Workshops
GALA WORKSHOPS FOR 2017! — TO REGISTER, CALL 301-933-2912 OR DROP BY THE SHOP
JUNE WORKSHOPS — To register, call 301-933-2912 or drop by Gala.
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JULY WORKSHOPS — To register, call 301-933-2912 or drop by Gala
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.
New! Felting for Kids: Felted Soap with Sheila Burns, Sunday, July 9 — 10 am to 11 am; repeats 11 am to noon
Good clean fun in just one hour! Get messy while making your 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!
Ages 6 and up. No experience required. All materials provided with the fee ($24.00 per one-hour session).
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.
Intro to Making Beaded Jewelry with Ruth Beer Bletzinger, Sunday, July 16 — 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.
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.
PREVIOUS GALA WORKSHOPS
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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).
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.
Discover Zentangle Drawing with Deb Soromenho, Friday, June 3, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm*
Back by popular demand! Zentangle is a fun and easy-to-learn art form that helps you focus, relaxes your mind, and increases your creativity. Absolutely no drawing experience necessary.
We’ll use simple lines and patterns to create beautiful pieces of art while concentrating on the meditative benefits of this art form. You’ll take home some beautiful abstract art along with the skill, technique, and supplies to make more. We’ll also go over the philosophy, method, and terminology of Zentangle.
No experience required. A small take-home drawing kit is included with the fee ($35). Ages 13 and up.
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.
May Workshops — To register, call 301-933-2912 or drop by Gala
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.
GALA’s FALL 2016 WORKSHOPS! TO REGISTER, CALL 301-933-2912 OR DROP BY THE SHOP
NOVEMBER WORKSHOPS — To register, call 301-933-2912 or drop by Gala
Making Light Catcher Christmas Ornaments with Hillary Blackton, Sunday, November 20, 9:30 am to 11:30 am
Have a blast making mini-light catchers for the holidays with Gala artist Hillary Blackton.
Using mirrors, wire, and beads, you’ll make eye-catching, light-catching ornaments that move and add sparkle to the season. Great as ornaments for your Christmas tree!
No experience required. All materials included with the fee ($45.00). 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!
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! ♥
Celebrate Your Creativity with Workshops at Gala!
Call 301-933-2912, or drop by the shop to sign up.
JANUARY 2016
Tweens and Teens Workshop! Wire Wrapped Rings with Linda Blackbourn
Sunday, January 3, 10 am to Noon
Your kids will love to learn the fun craft of making wire wrapped rings with Gala’s Linda Blackbourn. A perfect after-holiday activity for tweens and teens!
Materials and tools provided to make as many rings as you can!
Ages 10 and up. No experience required.
Fee: $35 — Bring a friend and pay $30 each!
Introduction to Beaded Jewelry with Ruth Beer Bletzinger
Sunday, January 10, 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.
No experience required. All materials included with the fee ($50.00). Tools provided for use during the class.
Intro to Wire Wrapped Jewelry with Ruth Beer Bletzinger
Sunday, February 7, 9 am to Noon
Open a world of possibilities with just a few essential 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.
Locker Hooking with Anne Stone
Sunday, February 21, 9 am to Noon
Learn the old 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 (2 needles, rug canvas square, string and enough cut fabric to complete one trivet) included with the fee ($60.00). Additional tools provided for use during the class.
Classic Jewelry Knotting with Ruth Beer Bletzinger
Sunday, February 28, 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 ($50.00). Tools provided for use during the class.
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Prior Classes — See what Gala has offered before — call us if you want to see something again!!
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
Intro to Wire Wrapping with Ruth Beer Bletzinger
Sunday, November 15, 9 am to Noon
Open a world of possibilities with just a few essential wire wrapping techniques! Gala’s Ruth Beer Bletzinger will be your guide.
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. Tools provided for use during the workshop.
Class length: 3 hours
Fee: $50.00
Ask for Item #: 210-147
Ruth Bletzinger, Intro to Wire Wrapping
Light Catcher Ornaments with Hillary Blackton
Friday, November 20, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Have a blast making mini-light catchers for the holidays with Gala artist Hillary Blackton. Using mirrors, wire, and beads, you’ll make eye-catching, light-catching ornaments that move and add sparkle to the season. Great as ornaments for your Christmas tree!
No experience required. All materials included with the fee. Tools provided for use during the workshop.
Class length: 2 hours
Fee: $45.00
Ask for Item #: 63-176
Hillary Blackton, Light Catchers
Previous Workshops:
Knotted Cord Bracelet Using a Lucet with Carol-Lynn Swol
Friday, October 9, 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm
What’s a “lucet?” A wonderfully simple tool that’s easy to use for making beautiful knotted jewelry with cord and bead embellishments. During this workshop, you’ll learn how to use a lucet and complete a lucet knotted cord bracelet. Gala’s Carol-lynn Swol, jewelry artist, metalsmith, and educator, will instruct you.
No experience is necessary and a variety of cord thickness and color, as well as beads, are included with the workshop fee. Tools will also be available for use during the workshop.
Class length: 3 hours
Fee: $30.00
Classic Pearl Knotting with Ruth Beer BletzingerSunday, October 11, 9 am to NoonLearn 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. Tools provided for use during the class. Class length: 3 hoursFee: $50.00
Designing Fundamentals with Martina Sestakova, Friday, April 21 — 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Spring is here! And flowers are blooming.
During this workshop, you will learn about the beauty of florals and how they have inspired wonderful design throughout history. 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. You will learn how to create variations of your own flower drawings and incorporate them in paper note cards you can share with your loved ones.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll have made 2-3 note cards with your own unique floral designs.
Adults and children (ages 10+). No experience necessary. All materials included with the fee ($50.00). Tools provided for use during the workshop.
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.
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!
October 5, Locker Hooking!
On Sunday October 5, from 9am -12pm, learn the English craft of locker hooking! You will make (but may not finish) a trivet and in the process learn the steps necessary to create larger items including rugs.
This class is taught by Anne Stone who has been teaching the craft for 8 years to quilt guilds, at G Street Fabric and for other small groups. These trivets are some of the most popular items at Gala! Learn how to make them yourself, and find something to do with all that extra fabric in your house! Anne will not only teach the craft, but will teach you how to prepare the materials for future projects of any size. Anne currently sells her rugs and trivets in 5 stores from MD to NC including GALA and the North Carolina Museum of Art.
$60 includes all materials and tools. Please call or stop by the store to reserve your space. 301-933-2912
October 17, Wire Wrapped Rings!
Want to learn a fun new craft?! Learn how to make wire wrapped rings with Linda Blackbourn.
Friday October 17, 6:30-8:00. Ages 12 and up. All materials and tools provided — $35. Call to secure your spot: 301-933-2912
Wire wrapped rings
