Studio – Joy Studio

Studio Update

Posted on January 19, 2018January 31, 2018 by joystudio in Quilting & Fabric, Studio

new year

a new work space!

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At last

JOY STUDIO

is complete!!

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1 year ago,

we were

insulated, waiting for drywall and

Still Seeking Light.

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Time capsule.

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Well, we found it.

Windows on every wall, eight skylights and two sets of French doors with connecting elliptical above each one.

At most times of the day, the room is flooded with a generous amount of natural light.

And I love it!!!

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Builders on the project couldn’t understand the need for so many windows and I was questioned from every tradesman.

I stuck to my (never enough light) priority and it turned out to be the right decision, no question.

So, beginning 2018

Joy Studio

is completely finished, furnished and finally, ready for (hiding out) creative action.

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Mini photo tour

As you enter:

The large Staircase Reclaim workbench:

Drawing/painting station one:

Drawing/painting station two:

Sewing station and supplies:

Large desk:

Everything maker, supply cabinet:

Coffee station:

Sitting, thinking, dreaming area:

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It was a long, extremely tough journey but worth the effort.

Every time I enter the new studio space, I feel like a kid.

Curious,

and still hard to believe.

Thanks for visiting.

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Save

Still Seeking

Posted on January 2, 2017January 8, 2017 by joystudio in Projects, Studio

Happy New Year!

Still seeking light. And still hopeful,

in more ways than just a bright, well lit work space of course.

However,

I decided to share the Joy Studio portion and progress on our big project, to start out the blog year.

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If you’ve been following us in the past two years you may remember that as we outgrew our work space it was necessary to rent additional office and Etsy shop storage areas. This was working out nicely until our shop managers MOVED! So, everything came back to the home studio causing quite the challenge in 2016.

Here’s the timeline in a photo nutshell.

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With the former home studio now full of fabric, office and Etsy shop we (I) decided to build on our home site. A scary project but a long time dream that I never thought would be realized. Still waiting but it’s looking like in 2017, it may really happen!

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We were told the wait for windows would be five weeks! Then they came, in a big storm. Windows were wrong. It was then we discovered that two of the four walls were also, wrong. So, they came down and we waited for windows. And waited. And waited. It would be another five weeks. Second try, they were wrong again. Windows held up the studio project until December.

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We kept going luckily, wrapping walls, running wires and having HVAC installed.

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We couldn’t leave out a fireplace of course. Built by family and friends. Nice!

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As the new Joy Studio sits now, we are fully insulated and with the correct windows.

I am starting the new year working in the designated drawing station in the dinning room at my dad’s drawing table. I’m feeling snug and . . . GRATEFUL.

joystudiomover — Dad’s Table & Palette Tin

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Looking forward to 2017 and I hope you feel the same.

I almost forgot! We are having a FABRIC special!!

Use Code: january2017 for 25% off at,

Great Joy Studio Etsy Shop

Through January.

Save

To Err

Posted on February 11, 2016February 11, 2016 by joystudio in Studio

‘To err is human; to forgive, divine.’

An Essay on Criticism, Part II , 1711 – Alexander Pope

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Please F O R G I V E me participants!

Intense focus on a new collection caused me to

F O R G E T

the Where Women Create Studio Giveaway drawing!

Deadlines are not my strength however, this is the F I R S T one I ever missed on the blog. 😦

So sorry.

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Seventy one of you wrote to us about your work spaces and it has been a delightful read. It seams we makers have such strong personal attachments to our work spaces, wherever they may be, that we are naturally interested in each others. And I am no different. I loved reading each one of your comments on one of my, favorite subjects, the studio!

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S

to the 3 winners! Picked at random:

Pamela Huntington
Barbara Struve
Carol Kussart

Please email us with your ship to info at janet@greatjoystudio.com to receive your prize!

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I sincerely appreciate all of you for sharing your creative retreats with us.

THANK YOU!

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Stay tuned, for the Handmaids® Challenge Giveaway 2016 announcement next month.

Btw~

Sometimes, especially during this freezing, snowy week in February, I actually like to work from my bed under a vintage quilt, as in this sneak peek on the lap top below!

😉

Resetting

Posted on January 13, 2016January 16, 2016 by joystudio in Studio

Trying to reset!

JoyStudioReset2016

Holidays, hospital & high water presented some creative challenges at our, year’s end.

Hopeful however,

for reaching new heights in 2016.

Time to stand firm . . .

get ready for taxes!

By the way,

don’t forget to leave a comment & tell us about your creative space on our

Where Women Create Blog Giveaway

on the post link below:

Joy Studio

we are still on news stands until the end of this month,

in the

Where Women Create, Winter Issue.

New Year Approaching

Posted on December 26, 2015December 27, 2015 by joystudio in 1, Personal Touch, Studio

On the cusp of another new year.

2016

What’s ahead, what’s next, what’s this ole world coming to?

Anticipation, reflection and a time for start overs.

I’ve been receiving many FB ‘memories’ notices in my news feed over the past month. A few I’ve shared and some. . . I just take a peek at in amazement. Mine went back at least five years. Interesting, remarkable, some sad, etc. A whole variety of emotions are stirred up.

Likewise, here on the Joy Studio blog I can look into the archives to see what was happening a year ago, five years ago on any given month. Often either goals were being set, challenges met and times of grief, to overcome.

I didn’t realize when I started this blog, that it would serve as sort of a journal exercise for me, with an easy accessible record of the fun, the successes and the disappointments of this artful and life journey.

Where Women Create - Winter Issue 2015/16 — Where Women Create – Winter Issue 2015/16

Although I have not always held up so great, I’ve been very lucky (so to speak)/blessed and watched over. I know, that God has brought me through it all. I haven’t always seen or felt it and still have my struggles. However, looking back over the last four (tough) years, through my family, my friends (close that I’ve known for dozens of years & many of you I’ve never met) and my creative work, the love (His) and watch care is clear.

And I’m grateful.

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So, whatever God has planned for this new year, I’m going to keep trying,

to be ready,

be seeking,

be better.

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Thank you once again, for supporting my efforts with your heartfelt comments and interaction both here on this blog and on our Facebook pages and Instagram. It has been very encouraging.

I sincerely appreciate you! And I look forward to more creative fun and work ahead as we share our gifts.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Joy Studio on FB

Handmaids® on FB

Tidings of Great Joy on FB

Joy Studio

Posted on November 1, 2015November 2, 2015 by joystudio in Home Arts, Studio

On news stands,

T O D A Y !

Winter Issue of

Where Women Create

where our

JOY STUDIO

is honored, to be among the featured artists.

Page 38!

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We have three copies to S H A R E!

Studio Cabinet Update

Posted on October 12, 2015October 14, 2015 by joystudio in Studio

In our May, what we’ve been up to share,

we included a chalk paint treatment to some studio storage.

I recommend for any large painting projects.

No stripping or sanding, just start painting.

For our application, we used Annie Sloan purchased at Nettie Suze.

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Here is the pretty cabinet reveal.

One set houses pastels, glues & framing equipment.

On top,

some acquired vintage (my dad’s)

tools of the trade.

Sculpting, palette knives and photo developing pan

& anything for small constructive projects.

Also…

Some familiar faces.

The watercolor is from the Hairraising Halloween collection.

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The old windows were salvaged from my hub’s childhood home,

on 240 Main St.,

now underneath a mini mall.

Vintage clothespins secure the

Scripture index cards, hand written (other side) by our Syd,

especially for me, to encourage during a dark time.

The other cabinets have all printed and promotional matter.

All of the doors still need their knobs

and a clear wax coat.

On the counter tops…

My mom’s French female book end and one of my dad’s sketches.

Several porcelain pin cushion tops, saved for a future Handmaids® challenge.

All gathered around my aunt’s miniature cafe furniture.

An antique re-print

available soon on our

Joy Studio Vintage shop.

A vintage paper cutter conveniently holds our product labels and twine.

This was the fun part of the home studio project.

Finding a place for everything,

cleaned up, freshly painted and everything in it’s a place.

Then surrounding myself with treasured sentimental items

creating an inspirational work space

offering both comfort and joy.

It was high time!

Ahhhhh,

At last, organization is at hand!

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Please stay tuned for

a full Joy Studio(s) reveal and news!

Staircase Reclaim

Posted on October 3, 2015October 3, 2015 by joystudio in Projects, Studio

Another one of my bright ideas!

Again, as part of the studio shape up this summer,

we reclaimed some lumber from our home remodel that was being stored under the porch.

The former studio staircase rough is now a heavy duty work bench.

A well needed station suited for those too messy to work on inside projects was my thought.

The designer in me couldn’t resist using the stringers as a decorative apron . . .

. . with the risers as decking on top.

A couple of the treads are on each end.

A little transparent stain with a little color & voila!

Seasonally, it will serve as a potting bench. I love the results

the new work surface!

Many thanks to my hubs!

Often, I am the one who comes up with the vision,

and always the one who hangs on to scrap lumber but,

not the one who can execute!

Vintage

Posted on September 14, 2015September 27, 2015 by joystudio in 1, Collectables, Studio

I should title this post, “. . . Another man’s (woman’s) treasure?”

If you have been following our art journey then you know that over the past year we have been . . .

Cleaning up,

expanding,

and setting up SHOP! Our latest,

JOY STUDIO VINTAGE on Etsy.

All summer (and a bit longer) we have been diligently sorting, cataloging, and prying out of my tight grip, the many collectibles in the studio. Some are very difficult to part with however, it’s time. I suppose many artists are also collectors and I cannot deny, that I am a passionate one. I acquired my first antique furniture piece at age 16, my grandmother’s dresser and have admired vintage items and antiques ever since. Not sure why, perhaps it is the detail of the workmanship? Or maybe the history of a piece that I find intriguing.

H o w e v . .

. . . my great weakness of all time, is vintage (& antique) illustration!

Yes, OLD paper. Not sure why but I get lost in an illustrated image, sigh.

I have always been fascinated by illustrations, especially pre-1960s, ever since pouring over my dad’s childhood books as a kid.

Yes, I would say fascinated!

verb (used with object), fascinated, fascinating.

to attract and hold attentively by a unique power, personal charm, unusual nature, or some other special quality; enthrall:

I am certain, that being exposed to these interesting and sometimes charming images has inspired, shaped and contributed to my illustrative endeavors.

Anyway . . .

My collections have now become somewhat vast, I hate to admit.

Much of the ephemera I have collected was solely for inspiration and reference so, truly it has served it’s purpose,

although I still adore and never tire of viewing it.

So.

I am opening the file drawers and am in the beginning stages, of offering some of my favorite pieces to be shared with other collector’s and admirers who share my passion. We have a long way to go so there is sure to be (LOTS) more in the coming months so please check back often. To date, we have a variety of vintage post cards and antique trade cards in the old paper category. Still listing and haven’t even started on the children’s books yet! Those will be tough.

So, I invite interested parties to take a look at

Our Shop.

There are also vintage art supplies, paperdolls, pincushions and prints.

As well as sewing related trade cards!

Surprisingly, many of these treasures are selling as soon as we list, and before we could get anywhere close to completing this daunting process. For instance, we started with approx. twenty rocking chair sewing caddies which were intended for a She Who Sews (Rocks) challenge. Before we could organize it, the cute rockers began to disappear. Four are left.

We thought it might be a good time to share with our like minded/kindred spirits.

If you can find something you like, please enjoy.