October 2004

Wedding bells have been ringing in the general direction of New Orleans, and that is why Felice and I have been traveling so much the past two months. Our last excursion was to the Big Easy for a few parties for our sister Kathleen and her fiance Ben. A Friday night cocktail party was the perfect venue for our family and friends to get acquainted with Ben's family and friends. The fun and light mood of the party is summed up in the party favors seen in the picture above (note the red waxy lips).

Following the Friday night festivities was a wine and cheese party at our cousin Anne's house. The idea behind this party was to slowly start introducing Ben to our mom's side of the family. With eight brothers and sisters, my mom has only known a large family, yet Ben is in unfamiliar territory.

Not only is it a large family, but everyone has a wonderfully large personality. Ben and his parents are just as gregarious and fit into the mix well. We had such a good time that the 1pm party lasted about six hours!

We had planned to celebrate my boyfriend Chris' birthday afterwards, but a dinner out was about all we could stay awake for. Having back-to-back birthdays, we ended up celebrating his birthday the next day when we were celebrating mine. I hadn't spent a birthday at home in quite a few years. Having everyone I love most in one room was wonderful.

It was a nice low key day to end our trip on. We promise we are staying in town most weekends until Christmas. Other than the wedding in November we will be here busy with Christmas orders!

Please call us with your holiday orders as soon as possible. We look forward to hearing from you!

Danielle

When we returned to Charleston we were so pleased to receive the proof of an ad that Rio Grande is doing regarding Felice Designs winning second place in the bead category of the Saul Bell Design Award. Below is a picture of the ad. The words are too small to read, so I have copied them below:

"Somewhere around the fifth grade, a love of dress-up
became a love of jewelry. I saved all year to visit this on
little shop in the French Quarter to buy a thirty-dollar pin
or bracelet. By the time I was in high school, I was buying
hundred-dollar pieces.
I love old pieces; you don’t see anyone wearing the same jewelry
you’re wearing when you wear an antique piece. My mom used
to ask why anyone would want the same things everyone else had.
Because of her, I learned to take what I had and make it my own.
One year, I took a bag of seed beans and strung them on pieces
of garden wire I rooted out of the garage. I wrapped the pieces
around a crayon and made these big springy earrings.
I’ve been making jewelry—and making my own
beads—ever since. An overwhelming sensation
just takes over and I have to reach for my torch."

“Caviar” Necklace
Second Place Winner—Beads
2004 Saul Bell Design Award
Felice Killian
scuba diver, glass blower, artist
www.felicedesigns.com
Charleston, South Carolina