Friday, October 2, 2009

welcome to my studio

Welcome to my studio! Latin guitar is playing on the stereo & cedar incense is burning to sooth the senses. There are warm glows here & there from various little lamps, dragonfly lights, etc. Make yourself at home, be inspired, get paint/ink/clay/whatever on your hands & under your fingernails. Indulge & have fun!

This photo shows the room overall (the other half, behind me as I'm taking the picture, is the yoga/exercise area ~ a very important part of my life too). My very best four-legged friend and puppy soul mate is there in his bed.... with me wherever I go.

This side is set up for card making & painting (the easel is mostly cut off in the picture ~ off to the left with my denim apron hanging from it). Recently gessoed canvas frames are drying on the work surface, calling for me to express myself. If you're interested, you can click on the photo to see more detail.

As you can see, I have a weakness for stuffed animals ~ a weakness my wonderful husband indulges me in. There are several stuffed animals sprinkled about the room, helping to lighten the mood when needed, as well as giving me someone else to talk to when our dog stops listening {smile}.

Oh, and speaking of my husband, he's the talented individual who built this studio for me, to my exact specifications. I'm very blessed... and very grateful. He didn't miss a detail. For example, the bottom front edge of the shelf in the third photo has a metal strip, painted black, so I can easily use a magnet to hang instructions in front of me when I'm trying new techniques.

This area is set up for jewelry work, metals, sewing, UTEE, Friendly Plastic (the griddle is a few shelves under the stuffed animals in the last picture) and polymer clay (the oven is behind the butterfly photo on the upper shelf to the right). I don't really need two dremels, but my dad didn't use his anymore and offered it to me, so hey, why not? It's actually come in handy a few times.... having one with a sanding disk attached all the time and the other open for whatever attachment is needed has saved a little time.

Here is, unfortunately, where I am a lot of the time, instead of creating in the other work areas. There's just so much eye candy in blogland, that I get pulled in. Does this happen to you too? I now have a timer next to the keyboard, to help me manage my time better. Saturday, however, that's going out the window. I'm going to take my time and enjoy the Open Studios Virtual Tour. Come along with me, won't you?

The words on the lampshade, repeated in at least three other places in the room are a constant reminder to myself. BELIEVE.....

Thanks for visiting. If you'd like, leave a comment with your questions or feedback. As most bloggers will tell you, it's not why we blog, but it's a very nice fringe benefit!

32 comments:

Rebecca E. Parsons/Cre8Tiva said...

i so loved the tour of your creative space...please come see mine when you have a chance...love the sites and especially your furry friend...so much inspiration here...hugs, rebecca

Jodi said...

Di - thanks for the tour -- what a WONDERFUL space you've evolved into. Kudos to DH for his expertise... Really an inspiring studio!!! LOVE IT! Have a wonderful Saturday!

virtuallori said...

What a fantastic space! I love the way you were able to make the ceiling work for storage, too. And yes, I do get sucked into blogworld -- I've been browsing the studio tours all morning! Thanks for sharing your space.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

I lov eyour space! What a great idea to hang things from the ceiling; wish I could do that too, but our whole family is tall and my studio is in the basement with low headroom anyway. AND...I spied your coffee cup on the warmer in one of the photos. Another great idea! I have one of those stored away that I used to use for candles. I'm going to adopt your idea, because my coffee/tea is forever getting cold because I get engrossed and forget about it! Thanks!!
Cheers
MAry Anne

Wellington Grey, Time Management Coach said...

A timer next to your keyboard is a great way to help manage your time. I know someone who keeps a big hour-glass sand timer next to his desk. It's a 30 min timer and he only lets himself on the Internet while the sand is running. After it's all out, it's back to real work.

Donna said...

what a great space! I love the poetry letters you've placed on the electrical panel -- you do a great job of maximizing your work areas.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

I love that everything is in view and has a space! Also, the timer for the computer...oh...good idea! I'm on here much longer than I think; some business, some nonsense!
Glad I found your blog, will bookmark it and come back to really check the photos up close.
I am so ready to be back priming canvas and slinging paint instead of sewing to make money. (for the art supplies! HA!)

Anne

Gina said...

What a great tour, thank you! Great space, well planned and gives such a warm feeling. And yes, doesn't blogland pull us in! But it's inspiring and fun.

Judi B said...

Hi Di, Thanks for the visit to my studio. I've enjoyed touring yours as well. Isn't it great to have a helpful and supportive husband? He's done a great job -- and you have a very nice studio. I do have the computer in my studio and agree it can be such a distraction from the actual art I enjoy -- but then, it also provides inspiration!

Tami @ Lemon Tree Tales said...

What a great space Di! And how wonderful that your husband made your work area to your specs. Fantastic! I'm most jealous of your little dog that keeps you company while you create. Thanks for sharing and thanks for visiting my studio today. Cheers!

Pam said...

I really like your studio Di. Looks a lot like mine.....lots of things to look at! lol. You have some great idea in practice there, and your idea about the mirror for works-in-progress is one I hadn't thought about before. Thanks for that! Thanks for the tour and many thanks for visiting mine. :)

rivergardenstudio said...

Your studio is wonderful! I love your painting area... all your books, your dog and everything... I enjoyed clicking on each picture to see the close-ups too! Roxanne

nollyposh said...

Gorgeous tour Thankyou, a lot of warmth flows from your space X:-)

Julie Zaccone Stiller said...

Great tour, you have an awesome studio, it is great to have a husband that can make such a great space for you. I really love the magnetic strip idea thanks for sharing it.

Wendy said...

I like your space a lot! All those shelves and cabinets... lovely! And no, you're not the only one who gets sucked into the computer... it happens far too often for me.

Julie Prichard said...

What a beautiful space!

Diane said...

Wow, what a complete studio! I'm jealous! Way cool that our blog names are so similar!

Anonymous said...

I love your studio! Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

You have such a wonderful space. Thanks for sharing!

Anke Martin said...

Oh you have such an awesome Studio!When I saw the overall Studio photo, I thought, wow I would love to create in there! It's so inspiring! So enjoy spending time in there and yes, everybody needs his/her space!
Smiles, Anke ;)

Magpie Sue said...

I have the same ME print... although mine isn't currently in view in my studio. You have a delicious space here, lucky girl!
Thanks for dropping by my studio earlier and thanks for allowing me to visit yours!

Lynn Devine McDonald said...

Hi Di,
Thanks for stopping by my studio, I smiled that we both have BELIEVE in several spots!! Always a good sign!! I love your space, what a wonderful place to create. Hope you are enjoying the rest of your day.
Lynn

Lila Rostenberg said...

What a wonderful well-stocked space you have! And that your husband built it especially for you makes it really YOURS!

Whisperings 13 said...

oh- hellO!!! yummy yummy yummy! envy going on here! Look at all of that FAB storage space! and the Books and a spot that your sewing machine fits in , and and and and.. can I borrow your husband for a day or two?? I promise I will return him- I just need one or two - okay maybe 5 of those shelves, and, and ,and.
You rock you lucky girl!

Anne at Film and Thread said...

I think you could fit about 4 or 5 crafters in your wonderful space! And I love seeing your puppy in there!

Cathy Tyler said...

Di, Thanks for commenting on my studio tour - I had to come by and check yours out as well! I'm still working my way thru the list of virtual tours. I love your set up! I just started using my dremel last week - my husband gave me the hands on demo, which helped. Great for gourd touch ups. And yes, the computer can be a black hole for time. Your timer is a good idea!

Heartwideopen said...

I LOVE your studio! My diningroom is my work area right now, but I had a studio space very similar to yours in our last house. The one we're living in right now is teeny tiny! I hope you have many happy hours creating there.
HuGGs!
Debi

Unknown said...

What a great space to really be all out creative!!!

Deb said...

Could have sworn I was a Follower over here. Well I am now! What a great space you have. I wanna come over to play too. So comfortable and inviting.

*the bottle caps were smashed on a piece of old wood with a rubber mallet*

Thanx for stoppin' by and leaving such wonderful comments too.

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Just bought a coffee cup warmer last week and have put it into use; it's a good thing -smile-.
Thanks for the studio tour...such fun and loved seeing your creative space.

Ritz.. said...

hey,
Its amazing to see a side of you in this pictures... I like the use of "Believe" in some pictures .... Constant motivation !!!

Brenda said...

Love the peak into your studio - it is far better organised than mine, mine is messy!