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Their post includes a bit of our studio
&
a couple pics of me . . . yikes!
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More info at Riley Blake Designs.
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In Case You Missed
Tag: Art Studio
Studio Update
A
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
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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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A
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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Still Seeking
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.
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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,
Through January.
Where (this) Woman Creates
It’s True!
Where Women Create paid our Joy Studio(s) a visit!
And you can see the feature in the Winter Issue,
on news stands Nov.1, 2015.
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&
In addition it is my pleasure to be doing a signing
with the magazine’s creator and editor in chief,
At
the International Quilt Market in Houston on Saturday.
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Last year at Fall Quilt Market I met the very gracious Jo, at the Sew Scary fabric debut and soon after we began the process. Another dream goal, being realized, hard to believe. The upcoming visit understandably, thrust us into high gear sprucing up and organizing both work spaces as you have seen (here) over the past months. A tall order after only just moving into to the new space last August however, quite rewarding and needed.
Re-creating the inspirational areas was perfect (God’s?) timing!
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So,
I hope you will pick up a copy
&
that you will enjoy reading our story.
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Almost, like a fairy tale ending?
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Or a new chapter.
😉
Studio Cabinet Update
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.
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Vintage clothespins secure the
Scripture index cards, hand written (other side) by our Syd,
especially for me, to encourage during a dark time.
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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.
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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!
JOYous New Year
So . . . 2015, anyone have BIG plans in the new year? We would enjoy hearing about them.
What is inspiring you? What creative goals? What you can’t wait to get your hands on?
Stitching, painting, cutting, pasting, drawing, quilting, collaging?
All of the above? Sounds good to me too.
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We wrapped up the year with . . .
A little dress up in the new office
Two updated sites
TidingsOfGreatJoy.com for Licensing
and Handmaids.com for some creative fun and inspiration!
Two new Etsy Shops
Joy Studio Vintage – Although not very well stocked yet, we’re working on it. Lots more to uncover and unravel. Some really cool art supplies featured in our Draw Near fabric collection from Quilting Treasures!
And Joy Studio Handmaids – Also, just getting started so visit soon to see Handmaids® product updates.
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To explain the She Who Rocks products in our vintage store – We had plans for another Handmaids Challenge to kick off the new year. It was inspired by a vintage sewing caddy project submitted by Karen Torres in January’s 2014, She Who Sews Blog Hop. We named, searched, purchased and posted charming vintage rocking chair sewing caddy’s, specifically for the event. However, once Joy Studio Vintage opened, half of the chairs began to disappear, quickly. So, the She Who Rocks challenge, will need to be renamed and modified.
Please, stay tuned to
for future projects, collections and art news in 2015.
God bless you, in the new year.
Joy Studio 