Factory-direct: Next Dimensions Studios, which sells fine art and accessories to the furniture industry (Ballard Designs, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, Horchow) opens its showroom to the public 9 a.m.-5 p.m. today and next Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday and Dec. 2. 2552 American Court, Erlanger. From I-75, take exit 186 (Buttermilk Pike) and go west. Turn left on Anderson Road for 1/2 mile. Turn right on Enterprise Drive to American Court. (859) 727-9701.

        Authors appear: Linda Mardis Smith, artist/author of Historical Sketches of Northern Kentucky with a Touch of Ohio, visits the Kentucky Haus Craft Gallery, 421 Monmouth St., Newport, noon-3 p.m. today. Sharon Claypool, publisher of What's Cooking in Kentucky and What's Cooking for the Holidays will appear at the shop noon-3 p.m. next Saturday with Jim Claypool, author of The Tradition Continues, The Story of Old Latonia and Turfway Racehorses. Information: (859) 261-4287.

        Open house, demo: Woodlands at Mount Lookout Square holds a holiday open house 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. today and Sunday with refreshments and gift-wrap demonstrations. The store is at 1004 Delta Ave. Information: 533-4153.

        Furniture sale at La Salle: The high school cafeteria becomes a furniture mart for the annual Warehouse Overstock Sale, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. today. Items from designer catalogs will be sold at 50 percent to 75 percent savings to benefit the school's swim team. Solid mahogany home and office accessories, tables, lamps, mirrors, magazine racks and teak, mahogany and rattan furniture will be in the sale. 3091 North Bend Road, Monfort Heights. Information: 741-2687.

        Ornament artist: Keith Stefan, an award-winning Polonaise glass holiday ornament creator and master designer, will meet collectors 4-8 p.m. Thursday, in the Trim-a-Tree Department in Dillard's at Kenwood Towne Centre. He will be signing pieces, including the Polonaise Blizzard Snowman. Information: 745-4107.

        Dinsmore Christmas: The historic Dinsmore Homestead in Burlington will have music, entertainment, craft-making and a candlelight tour 1-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. next Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Dec. 2. The house has been decorated by the Boone County Garden Club. The Forget-Me-Not Historical Dance Company will perform 19th-century dances in full costume. The Dinsmore is 6 1/2 miles west of Burlington on Ky. 18. $5, $3 seniors and children 7-17. Information (859) 586-6117.

        Potter open house: Potters Karen and Mike Baum will have an open house with refreshments, demonstrations, entertainment and a raffle 11 a.m.-5 p.m. next Saturday and Dec. 2 at their studio, 5005 Ohio 350 in Lebanon. Information (513) 932-5594.

        Frontier Christmas: The shops of Old Washington, near Maysville, will have a “Frontier Christmas” walk 10 a.m.-7 p.m. next Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 2. The museums, homes and shops will be decked out in pioneer-style greenery with candle-lit windows and holly mantels. There will be carolers, muzzle-loaders, and demonstrations of candle-dipping, quilting and other crafts. A vesper service will be 4:30 p.m. Dec. 2 in the Old Church Museum. Old Washington is about 50 miles from Cincinnati, just off the AA Highway on U.S. 68. Information (606) 759-7411; www.washingtonky.com.

        Great Indoors classes: Learn the basics of tiling and create a tile mosaic to decorate a wood serving tray 10 a.m.-noon next Saturday at the Great Indoors. Fee: $35. A workshop 6:45-8:45 p.m. Dec. 4 will focus on silk floral design. Participants will create an arrangement for the holidays. Fee: $30. The store is at 11925 Commons Drive, Springdale, next to Dave & Buster's. Information: 346-1506.

        Centerpiece class: Learn to create a holiday centerpiece using winter greens 11 a.m. next Saturday at the Mariemont Garden Center, 7510 Wooster Pike. Price will depend on materials. Information: 561-4769.

        Heritage Restaurant classes: The restaurant at 7664 Wooster Pike, Plainville, has scheduled several holiday classes next Saturday: gifts for teachers and friends, 10 a.m-noon, $19.95; Christmas topiary, 12:30-2 p.m., $32.50; indoor-outdoor wreath, 1-2:30 p.m. $42.50, and table-top tree, 1-2:30 p.m. $25. Another class. home-made oils, vinegars and soaps, will be 6-8 p.m. Dec. 4, $25; Information: 561-9300.

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