Workshops
TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT’S COMING BEGINNING IN SEPTEMBER — MORE GALA WORKSHOPS THAN EVER BEFORE!
FROM FIBER ARTS TO VISUAL ARTS TO JEWELRY MAKING AND MORE!
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SEPTEMBER WORKSHOPS — To register, call 301-933-2912 or drop by Gala
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Drawing Basics: Zentangles with Martina Sestakova, Friday, Sept 22, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Let’s zentangle!…And, enjoy this relaxing technique that increases concentration and creativity as you transform simple lines into striking patterns.
Gala artisan and textile designer, Martina Sestakova, will guide you as you learn about the accessible art of creating zentangle drawings and its meditative aspects. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have made several “tiles” (3.5” x 3.5”) with your own unique designs.
Adults and children (ages 10+). No experience necessary. All materials included with the fee ($40.00). Tools provided for use during the workshop.
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Crochet Cowl with Michelina Castelli, Sunday, Sept 24, 9 am to Noon
Join Gala artisan and crochet expert, Michelina Castelli, to make a beautiful cowl with buttons. The cowl can be worn in many ways. Bring one skein of 4-ply yarn of your choice and two 1″ buttons. Crochet needles will be provided for use during class.
This is an advanced-beginner class for students familiar with chain stitching and double crochet. Practice yarn included with fee ($60.00) along with tools for use during the class. (Don’t forget to bring a skein of 4-ply yarn and a couple of 1-inch buttons to make the cowl!)
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Intro to Wire Crochet Jewelry with Ruth Beer Bletzinger, Wednesday, Sept 27, 6:30 pm to 9 pm
Expand your jewelry-making know-how by crocheting with wire. The technique is straightforward and fun with beautiful results that look deceptively intricate! Gala’s Ruth Beer Bletzinger will show you how.
During the class, you’ll combine thin-gauged wire with beads and a couple of simple crocheting techniques to create your choice of a necklace or bracelet.
Adults and children (ages 13 and up). Experience crocheting is helpful, but not required. All materials included with the fee ($60.00). Tools provided for use during the class.
OCTOBER WORKSHOPS — To register, call 301-933-2912 or drop by Gala
Felted Soap with Sheila Burns, Sunday, Oct 1 — 10 am to 11 am; repeats 11 am to noon
Adults and children (ages 6+). No experience required. All materials provided with the fee ($24.00 per one-hour session).
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Drawing Basics: Florals with Martina Sestakova, Friday, Oct 6 — 6:30 am to 8:30 pm
Let’s get together to admire the beauty of flowers! During this workshop, you will explore three ways to turn a photo of your favorite flower into a unique creation of yours. We will draw in color, explore the world of black-and-white sketches, and delve into abstract art.
You will get to choose three to five beautiful and interesting images of flowers to take you on a creative journey with Martina Sestakova, Gala artisan and textile/print designer. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have made two to three note cards with your own unique floral designs you may want share with your loved ones.
Adults and children (ages 10+). No experience necessary. All materials included with the fee ($50.00). Tools provided for use during the workshop.
New! Make an Autumn Leaf-Print Box with Susan Farrer, Sunday, Oct 8, 9:30 am to Noon
Use paint, real leaves, and simple tools to create a beautiful three-dimensional artwork inspired by Autumn!
Starting with a plain papier-mâché box, you’ll paint a base layer, then add colorful leaf prints in your own unique design. Teaching artist Susan Farrer with guide the way. You’ll love the results! Perfect to keep or give as a gift!
Adults and children (ages 11+). No experience required. All materials are included with the fee ($53).
Felted Beads with Sheila Burns, Friday, Oct 13 — 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Learn to make felt beads from locally raised wool, as well as combine them with glass beads to design your own necklace.
Your instructor is Sheila Burns, felting expert, artist, and someone who raises sheep to produce her own wool. You’ll love this class and learning from Sheila!
No experience required. All materials included with the fee ($52.00).
Enjoy a hands-on lesson on crafting your own natural perfume. After an explanation of the properties of various essential oils and absolutes, enjoy formulating your own personalized scent using perfume-grade ingredients.
Throughout, expert perfume-maker, Mary Kearns will give you the tools and knowledge that can be applied to your future DIY projects. Head home with some Herban Lifestyle sample products, as well as your own aromatic creation!
Adults and children (ages 14+). No experience required. All materials provided with the fee ($70.00).
Crochet Pumpkins with Michelina Castelli, Thursday, Oct 19. 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
It’s pumpkin season, when the weather cools and the holidays are around the corner!
What to do? Learn to make these adorable crochet pumpkins with Gala artisan and crochet expert, Michelina Castelli!
Some experience with crocheting chain stitch and single crochet. All materials included with fee ($60.00). Tools provided for use during the class.
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New! Create a Colorful Collaged Box with Susan Farrer, Friday, Oct 27, 6:30 pm to 9 pm
Learn collage basics with artist Susan Farrer, as you transform a papier-mâché box into a work of art by adding layers of colorful, textured papers. Give the lidded, four-inch diameter box to someone special, use it to hold a special gift, or keep it for yourself to enjoy!
Adults and children (ages 11+). No experience required. All materials are included with the fee ($53).
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NOVEMBER WORKSHOPS — To register, call 301-933-2912 or drop by Gala
NEW! Drawing Basics: Watercolor with Martina Sestakova, Thursday, Nov 2, 6:30 am to 8:30 pm
Have fun learning the basics of watercolor painting! Gala artisan and textile designer, Martina Sestakova, will share several watercoloring techniques — including using salt and plastic! — while you explore shape and color in creative ways.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll have painted two to three abstract scenes (8.5” x 5.5”), the meanings of which you’ll enjoy sharing with others.
Adults and children (ages 10+). No experience necessary. All materials included with the fee ($55.00). Tools provided for use during the workshop.
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Felted Bowls with Sheila Burns, Sunday, Nov 12, 10 am to noon
Who knew that you can make bowls using the ancient craft of wet felting!
Felting artist and instructor, Sheila Burns will show you how by teaching you the basics of wet felting. You’ll be using locally produced wool from Sheila’s own sheep! And, you’ll have a great time exploring your creativity in this workshop.
Adults and children (ages 10+). No experience required. All materials provided with the fee ($48.00).
New! Make Your Own Collage Ornaments with Susan Farrer, Friday, Nov 17, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Create a pair of collage ornaments to decorate for the holidays or to hang in your home all year round. Perfect as gifts, too!
During the workshop, you’ll choose from a selection of fun, textured papers that you’ll layer onto papier-mâché forms to make these beautiful ornaments, uniquely designed by you!
Adults and children (ages 9+). No experience required. All materials are included with the fee ($43).
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Intro to Wire Wrapped Jewelry with Ruth Beer Bletzinger, Sunday, Nov 19, 9 am to Noon
Open a world of possibilities with just a few wire wrapping techniques!
During the workshop, you’ll get the feel for working with wire to wrap beads, as well as stones without drilled holes. You’ll love how each piece is unique and uniquely created by you.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll have made a pair of earrings and two to three pendants.
No experience required. All materials included with the fee ($60.00). Tools provided for use during the workshop.
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PREVIOUS GALA WORKSHOPS — See what Gala has offered before –Call us if you’d like us to a specific workshop again!
Classic Knotted Necklace with Ruth Beer Bletzinger, Sunday, Sept 3 — 9 am to Noon
Learn to make beautifully draped necklaces and bracelets with a classic knotting technique.
You’ll also be able to repair that beloved pearl necklace that’s been sitting in a drawer, as well as create brand-new pieces.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll leave with a knotted necklace or bracelet (your choice) that you’ve made yourself!
No experience required. All materials (beads, cord, clasps) included with the fee ($60.00). Tools provided for use during the class.
Felted Soap with Sheila Burns, Sunday, July 30 — 10 am to 11 am; repeats 11 am to noon
Good clean fun in just one hour! Relieve tension, get messy, but stay clean while making your own felted soap. When you’ve made the felted soap, it’s perfect for scrubbing little hands, as well as big hands, after a day in the dirt!
Adults and children (ages 6+). No experience required. All materials provided with the fee ($24.00 per one-hour session).
Enjoy a hands-on lesson on crafting your own natural perfume. After an explanation of the properties of various essential oils and absolutes, enjoy formulating your own personalized scent using perfume-grade ingredients.
Throughout, expert perfume-maker Mary Kearns will give you the tools and knowledge that can be applied to your future DIY projects. Head home with some Herban Lifestyle sample products, as well as your own aromatic creation!
Adults and children (ages 14+). No experience required. All materials provided with the fee ($70.00).
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Explore Surface Textures & Applied Color on Copper with Carol-lynn Swol, Friday, June 16 — 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Personalize copper disks with steel stamps and hand-drawn imagery that inspires you.
In this workshop you will learn to stamp and etch copper having the opportunity to make up to five charms or pendants.
Adults of all ages. No experience required. All materials included with the fee ($70.00). Tools provided for use during the class.
NEW! Fun with Crochet with Michelina Castelli: Sunday, May 28 — 9 am to noon
Join Gala artisan and crochet expert, Michelina, to make a beautiful cowl with buttons. Cowl can be worn in many ways. The size of the cowl is 8 x 32. Bring one ball of 4-ply yarn of your choice and two 1″ buttons. Crochet needles will be provided for use during class.
This is an advanced-beginner class for students familiar with chain stitching and double crochet. Practice yarn included with fee ($60.00) along with tools for use during the class. (Don’t forget to bring a skein of 4-ply yarn and a couple of 1-inch buttons to make the cowl!)
New! Felting for Kids: Felted Bowls with Sheila Burns, Saturday, May 13 — 8:30 am to 10 am
Ages 9 and up. No experience required. Materials provided with the fee ($35.00).
NEW! — Adventures in Felting: Coin Purses and Pouches with Sheila Burns, Sunday, January 29, 10 am to noon
Felting artist and popular Gala instructor, Sheila Burns, is back with a brand-new workshop! Learn how to make beautiful and practical pouches using the ancient art of wet felting. A terrific workshop for adults and kids, alike!
You’ll be using locally produced wool from Sheila’s very own sheep. You’ll have a selection of beautiful colors from the wool that Sheila hand-cards and hand-dyes herself.
Adults and children (ages 10+). No experience required. All materials provided with the fee ($48.00).
The Art of Felting: Bowls with Sheila Burns, Sunday, October 23 –- 10 am to noon
Who knew that you can make bowls using the ancient craft of wet felting! And, this is a terrific workshop for adults and kids, alike.
Felting artist and instructor, Sheila Burns will show you how by teaching you the basics of wet felting. You’ll be using locally produced wool from Sheila’s own sheep. You’ll have a great time exploring your creativity in this workshop.
Adults and children (ages 10+). No experience required. All materials provided with the fee ($48.00).
Fabric Postcards with Jacqueline Bryant Campbell, Friday, September 16 — 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Create truly individual small works of art that you can mail as is, or give as gifts! During the workshop you’ll use fabric paint, make your own stamps, fuse, add beaded embellishment, and do simple hand embroidery.
You’ll love learning from instructor and Gala artisan Jacqui Bryant Campbell of Jacq’s Dolls!
Adults and children (ages 10+). No experience required, just a willingness to cut things up!
Materials provided with the fee ($50.00).
New! Fabric Postcards with Jacqueline Bryant Campbell, Sunday, February 5, 10 am to Noon
Just in time for Valentine’s Day! Create truly individual small works of art that you can mail to the one you love, or give in-person as a gift! During the workshop you’ll use fabric paint, make your own stamps, fuse, add beaded embellishment, and do simple hand embroidery.
You’ll love learning from experienced instructor and Gala artisan Jacqui Bryant Campbell of Jacq’s Dolls!
Adults and children (ages 10+). No experience required, just a willingness to cut things up!
Materials provided with the fee ($50.00).
Knotted Cord Bracelet using a Lucet with Carol-lynn Swol, Friday, July 7, 6:30 pm — 8:30 pm
What’s a lucet? It’s a wonderfully simple tool for making beautiful knotted jewelry with cord and bead embellishments.
During the workshop, you’ll choose from a variety of cord colors and colorful beads. Gala’s Carol-lynn Swol, jewelry artist, metalsmith, and educator, will instruct you.
No experience required. All materials are included with the workshop fee ($40.00). Tools provided for use during the workshop.
Drawing Basics: Florals with Martina Sestakova, Friday, July 14 — 6:30 am to 8:30pm
Let’s get together to admire the beauty of flowers! During this workshop, you will explore three ways to turn a photo of your favorite flower into a unique creation of yours. We will draw in color, explore the world of black-and-white sketches, and delve into abstract art.
Bring 3-5 images of flowers you love and let these take you on a creative journey with Martina, Gala artisan and textile/print designer. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have made 2-3 note cards with your own unique floral designs you may want share with your loved ones.
Adults and children (ages 10+). No experience necessary. All materials included with the fee ($50.00). Tools provided for use during the workshop.
The Art of Felting: Beaded Necklaces with Sheila Burns, Sunday, September 18 — 10 am to noon
This is a two-in-one-workshop! You’ll learn to make felt beads from locally raised wool, as well as combine them with glass beads to design your own necklace.
Your instructor is Sheila Burns, felting expert, artist, and someone who raises sheep to produce her own wool. You’ll love this class and learning from Sheila!
No experience required. All materials included with the fee ($52.00).
Intro to Making Beaded Jewelry with Ruth Beer Bletzinger, Sunday, September 25 — 9 am to Noon
Have fun learning the basics of making beaded jewelry from stringing, to using crimps to attach clasps, to making wire loops to create dangle earrings. Gala’s Ruth Beer Bletzinger will guide the way.
Students will complete 1 to 2 pairs of earrings and a bracelet or a necklace.
Adults and children (ages 13+). No experience required. Kit with materials included with the fee ($60.00). Tools provided for use during the class.
Felting Fun for Kids with Sheila Burns, Sunday, July 10, 10 am to Noon
Learn the basics of wet felting while making your own soap and bowl. Felted soap is fun and useful…and who wouldn’t like their very own felted bowl?!
Students will be using locally raised wool and will see samples of wool fresh off the sheep to be dyed and felting ready.
Ages 8 and up. No experience required. All materials included with the fee ($40.00).
Locker Hooking with Anne Stone, Sunday, June 12, 9 am to Noon
Come learn the English craft of locker hooking! Gala’s Anne Stone will show you how. You will make (but may not finish) a trivet and in the process will learn all the steps necessary to create more trivets or expand to other sizes.
If you have unused fabric laying around in your home, this is an ideal way to reformulate it into a usable item.
No experience required. All materials included with the fee ($60.00). Tools provided for use during the class.
NEW! Adventures in Felting: Needle Felted Hearts with Sheila Burns, Sunday, February 12, 10:00 am to Noon
And, speaking of Valentine’s Day…Sheila Burns has a special workshop for you to create a personalized needle-felted heart for the one you love! Using wool from the sheep Sheila raises, you’ll embellish the heart with stitching and beads.
Adults and children (age 10+). No experience required. All materials are included with the fee, as well as felting tools for you to take home.
*Already taken Discover Zentangle Drawing? Continue the journey with Discover Zentangle Drawing II on Friday, June 17, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm!
Introduction to Wire Crocheted Jewelry with Ruth Beer Bletzinger, Sunday, June 5, 9 am to Noon
Expand your jewelry-making know-how by crocheting with wire. The technique is straightforward and fun with beautiful results that look deceptively intricate! Gala’s Ruth Beer Bletzinger will show you how. During the class, you’ll combine thin-gauged wire with beads and a couple of simple crocheting techniques to create your choice of a necklace or bracelet.
Experience crocheting is helpful, but not required. Ages 13 and up. All materials included with the fee ($60.00). Tools provided for use during the class.
Needle Felting Fun with Sheila Burns, Sunday, April 10, 10 am to Noon
Have fun learning the basics of needle felting!
Gala artisan and expert felter, Sheila Burns, will start with a brief history and overview of felting and the uses of felted wool.
Then, using locally raised fiber, she’ll show you how to needle felt a set of four coasters,
No experience required. All materials will be provided, and felting tools will be yours to keep. Fee $52.00
Wire Wrapped Rings with Ruth Beer Bletzinger, Sunday, April 17, 9 am to Noon
Fun and fabulous, wire-wrapped rings have pizzazz!
Learn how to make three different kinds of wire wrapped rings with wire, beads, and buttons. Gala’s Ruth Beer Bletzinger will demonstrate the techniques.
You’ll have a blast making as many rings as you like during the class!
No experience required. All materials included with the fee ($35.00). Tools provided for use during the class.
Springtime Needle Felting with Sheila Burns, Friday, May 20, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Celebrate spring and warmer weather with expert felter and Gala artisan, Sheila Burns.
She’ll show you how to create your own needle felted birds and flowers. Birds can be hung, and felted flowers can be made into an eye catching pin or make a few for a bouquet.
No experience required. All materials will be provided, and felting tools will be yours to keep. Fee $52.00
Intro to Wire Wrapped Jewelry with Ruth Beer Bletzinger, Sunday, May 22, 9 am to Noon
Open a world of possibilities with just a few wire wrapping techniques!
During the workshop, you’ll get the feel for working with wire to wrap beads, as well as stones without drilled holes. You’ll love how each piece is unique and uniquely created by you.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll have made a pair of earrings and two to three pendants.
No experience required. All materials included with the fee ($50.00). Tools provided for use during the workshop.
Light Catcher with Hillary Blackton, Sunday, June 11 – 9 am to noon
Hillary’s light catchers are gracing windows and yards throughout Montgomery County and elsewhere. Now, learn to make your own beautiful and decorative hangings for outdoors, as well as indoors. When hung outside, your light catcher will sway in the breeze and glitter in the sunlight.
Using mirrors, wire, and beads, you’ll make up to two light-catching hangings that will add sparkle to the summer season. Great as gifts or for your own use!
Adults and kids (12 and up). No experience required. All materials are included with the fee ($50.00). Tools are provided for use during class.
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NEW! — Adventures in Felting: Flower Pin with Sheila Burns, Sunday, March 19, 10 am to noon
Encourage springtime by creating a wet-felted flower pin. In this fun new workshop, felting expert, Gala artisan, and instructor, Sheila Burns, will guide you through the cool process of wet felting. This is another good workshop for kids, as well as adults.
You’ll be using locally produced wool from Sheila’s very own sheep. You’ll have a selection of beautiful colors from the wool that Sheila hand-cards and hand-dyes herself.
Adults and children (ages 10+). No experience required. All materials provided with the fee ($48.00).
New! Felting for Kids: Felted Bookmarks with Sheila Burns, Saturday, April 8 — 9 am to 10 am
Designed especially for kids, this workshop is in honor Kensington Day of the Book festival coming up on April 23. Students will learn the basics of wet felting while creating a colorful bookmark. What’s more, they’ll use wool that comes from Instructor Sheila Burns’ own sheep, Fiona and Irish Rose!
Ages 7 and up. No experience required. Materials provided with the fee ($24.00).
New! Adventures in Felting: Necklace/Choker with Focal Button Closure with Sheila Burns, Sunday, April 9th –- 10 am to noon
No experience required. Materials provided with the fee ($48.00), except the button, which will be available for purchase separately for $5.00 each, or bring your own!
Create Small, Colorful Epoxy Personal Collage Pendants with Carol-lynn Swol
Friday, May 19, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Create fabulous resin pendants with Carol-lynn Swol, jewelry artist, metalsmith, and educator. During the workshop, you’ll mix a variety of dry media with hardware-store type fast-curing, 2-part epoxy* to fill rhodium-plated pewter pendant frames. Bring paper-based images and/or text, small objects, and small samples of your favorite dry spice and/or your favorite eye shadow for color.
You’ll leave the workshop with three pendants that you’ve designed and made yourself!
No experience is necessary. Except for the personal items you wish to include, all materials are included with the workshop fee ($45.00). Tools provided for use during the workshop.
*Please note that when mixing and working with epoxy there is a strong scent, but once it is fully cured there is no smell. A fan to help disperse the smell will be employed and nitrile gloves will be available for your use. If you have a known allergy or sensitivity to these materials, please consider your participation in this workshop wisely.
Make Your Own Jewelry Clasps & Ear Wires with Ruth Beer Bletzinger, Sunday, May 21 — 9 am to Noon
Take the next step in designing your own jewelry by making your own clasps and earring wires. During this workshop, you’ll learn how to bend and hammer wire to create closures for necklaces and bracelets. It’s fun, not hard, and you’ll have the satisfaction of saying, “I made this jewelry, including the clasp!”
If you’ve got a stash of beads or a project underway, bring it along in case there’s time to complete the piece with a clasp that you’ve made yourself.
Adults and children (ages 13+). No experience required. Kit with materials included with the fee ($60.00). Tools provided for use during the class.
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Enjoy a hands-on lesson on crafting your own natural perfume. After an explanation of the properties of various essential oils and absolutes, enjoy formulating your own personalized scent using perfume-grade ingredients.
Throughout, expert perfume-maker, Mary Kearns will give you the tools and knowledge that can be applied to your future DIY projects. Head home with some Herban Lifestyle sample products, as well as your own aromatic creation!
Adults and children (ages 14+). No experience required. All materials provided with the fee ($70.00).
Carved Ceramic Trivet/Hotplate with Chaya Richman
Sunday, November 8, 9:30 am to 11:30 am
Trivets are cool when things get hot!
Learn the Sgraffito method for carving designs into clay to create your own decorative and functional ceramic trivet/hotplate. During this two-hour workshop* ceramic artist Chaya Richman will show you how.
*Note: At the end of the workshop, Chaya will take your tiles to be glazed and fired. She will make arrangements directly with you at the time of the workshop to deliver your finished trivet no later than November 29.
No experience necessary. All materials included with the fee. Tools provided for use during the workshop.
Class length: 2 hours
Fee: $48.00
Ask for Item #: 33-136
Chaya Richman Ceramic Tile
Previous Events
4th Annual Gala CREST Craft Fair
Sunday April 24 — 11am-4pm
In conjunction with the 11th annual Kensington Day of the Book, GALA invites fabulous local artists to join the fun on Armory Ave. Find one of a kind and unusual arts and crafts while enjoying live music, food trucks and fun!
See you on Armory Ave (behind the Safeway)
Gala Crest 2015
Susan Stockdale
Joining us on Sunday April 24 11AM – 2 PM … Local author/illustrator Susan Stockdale will read and sign her award-winning picture books that celebrate animal life. She will show her book illustration sequences, from sketches to finished images, and play a matching pattern game included in her book, Stripes of All Types. Every child will receive a sticker of an animal featured in the book, ranging from a ring-tailed lemur to a brilliant poison dart frog. Susan’s books can be viewed at www.susanstockdale.com.
Valentine’s Day 2016!
Fourth Annual Cupid Rescue and beer tasting! Saturday, February 13, 6-8. Stop by for an easy shopping experience for that special someone. We will fill your cup with a tasty brew and help you find the perfect gift in any price range. Don’t forget our wish list! Make the choice even easier for your sweetie by filling out a wish list with exactly what you want! ♥
Cannot wait for the fun!
VALENTINES DAY 2015:
3rd Annual Cupid Rescue and beer tasting! Friday February 13, 6-8. Stop by for an easy shopping experience for that special someone. We will fill your cup with a tasty brew and help you find the perfect gift in any price range. Don’t forget our wish list! Make the choice even easier for your sweetie by filling out a wish list with exactly what you want! ♥
Holiday Open House Friday December 5, 7pm-9pm
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY is Saturday, November 29. Please support local, independent businesses like Gala.
Trunk show Saturday November 29, The Chocolate Theory. 10am-2pm
In keeping with our commitment to supporting local artists of all types and introducing them to our wonderful customers, we are hosting Sofia Goodwin of The Chocolate Theory for a trunk show from 10-2 on Saturday November 29. (Small Business Saturday). Stop by Gala to meet this wonderful culinary artist and taste her small batch, hand mixed fudge.
Sofia creates artisanal fudge in 10 flavors using only the best, freshest ingredients. and packs her products in original, eco-friendly and reusable containers to conserve the environment.
September 19th, It’s our Birthday!
Gala’s 2nd birthday! Join us Friday September 19 from 6-8 pm for a birthday open house!
