Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Mad Hat Required & a Folly to Share...


The 3rd annual Mad Hatter Masquerade Ball was joyously celebrated recently at FOLLY and to be sure, Wonderland was implied!

What you may be asking yourself is FOLLY? Well, it is my friend Ashley Carter's (Grand Dame of Goldbug Studio of course) fabulous new retail store located in Raleigh, North Carolina. Now open to the public and if you are anywhere nearby you will certainly want to drop in for a visit! But I warn you... prepare to be delighted!

A hat and mask were required to enter and prizes were awarded party goers for the very best costume! I am proud to announce that several of my 18th Century style mini paper masks were on hand to attend the festivities! While sadly I was not.

Oh, and I hear Team Goldbug celebrates like nobodies business!

I was however able to join in on the activities via Anna Paschal's gorgeous photography and though Ashley's bedazzling play by play descriptions! Why I think I can even hear the sweet sounds of TONK playing outside in the courtyard! Graham, Ashley's husband is the front man and lead singer!

The fancy headdress worn above is a piece by the wonderful paper architect Denise Sharp, how cute it that?!

Besides lots of amazing Goldbug Studio designs Ashley has many other artists items on hand like hats from Glory B, dozens of jewelry collections by Metal Monk, Jill Schwartz, Sorrelli, David Aubrey and many more!

There are hand carved Santos by Eric Cortina, original pop art paintings from Allison Gutchell and custom Fairy & Wonderland inspired bottles by At-Choo as well as antiques and oddities!

Did I mention delectable treats were served too?!

Sweet T Cakery created divine confections, go ahead, take one if you please... thank you very much and MUNCH!

As Ashley tells it she even had some magic punch, a Southern concoction of sweet tea, vodka and lemonade served up

by none other than the ever so glad Mad Hatter himself! Thank you Ashley for sharing your slice of Wonderland with us!