Shannon Rosenthal, Lauren Simpson keep it all in the family with artistic pursuits
MADISON – Like mother, like daughter. Shannon Rosenthal, mother, and Lauren Simpson, daughter, both have aptitudes for creativity and will share their unique talents at upcoming workshops in downtown Madison.
Simpson will explain the steps to fashion a figure in clay with her “Fall Clay Gnome Workshop” on Sept. 8. Simpson’s mother will conduct the “Fall Candle-Making Workshop” on Sept. 14.
Blue Apple Books at 14 Main St., Suite B and C, in Madison will host both workshops.
“Lauren Simpson’s clay work encompasses jewelry, dishes, figurines, ornaments and other items,” Blue Apple owner Robin Dauma said. “Shannon Rosenthal does beautiful resin pieces.”
Dauma and Rosenthal collaborated for the idea to combine Rosenthal’s resin work and candle-making for store-exclusive candles to sell for special occasions. “Our next candle will be revealed on Nov. 2 at our ‘Tidings of Comfort and Books’ event,” Dauma said.
Both Simpson and Rosenthal will have a booth in the Crafters Cove area of Madison Street Festival on Oct. 4. Their workshops at Blue Apple Books will give a preview to “all the amazing local art to come soon to downtown Madison” for the festival, Dauma said.
Simpson’s workshop on Sept. 8 will run from 6 to 8 p.m. A ticket costs $48. To buy tickets, visit shopsouthandpine. com, and click the “Events” menu.
Simpson will lead attendees in creating their own autumn-themed gnome with polymer clay. “We’ll celebrate the season by creating an adorable gnome figurine, all while enjoying your favorite things that make a Blue Apple workshop event so fun,” Simpson said.
Attendees will enjoy a charcuterie board for snacks, complementary custom cocktails and private shopping with 10 percent off an entire purchase (including books
from Blue Apple). “Grab your friends and join us, or come and make some new friends!” Simpson said.
Simpson will complete some work in advance; participants can enjoy assembling and adding details to the gnome.
Space is limited. Friends can pay for adjacent spots together. “Feel free to arrive as early as 5:30 p.m. to shop/snack before the workshop starts,” Simpson said.
The next event is the “Fall Candle-Making Workshop” with Rosenthal on Sept. 14 from 3 to 5 p.m. A ticket costs $50.
“Let’s get cozy and make some candles in seasonal scents. Our amazing chandlers (craftsperson who works with wax candles and usually soap) will teach the ‘ins & outs’ of candle-making, guide through fragrance exploration and help to make one custom candle in a signature mason jar,” Rosenthal said.
Custom labelling is included. “Candles set overnight with us and will be ready to pick up any time after 10 a.m. on Tuesday,” Rosenthal said.
Workshop participants can enjoy signature cocktails, charcuterie and 15 percent off any in-store purchase.
For more information, call 256-479-4681, email owner@shopsouthandpine. com or visit shopsouthandpine. com.
