Tag: art class

Garden Sparkler

~ Spence's Girl ~ Leave a comment

A darling boutique near me recently announced they were closing but were offering a final craft class – a “garden sparkler”. It was on Saturday late afternoon and I signed up at once!

Of us nine attendees, I was the newby but not for long. After receiving our supplies and instructions, we started the process of choosing beads, cutting wire and assembling our creation. It was a spirited group with lots of great conversations happening simultaneously.

After 3 1/2 hours we were winding up so I knew this morning I’d need my trusty glue gun to assure everything would stay put. While doing so, I got out my beading supplies and added a cute beaded topper and strand of sparkling beads to wrap the cork.

Here’s my creation, and while not perfect it’s very pretty – and it does sparkle!

Travels in Aruba 2016 – part eleven

~ Spence's Girl ~ 3 Comments

This visit to Bucuti and Tara Beach Resort, I noticed something new was being offered to guests, a Driftwood Workshop.  Each Sunday during happy hour at the Sand Bar, they feature local artisans which is always fun. It’s where I met Maria Onni, who teaches the driftwood painting class.  One look at her work, you are enchanted and want to try your hand….I signed up the following day for the next class.

Maria is one of those artists who has natural talent and loves to repurpose driftwood, sea glass and other found items. Check out some of her creations:

I arrived for the class, set up in the Tara Lounge and learned it would be just one of the Bucuti and Tara Resort staff and myself for this class.  To my delight, it was Nicole (who I’ve enjoyed getting to know on both of our visits), who was the other student.  I loved the one on one attention Maria was able to give us as we learned how to work with molding clay (making eyes, noses and mouths) and mixing the acrylic paints as we fashioned our driftwood creations.  We each made two works of art and it was such a fun way to spend an afternoon.  Both Maria and Nicole are interesting and lovely, young women who I was fortunate to get to know over the two hours we spent together.  I would take this class again if offered on my next trip and would recommend it to anyone visiting Bucuti and Tara Beach Resort.  A truly fun day to be sure and special memories of this vacation!

My squid with a sea glass eye!
“Oooh I love Aruba”
Nicole and I working diligently on our projects as Maria gives instructions

Maria Onni sells her works of art in a kiosk in the highrise hotel area (across from Playa Linda) as well as teaching these classes.  She is so talented, if you are in Aruba, check her out!