I had the pleasure of going to two Anthropologie holiday workshops the last few weeks. Each one was a lot of fun. I did not take as many pictures as last year, because, honestly, I am super shy. I did not want anyone to know I was blogging about it. Which in not taking a lot of pictures, pretty much almost made that a sad reality. Sometimes I do not think things through.

The first holiday workshop I attended was in Corona, California. It was a very small crowd. There were just six of us plus the girl teaching the project.

At this workshop, we made pearblossoms that were going to go on a wreath. We took crumbled up butcher paper and rolled it into a rough shape. Then we taped around it with masking tape. We then painted the masking tape and added glitter and a stem to the finished project. I think this is a cool skill to learn because the wadded paper and tape trick would work for a number of projects (including bodies for Christmas critters). The glitter they use is so cool. Much better than regular ol’ glitter. It figures that Anthropologie would have awesome glitter. It very much looks like powdered magic. I want some of my very own.

I vow to get a picture of the finished window this time! I will place it in Keepin’ It Real. I was a dork and wore one of my favorite dresses to the workshop. That is because last year I wore clothes that were not my favorite and they did not do anything messy. This year, I wore an embroidered dress and the project could not have been messier. They kindly let me borrow their apron. Phew!

I only took one picture of the inside of the store. I did not get one of their cool atrium in the middle of the store. Last year I learned this was one of the most expensive Anthropologies to build because of the atrium. Next year, I promise!

I met two lovely ladies there and it has been fun getting to know them on Instagram. And the sweet girl who ran it, gosh I wish I could remember her name, was fantastic. Warm. Welcoming. Encouraging. Everyone loved her.

Here I am with one of the finished projects.

At the end of the session, they gifted each of us girls who participated in the workshop a miniature pumpkin and a 25% off coupon to use on a full price purchase. The generosity of the gift made my head explode. I had done some reviews in the dressing room prior to the workshop and had made a wishlist in my head. Well, all of that went out the window. Suddenly, I could not remember what I had yearned for. I ended up buying two of these Kantha pillows, The Fanned Flora Dress, floral tights, and the llama skirt. I was halfway home when I realized that the thing I actually came to the store to buy… the one item I had really, really wanted… I forgot to get. It was this shirt (in a happy ending, the shirt arrived last week. I bought it with a different code).

A week later I went to the workshop in San Diego. I had also wanted to participate in the one in Carlsbad, but their workshop started incredibly early in the morning and it would have been impossible to get there and get kids to school. I chose getting the kids to school. Where’s my Mother Of The Year Crown?

The San Diego Workshop had two different stations to pick from. One station was very crowded. It involved making the coolest pinecones. The other station was fairly empty. It was just cutting thin cardboard. My introverted self chose cutting cardboard.

Both Anthropologies had pretty little setups with food and drinks for the guests. I forgot to take a picture of the table in Corona. At this Anthropologie they had about four people helping out with the crafts. I met a lovely woman (I do not know if I can use her name here) who also participates in Effortless Anthropologie’s discussions and such. It was so nice to meet her. I would love to make plans to go again next year to chat with her again.

I took some pictures of the pretty store:

This is what I wore that day. My favorite Free People top, The Mix Print Tunic. And my mustard yellow Old Navy Rockstar Pants. I took these pictures in the dressing room, because I squeezed in a couple of reviews that will run later this week.

This Anthropologie gave away the sweetest ornament made of bark and with a burnt “A” for Anthropologie on the wood. Of course, I could take it as my Mother Of The Year Award. They also gifted the 25% off code to participants.

The year before, neither Anthropologie gave participants gifts, so I would not go to a workshop hoping for something. It was a sweet unexpected gesture this year, but next year might be different. I would go for other reasons. I went to learn a new craft. Meet new people. And step outside of my comfort zone. I feel like I did all of those things. Probably not well. I was still too shy. I am still the Amelia Bedilia of crafts. However I did meet new people in spite of those things.

Did you go to one of the workshops this year? What craft did you get to do? Do you plan to attend one next year? They are usually held in the middle to end of October so check the website at the beginning of next October to call and register for a spot.

Last year’s workshop posts can be found here and here.

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