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Friday, January 13, 2012

NEW STUDIO STYLE...

Hi sweet friends!  I have missed you this past week!  I have been hard at work on some new things in the studio, not too many artful things but on the studio itself.  I am beyond excited to see the final pieces of furniture being finished up, the last of the supplies being stowed away, and a few more stylish touches being put into place.  This is a very long awaited dream come true.  I have come a long way from the TV tray crafting days.

Some of you may be wondering when the real studio work is going to begin, not the putting together of the room but the production of art and words, both of which have been few and far between lately.  I am getting to that by laying in a good foundation of a work environment that is set up to not only meet my needs but that inspires me to be creative.

While the studio will always be somewhat of a work in progress as I grow into my medium the basic layout of the room will not and that is why I am so excited to get these last two piece of furniture done.  All the big stuff will be out of the way and the rest will be play! I originally bought this little child's size chest of drawers to use at the farm but realized it perfectly fit the space between the door and the closet in the studio.  I already had the little altered table sitting there and since they were both agreeable, they got married...

I am going out to buy them a wedding gift today, some nice jewelry to seal their union, shiny new knobs!  I also purchased this big old desk...
 
 And I removed this bench from the entry of my home...

 And they are thinking about getting married too!
 
But not without a little refurbishing and altering.  I already have the base piece painted and I am waiting on a little something I ordered to finish it before moving on the altered iron top piece and I am not sure about that yet, I need to see it in the room before I make my final decision and chop into the bench.
I have also refaced the inset of my cabinet fronts using old book pages in Dutch, German, French, old text books, and vintage catalog pages overlaid with some of my most special stash, the good stuff!, images cut from Harper's Bazaar that are well over 100 years old...

I did a little paint stamping and shading and they are ready to seal...
 
I was a little nervous about doing this.  I have been thinking about it for a long time but I was not sure I would like it once it was done.  I decided to reach beyond my comfort zone and go for it.  I am so glad I did I love it!  What in the world was I waiting for?
 In between coats of paint and pots of glue I noticed that the leftover bowl was beginning to overflow again...
 
 So I got out some scrap fabrics and started to do some off site embroidery and applique...
These will be incorporated into a larger project later on.  Which brings me right back around to the point of my post and where the real studio work will begin.  Everything has to start somewhere, a dream as a tiny seed of a thought has to be nurtured to life one small step at a time.  Growth takes time.  I am growing into my dream one small work in progress at a time all the while keeping my eyes open for opportunity to present itself to lead me to the next step. 

I have this favorite old book (Re-Creations by Grace Livingston Hill) that was written and published back in the late 1900's or early 1920's that has a small segment that always inspires me.  A snippet of conversation transpires between a sister and her brother.  The brother tells her that he has not had anything "regular" (steady work) since getting out of school, just the odd job here or there but nothing he really considered worthwhile.  He had just been tinkering (working on automobiles).  His sister tells him that she thinks it is a good thing for him to stick at while he is looking for something better, that the work he is doing now will prepare him for something else in that line later on.  She asks him, "What is there big and really worth while that you'd like to get into if you could?"  

His face lights up as he explains that the working knowledge of machinery could lead to a better chance in other areas of business but of course he could not just jump right in at the top of his desired field, he had to begin somewhere.  His sister encourages him to continue on where he is but to be alert and ready for when a good opportunity offers itself he would be suitably ready to apply (or reach) for it. 

I find myself very much in this young imaginary man's shoes, just tinkering, finding my niche in the mixed media world, knowing where I want to go and paying my dues by starting off at the bottom to get there, gaining knowledge along the way that is preparing me for something else later on.  I am not letting grass grow under my feet while I idly sit by and wait for opportunity to knock but working my way there steadily.  I anticipate a realization of those dreams and I hope that you too are sowing seeds for your dreams to bloom!

Just a little reminder of my mini Art Challenge to spur on and inspire your dreams, for details you can visit this post if you want to play along...
Inspiration thought:
"What is there big and really worth while that you'd like to get into if you could?"

21 comments:

foreverdecorating said...

You amaze me. I love the pages on the drawer fronts.

Thespoena McLaughlin said...

Very good, very good indeed! Love what you've done with the cabinet and drawer fronts, absolutely stunning! I've been in much the same position you are in for a long time and am just now coming round the other side where I can jump into bigger things in the new studio. Thanks for sharing! Play time is upon you! Hugs!

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

My mom loved Grace Livingston Hill, and I have read many of her books. I haven't heard anyone mention her in a long time!! Your recreations look fabulous!

Vee said...

That's what inspires me about you...you don't let the grass grow under your feet. I do. All the time.

I have a smaller bowl where I am gathering things for my tag. I decided that to push myself I would have to include at least 20 elements. This after literally counting the elements on your Christmas tag and it was above 30. See how foreign this all is to me? ☺

Unknown said...

gorgeous transformation~!!!!!

Createology said...

Your post is so refreshing and honest. I completely relate. With your amazing creative talents I truly believe you will soar beyond your dreams. I adore your book pages cabinet!

Gail said...

Sandy,
It all looks so fantastic and inspirational. The whole idea of having your own space (if we're lucky enough to have one) is to make it our own. Surround ourselves with our favorite things that make us happy!
I'm so glad that you decided to use the "good stuff" so that you can enjoy it every day....and I'm looking forward to your "Dream" challenge...can't wait to create something with your wonderful images!
Have a great and creative weekend...:).
Gail

Dorthe said...

OH Sandy, your cabinet has become a fabolous dream piece, what a wonderful idea, you made real-it is the most personal cabinet I have ever seen -and I love it- I can`t wait to see what you do with the bench-and how your room ends up.
A happy week-end to you dear.
Hugs,Dorthe

Edie Marie's Attic said...

This is so YOU Sandy!! I love it! The paint stamping on top of the pics looks perfect... what a great treatment. You have the coolest studio... it's so creative and says "I'm Sandy's Haven"!

Hugs, Sherry

Vicki said...

I'm so glad you took the plunge. It is perfect! Love your transformations of the larger pieces.

Bonita said...

Oh my goodness! I love that cabinet with the book page fronts! If my family wouldn't object I'd so do that to my kitchen cabinets.

Love the idea that doing things now leads to doing bigger things later.

You are one productive woman!

Tina said...

love the front of your cabinet Sandy - such a wonderful idea. love those little applique pieces. Can't wait to see what you do with them

Robin said...

Your studio looks fabulous and I love your new furniture marriage! Have a wonderful weekend.

Hugs,
Robin

Anonymous said...

Oh Sandy! Your studio is so beautiful! I love that cabinet. Was it hard to get the page measurements just right?

I use to read Grace Livingston Hill all the time wen I was a new Christian. I was inspired when one of her characters, (I forget which book) would look at the expensive gowns in the stores and go back to her little one room apartment and sew one for less-all by hand-in one day!

Anne said...

Love it! What pretty, unique decorations.

Crystal @ Ordinary Days said...

Love the transformation. Great job!

Anonymous said...

Sandy, I guess if we look at this from your angle, aren't we always "preparing" for what is to come. Learning along the way. The hope is that we get better while still remaining humble and expectant and eager to keep the learning process ever-growing.

Sometimes I've reached a point in a process where I'm perfectly satisfied not to go further with it though. Mostly, I think, it's because I'm always ready for something new. So I suppose I've become somewhat of a Jill of All Trades, Mistress of None. ;-)

But...enjoying the process - can't beat that!

Loved your post.

XO Diane

Elizabeth Johnson said...

I have that very same exact desk, only my middle drawer only has one centered handle. It is huge, handy, and lovely. I think you will enjoy it.
I love your music. I find myself wanting to just sit here and stay.

Jodie (everything vintage) said...

I knew it!!!! I just knew the minute I'd come and visit, I'd have to be prepared to stay for HOURS!!!!

OMG I LOVE LOVE LOVE your "new" studio cabinet!!!! You do everything so grand Sandy...you are just amazing! You make me want to go cut up all of my old books and paper EVERYTHING!!!!

I can always come here for inspiration...you are just amazing! (i know...i said that already but it's true!!!!)

xoxo~

JD/ Jill said...

Oh my, so creative...and Lovely. I really like the images on the cabinet...It looks like it was a lot of work...but so worth it!

Unknown said...

I think the work you've done in your studio is gorgeous! LUV the drawer fronts! Really...BRAVO.

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