Otherwise known as the Great Reveal!
I know the law well that says everything takes longer than you think/hope it will. I live it. Last week I had high hopes of finishing the reorganization of my studio but was under the weather for most of the week and then had to play catchup at work. So this weekend I finally completed it. Bear witness, it may never look this good again!
Remember, you can click on the pictures to enlarge it and then do it a second time for a really BIG look see! Standing once again at the front door looking straight ahead. The little flames you see near the rocking chair is the fire going in the gas fireplace, it got cold here the past few days. Some things didn't change, the redware pottery samples stayed until i decide what i want to do with them. The small bookcase and the large display case remain the same.
Standing at the front door looking to the right. You can actually see the top of the 8' display case now! That will never last. I tend to work on this as it is a very comfortable height. I like to stand when I work unless it's a job I have to sit for.
Again, standing at the front door looking towards the left. This area had the most changes. I moved the slate top science table to the front after taking out the sideboard. It now holds the bead and enameling kilns and a drill press. In it's place I put the new worktable from Harbor Freight that several of you may remember me mentioning before. I purchased one and set it up at home on my side porch when I was getting ready for my online class with Stephanie Lee, Homesteader's Metalsmithing. Well, my husband really liked it so i ordered one for him. It has been sitting in the box because he really didn't have a spot to put it yet so i asked if i could have that one and we'd replace it when he is ready. Sooo... This one will be used for torch firing enamels and some metalsmithiing, the majority of the metal work will still be done at home on that bench. You can also see the top of the light table which I have lit. Another surface that disappears quickly!
Slate top table with the kilns. I have the very heavy t shirt press on a rolling dolly and the PMC kiln along with containers of glass molds, kiln supplies and torch firing supplies stored beneath. The paper is shelf paper for firing glass.
Looking down the corridor, I solved the problem of the book storage by removing the catalogued magazines and placing them beneath the light table, freeing up much needed shelf space in the bookcase to the right.
Paints, glues, glitters, resins, soldering supplies, scrimshaw supplies, alcohol inks, paper clay, sculpey supplies, paintbrushes , leather paints, and various other supplies reorganized.
Standing at the shells case looking towards the front door. As you can tell i have tried to reproduce the sequence of the first set of before pix to compare the progress. Then i took a few more up close this time around.
Hot glass worktable. Note the carriers on the floor to the right, one is filled with opaque enamels, the other transparents. The cookie sheets on the table have ceramic ramekins washed and ready to be filled with said enamels. My lampworking torch still isn't hooked up but all in due time my pretties! I would like to keep this table empty so as to be able to cover in damp newspaper to catch the enamel dust and removed after each session. The white basket is for the newspaper. Torch for enameling and the bead pulling station all set up and ready to go! Fire extinguisher at the ready! Standing by the glass rods looking back across the front of the room. The rolling mill was purchased after coming home from Artbliss and taking my class with Melissa Manley. I used birthday money from my parents to aquire that new toy! Thanks Mom and Dad!
I took a picture of these desks before covering them up to share with you. The large oak desk is an old office desk that my Dad brought home from work many years ago when they were getting rid of the old and replacing, probably with metal. Anyway, i refinished that desk and it has been my best worktable ever! I love it. It has seen many quilts and sewing projects, handmade paper, jewelry, photography you name it. Best friends, desk and I. The other is an old library table, it has 6 drawers, 2 on each side and 1 on each end. The carving and decorative spindles are what drew me to it years ago in an antique store. I will set it up with the little sewing machine for my grandaughter to use.
This jelly cupboard now holds all of my rug hooking supplies. Extra cutting mats stand against the wall.
The pie safe houses all my sewing supplies. Trades from the past 2 years at Art and Soul are in containers beneath the pie safe.
I forgot to open the doors but this green cupboard holds most of the same as before with a few new additions like vintage clay poker chips, cobalt glass for crushing, additional plates and glass for mosaics. The vintage suitcase rests atop. I WILL get the figureheads done!
Sewing area now.
Bookcase number one, to the right of the fireplace, holds books on pottery, ceramics, redware, collectibles, glass, lampworking, mosaics , soapmaking etc. Magazines are stacked in the bottom.
Bookcase number two holds books on quilts, sewing, fiber arts, dolls, mixed media, painting, paper arts. Dover design books and magazines are in the bottom.
Shells for sailor's valentines. Don't they look pretty?
Bookcase number three holds books on jewelry and creativity. Catalogs are stored beneath.
Workbench with light table. Small glass kiln stored beneath, lampworking tools organized in a commercial silverware bus tray. I ordered a smaller annealing pan for use at home so will use this one here. Glass cutting system stored beneath light table. Extra dremel setup, toaster oven for polymer clay stored beneath worktable. Tumbler is on light table for the time being.
Paper mache body parts from vintage doll molds waiting to be brought to life but they make me smile just like they are. I'm rethinking the knife box, may take that home for tools. HHHmmmm....
Vintage sewing items, I don't collect these, really, it just sort of happened to become a mini collection. The bird pincushion is sterling.
A few of my favorite things. Betty was my first dress form, won her on Ebay and had to pick her up in Pennsylvania. The thread case is a treasured win at a local auction as is the glass biscuit case . The childs mannequin head was a find at a local antiques gallery. The small Santos figure was also my first.
Ok so we all know that none of this will last. The reason is because it's totally unrealistic! It looks good because there's nothing going on in here yet. Once a creative spark hits and you have to drag everything out and spread everything around for inspiration it'll be much better, don't you think? I love to LOOK at all of this now, but I can't WORK in this. It is kinda nice to have in pictures for all posterity though! Plus it proves I CAN be organized, I just find most times it gets in the way of creativity!
Next i will post pictures from the studio spaces at home. Stay tuned, there may even be a surprise at the end!
