Happy Holidays! Can you believe we're saying that already! It's just crazy. And here in So Cal, it feels like summer just ended! I hope you all had a very nice Thanksgiving. Now it's time for the real fun to begin!

So let's start with details about the December Holiday meeting at Pacific Art Glass on December 13th. A CHANGE HAS BEEN MADE to our guest artist. Larry Brickman will not be able to attend our meeting so we are now very excited to be bringing in Hayley Tsang of enVision Glass. Hayley will discuss and demo beads made with Double Helix silver glass. Hayley is a tester for DH and knows the silver glass very well She also teaches silver glass classes. She will be sharing a few tips and tricks with us. Hayley and her sister, Helen, make up enVision and they are also the authors of a Silver Color How-to Tutorial available now on Etsy:

www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16541741&ref=em

Hayley will have a few copies available for purchase at the meeting.
Check out more about enVision here: http://envisionsf.com

The board has been working hard on putting together another successful holiday meeting...but we need your help, ATTEND THE MEETING! I know the holidays are here and we are all busy...not to mention the economy issues...but let's just forget all that and get together for a few hours to visit with friends and talk about our favorite subject, GLASS!

Our bead exchange theme is vessels. If you would like to participate, please bring a wrapped vessel along with your business card or info. If vessels are not your "thing", well then what better opportunity to sit down and try one..or two. That is the best part of exchanges, they may be challenging, or maybe it's your time to shine!

We will also have our 2nd annual collection of beads for Beads Of Courage (BOC). Purple hearts are always needed, but any beads will are welcome. Those of you who bring a BOC donation will receive 1 free raffle ticket....and speaking the raffle, this is the biggest raffle of the year...so bring those extra $$ too! For more info on Beads Of Courage www.beadsofcourage.net
A portion of our raffle proceeds will also be donated to BOC.

The food theme is "Savory Snacks". There will be a few hot dishes and Bindy will be making a large cake. So snack, appetizer type of foods would be great. Or maybe some apple cider? a thermos of hot chocolate? What ever your festive little heart desires!

Hey, when was the last time you visited the So Cal Flame Surfers website? Do you know about our new forum? www.socalflamesurfers.org/forum
This is the perfect place to ask questions, like "Would anyone like to drive with me to the next SCFS meeting?" or maybe you have a glass related item you want to sell or possibly swap? Maybe you would like to show a bead you made recently in the monthly S&T. Or maybe, you want to find a torch buddy at one of the local studios? Check it out! Sign up and post away! It's there for YOU!

I will write more info regarding upcoming events for 2009 next month. I'm sure we all have enough on our plates at the moment. And speaking of, remember, moderation!

I hope to see many of you at the December meeting. Please check out www.socalflamesurfers.org for more meeting info. We will be updating the calendar for 2009 very soon.

Have an absolutely glorious holiday season and the very best wishes for a happy, healthy and hopefully, properous 2009!

Cheers~
Judy Carlson
So Cal Flame Surfers
www.socalflamesurfers.org

Via Murano® , one of our sponsors, is having a December Gift Card special! During the month of December, you will receive a $10 Via Murano® Gift Card if you purchase $50 or more in our online store or a $35 Via Murano® Gift Card if you purchase $150 or more in our online store. This offer is valid though December 31, 2008.

www.viamurano.com/store/pc/viewcontent.asp?idpage=18