I had such a blast in the studio today with the uber AWESOME Kelli Marsh of Kelli Marsh Photography. She is the doll that took my head shots for my first book, Totally Twisted. Do you remember the photos she took before? My editor said it was time for new shots and that's what we did today. I am waiting on pins and needles to see the shots!! Until then, you'll have to settle for a couple of fuzzy Instagrams.

How was your Wednesday?

soul satisfying sunrise and...

:: i saved the best photos from last week for today...
:: we were treated to the most beautiful sunrise e.v.e.r. on wednesday morning, or rather, the most beautiful half hour before the sun shown
:: i sat in awe
:: it was just last summer, at this same lake, that i learned i am a sunrise girl, not a sunset one... i still am
:: it really was a relaxing few days... wonderful weather, antiquing and wine tasting, a microbrewery, new friends (HI KATHERINE!), and memories made
:: it was bittersweet without Jacob though... it isn't a family photo without him
:: and in retrospect, i went over board with the national museum of play photos, oops... hope you weren't too bored!
:: time flies when you are having fun and i'm thankful for that! just 9 more days until school starts
:: i finish knitting my ruched sweater and i am head over heels in love with it
:: my friend makes the best grape pie ever and i may send my hubby to help hers with chopping trees more often if it will get me another slice
:: i hope my east coast friends made it through the big storms... i've been thinking of you
:: while the winds whipped, i spent an incredibly magical time in my studio on sunday... seriously, it was nothing short of magical... for my heart and soul
:: three solid hours at the torch and kit making for artbliss is officially underway
:: wait til you see the new color combo for the limited edition kits! do you remember the ones i made last year?
:: speaking of color... i wish i could pour the colors of that sunrise into a rod of glass
:: until that rod is invented, i'll wait, reveal in the warmth of torch toasted cheeks, and hold onto the threads of joy that were spun onto mandrels
:: it was down right invigorating
:: i hope i can sneak back to the studio tonight

(note, if you are into vacation photos, there are lots more in my flickr set - keuka 2011. there is so much more to see in the set!)

Illuminating

Wouldn't you know it... just when I say I have had no studio time, I go and spend a wonderful couple of hours there... not once, but twice, this week. I have been day dreaming for ages about changing up the lighting in the studio. I can't stand the harsh, blinding, blue light that the three gigantic florescent contraptions give off. I have told you on many occasion that I actually work in the dark about 99% of the time, only turning on the one strand of little lights that float around the top of the room. I don't get a lot of natural light, but I get enough if I sit by the window. In fact, I do a lot right by the window. It is my new favorite spot for jewelry photos, as well as my spot to paint, and write, and eat my lunch.

Although the natural window light was working out, I knew I needed more. I can't always be in a cave. Any visitor to the studio has my throwing on the big lights and my heart sinks every time I do it. From the very first day in the studio, I knew I would want paper lanterns. Don't ask me why, I just knew that is what I wanted. (Okay, and maybe a crystal chandelier at some point.) For the past seven months, I have been imagining those featherweight colorful beauties hanging in clusters over my work spaces. One quick search online a few months ago had me thinking it would never happen, that the cost would be higher than my ceilings.

But, the daydream nagged at me. And... summer boredom set in. Oh wait, you aren't familiar with summer boredom? It's that omg-i-have-too-much-freaking-energy-and-my-house-is-already-clean-and-i-don't-have-anything-to-knit-and-tv-is-stupid-so-let's-surf-the-web-and-mindlessly-shop-for-things-you-don't-really-need-right-now-because-i-am-so-fraking-bored feeling. I am quite convinced it is an actual mental condition listed in the DSM-V. I have suffered from it on several occasions this summer and I have three new dresses, a new sketchbook, some new painting publications, very expensive yarn for a new sweater, and these paper lights to prove it. But, I digress.

I found an awesome place online for these paper lantern lights. It was actually a little too good to be true, and I placed my order with baited breath hoping the package would show up. To my absolute delight, the package did arrive, in under a week, with everything I ordered. Awesome. And the whole kit-n-caboodle, 10 light kits and 10 lanterns with shipping, cost me less than $80. My daydreams often had all different color lanterns, and the company I found had about 20+ colors, but when it can right down to it, I thought less would be more and I went with classic off white for the color. They work, plus, I also figured I could paint polka dots and stripes at any time.

Okay, so I placed the order, it arrived, and then, Lauren and I set out to get the lights hung up. Thanks to all the water pipes on my ceiling, it was a snap. (Worry not, I only hung cords from cold water pipes, not the boiler pipes. I wouldn't want to set the building on fire.) I have a few cords that need to be painted white like the wall and blended in, but other than that, I am over the moon about how it is all coming together. I have four lighted areas, over the couch, over the torch, over the sink, and over the beading table. Each are on their own switch so I can turn on just what I need. (Yee haw! on saving on electricity!)I love the warm glow that the room has now. It is just enough without being more than I can work under. And um, is it wrong that I am already starting to imagine what the place will look like at Christmas time, with even more lights, and a tree?





You see that big blank space on the wall above Lauren? Oh yeah... wait till you see what I am putting there. You are gonna love it.

Around The Studio

Karen Valentine over at My Desert Cottage is hosting a fun blog hop focused on Where Woman Create. Pop in to Karen's blog and on the right hand side, below the pics of her cute dogs, you'll find the list of participants. I know I am going to have fun visiting everyone's creative spaces. Okay, with over 300 participants, maybe I won't get to everyone, but I am always on the outlook for inspiring ideas for my own studio, so... let's get our browsing on!

Now, I confess, last month when I signed up as a participant, I was still convinced that I was going to be able to get into the studio at least a few days a week. I have learned over the past week that it is going to be so much harder than I thought to get there on a regular basis. I've got to take time there where ever I can steal it. (for example, I have already whispered several requests to Ron to let me up there on Saturday while he hangs at home with the kids.) What does that mean to you? Well, I didn't get a chance to take fresh photos of my space. So, you might recognize a few of these shots... but that is okay! It is fun to look back and bring it all together.

Now, without further ado... Welcome to Studio 307 at The Hungerford!!




I can't tell you how excited I was when I got my keys to this space back in January. It was a dream that was years in the making and oh how fear tried to whisper to me not to persue the possibilities. But I stuffed the fear down and leapt in.




Having only been here seven short months, the studio and I are still getting to know each other. I am constantly rearranging the furniture trying to find what feels just right. Something that won't be moved any time soon is my inspiration board... er, inspiration wires. I love dangling things that make my heart sing from those hooks. There are postcards, fortune cookie papers, chunks of fabric, beads I love, and colorful scarves that I couldn't live without.






This is the spot I am missing most these past two weeks of summer break. And, it will be where I race to the first moment I get. I am bubbling with bead ideas people. Bubbling over!! I wonder if I even remember how to pull a stringer though. HA! I'm sure it is just like riding a bike... you never really forget.

(If you are a first time visitor to my blog, I am a lampwork glass artist and wire jewelry designs. Which means, ever piece of jewelry you see here on my blog or website, I have made from start to finish. I melt the glass to create the beads and I wrap the wire to bring them together.)



There are still many areas of the studio that need to be softened with love. No doubt there is many a piece of brightly colored peeling painted furniture to be discovered and brought here for me to enjoy. The walls need ART... the floors need um... something, I don't know what yet. Something that feels absolutely incredible is knowing I have all the time in the world to make that happen. And even though I can't get there ::right now:: I love knowing it is there, and mine...

Oh, and here is a Studio 307 fact for you: 99% of the time, I work with the lights off. I love the muted light that filters in through my windows, combined with the the glow of twinkle lights.




Thanks for sharing a little time in my space with me today. Be sure to check out more of the beautiful spaces Where Woman Create (the master participant list is on the right hand side of Karen's blog)!! I would love to here who has some of the favorite spots. And feel free to share a link to YOUR creative space in the comments.

Today, my studio was flooded...

WITH SUN!! Back in January, when moving into my new space, I pondered with a friend if my little santuary would ever see the light of day. Being tucked into a north corner behind another building, I was skeptical. We thought, maybe the angle would be right in midsummer perhaps. (and don't feel bad for me beign behind another building, I wanted that! I like the cave like feel. Makes for better torching.) I couldn't be more thrilled about being wrong!!




(note to self: turn your auto-focus on when shooting in bright sun, oops)

Many a bead has been made at that desk this week and I am so very pleased to say that I am planning an update TOMORROW. I am thinking of doing an evening update. We haven't had one of those in a while. I am hoping it will mix things up a bit and give more people a chance to snag some beads. I will be back with some sneak peak photos for you too and let you know an exact time. Yee Haw!

Then Again Maybe Not

Happy Saturday, my lovely readers. It is wonderful to see you on this bright and shining morning. I must confess, I was rather comfy in my bed and didn't rise until well after 9am. So unlike me... but so needed after last night. I know you aren't used to seeing my in this bloggy space on the weekends. But today it is warranted. I have some feelings to work through and I want to do it while the feelings are so very fresh.

As you know, last night my first First Friday event at the studio. With all the overwhelming other events of this week, on Thursday, I was thinking this event might not take place. With Jacob down and out on the couch with influenza, and my back smarting every now and then, I called Ron and asked if I should just let it go. He said, in the most husbandly fashion, "it is up to you". Not what I wanted to hear. So, I set to texting an understanding friend. My understanding friend is wonderful at leading me through a conversation in a way that helps me better know my own intention and heart. Often times, she does it with the simplest of words. She knows all too well the pressure I put on myself when it comes to doing "public" shows of my work. The simple thing she said was "... as long as you aren't waiting out of a place of fear...". The one word, fear, settled into my thoughts and I knew instantly, without a doubt, that there was no fear in my heart. I decided to just let things happen as they would and as they did, an excitement settled in.

Yesterday, I truly was so excited as I moved through the day. I bought a bouquet of balloons to draw the crowds down my hallway. I picked wine to share with friends that would visit. I tidied the studio, set up displays, made a last minute necklace, I hung silouettes that I made of the kids, and I felt really good. I felt antsy to see what the night would bring too. All the while I was checking in with myself, being present, and knowing where my heart was. No fear.




Then... people started arriving. Of this I have no doubt, I absolutely loved sharing my new space with my family and friends. I was so so proud to show my new creative home to them. I wish I had more time to focus and talk with them. (I also wish I could have found a couch for the studio too. It could really use some softer, cozier, spaces.) It would seem that just when one conversation would get going, new people would wander in that needed greetings and questions answered. One of the nice things about doing events like this is getting to introduce my style of lampwork glass jewelry to people that have never seen it before. It is fun to watch eyes widen at the mention of each bead being made by hand at the torch. (Yep, that torch right over there in the corner.) Many take a card and a final look around before going off to explore another studio in the building.

And then... there were the other kind of visitors. Before I tell out about the others, know this... my words aren't coming from a place of sadness or frustration or hurt. In fact, it is just the opposite. I am excited to finally know my feelings on this. I think a lot of my angst leading up to Friday came from a place of uncertainty. Now, I know and I am in a good, healthy place about it. So, read these next sentences with a tone in your mind that pictures me smiling and sort of whispering/sharing a discovered secret.

The others... well, some were down right rude and left me feeling violated. And I.did.not.like.it. I have told you before how tender I feel about my studio and protective of it. So, you can imagine how unsettling it was when people completely ignored the displays of jewelry I had out to bee-line to my work desk, pull out a strand of glass from a jar and snap it in half. Or how rattling it could be for some to walk behind my desk and feel free to touch my tools and pull rods of glass from my shelves. Some others went even further with their inconsideration, ignoring both my art and my workspace, to help themselves to free wine and snacks. Yes, they walked to my table, poured themselves a glass of red, then promptly turned and walked out. Truly... violating was the only word I could come up with to describe the sensations I was feeling in the moments when these others came into my creative home.

Monday, I will sweep and wash away the yuck left behind on the floors and tables by those others. I will return my spools of wire, pliers, and polishing pads to their rightful places on my desk. I will twirl a time or two in my tutu and I will shut my doors to those others. In my heart I know I do not want to open my studio, or myself, to them again. First Fridays are not for me... and I am at peace with that in the very best way. I really learned so much about myself last night. My family and my friends will always be welcome... and I am thinking private open houses on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon are what will be in my future. Last night, though, will not happen again. I feel stronger in knowing that resolve and eager to continue finding truths that make my heart happy.

Studio Vlog & First Friday Info

Yes, I say "my favorite" a lot, and pardon my nasaly voice, I still have a cold. :)



My First First Friday

February 4th, 2011 6-10pm
At #307 in The Hungerford Building
1115 East Main Street, Rochester NY
ALL ARE WELCOME!
Take Door #5 to the 3rd floor and look for the balloons.

On Display

I am so glad to hear that y'all aren't bored of the studio related posts! It's rather odd, I get a bit confused at times I think. I am spending nearly everyday there and I am here in this blog spot only a little. Combine the two and I think I am talking about nothing but the studio. Which in my mind would have you loosing interest, but maybe it isn't as overkill as it is in my head. We will just keep doing what we are doing and see how it goes, shall we?

Last week, my Mom informed me she wanted to do something for my studio as my birthday gift this year. (my birthday isn't until Feb 13th, she can be a bit over zealous when it comes to gifting... she does things early) I, of course, was thrilled and knew exactly what I needed her help with. I had it in my head that I.HAVE.TO.FIND. a step-back/hutch/cabinet/cupboard/bookcase thing. Kinda like this one: Tall Country Hutch, but for a lot lot less. I was thinking for less than $150. Crazy, you say? I have told you before that we have killer estate sales up here in New York, so I was really really hopeful.

Fast forward through two weekends of visiting estate sales, antique malls and craft outlets, and checking Craig's List daily, and I started to lose that hope. We were finding NOTHING. And I was getting grumpy. But then, we went to ReHouse Saturday afternoon. They have been salvaging an old 1920's hotel in a town south of here. Oh my... what goodies they are pulling out of that place!! I wish I needed a reception desk because this thing is seriously cool in person. But, I digress.

We ended finding this great display cabinet there! Granted, it was in a bit rough shape, but that just meant it was less than $100 and I had to have it. It is huge at over 6ft tall and 4ft wide. It is my new display case for when I have open studio time. I can't wait to fill it with books and busts and jewelry and twinkle lights. But first, it needs painting. One of the fellas at The Hungerford Building (where my studio is) suggested that everything looks great painted flat black. As soon as he said it, I couldn't see the cabinet any other color. Andrew and I set to getting the first coat of paint on it yesterday and I can't wait to get to the studio this morning to apply the second coat!

Make Way For The Wire

Much of this morning was spent unpacking a rather heavy box of wire. I think you can easily imagine just how awesome I found that task to be. This past Sunday, my hubby finished building my new BIG workbench in the studio. I love how it turned out!! It is going to be great for spreading out on and making messes. AND it will be perfect when teaching too. I just informed him that he needs to build another one. Oh yes, I must have another one and I know just where I want it too. Sadly, he hates being in "the city" (where my studio is located is most definitely "city") so, I will probably have to nag him relentlessly to get it built. I am game for it though... I am stubborn. But I digress... the wire is in the studio. I repeat. THE WIRE IS IN THE STUDIO and oh yeah I am excited. I have been torching for about an hour a day since moving in and I think I have all the beads I need to make my first finished piece in my new space. SO so excited. I plan to bring my tutu in honor of the event. Twirling with happen, you can count on it.

A moment ago, I typed the work lovcated... as in... love and located in one word. I like it. Let's make that a new word, an official word.

Anywho, we are supposed to get a storm tonight and tomorrow and that means a work-from-home day. I am looking forward to it. I have more packing to do and some cleaning to do. Being in two places makes for little time to tidy I am finding. These at home days help with that.

My New View

Day One

Yes, yes... I know that it is actually the third day of January, not the first. So today is not day one of the new year. Today was Day One in the new studio! Much like the other nights prior to things happening related to the studio, I hardly slept a wink. My mind was endlessly trying to envision the placement of tables and equipment. I was also wondering what the place would look like finally painted. It. Looks. Wonderful. The ceiling is dark, the walls are crisp, and the floor is solid. The lights are rather bright, so I tend to keep them off, but I thought you would like to see the place in it's bright and shiny state.



The paint job really threw a wrench in my plans this weekend. I had thought I would be moving most everything into the space while Ron was off work, but something or other delayed the paint which delayed the moving until today. Which means just one load of single person stuff was moved. The workbenches will have to wait until I can get someone to help me drag them out of the basement.

It was wonderful getting to spend time here, in this space that will now be my creative home. It is awesome to imagine all that can and will happen here. I started with some window cleaning, door repairing (it needed some putty in one spot), lights are hung (with help from an afternoon visitor! THANK Lindsey!), and nearly half of my 113lbs of glass has been sorted into the new rod storage place. This was the old storage, and here is the new:




Ron and I were wandering around Lowes and I found some vinyl gutter down spouts that we cut into 12" lengths. Works out great!! Wait til you see it full of my bright and colorful rods of glass. Carrie is head over heels about it.

I have been happy sighing all day. I am enjoying learning the quirks of the room... the gurgling of the radiators, the way the sun hits the buildings outside the windows, and noises that travel down the halls. It is all so fresh and exciting. Have I said that enough lately? Have I told you how excited I feel? Truly, I couldn't be happier. More soon...

Oh wait... nearly forgot this little slice of dreaminess.




Always, always, always wanted to have something like this in the home studio but surrounded by concrete it wasnt's possible. Now, with wooden window frames, some framing wire, some Ikea hooks gifted from a friend (THANKS AGAIN LINDSEY!)... TADA! Another dream come true. I am seriously spoiled people. S.P.O.I.L.E.D. If would want, you can spoil me more by sending me cool postcards to stay inspired!!

#307

I can hardly believe it is really happening... I mean it is really, truly, absolutely, I-already-gave-them-the-check-and-signed-the-lease, happening. I am renting a studio... yeah, I said it...

I am renting a studio!

This has been something I have talked about for, um i dunno, like, forever. In fact, two years ago when we moved into this house, I made a dozen phone calls about it. Even had an appointment or two for tours. But, alas, I let the doubts get the best of me, and the appointments were canceled, and the dream was put back into a place of impossibility. Not. This. Time. This time, I made the appointments, and kept them. I filled out the applications, I negotiated the price, and I made it happen. I have been excited in a reserved way for a couple weeks about it. I was thinking something might come up that made it fall through, but OH, last night... I was kid-on-Christmas-Eve-gonna-overdose-if-I-don't-wake-up-to-a-million-presents-and-ain't-gonna-get-a-wink-of-sleep-because-of-it excited. And today, while driving around town, I kept screaming "I'M SO EXCITED!!" Because, today, today, I got to be in the space, take photos, sign the paperwork, measure stuff... and it is real.

Now... without further ado... I give you a quick look into my new space.











I am feeling so very tender about this. During my sleepless night, my thoughts ran the gamut. Everything from what color the curtains will be to intense anxiety/fear over finally doing this. The tenderness I am feeling comes from wanting to protect this little room. I am scared people will snicker and point and tease my new space. I love it so. It doesn't look like much now, but there is a laundry list of things that the super will be doing to it before I move into #307 in early January. The ceiling will be painted black, as well as the window frames, the walls off white, and the hardwood floors will get a coating of industrial gray. These are standard colors and anything different I would need to do. I am loving the idea of leaving it industrial and making it *me* with pops of color, the accessories, and furniture. We talked about electrical outlet placement, and there is to be a sink put in. I am going to scour our local craigslist for a mini fridge and a microwave. Oh, and I want to check out the local architectural salvage shop for some base cabinets to make the kitchenette. The doors need some care and I'll be painting those myself once they are repaired. I can't wait to hang my banner on the door too!! And that pole in the middle of the room... I need to get myself four of these beauties. Wouldn't they be perfect? Hmmm, I wonder if Santa reads my blog? OR, better yet, maybe I could make glass ones... though I don't think soft glass is strong enough to hang coats on...

But I digress.

I truly can not express just how much this room means to me... on so many levels. Being with Ron since I was 16 means that I have never had anything that was mine. Just my own. I never bought a car without someone, or had an apartment, or went away to college, or or or... This though, this is mine. And maybe it is selfish of me to want something of my own? Part of me thinks so, but the smarter part knows that I love my husband, and my kids, and my home, and something that is just for me isn't a bad thing. No doubt, they will spend many an hour in this place too.

From a business stand point, this place is going to make so much more possible for me. I will be keeping regular hours at the studio (planning to arrive by 9am and leave by 2:30pm at least 3 days a week), and now... drum roll, please... I can teach lampworking!! Not to mention getting to interact with humans on a regular basis again and being in such a vibrant living breathing place. I start grinning just thinking about it.

I hope you'll stay with me here as I share the journey to getting the place ready, the feelings I have along the way, the things I create in this space, and what new adventures will be had. I know I can't wait...

EDITED TO ADD:
I thought y'all might enjoy a few links about the new studio space!!
The Hungerford Urban Artists - I can't wait to sign up to be called one of these and get the official sticker on my studio door. And here is a link to an article about one of the building events: ART - Hidden Hungerford
First Fridays Rochester - I plan to take part in this monthly event and my goal is to be ready by the February First Friday.