The Gel-Git Gazette (our blog)

February 2015

2/27/2015

Laguna Woods Village

Loving this life, living this dream

Wow, what a month. I scarcely know where to start! When Phil and I first started this adventure called Mayu Silk Art, we knew it was going to be a fun ride in the long run, but a difficult uphill journey at the beginning. We had no idea of the extremes to which both of these truths would take us.

As I sit down to write this, my body is utterly, completely exhausted. I ache in places I didn't know I have. Other than the drive to and from today's event in Huntington Beach, this is the only time I have been off of my feet since breakfast, some 12 hours ago. As I type, I wolf down a microwaved burrito, hoping to finish my blog entry before the food coma hits me, effectively ending what has been a very long, hard day.

And yet, my physical exhaustion belies my emotional elation. I am eager to put my joy into writing, to share the excitement and pride I feel at the end of an amazingly fun and successful month for Mayu Silk Art.

Starting off this stellar month for us, Dark Nights at L.A. Live was anything BUTdark. This awesome event was a neon-bright urban festival of interactive art, dance, music, and gourmet food, curated by the fabulous team of Edgar Varela and Melissa Richardson Banks of CauseConnect (http://causeconnect.net/). To find out about all of the great things going on at L.A. Live, visit http://www.lalive.com/.

Then there was the employee appreciation party where we made 50 scarves in 5 hours with the staff of Film L.A. (http://www.filmla.com/). Oh my gosh, it was fun! Can you imagine your boss giving everyone in the office a free Mayu Silk Art Experience?! How awesome is that!? We were so impressed with this non-profit company that clearly values the employees who work there, and which plays such an important role in protecting the well-being of local communities, providing oversight and advocacy for the filming industry in California, and boosting the economy of Los Angeles.

That same week, Susan Johnston of Deep Dog Yoga - Yorba Linda hosted a unique opportunity for her students, starting with a class of heart-centered yoga and culminating in a fun and uplifting Mayu Silk Art Experience. Oliver and I enjoyed meeting everyone, and we especially appreciated the warm welcome, hugs, and kind words we received. I had an especially stress-charged morning that day, but after our visit to Deep Dog Yoga, I was both reinvigorated and comforted. Susan and her staff have created a healing oasis of peace, bubbling with joy. We are already looking forward to going back to Deep Dog in December. Find out more at http://www.deepdogyoga.com/

But the month wasn't over yet. There were the talks with reps from the Hoag Family Cancer Center, http://www.hoag.org/Specialty/Cancer/Pages/Home.aspx, regarding a possible collaborative effort to bring the Mayu Silk Art Experience to cancer patients and their families and caregivers. There was the networking with other members of the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce (http://www.lagunabeachchamber.org/), and socializing with other artists during the Laguna Beach Art Walk.

On the 24th, we shared the Mayu Silk art Experience with 30 residents of Laguna Woods Village, wonderfully charming people who arrived with looks of curiosity and left with confident smiles, eager to know when the next opportunity will be. We were thrilled to be invited to come back in May, and will be doing 5 sessions for new and returning artists. Visit http://www.lagunawoodsvillage.com/ for more information about this amazing senior community with so much to offer!

The invitations didn't stop there. In addition to a birthday party and a bridal shower, the Mayu Silk Art team has been invited to participate in L.A. Weekly's Artopia, an art immersion experience at the mixed use creative space known as The Container Yard. Join us Thursday, April 30th, from 8pm–11pm for LA Weekly's celebration of the vibrant arts and culture scene in Los Angeles! Art, music, food, mixology and fun await you as you step into a wonderland that will excite all of your senses. Curated by Shana Nys Dambrot, this event is sure to inspire. For tickets and information, go here.

Well, it is quite late now and I'm off to bed. Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts and excitement. My apologies for being so long winded. Frankly, I am amazed that you have made it this far! As a gift to you for taking the time to listen to my ranting about this little business of ours, please accept our offer of a $10 discount on your next purchase of a Make It Yourself scarf from Mayu Silk Art. Just mention that you saw it on our blog.

Good night, and thank you, thank you, thank you.

- Star