Where THIS Blogger Creates..Welcome to The Party!!

I couldn't be more excited to participate in this special event hosted by

Karen at My Desert Cottage.

We are all so good at sharing what we have created, that it is fun to see where it all started.

My studio is approximately 700 square feet and is housed within my Shoppe.

Because of this, it is visible to customers and needs to be attractive and "blend" with the antiques and collectibles I sell daily.

This is what the customers see at the back of the East wing of the building, and it is separated by a swing door "Shades of Pale" which is simply an old headboard turned upside down with swing hinges.

It does a good job of separating the spaces and politely lets people know it is not a "public" space. But the majority of the customers coming in really, really want to go back there because of all the things they see. You look to the right and see the area used for painting.
Then the work table on the right. The fabric skirts hide all the the antique lamp parts and supplies I don't need on a daily basis.
The antique white washed tall column is my "inspiration pole".. I tack up inspirational creations I find in magazines and such.
The picture of Janis Joplin is just because I like her, and she makes me smile.


As you scan your eyes to the left you find an identical table, skirted to again hide mosaic china pieces, laces, fabrics, and my computer. You can't see the computer because I hide it behind a small table screen.....it is the one I use for labels, image transfers, and other paper projects, and I just don't like looking at it daily. The big overhead door leads to the back lot where we have the Trade Days Flea Market twice a year. The French doors allow wonderful natural lighting and are covered in antique lace panels, and the overhead door pulls down at night.


There are about five different work stations within the Studio. Below is a collage of my sewing area. It probably has the least amount of space delegated to it because I work better in a small area when sewing. Before I had the Shoppe, I always had to share my sewing room with the washer, the dryer, the heating unit, and the hot water heater. I just learned to sew in a very compact space and still feel better doing so......drives my daughter crazy to see how much I have in such a little corner....still, it works for me.



I also paint and have an area set up for just that. I never know when I might like to simply pick up a brush, and it is nice to have everything out and available making that easier to do.


This is a better shot of all the buttons I have to work with, as well as some of my old frames. The big white cabinet hides my drills, staplers, and other tools that are just not that pretty.

And I always have several projects that are "in the works".

The good thing about my studio is that I can allow myself to have many projects going on at one time and be able to leave them out because of the space I have.

I jump around from area to area because that's the way my brain works.....

it just can't stay still very long.

I think most artist are like that.

These pictures are getting up close and personal with some of the materials I have stashed away for my various projects and creations.....

The chest of laces is my absolute favorite thing to dig around in.

But there's also books, bottles, frames, and lamp shades.

Old postcards, trims, jewelry findings, and old hardware.

Vintage millinery flowers, braiding, and fringes.

Boxes, old games, dolls, and more.

Keys, spools, bobbins, and beads.

And some of the creations that have come from this space. I am not passionate about just one art form, but rather love many and keep myself open to trying new things..

I adore old laces on my altered sweaters, pillows and memory books

And some handbag creations, with altered skirts....and of course....a button box.

And other small projects that keep me busy.

And a girls gotta have good lighting....

Party chandeliers are the best!

There is definite method to my madness and because I have so very much of very different things, I have to stay very organized or I know I will never be able to find anything. It is not a place of "show", but a place to work, to create, and to play.

I can loose myself for hours here.

Thank you for taking the tour of my studio today.

I know there were a lot of pictures,

but you didn't see the other 30 I took and decided to leave out....:)
I can't wait to see everyone elses studio and hope you will visit them as well.

I feel certain if real estate agents or builders see this Party, they will start calling that extra room a "Studio".....they know what we like!

Thanks again to Karen and Jo Packman for this wonderful event.

I know I had a lot of fun!