The jewels in the crown

It’s back — a place to buy a variety of handmade gifts for the holidays while supporting the arts in Burbank.

The Creative Arts Center Holiday Boutique, organized by the Burbank Fine Arts Federation, opens Friday in the center’s gallery.

“The money we make is used to buy equipment that may be needed in the arts studios, mainly pottery,” said Barbara Rog, recreation program specialist.

In addition to its gallery space, the center offers art classes from beginning to advanced levels in pottery, drawing, sketching and painting, including oil, acrylics and watercolor, Rog said.

The boutique will sell the work of students, instructors and members of the federation — who are professional and amateur artists and members of the community who support the arts, she said. Prices are very affordable, she added.

The show gives artists the experience of selling their work, so it’s a good confidence builder for students just starting out, Rog said.

“And it’s a good opportunity to show off the art center because it’s such a fantastic facility,” she said. “We get new people coming in and introducing the community to our center is a good thing.”

There are 65 artists and craft people showing about 1,000 items in the boutique, Rog said. And as items are sold, artists will replenish the displays.

Burbank resident Paulette Roussel is showing her originally designed necklaces and bracelets made of glass pearls and Swarovski crystals, she said.

She teaches jewelry making to students ages 8 to 10 and from 12 to 16 and drawing for children and adults at the Creative Arts Center. She will start teaching an adult beginning jewelry making class in January.

“I’ve always had a natural talent for drawing and painting,” she said.

“I won first place for the whole county in Bakersfield when I was in third grade.”

Also showing her work is Cindy Jarasunas, of Burbank, who takes ceramics and silver jewelry making classes at the arts center.

“I do ceramics — little figures like dogs and hand-built items that are not thrown on the wheel,” she said.

“The center is for all ages. I brought my kids when they were little. Now that the kids are older, I have time to takes classes for myself.”