Marmalade Skies

Marmalade Skies

Written by Darcie Duttweiler Friday, 23 May 2008

Tangerine dreams, marmalade skies, a girl with kaleidoscope eyes and cellophane flowers of yellow and green. The Beatles’ imagery in their song, “Lucy in the sky with diamonds,” suggests a wondrous place with big splashes of colors, which is exactly what Debbie Tawse had in mind when she envisioned her arts and crafts store, aptly named Marmalade Skies.

The New York native studied advertising at the University of Texas and learned that it wasn’t quite for her, and instead began event planning until she became a full-time mom. When she was home with her kids, she started watching do-it-yourself shows on the HG network and decided to try her hand at mosaic. “I watched the show, learned how to do it, and mosaicked my fireplace all in the same day,” Tawse said. “I’m never afraid to try new things, and I was determined to mosaic the most inconspicuous item in my home.”

After learning mosaic and other crafting techniques, Tawse began teaching adults and children out of her home until she needed more space.

Opened in the Anderson Mill shopping center more than a year ago—Tawse joked that they just celebrated their paper anniversary—Marmalade Skies is an arts and crafts shop aimed for both kids and adults. Geared mainly for classes and parties, walk-ins are also strongly encouraged, with staff on hand to guide customers in the right direction. “There are always staff here to get you started,” Tawse said. “With a little bit of guidance, you can make amazing things.”

While Tawse recommends trying mosaic because it “always looks good,” Marmalade Skies offers many other techniques and products like paper quilling, crochet, and jewelry resin, among others. With a whole wall of mosaic bases, such as wooden pigs and cats, as well as glass, tiles, and marbles to utilize, Tawse also lets customers use a tray of her “treasures,” buttons, beads, earrings and other assorted found objects.

In addition to helping customers who are just setting foot in the cheery shop, Marmalade Skies holds classes on decoupage, cartooning, and has even reached the difficult demographic of elementary-aged boys by teaching them how to build birdhouses using jigsaws.

During the summer, Tawse opens her shop late a couple nights a week to accommodate event schedules, such as ladies’ nights or kids’ birthday parties. “Kids can choose their activities, and then come make a mess at our house,” Tawse said. “Parents just need to bring the cake.”

Marmalade Skies is also philanthropic. Store volunteer Theresa Morgan leads a Greeting Card Factory program for middle school girls to learn different paper methods and create cards to donate to Hospice Austin. The store has also donated and helped decorate a birdbath and a mermaid-inspired bench for the Spicewood Library.

Along with helping the community, Tawse said Marmalade Skies soothes the soul. “Crafting is therapeutic,” she said. “You’re creating something from nothing.”

Register now for summer classes!

• Magical Mystery Tour
  • (kids grades K-5)
  • Campers head to a new destination each week and learn about different cultures through creative techniques.
• All You Need Is Art
  • (kids grade 6+)
  • Each week of camp focuses on specific arts and crafts media.

Marmalade Skies, 13450 Research Blvd. #229, 695-1694