This was a dream come true....traveling to Asheville, North Carolina in the fall for an art event hosted by Jennifer Hayslip.
Here are my travel/plane buddies, Cynthia, Kim and Andrea. We arrived into Charlotte, NC, piled into our rented Suburban with our loads of luggage and headed down the highway toward Asheville. We were surrounded by millions of trees, all ablaze in different shades of greens, rusts, reds, golds, etc. Fall had arrived! It was simply breathtaking.
After checking into our hotel and meeting up with friends, we headed off to dinner. I think we stepped back into the psychedelic 60's when we arrived at The Mellow Mushroom. What fun...yummy pizza and it was trivia night...I won't even go into the enebriated man who decided we would have ALL of his answers needed to the trivia contest.
Meleen, Danielle, myself and Cynthia
Kim, Andrea, Jessi and Maija
It was then off the bed for dreams of the magical weekend that was to come.......
The next morning, we headed off to downtown Asheville for a little retail therapy. Adorable little stores and oh my...a shoe store called Tops that was to die for! I think we ALL left there with at least one pair of new shoes! Then, a little more shopping at some local antique stores and a gorgeous linen store!
Molly, Maija, Earleen and Jessi
That evening we headed off to Crest Event Center. We were greeted by the lovely Jennifer Hayslip and a sea of twinking lights, gorgeous flowy decor and many vendors for shopping. Karla Nathan and Lori Oles each taught mini workshoppettes, of a flower garland and a rosette Ribbon.
The lovelies...Jen & Kim
Cynthia and me
Maija & Jessi
Molly & Me
Kim & Me
Jessi & Me
Tiffany & Me
Karla's Project
The adorable Sherry Williams & Me
Can't go to the South and NOT get Krispy kreme donuts! They even have a drive thru!
The next morning, we were off to Claxton Farms for a day of art, friendship and fun! We were greeted by mini horses, goats, and the most breathtaking farm set amoung trees and fields of fall colors. We started with a jewelry class with Andrea Signarelli, then a chandelier class with Natasha Burns (who came all the way from Australie) and completed the classes with Dee Faust. I will let the pictures tell the story.
Our lovely teachers...Lori, Andrea
Tiffany, Karla, Jen and Natasha
Kim and Karla
Me and my roommate, Earleen.
Annette & Me
Our last full day in Asheville was a trip to the incredible Biltmore Estate. All I can say is WOW!!! I can't wait to go back another time and take the extended tour because it would take days to see everything! We then had a private luncheon with the Biltmore Chef, Chris Anderson, and then headed off to Biltmore Village and Winery for a little more retail therapy. We also got to visit the Tiffany exhibit that was in house.
Sorry...no pictures :(
Jessi with Chef, Chris Anderson
In the winery....yay!
A little Biltmore Vanilla Ice Cream for dessert!
This journey was a dream come true.....thank you Jennifer for such a lovely art event...every last detail was attended to and it is a trip I will always remember. Stay tuned for another blog post soon, where I will share my swaps, which included a vintage apron, a wreath/crown and an album.
