[NOTE: Registration is now closed for this event.] Tucked amongst coastal redwoods in Western Sonoma County is the tiny hamlet of Occidental, California. It’s situated roughly at the midway point along the scenic ten mile Bohemian Highway, and boasts a charming two block Main Street that hearkens back to the town’s 1876 founding as a North Pacific Coast Railway stop. Today, those two blocks are home to galleries, shops and dining options – including Hazel, a warm and inviting restaurant featuring two wood fired ovens that drive an ever changing menu of Mediterranean inspired cuisine (not be outdone by an amazing dessert menu!) Hazel, also happens to be the creation of my friend Michele Wimborough and her husband Jim – both accomplished chefs and welcoming hosts.
You are officially invited to spend a day in Occidental with us: a full hands-on craft workshop with me, Robert Mahar, in the Hazel dining room; a break to stretch your legs and explore Main Street; and then back to the restaurant for a delicious family style meal with Jim and Michele at the culinary helm.
Here’s what you can expect!
• Once you’ve registered, we’ll send a welcome email your way with complete details for the day and driving directions. We recommend timing your drive to arrive in Occidental for an early lunch – and we’ll happily provide you with a list of local dining options. There’s plenty of free parking and you can easily walk everywhere you need to go.
• We’ll welcome you into Hazel at 12:30pm with hugs, handshakes or just a warm hello (your call!) Every participant will be greeted with a handsome felt tote filled with craft supplies provided by our project material sponsors Clover and Spoonflower, an archive craft kit from Robert’s past collaboration with Knock Knock and sweet treats from our resident pastry chef, Michele.
• Settle into the Hazel dining room for the workshop Hand Embroidered Snow Globes – complete description below! This is a new class Robert has been developing this year and he can’t wait to share it with you. Enjoy coffee, tea, water and homemade cookies while we stitch together.
• Class ends at 3:30pm and we’ll send you out to explore the shops and galleries on Occidental’s Main Street complete with a local map and list of recommendations.
• Join us again at 5:30 for ridiculously great meal. If the weather is mild we’ll dine on the Hazel patio with string lights, heaters and lap blankets – or if it’s too chilly, we sit down cozy for dinner indoors. Jim and Michele have planned a wonderful family style dinner with shared plates – little gem salads, wood fired pizzas, fried brussel sprouts and a delicious selection of main options including chicken, seafood and quinoa. We’ll even break out bottles of Paul Matthew Wines to share and sommelier Barb Gustafson will walk us through your selections. And then perfectly punctuate the end of your meal with an individual mini pot de creme and coffee. (Food allergies or restrictions? Please reach out to Robert at robert@robert-mahar.com and we’ll do our best to accommodate you!)
• As the evening winds down, we’ll end as we started – with hugs, handshakes or just a warm goodbye (as always, your call!)
Specifics!
Date: Saturday, November 12, 12:30-7:00pm
Location: Hazel Restaurant, 3782 Bohemian Highway, Occidental, CA 95465
Price: $165. per person (includes workshop, refreshments, full dinner with wine)
Please note: In an effort to foster an intimate creative event, we are limiting seating to 12 participants.
Questions? Contact Robert Mahar at robert@robert-mahar.com.
Registration now closed.
Workshop Details!
Hand Embroidered Snow Globes
Create your own souvenir of the season, and hand stitch a (waterless!) version of the classic snow globe. Join artist and maker Robert Mahar in learning core embroidery basics, the perfect essential stitches to create your own wintery wonderland and how to apply them to a vintage evergreen tree illustration custom printed onto linen cotton canvas. Interested in adding a little sparkle? Instruction will also cover the application of seed beads, sequins and pearls. You’ll also discover how to cleverly conceal the back of your stitching and display your hoop in a handcrafted wood base – completing the snow globe illusion and allowing you to display your work on any flat surface.
This workshop is a unique approach to needlework utilizing a non-traditional, free-form sampler that allows you utilize your favorite embroidery stitches and determine their placement. Is it a flurry of French knots? Old school sequin ornaments? Beaded string lights? Or hand stitched candles on each bough? It’s a choose-your-own-adventure approach to customizing your snow globe.
This class is well suited for beginners, however, students with more embroidery experience are encouraged to join for a fun refresher course and the opportunity to apply their skills to this unique wintery project. All materials (a custom sampler, practice fabric, a limited palette of embroidery floss and embellishments, wood hoop, custom wood hoop stand, backing materials and needle!) along with instructional diagrams are provided and included in the cost of the class. However, if you have favorite embroidery tools or prefer specific colors of embroidery floss (6-strand or perle) you are encouraged to bring these items to the workshop.
