Studio Information: I teach my local classes in my home/studio in Sparks, Maryland, part of the Baltimore metropolitan area. My home/studio is open to participating students from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. I provide each student with a work station of a table and a chair. I will send a suggested supply list about four to six weeks before the class begins. I do have two small short-haired cats, and I provide a continental breakfast each morning, so if you have concerns regarding animal or food allergies, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Location/Amenities: My studio in Sparks is located five minutes north of Hunt Valley, which is a thriving business/industrial park and shopping area. It is a 30- to 40-minute drive from downtown Baltimore, depending on traffic.

Recommended Airport: Baltimore-Washington International is the closest airport -- 33 miles away and about a 45-minute drive. There is a MTA Light Rail train that you can take from BWI to Hunt Valley; since you must transfer at Baltimore's train station (Penn Station), you should allow 1 hour and 30 minutes for transit time. The Light Rail very inexpensive, only a few dollars per trip. The shuttle services from Hunt Valley hotels will come pick you up at the light rail stop.

Other Airports:

• Harrisburg International Airport (70 miles, about 1 hour and 15 minutes)
• Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. (60 miles, with D.C. traffic the drive will usually take at least 1 hour and 30 minutes)
• Philadelphia International Airport (100 miles, about 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours)
• Dulles International Airport, outside of Washington, D.C. (80 miles away, with D.C. traffic the drive will take at least 2 hours)

Dining: In Hunt Valley and the surrounding areas, there are a variety of dining options. There are delis, restaurants, fast food chains, and a grocery stores with excellent prepared take out, including a Wegman's. Baltimore offers an even greater selection of restaurants specializing in an array of cuisines.

Hotels: Since I have never stayed in any of these hotels, I can't give any personal recommendations, but students in the past have been satisfied and comfortable in all that I have listed here. There are several more hotels/motels in the nearby communities.