, we were able to see Cape May, New Jersey.
Note: Some of the Artists will be open on Sunday November 27th from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. Please check www.artstudiotour.com.
Have a great day!! Talk to you later…
November 25th, 2011
I meant to write this post last night but after cooking, eating and cleaning…oh well, here it goes today.
Lots of happenings at this time of the year as the Beaches start the Holiday Season. Late last night all the outlets opened….no way, I really did not need anything that badly. But, if you are visiting, why not take advantage of the tax free shopping the State of Delaware offers?
In Rehoboth Beach
Friday, 11/25 – Just Comfort Shoes located at 18756 Coastal Highway opened at 6:00 a.m. They are near the outlets on Rt. 1! Sales and service with a smile with plenty of sales for this shopping season. This year new lines like Alegria, Cushe, Sannibel by Dansko and Earthies…shopping in comfort. The also have a downtown Rehoboth store located at 237 Rehoboth Ave. Website? www.justcomfortshoes.com.
Friday, 11/25 – Tree Lighting ceremony in Rehoboth Beach at the Bandstand. The actual lighting will be at 7 p.m., but if you come between 6 and 7 p.m., there will be plenty of singing. This year’s tree was donated by a local resident. It is beautiful. More info? www.downtownrehoboth.com.
Friday, 11/25 and Saturday, 11/26 – Joss II located at 19470 Coastal Highway (Rt.1) in the Shops at Camelot Shopping Center, will be hosting an Open House. There will be door prizes, gift wrapping….and plenty of Holiday Cheer from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. On Friday WGMD will live Broadcast from 2 – 4 p.m. Tel. 302-227-8373. You can also find Joss II on Facebook.
Friday, 11/25 – Opening of Clear space Theatre Company’s production of Scrooge from Friday the 25th until December 11th. The Threatre is located at 20 Baltimore Ave. Tickets for adults, $25, for seniors $20, for students $15 and for children $5. You can purchase tickets online at www.clearspacetheatre.org, by phone 302-227-2270 or in person at the Box Office on 20 Baltimore St.
Ocean View (west of Bethany Beach)
Friday, 11/25 and Saturday, 11/26 – Black Friday Event at White Orchid Interiors located at 83 Atlantic Ave., Ocean View, DE 19970. Website? www.whitehorchid@verizon.net.
White Orchid is inviting you to stop by through the week-end and enjoy complimentary refreshments while you shop.
White Orchid is a beautiful shop full of home accessories and accents. Leslie is the proprietor and offers in home consultations including, custom window treatments and bedding, space planning, paint selection and much more.
November 26th marks the second annual Small Business Saturday, a day to support the local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods around the country. American Express is giving a $25 statement credit offer for Cardmembers when they register their Card and spend $25 or more on Small Business Saturday at any qualifying small business that accepts the American Express Card. Register your American Express and then use your registered card on Nov. 26th at a participating small business. You can register www.americanexpress.com.
Southeastern Delaware – the towns of Bethany Beach, Ocean View, Roxana, Dagsboro, Frankford
Friday, 11/25 and Saturday, 11/26 is the 17th Annual Southeastern Delaware Artists Studio Tour. It is a free, self-guided tour of the studios of 16 of Southeastern Delaware’s most talented artists and artisans, right here in Sussex County. 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Please visit www.artstudiotour.com where you will be able to see and get directions to all the studios.
Water Media, Watercolor, oil and mural, painter, photographer, pen and ink, woodturner, ceramics and jewelry, glass artist, blacksmith are a few of the artists that will open on Friday and Saturday. Not all of them will be opened on Saturday but you will be able to see from the map who these are.
Donation tickets are $10 each or 3 for $25 – Arts in the Hat Raffle – All proceeds from the raffle, will benefit art programs throughout the local community.
On facebook find them at www.facebook.com/sedasttour.
Have a great week-end!!
November 18th, 2010
The doorbell rang today and I was so surprised to receive my Turducken so fast. You see from time to time I like a little variety for my Thanksgiving dinner.
About four years or so ago I cooked my first Turducken. I heard about it from friends and immediately ordered it from a company in Louisiana. I love Cajun food and The Cajun Grocer is located in Lafayette, Louisiana. Their website is www.cajungrocer.com. The tel. is 888-272-9347. I have even given it as presents for the holidays; besides being delicious, it is also a conversation piece.
Cajun cuisine is the rustic cuisine of Louisiana with locally available ingredients; so many culinary influences are detected in cajun dishes.
If you don’t like turkey, chicken or duck then you will probably be bored to tears with this post.
And, what is a Turducken? It is a semi-boneless turkey that is stuffed with a deboned chicken or hen, that is also stuffed with a deboned duck breast.
A layer of Cajun dressing is placed between each bird. The juices from the duck and the creole pork stuffing (the one I ordered) will really add flavor to the turkey.
Since the turkey is semi-boneless, you can slice it in such a way that you get the advantage of the 3 meats. Slice it like you are slicing meatloaf.
The Cajun Grocer has a variety of stuffings. Of course, this year, I sent them an e-mail because I wanted to know which Turduckens were gluten-free. They immediately informed me that they had 3; the seafood, the vegetable and the creole pork. I chose the pork. It is now in my freezer and 48 hours prior to cooking I will defrost it in the refrigerator. I will just have to plan what side dishes to add this year.
Check the www.cajungrocer.com because they have so many other foods available for immediate shipping; gumbo, gulf shrimp, boudin, crawfish and so much more. Recipes are also available and even music.
Yes, Zydeco which is Cajun and Creole music combined from Southwest Louisiana. It is quite good.
I am looking forward to Thanksgiving this year. I like to be home on such a special day; to give thanks for everything we have. I like a gray day; windy and cold.
I have had Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant and really did not enjoy it at all. It’s just not the same.
So, Turducken vs. Turkey? It is just a matter of taste…and who’s coming for dinner.
The other thing I will enjoy doing this year, on Friday or Saturday, after Thanksgiving is going to the Artists Studio Tour in southeastern Sussex County; the towns of Bethany Beach, Ocean View, Frankford, and Dagsboro. Both days from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
This is the 16th Annual Artists Studio Tour, which is a self guided tour of the studios of 15 of Delaware’s most talented artists and artisans. They graciously open their studios to the public and are there for you to ask questions and see what they are all about.
For more information, please visit www.artstudiotour.com.
Have a good one!!….Talk to you later…
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