(This post is from SEPTEMBER, people, and I *just* finished it last night. Seriously, my child is a ((wonderful, beautiful and amazing )) timesuck and I love him. I need more hours in my days. Please?)
I've been going to
The Nova Studio since, I think, 2008. I stumbled upon their website one cold night while Christmas shopping for my Mom and found their (now retired) Transfer Printing class. I bought Mom and I spots in that class and was instantly hooked on "The Nova." I loved the studio and had ALWAYS been interested in bath & body product making - it seemed like it was meant to be! I noticed on their web site (that I poured over and drooled over and dreamed about) that they had an "intern" program, where you could come volunteer your time and do odd jobs around the studio in exchange for class credit. BOING! (light bulb noise?) I immediately wrote Lori, the owner of the studio, and asked if she might consider having me come by to help. She wrote back and I made my first trip out there not long after, and here we are almost five years later.
Every year, The Nova Studio has an anniversary party where students (past, present and future!) are invited to take part in an AWESOME raffle (sponsor prizes!), a handful of make-and-takes, feast on delish snacks, cast their votes for the soap competition and network with like minded people!
I was in charge of taking pictures and I wanted to share with you guys. This place has my heart
1. Lori, Ruth, Alice and Jen (teachers). 2. The studio's sign. 3. snaaaacks. 4. The class sample wall.
1. A student sniffs an essential oil while making a bar of glycerin soap. 2. Obligatory shoe picture with some of the goodie bags. 3. Alice's daughter, O., hams it up for the camera. 4. The line to get in the studio!
1. Pop micas and erasers waiting to be mixed in to the glycerin make-and-take soap. 2. Some of the studio's apothecary jars. 3. Yours truley. 4. Lori showing off a raffle prize.
1. Sara, the weekend studio assistant. 2. More food. 3. Some of the studio's books for sale. 4. Lori and Joelle, a student and friend. 5. Jen, a teacher, pours handmade glycerin soap base into her crockpot in preperation for the Anniversary make-and-takes (M&T).
1. Nick,
Cassie (the studio Manager's) husband signs anniversary goers in and help with the raffle tickets. 2. Izze generously provided beverages! 3. Ruth and a friend share a joke. 4. More goodie bags! 5. Alice, my beautiful French friend (and Studio teacher)!
1. Jen looks on - the calm before the storm. 2. Lori speaks to the masses outside before the Anniversary starts. 3. Some of Alice's handmade hydrosols. 4. Sara sells supplies.
Cassie, Lori and Sara. I LOVE these ladies!
1. Lori and sweet O. get drinks. 2. Cassie has some fun with the melt and pour M&T after the party was over.
How'd
it turn out? A billion people showed up to the event. I swear. Maybe
even two billion. I do know that I was wedged against a wall (taking
pictures) for a while because there were so many people squeezed into
the Studio. How fortunate both The Nova Studio and Lori are to be so
loved!
(My view out the front door after I got home.)
Lori is one of my favorite people and has since (the start of my Nova adventure) become a close friend, and to top that off,
I have taken MOST of the classes offered at The Nova Studio via work/credits. I love it!
The Studio makes me feel peaceful and inspired and loved. Things work
out in mysterious ways and boy am I glad that I clicked that little link one
cold night, five years ago.
