Del Ray Business Association Presents Del Ray Studio Tour

The Del Ray Business Association will present “The Del Ray Studio Tour” Saturday featuring three of Del Ray’s finest home-based entrepreneurs and artisans who live and work in Del Ray.

The businesses — Darling Betty Vintage Boutique, Moonlight Bindery, and Truly-Life Eco Gifts — will open their studios to the public from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.

Bon Vivant Café + Farm Market, Emma’s Espresso and Wine Bar, Senzu Juicery and Stomping Ground are at the forefront of Del Ray’s artisanal movement and will provide small plates and beverages at each studio where participants can sample locally sourced savories and sweets.

Two three-hour sessions are offered:

Session One: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Session Two: 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Advance tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased online at Eventbrite. (Total number of tickets is limited to 24. No tickets will be sold at the door.)

Here’s more about the featured businesses:

• Darling Betty Vintage Boutique designs and manufactures 1950s-reproduction dresses for girls. Proprietress Kelly Starr cuts and sews small production runs in her industrial-equipped studio. “The Del Ray Studio Tour allows a select few into my production facility for the first time,” says Starr. “I’m excited to show what really goes on behind the scenes of apparel manufacturing.”
• Truly-Life Eco Gifts owner Mellenie Runion and partner Andy Loll grow the loofahs, herbs, and flowers used in their eco-friendly skin care products in their Del Ray urban garden. “The highlight of my day is creating a useful product that doesn’t harm the environment,” says Runion. Tour participants will see the process of transforming homegrown plants into eco-friendly soaps and skin care products.
• Katie Wagner, founder and owner of Moonlight Bindery is known for applying atypical materials to the age-old art of bookbinding. She can “make a book out of ANYTHING,” including LEGO baseplates.

The Del Ray Studio Tour will begin at Bon Vivant Café + Farm Market, 2016 Mt. Vernon Ave., where participants will form three small groups per session. Tour guides will include Del Ray business owners, community leaders and citizens. Each studio owner and artist will give a 45-minute presentation including a mix of talks, demonstrations and hands-on experiences for visitors.

Emma’s Espresso and Wine Bar is the last stop on the tour, where participants can relax with complimentary beverages and snacks.

The Del Ray Studio Tour is generously sponsored by the Del Ray Business Association and supported by Del Ray Business Association members and individual citizens.

FLYER ART: Courtesy of DRBA