My Fabric Covered Binder Completed

My last post I gave some links with tutorials for covering an ordinary binder with fabric.  Here is one I completed.  Even though this particular one isn't for my studio, I wanted to share it with you.  I had created a crazy quilt block for someone as a surprise.  A photo album seemed to be something functional that she would enjoy, so I went about creating a cover for an ordinary photo book.

Below is basically all it took...other than time.  

Now don't you think those binders on your studio shelves would look great covered with a coordinating fabric or even decoupage.  These look much nicer than a plain binder, plus think of the fun creative time you could have creating some!

New Addition in My Studio

I have had a fairly productive day today.  I have had this shelf for years just waiting for the perfect spot.  I am sure you know what I mean *wink*.  I finally had painted it ivory when I painted my two dressers a couple weeks ago.  The more I looked at it the more I thought it really needed a different color.  I decided to go with green, so today I went and picked up the paint and started painting.  I didn't paint the rods and hinges because I was concerned they may leave marks on my items, so I just sealed them with varnish.  I kind of like the brown stain color with the green anyway.  It was a beautiful day outside so it dried quickly.  I brought it in and hung it up.  My rotating spice button jars fit perfectly on top.  There are three pegs on the bottom which I will use for my reference tags and the "dryer rack" will pull out or tuck in as shown and will work perfectly for trims or fabrics.  I am loving the green and think I may even repaint my dressers in green now (not literally right now, but in the near future)!

I have this hanging above my sewing machine where it seems pretty happy.  Don't you just love adding something new to a room?  It always makes me feel like cleaning and organizing for some reason.  Does that happen to you too?  What do you think of the green?  I am so ready for color instead of being so safe with shades of cream, white and ivory.

LINK with LINKS

There is a (linky) party going on here – for offices and with lots of interesting links. Even though this is for offices, there appears to be some really inspiring links for repurposing, constructing functional pieces, etc. that could easily be adapted for your studio.  Time to grab a cuppa and do a little visual sightseeing…


http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2012/09/sns-151-junk-styled-offices.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FKCcu+%28Funky+Junk+Interiors%29

Personalize Your Studio

What happens now? You have your studio all organized and things arranged the way you like them, but something is missing. It could be missing your personality! Be sure to make room for a few of your favorites in your studio - things that inspire you. It may be that old teddy bear, or photos of your family, something that was once your grandmothers, artwork of someone you admire or even your own artwork. It is the personality of a room that makes it come alive! Be sure to incorporate your favorite color into the room in some way also. This doesn't have to be walls of purple (my personal favorite~lol) but may be pillows, mats around your photos, jars, or anything to just add splashes of that color that makes you feel good.






These two photos are generously shared by Dawn at The Feathered Nest. Her studio is full of personality and warmth. Be sure to visit her blog and see all the wonderful creations that come out of this studio as well. On this particular post she talks about fall cleaning her studio at the Feathered Nest, but if you go clear to the bottom you will find a 'my studio' link where you will find even more photos and information about her studio.
http://the-feathered-nest.blogspot.com/2011/09/little-fall-cleaning.html

Ali is another talented artist for you to visit. If you click on the following photo you will be taken to her blog where you will find a wealth of information (and some giveaways from time to time)

Ali Edwards shares some great ideas for storing all those various stamps at:
http://aliedwards.com/2011/09/organizing-studio-aetechnique-tuesday-stamps.html

and here she shows progress she has made in cleaning up her office and talks about how she has organized her papers:
http://aliedwards.com/2011/09/making-progress-clean-up-this-office.html

I hope you have enjoyed visiting these two artists and found some great ideas for your own studio! Below are a few more sites you might want to check out:

Cloth Paper Scissors had a post about organizing your art studio supplies ‘organically’. There are also some comments following the article with some more ideas!
http://www.clothpaperscissors.com/blogs/clothpaperscissorstoday/archive/2011/09/14/organize-your-art-studio-supplies-organically.aspx

Martha Stewart always has great tips for practically everything. Here is a link to some great organizing/storage tips. As you go through them, think in terms of how the solution might be used in your studio rather than for example the kitchen…(the plastic bag organizer could be used to hold fabric scraps, a pot rack could be used for holding your fabric dyeing pan or any number of items, the envelope funnel would be great for beads, etc.)
http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/25-kitchen-organizers#slide_1

Whenever I find something on time management as it relates to crafting I am interested because I’m not always good at managing my time wisely. I’ve gone to workshops devoted to time management but they have been more geared toward office or work time. Here is a link I thought I would share from Beading Daily that is directed toward beading but I feel it would be relative to any crafter:
http://www.beadingdaily.com/blogs/daily/archive/2011/09/13/finding-the-time-to-bead-5-tips-for-time-management.aspx?a=br110924

This is just interesting: scheduling time to be in your studio. It relates to music, but why not change a few words and discipline yourself as it relates to your studio time?
http://www.soundonsound.com/forum/showflat.php?Board=MRT&Number=938681

I hope you have enjoyed this post and found it useful. I love feedback, so your comments are most welcome! If you have been doing some organizing yourself and would like to be featured on this blog, please email me with the details.

Until next time...

Warm regards,

Connie

Studios are Like Snowflakes

They say no two snowflakes are alike. I say no two studios are alike! How can they be? No two artists work the same.

That is why you are the one to decide what your studio needs to look like, sound like, smell like, and feel like as well as its function and how it flows. It should be a reflection of who you are as an artist. You should enjoy spending time in your studio. It doesn't need to 'match' the rest of the house unless of course you are sharing a corner of the living room. Even then you can add little knick knacks or artwork you love and that inspire you. That is a subject on which I can go into more depth and I will reserve that for a future post.

For this post I just want you to take a long, hard look at your studio and think about whether it truly tells your story. Could a customer or friend walk into your studio and know by what they see what your artwork is likely to be? Do you love color but settled on a neutral shade for the walls to be safe? Some artists keep white walls so the colors of their materials are the focal point. Are you a minimalist who wants your supplies all behind doors? Do whimsical things make you happy? Do roses make you comfortable, or do they make you want to gag? Each artist is unique and that is OK! It is better than OK! How boring it would be if we were cookie cutter artists.

As you are analyzing your studio, think about the types of projects you work on and the steps you go through as you work. Are your work stations set up so they are conducive to a convenient flow as you go through the process? If you are tripping over cords or having to walk around a piece of furniture or equipment every time you do a certain part of your creating, try to determine if there is a better way to arrange things in your studio so what you need is at hand as you need it. Keep items you use most often the closest to where you use them. It might even help to write down the steps you go through as you work. Is your sewing machine at one end of the room and the iron on the other side of the cutting table? This is a pretty obvious problem, but I'm simply pointing it out as an example.

I'm just saying you can ask for advice and opinions, but go with what works for you and what pleases you.

The photo of the tote on this post is a re-do I created. (Most of you know I love roses). You can find more about it here. I was intending to use the tote for storage in my studio, but it had other ideas, so I gave in. A tote like this would work well for containing tools, buttons, glues, tags, etc. you use often. You could customize something like this tote to suit your own taste by leaving it rustic, painting it with bright colors, country colors, embellishing it with rhinestones or decoupage it with vintage images. It is just an example of how you can add items to your studio to personalize the space. Be on the lookout at garage sales, flea markets or thrift stores for other items you could customize for your studio.

Have a memorable weekend.

The Message from Your Creative Space

What does your studio tell the world about you as an artist? It doesn't really matter if anyone else ever sees it. Forget about 'the world' for now or anyone else for that matter. This is an important question to think about because if isn't a reflection of who you are and your personality, it may not be the kind of place in which you like to spend your time. Like clothing, if it doesn't suit your taste, you are never really comfortable in it. What kind of 'personality' does it have? Does it reflect who you are as an artist? If not, how can you transform the space into one that you are excited about and can't wait to enter?

Your studio is a very personal space. It should be all about you. A good way to get started is to gather photos from magazines, catalogs and the like. Don't just focus on studio or office photos. Any room can serve as inspiration. After you have a collection of them, scatter them out in front of you. Do you see a common theme or color in the group of images? Did you find you pulled almost all images of light airy and flowery rooms with white woodwork? ...earth tones and heavy furniture pieces with black accessories? ...fresh seaside blue, green, aqua coloration with shells and wicker furniture? This is a great way to pinpoint what attracts you to a particular look. Designers will sometimes have you do this to get a feel for what your tastes are.

Something else that you may consider is planning your studio around your favorite art piece. I don't mean matching the sofa to a painting type of thing, but rather determine in your own art if you tend to design in a particular color palette or style. For instance, are your designs romantic and soft, bright and bold, or rich and earthy, humorous, ethnic, textural?
Look in your closet. Is there a color scheme there that stands out?

Most people know what their favorite color is, but you may not have really given much thought to it in terms of decorating your studio, now is a great time to apply it to your decor. Don't try to decorate your studio according to the taste of someone else. You will be the one spending time there and you are the only one you need to please in this room. Unlike the rest of your house which may be shared with others, your art studio can be a total reflection of you.

Other than color and style, another great way to add your personality to your studio is to display some of your own artwork and artwork from other artists that you admire or that inspire you in your own work. I worked in a room full of artists/designers and even though we had standard cubicles, it was easy to tell who sat at each desk by the accessories they added! The desks and room itself certainly did not inspire us, but the pieces we displayed in our cubes and the things we gathered around us that were expressions of our personalities did.

Be true to who you are. Don't try to duplicate what someone else has done. Be inspired by the work of others, but then go your own way. You know you have succeeded when friends walk into your studio and express that the studio looks just as they expected it would...that it is so you. If you have clients visit or host gallery openings, clients will want and expect the studio to be an extension of the type of artist you are. After all, admiration for your creative endeavors are likely why they are there.

LINKS: Just a few sites that might interest or inspire you.

Over at Riotgeer Design Erick mentions organizing his blog as well as organizing his studio. He has a pretty good idea for a room separator in his studio to separate the dirtier area from the other area of his studio.
http://riotgeer.blogspot.com/2011/04/organizing-studio-organizing-blog.html



http://fuzzyslippersdesigns.blogspot.com/2011/04/spring-organizing-over-at-ttt.html
http://toptiptuesday.blogspot.com/


Here are some organizing tips you might find useful:
http://meganvangroll.blogspot.com/2009/07/5-tips-for-organizing-messy-studio.html


More from melstampz…
http://melstampz.blogspot.com/2011/04/craft-room-pictures-organizing-distress.html

Let's Talk Color.

What is your favorite color? ...and why is it your favorite?

We are surrounded by color and it has a huge impact on our emotions whether we are conscience of it or not. In your studio you can use color to your best advantage. What do you want from your space? What kind of feeling do you want it to convey? How do you want to feel when you enter (or are in) your studio? Drama, comfort, classic simplicity, relaxation, child friendly, or excitement can all be encouraged through the use of color and the purity or strength of color.

In general...

Red generates excitement, warmth and high energy. It is an active color that you will find used often in kitchens and/or dining rooms as it can stimulate the appetite. Red is also inviting, intimate and can be romantic. Think of Christmas, Valentine's day, 4th of July, or hot fire or coals, apples, hearts.


Pink, although it is a lighter value of red, has been found to be more relaxing and has been used to control violent behavior. Think of roses and other soft pink flowers or Easter.

Green is considered a more relaxing color. It coordinates well with just about any other color. Some form of it is a popular color used in hospitals because of this very reaction to the color. Nowadays it is also associated with cleaner living and healthy living. Think of lush lawns, green trees, and shade, St. Patrick's Day.

Blue especially in the lighter form, is also a relaxing and calming color. Although it is a favorite color of the majority of people, it has been found to be the least appetizing color and is rarely seen in restaurants. Think of calm waters or clear blue skies.

Yellow is a happy color that conveys optimism. It can also cause anxiety and a rise in the heart rate. Most other colors can also be used with yellow. Think of lemons, sunflowers, daffodils or yellow finch.

Brown is often thought to be more of a comfortable color and is also more masculine than the other colors. Think of earthy, warm colors of fall, rich soil, or stained furniture.

Purple is associated with nobility and luxury. Think of lilacs or pansies. Think of royal robes in deep rich purples, plums, blueberries.

Orange includes anything from bright orange to more Terra Cotta. It is a warm, comfortable color and is said to stimulate conversation and appetite even more than red. It is a good color to use as an accent color, keeping it in smaller spots. Think of pumpkins, Thanksgiving, the Southwest.

Black, especially when used as an accent, helps ground a room. It is great for accessories and can add a classy, more contemporary feel to a room. I remember learning in one of my classes that you should have something black in every room. Think black patent leather shoes, black purse, black coat, night, black suit and tie, black coffee.

White is clean, crisp and pure and can make a room look more spacious. Of course there are many versions of white that can set different moods. A room done in nothing but white will often have slight variations in the whites used and also incorporate lots of texture to give an otherwise dull room some interest. Think white crisp sheets blowing in the breeze, white lilacs, white paper, white puffy clouds.

Gray falls somewhere between black and white. The use of gray is more trendy and tends to go in cycles. Think gray skies and wind.

Keep in mind that although red, yellow and orange are considered to be the warm colors on the color wheel and purple, blue and green are the cool colors, there can be warmer and cooler versions of them. Purple is a good example. The temperature of purple can be altered by adding either more red to make it a warmer purple or adding more blue to cool it down even more. Red may have a warmer tendency but can also be cooled with more of a blue cast to it. Pick up several strips of one color at the paint store and hold them side-by-side. I think you will find some variations very obvious. As a watercolor artist, I often use a warmer red on the part of a flower I want to appear in the light and a cooler version of red in the shadows. I guess that was my ah hah moment when I discovered that little trick.

The hue is considered the basic color on the color wheel. The tone is the color density. Paint cards at the paint supply stores have different tones of a color on each strip. If you want to use different tones of a color for a monochromatic color scheme, stick to the colors on the strip. Value is the amount of white or black added to a color to change its appearance, light to dark. To change the tone of a color, add a bit of its compliment (red/green, yellow/purple, blue/orange). To change the value, add black or white.

For good flow, a room should have basically three colors: (1) the primary or dominant color such as walls and/or floors; (2) secondary which should be the second color you notice in the room and not in equal proportion to the dominant color; and (3) the accent color such as that used on a pillows, lamps, artwork etc.

I have mentioned this before, but don't forget to consider your light source when choosing a color. It is a good idea to try a swatch on your walls prior to painting the entire room or buying all your paint. To reiterate: North facing windows receive less direct sun and you may want to choose brighter colors; West facing windows have a strong light in the evening and casts an orange tint; East facing windows give strong light in the morning causing a white glow to your room; and South facing windows get the least amount of sun.

Having armed you with all of this information, however, it still boils down to the fact that the studio is yours and the only one who has to be happy with it is you. All rules go out the window if you so choose. This is a room that states who you are and reflects your artistic taste. Have fun with it!

Feed the Senses When Setting Up Your Creative Space

Do you have a favorite restaurant? Is it the food that makes it your favorite place to have an enjoyable evening out? ...the service? ...the aroma? ...fresh flowers on the tables? ...lighting such as candlelight? ...or the overall ambiance (a combination of the aforementioned)? I would venture to guess it may be a combination all of these things. I suggest you relate your studio to this same theory. For you to want to spend hours in your studio, it helps to address all the senses or aspects and not just the visual decor.

Sight is the sense we normally consider most often when we design/decorate our studios. We choose colors we like as well as the decor such as accessories, cabinets and seating. We arrange things in what we feel is pleasing to the eye whether it is a clean and uncluttered look, displaying our supplies and equipment all out in the open where we can see them, or utter chaos.

What about our other senses? Shouldn't they be equally as important?

Hearing. Quiet, peace, soft music, loud or crazy music, kids playing, cat's purring, dog's barking, the sound of bird's singing, our inner voice, or the television noise in the background - these are the sounds that affect our sense of hearing. What do you hear in your studio? Don't forget to address the sound as it can have either a positive or negative effect as you work in your studio. If you have unpleasant sounds, out of your control, consider having music to cover those sounds or possibly even soundproofing your studio.

Touch. What does your space feel like? Is there a lot of interesting textures either in the fabrics or on the hard surfaces? Perhaps it is all smooth, satin-like surfaces. Everything has texture of some sort, whether it be wood, textiles, metal, concrete etc. If you have a monochromatic room, lots of texture can add interest to an otherwise uninteresting room. Decorators will often tell you it is good to have a balance of soft (curtains, pillows, rugs and upholstered furniture for example) and hard (walls, metal or wood furniture, etc.) in the room. This is not always practical or preferred in a arts and craft studio. A wood shop might seem a bit silly and not too practical if fitted with pillows and curtains. A sewing room or other such studio can easily be overrun by softness. It is up to you to evaluate your space to determine if you feel there is an appropriate balance.

Smell. I may be just one of a few, but certain scents inspire me. Do you feel that way? My college thesis was based on this theory. I did a series of watercolor paintings of homes from my past surrounded by portals of flowers that I would naturally associate with the homes. The sight and smell of Lilacs always remind me of my grandparents' home as they always had a row of huge lilac bushes along the entire length of the driveway when I was a child. Peonies remind me of the home I grew up in. There were several varieties and shades of peonies in our yard that had been planted there by my great grandparents. So many various floral scents bring back good memories for me and a good feeling overall of comfort and warmth. A simple scented candle, potpourri, fresh flowers or other source of smell might add what is missing in your studio.

Taste. This is probably the least relative sense when it comes to the studio unless you are a cake decorator or something. Although I will throw in here that there is nothing like the morning sunshine and sipping on a fresh brewed cup of coffee or tea to get your day going in the right direction. Keep in mind if you work around certain materials or chemicals, this sense should probably not even be a part of your studio. A good example would be that a glass artist should not be working with lead based materials while eating a sandwich. It is simply a safety issue.

'The Sixth Sense'. Is there a sixth sense? This subject has been discussed and debated. It has been described in a myriad of ways. To me it is a feeling that comes from within you. A sense of comfort, inspiration, freedom, control, accomplishment, total chaos, despair, or happiness all somewhat controlled by the other five senses. Feng Shui is based on this. It is difficult to describe. It is psychological. It is the uncomfortable feeling you get when your back is toward the door type of feeling. Observe where people tend to sit when they enter a restaurant, church, a classroom or a board room. Does the area you work at the most feel comfortable to you? When you go through images of other studios, your imagination tells you what it must be like to be there through association to your experience. You can't see the sounds or smells.

Although the image I'm sharing isn't glamorous, it is an image to look at as you think about these things. Imagine music playing in the background the smell of homemade treats on the table and the scent of the vanilla scented candles and all your supplies in a logical order where you can readily find them, just waiting for your magic touch. This is the sort of room that invites you in to be creative. OK, now would you feel the same about this room if you knew there was a lot of construction noise going on or a constant odor that overpowered any temptation to snack, the supplies and materials were not in their intended or a logical spot, there is a draft from the vent above causing your supplies to blow off onto the floor, the room is hot or too cold, the chair you are sitting in isn't comfy or blocks any good lighting or leaves you facing the corner? Even though nothing in the space has changed, doesn't it appear less inviting? Another question - just going by this image, which chair would you navigate toward as you entered the area? I hope this post has given you new information to think about and to consider addressing in your space. Make your studio as inviting and comfortable as you can...pleasing all the senses!

LINK: I didn’t have time to research bloggers in the process of organizing this week, but I did happen to find this following blog with a great tutorial (among other numerous tutorials) on making a great ‘popcorn box’. Think shape, not design of the box. They look great as storage containers!

http://melstampz.blogspot.com/2011/03/new-popcorn-box-template-set-pretty.html

Storage in Repurposed/Recycled Decorative Boxes

A great way to organize small collections of items is to use some sort of small box that stacks well. Here I used photo storage boxes that are not all matchy-matchy. One could use matching boxes, but as shown here, it isn't necessary. I tied heart shaped labels on these cardboard boxes to add uniformity and to identify what is inside each box. As you can see, there is already a place for labels if I chose to use them. These were used to store quite an assortment of items including: small doll accessories such as baskets, various keys, drawer pulls, latches, hooks, metal scrolls, labels, small bottles, candle cups, small Christmas ornaments, mini clay pots, tiny fences and bottle caps, just to name a few. It isn't necessary to identify each item in the box. Just separate by whatever category is appropriate.

Photo boxes are relatively inexpensive, especially if you purchase them during a off season or buy plain ones and decorate them. I found another blogger who uses small boxes for storage...cigar boxes.

You can find her full post at http://justsomethingimade.blogspot.com/2010/05/craft-organizing-cigar-boxes.html

Below is a sneak peak at her boxes. I think they look great! In her blog she talks more in depth about her hardware and where she found her inspiration. If these images have your interest, check out her blog.

Aren't these so much better than plastic? The possibilities of what can be stored inside the boxes is endless, as long as it fits. It is so easy to remove containers like this from the shelf and more importantly, to replace them when you are finished!

A special Thank You to Cathe Holden for letting me share the cigar box idea with you! It ties in perfectly with my photo boxes.

Studio Decorating

I finished the curtains for my art/craft studio. I had designed them so there were two halves and each just folded over to form a valance, but then I had to have them open to get light and closed to see the pretty beads along the top. I ended up cutting the 'valance' section off and stitching those two sections together again. As you can see, I just barely had enough of the two panels left to form the curtains on either side. I can close them or as I have here, tie them to the sides with beaded flowers.

I just loved the beaded fringe. It is the pre-made fringe purchased by the yard. I bought it so long ago waiting for just the right project to use it on. Well, my new philosophy is to use it now. Don't save the good stuff for a special occasion, a great project or a special place--make every occasion, project or place special always! Today is what counts!!!

Storing Art Supplies and Making it Look Pretty

A studio makeover is a continuous process. That is OK, because everything doesn't have to be done right away. It is best to work through things in sections so you aren't totally overwhelmed. My project this week was this counter. Below is a photo of the counter I bought at a discount store. This 'before' photo was taken as I was placing items in the room and everything hadn't quite found a home. The inside of the counter had dividers that work really well for my watercolor papers, pads, safety items and rolled up stained glass patterns while the bottom section holds some of my wire baskets of supplies. The top is a good solid work area and a good place for other supplies or work in progress.

I decided I wanted to cover the front of the counter to hide the stored items. I had some fabric I'd purchased for cushions in our sun room. I obviously didn't finish that project, but bought ready made cushions on sale instead, but that is another story. The fabric seemed perfect for this project. I simply measured the width and height of my cabinet front, allowed about 6" in height for the hem and to make a pocket for the rod to fit through. The 'rod' is simply a curtain rod that snaps onto brackets which came with it. For the width of the fabric, I cut about 2 1/2 times the width to create the gathers. It wouldn't have to be that full, but I do like the look. Below are some 'after photos'.

I really like the finished look it gives this area. Although it is more practical I suppose to leave the shelves easily accessible, it just isn't as pleasing. I can still easily get to what I need. I relate it to leaving the doors off your kitchen cabinets or your closet--which by the way works great for some styles and tastes. Don't you agree this looks better than the before? Is this something you have done or could do in your studio?


This bottom photo is a metal shelf/towel bar that I set upside down on my counter (see above)and currently use it to hold some of the jewelry I designed. (Some of the jewelry is shown on my other blog: http://ceoriginals.blogspot.com/) Another repurposed item that could serve a multitude of functions other than the intended! Think 'outside the box' as they say.


Have a great weekend and Mother's Day!!!

Organize, Store and Display Your Glitter!

Glitter, glitter everywhere! I love glitter! I can't seem to get enough of it. I had some larger containers of glitter that just weren't pretty, so I have begun to look for pretty glass containers for it. Apothecary jars, shakers, bottles with cork stoppers...whatever I think will work. Clear salt shakers are great for glitter. I have lots more glitter, but in smaller jars. I have those stored on my bead shelves for now (image at bottom).

I am just getting started on this idea. For the containers that aren't shakers, I have these inexpensive little spoons for use in dipping into the glitter. As you can see in this photo, I also have some mixed beads here. I will likely be changing this around so it is all glitter. I placed the jars on a repurposed silver tray so I can easily transport it from my shelf to my work area for special projects.

Portability is key here especially if you have a lot of small containers that will all go to the same station. I don't use glitter as often as I would like because I mostly work with beads. I am one that likes to have my supplies out in the open so I know what I have, can easily access it and can be inspired by the eye candy. If you are like me in that respect, consider organizing your supplies on pretty trays, or rustic trays if that is your preference or something else as long as it suits your personality and taste. Shop garage sales and the thrift shops for a multitude of inexpensive options! This is a great way to keep things where you can see them in your studio or to keep them together on a shelf in your closet if you don't happen to have a studio. The portability is great if you need to carry things to the dining room table or a desk or wherever you find space to work, yet the items can easily be returned to their proper location upon completion of your project. It is much easier than gathering an armful of small bottles and risking dropping, breaking or spilling one or all of them!

My granddaughters love my glitter too. Who can resist it? They came last night and made Mother's Day cards for mom. Of course you have to have glitter on something like that!

Happy May Day!!!

Your Studio - Your Memories - Your Personality

Every art and/or craft studio should show personality, whether serene, humorous, energetic, modern or whatever fits you. One of the items in my studio, although small, is the little guy shown here. He hangs on a long spring and glides up and down over my art table. It is something that makes me smile. It is something I set into action and just gaze at to clear my mind for new ideas. It's very calming, kind of like watching angel fish in a fish tank, and helps me to put my problems to the side for awhile.

It is also a reminder that takes me back to a very happy day in Germany when my husband and I were there celebrating our 25th anniversary. It's funny how one little item, photo or even a scent can bring back memories. When I see this character I recall the wonderful weather we had that day, the walk down the narrow street past the small quaint sidewalk cafe, and I clearly remember the moment we walked into the shop and found him, visiting with the clerk and having to purchase him. The clerk carefully wrapped him up in tissue for his long flight back to the U.S.A. He made me smile then and I still smile when I walk into my studio and see him ready for another flight.

The photo of the lamb in front of my art table (visible on a recent post) is another happy memory and makes me smile. When I was young, raised on a farm, a neighbor gave us a baby lamb that had been orphaned. We would rock her in the rocking chair as we gave her a bottle of warm formula. She grew up running around the yard with the other pets and thinking she was a dog, even chasing cars down the driveway. When company came they would have to go very slowly since all they could see was her back as she hopped around the car. We had a wrap-around porch and you could hear her hoofs as she decided to bump the cats off the porch, playfully hopping on all fours. She played and ate scraps with the dog and when I would come home from school she knew I would have a treat for her, a stick of red licorice.

Do you have something in your studio that brings back good memories or something that just makes you smile or even giggle when you see it? I encourage you to incorporate several things into your studio that make you happy and/or help you recall precious memories, not just of your past, but of friends you have met along the way and others that inspire you. These are things that not only define who you are and how you came to be the artist you now are, but also help make your studio part of your home and a place you want to spend time.