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Open Studio Tour: SnitchesGetStitches

2009-10-06T16:30:00-05:00

In this Open Studio Tour series, we snoop around Etsians' creative spaces to find out the story behind the drawing table. We want to know all about our artists, and in the process, perhaps get a bit of inspiration for our own workrooms!

For this month's open studio, we visited SnitchesGetStitches. Melissa is obsessed with color, horror, and the bizarre and she says that she must have been the Bride of Frankenstein in a past life...so let's explore her spooky studio!

What's your name and what kind of craft do you do?
My name is Melissa Allen and I’m a craft addict. 90% of the time, I’m a seamstress specializing in bags, pouches, and hair accessories. In addition, I’m 2% knitter, 2% painter, 2% resin artist, and 4% every other craft you can think of. In my Etsy shop, you will find items hot off my sewing machine. My husband is an artist and he often has prints of his original paintings available as well.

What are you working on right now?
I am currently working on some new patterns for the upcoming holiday season. I want to vamp up my current designs and try new techniques. I always draw up my own patterns, so that is #1 on my list right now. I am also working on some pouches with my scrap fabric. I’m trying out new sizes and even working on new inventory of keychain pouches.

When did you decide you needed to get a studio?
I learned to sew about four years ago with the help of my mother-in-law and husband. (How awesome is that?) I started with an $80 Kenmore sewing machine and a card table in the living room. Within two months, the fabric stacks had become unbearable and I knew that something had to be done. Up to this point, I was sewing for fun. I enjoyed what I was doing so much and I knew I could only carry so many bags (and trust me, I have A LOT). A friend introduced me to Etsy, and I decided at that point I needed a studio… a place for me, my sewing machine, and my supplies. Shortly after, I had my own space and SnitchesGetStitches was born!

Tell us a bit about the process of setting it up.
Since I live in a house with my husband and two cats (MeowMeow and Pumpkin), finding a place to start a studio was easy. We live in a small two bedroom house, but it is the perfect size for the four of us. We have this TINY room at the back of our house that was used for storage. I wiped that area out, painted it with the most awesome green I could find, and moved in.

Did the studio set up impact your crafter budget?
Not at all. With the help of local thrift stores and Ikea, I was able to create the studio of my dreams with a tiny budget. I have two tables that cost $50 together. An old metal cabinet from my husband’s grandmother works perfectly for my supplies (and doubles as the ideal place to display business cards from all of my favorite Etsy sellers). Shelves were $5 each from Ikea and the color selection is amazing. Large totes that are stored beneath my tables serve as extra storage for finished items and extra fabric. The curtains were handmade. I purchased a used Kenmore Serger for $90. The total cost to start my studio was around $200. Spray paint is my friend! Old frames to display art can be changed to any color your heart desires. I always have a stash of spray paint in my studio. I use thin plastic table liners ($1) to cover my damaged table tops for aesthetic purposes (oops — that rotary cutter should have had a mat under it!). Saving money in the start of my studio gave me more money to spend on supplies. I have a nasty fabric obsession!

As for all of the random décor, I have been adding to my collection over the past few years. A majority of these goods come from Etsy. The money for this does not come out of my crafter budget, so all is well. Being surrounded by handmade goods in my studio keeps me inspired to continue doing what I do!

How big is your studio?
I just measured it. 9 feet x 7.5 feet.

Which is your favorite tool in your studio?
Last Christmas, my husband and mother-in-law gifted me with a Bernina. While I still have (and use) my little Kenmore, there are qualities about the Bernina that definitely make my life easier. I have taken a mastery class for my new machine and I loved every minute of it. One little note: no one EVER touches my serrated shears. FOR FABRIC ONLY! The Bernina beats out the shears as favorite tool, but I could not live without them.

Do you want to share with us one secret of your studio?
I cannot read patterns (or maybe I just lack the patience). While I have dozens of patterns stashed away in my studio, I never use them. I have always created my own patterns with construction paper and tape. I use construction paper because I’m rough on patterns and use them many times… I can tear through the thin tracing paper within one use.

How many hours do you normally spend in your studio?
Whether I’m sewing or just playing around, I spend about 20 hours in my studio per week. I work a full-time job (plus some), so I have to limit the time in my studio in order to maintain my social life and sleep schedule. I wish I could spend every waking moment inside my room sewing and crafting… maybe one day!

Do you share your studio with someone or would you like to do so?
While I don’t mind if people come in and use my studio, I do appreciate the fact that it is solely mine. Everything I have is within arm’s reach and I can find anything in an instant. I think sharing my studio with someone could disrupt my flow. We don’t want a cranky Melissa. I’m very methodical.

Is there anything you would add to your working space?
I do not NEED anything, but I’m always looking to add to the art and décor. I would love to have more pieces from pinkytoast, boopsiedaisy, and stoopidgerl.

If you had to choose one synonym for your studio which one would you pick: atelier, family room, lair, lodge, nest, playroom, retreat, sanctuary, shelter, darkroom, or showroom and why?
Definitely playroom. Without the playroom aspect, I would have no studio. Being in a happy space is a must. If I enjoy being in my room, I’m going to enjoy my work!

And last but not least, how often do you clean it?
Wow. I’m a crazy house cleaner. I clean every time I enter the room. Everything has a place. I even have most of my containers with drawers labeled. My fabric is always folded and coordinated by style… not color. To someone that isn’t familiar with my room, it can appear to be a madhouse. To me, it is a colorful and wacky haven in which I enjoy every moment that I spend.

Anything else you'd like to add?
The color of my studio was inspired by a pair of electric green Doc Martens that I have had for quite some time. I was married on Halloween in 2004 with a complete DIY wedding. I frequently change my hair color and my personality is very addictive (or so I’m told). I love toys and refuse to think that I am getting older. At 28, I still feel like I’m 7-years-old when I enter my studio.

Thank you, Melissa. Until the next studio snoop, ciao!

If you have an interesting studio or workspace and some tips to share, comment below or add photos to the Open Studio Flickr group, and you may be next in our Open Studio Tour series!

Open Studio Tour: May Luk

2009-09-22T14:06:00-05:00

In this Open Studio Tour series, we'll be snooping around Etsians' creative spaces to find out the story behind the drawing table. We want to know all about our artists, and in the process, perhaps get a bit of inspiration for our own workrooms!

A couple of weeks ago, I participated in the ACC show in San Francisco in the emerging artist section (I applied after seeing this call entry). There I met May Luk and her beautiful work. Of course we started talking about our work as part-time artists, Etsy and our working spaces. As soon as I saw May's fantastic studio in the Etsy Open Studios Flickr group, I wanted to share it with you!

What's your name and what kind of craft do you do?
My name is May Luk and I make functional ceramics in Brooklyn.

What are you working on right now?
I am very excited about my new limited edition ceramic range, a collaboration with local illustrator Samantha Hahn; it’s going to be girly and naughty. I am also developing a set of custom kitchen tiles for a new home in Boston.

When did you decide that you needed a studio?
With the dust, the need for a kiln and a place to think, there’s no other way but to work in a studio.

When and how have you set up your studio?
I was living in London and acquired all of my equipment from a local potter who retired. I brought what I could with me when I moved to Brooklyn. I found the studio share through a pottery email list, Clayart. All that was left to find was a kiln and the time to put everything in place.

Did the studio setup have an impact on your crafter budget?
No, because I factored it in already. I just have to work harder and smarter because of the overhead.

How big is your studio?
My share of the space is about 200 square feet. It’s a 45 minute walk from my apartment and I find the walk a nice way to clear my head in preparation for my ceramic work.

Which is your favorite tool in your studio?
My fettling knife. I use it on everything. When I work, it feels like it's an extension of my hand. It’s sharp and shiny.

Do you want to share with us one secret of your studio?
I dance to samba music when nobody is around.

How many hours do you normally spend in your studio?
30 hours a week.

Do you share your studio with someone or would you like to do so?
I share the studio with two other potters. I enjoy their company and we share costs for utilities, etc. I like to work alone as well and go for long hours in an almost meditative state... until my husband reminds me it's time to come home.

Is there anything you would add to your working space?
A window on my side of the studio but that would be just a fantasy.

If you had to choose one synonym for your studio which one would you pick: atelier, family room, lair, lodge, nest, playroom, retreat, sanctuary, shelter, darkroom, or showroom and why?
An atelier. It is a private creative space where I work and think. It’s also a jungle: hot, unruly, dense and at times chaotic, but there is guaranteed action and adventure!

And last but not least how often do you clean it?
For health and safety, I need to wet wipe my workspace every time I work. I try to mop the floor every other week. But if I do something messy, like mixing slip (liquid clay), or plaster mold-making, I always have the mop and bucket nearby...are you reading, studio-mates?!

Anything else you'd like to add?
Cook homemade meals. Use local ingredients. Serve on handmade ceramics. Enjoy them with your loved ones. Be happy.

Thank you, until the next studio snoop, ciao!

If you have an interesting studio or workspace and some tips to share, comment below or add photos to the Open Studio Flickr group, and you may be next in our Open Studio Tour series!

Open Studio Tour: selflesh

2009-07-22T16:00:00-05:00

In this Open Studio Tour series, we'll be snooping around Etsians' creative spaces to find out the story behind the drawing table. We want to know all about our artists, and in the process, perhaps get a bit of inspiration for our own workrooms!

For today's post, I found selflesh's research-friendly workshop through the Etsy Open Studios flickr pool. Add your images to the group to join in on the community inspiration!

What's your name and what kind of craft do you do?
My name is Shannon Rankin and I am an interdisciplinary artist living and working in Rangeley, Maine.

I create embroidered map collages, small paintings and drawings, as well as intricately detailed site-specific installations. I incorporate the use of a variety of materials such as vintage maps, thread, paper, gouache, pins, and vellum.

For my Etsy shop, I typically create small affordable originals, and I also offer archival prints. My focus lately has been on creating simple, graphic pieces using anatomical and bird forms cut from vintage maps that are hand embroidered. For these pieces I create patterns of each form (for example, heart, head, bird, etc.) in various sizes out of a heavy paper, and then trace and cut the maps by hand and glue them in place. I use vellum to map out the lines for the embroidery, and then pierce each hole and stitch away!

What are you working on right now?
Right now I am in the midst of creating some small originals for a few map collage subscribers, some commissioned pieces, a series of small originals for the new Craftland store, a 5’ x 5’ “Germinate” piece, a series of 20” x 20” abstract map collages for an upcoming exhibition, and preparing for a couple of large site-specific installations that I will be creating at the end of August. In addition to all this, I’m attempting to create A Handmade Moment video for Etsy!

When did you decide that you needed a studio and how did you set it up?
I have had a studio ever since college. Once, I even lived in my studio for about a year, which is where I met my squeeze, artist Justin Richel.

Justin and I moved here in May of 2007, and when we first arrived we lived in a shed while we helped build a woodshop for his dad, with a live/work space above it for the two of us. So, we’ve shared this studio (which is also our living space) for almost two years now.

Did the studio set-up have an impact on your crafter budget?

I have had a variety of studios over the years so I have places for most things, which makes it easy to keep relatively tidy. I keep it pretty simple by using a hollow core door with a couple of sawhorses so things are somewhat modular if I need to move stuff around. Since I’ve settled in a bit, I now have a light table, drawing table, bookshelf, and a small table (where I keep my maps). Many of these pieces were either found, or were very inexpensive. Carving out a small studio space doesn’t have to break the bank. Keeping it simple works for me!

How big is your studio?
My portion of the studio measures approximately 12’ x 10’.

Which is your favorite tool in your studio?
I don’t think I could choose any one tool as my favorite simply because I love them all! I will however, tell you what tools I use the most: pencil, scissors, x-acto knife, ruler, awl, and a needle.

Do you want to share with us one secret of your studio?
One secret about my studio is that I still haven’t painted the floors, and it’s been almost 2 years! Shh…

How many hours do you normally spend in your studio?
I spend anywhere from 4-12 hours a day working in my studio. It all depends on how busy I am, what else I have to do outside of the studio (emails, packing and shipping, listing items, etc.). It also depends on what the weather is like, because if it’s nice out I should be out there gardening!

Is there anything you would add to your working space?
The one thing that I want to add to the space is a wall, and that is currently in the works. The wall will divide the space into two separate studios, and offer much needed wall space for finished pieces, sketches, as well as installations.

If you had to choose one synonym for your studio which one would you pick: atelier, family room, lair, lodge, nest, playroom, retreat, sanctuary, shelter, darkroom, or showroom and why?
Atelier or library — it’s a pretty serious place in there where I try my darndest to maintain focus. I use the space to make art as well as research, but there are definitely times when the space feels more like a playroom. It all depends on what’s going on in my head at the moment!

And last but not least how often do you clean it?
Because everything has its place (for the most part) I tend to keep it pretty tidy. I have a ritual of getting things back in order once the day is done, or at least at the start of a day. Otherwise, it’s total chaos in there, which leads to a foggy head.

Thank you, until the next studio snoop, ciao!

If you have an interesting studio or workspace and some tips to share, comment below or add photos to the flickr group, and you may be next in our Open Studio Tour series!

Open Studio Tour: Soap

2009-05-26T16:11:00-05:00

In this Open Studio Tour series, we'll be snooping around artists' creative spaces to find out how they set them up, when, why…even how often they clean them! We really want to know all about our artists, and maybe get a bit of inspiration!

I’m visiting the West Coast for this month's Studio Tour, where Hiromi, a.k.a. soap, mixes food-grade unhydrogenated oils in order to make her scented creations from scratch!

What's your name and what kind of craft do you do?
My name is Hiromi and I make soaps and other bath products from scratch.

What are you working on right now?
I'm making favors for my friends' wedding, as well as building inventory for upcoming shows and stores. I've been doing more colorful stuff lately and always (re)working label and package design.

When did you decide that you needed a studio? How have you set it up?
Almost immediately. Once I started selling on Etsy, I realized I needed space just to store all of the raw materials alone.

I actually converted the space where I used to paint into a space dedicated to soap making. I have a lot of "hidden" space like a converted 6-drawer dresser to store supplies, multiple closets with shelving, and lots of 5 gallon buckets to store miscellaneous items. They're great for stacking.

Did the studio set-up impact your budget?
The outlay has been gradual as my business has grown. The space hasn't grown, just all the storage aspects. Some mistakes cost a bit, like when I bought 4 massive rolling plastic storage units which I could roll around to where I needed the supplies. They literally buckled from the weight of the supplies and became unusable.

How big is your studio?
A room plus storage space and some space to work outside (where I handle and store the lye and anything noxious).

Which is your favorite tool?
It's a toss-up between my stick blenders and silicone spatulas.

Do you want to share with us one secret of your studio?
Half-folding 6-foot tables which can expand work space as needed and for multiple tasks. They store as a 3x3-foot and have handles.

How many hours do you normally spend in your studio?
It varies. I've never really kept track. Sometimes for hours at a stretch. On other days, I mostly am designing labels, or doing more mundane tasks, some only time spent to pack orders. If there's a downside to owning my own business, it is that the mundane stuff interferes with my creative time.

Is there anything you would add to your working space?
My wish list is long. For starters, more space/rooms would be fantastic. More organized storage would be nice too. In my fantasies, I dream of a full lab set up.

If you had to choose one synonym for your studio which one would you pick: atelier, family room, lair, lodge, nest, playroom, retreat, sanctuary, shelter, darkroom, or showroom and why?
None of those seem to fit. It's my creative workspace.

And last but not least how often do you clean it?
I clean after each session.

Anything else you'd like to add?
I love having the opportunity to create and share nice-smelling products that are gentle on the skin, made from scratch and give others pleasure. My studio time makes me happy.

Thank you, Hiromi! Until next studio snooping, ciao!

If you have an interesting studio or workspace and some tips to share, add your photos to our new flickr pool and you may be next in our Open Studio Tour series! For more on how handmade soap is made, check our Process video with beyondthepicketfence.

Open Studio Tour: HarrieteEstelBerman

2009-03-12T16:33:00-05:00

In this Open Studio Tour series, we'll be snooping around artists' creative spaces to find out how they set them up, when, why…even how often they clean them! We really want to know all about our artists, and maybe get a bit of inspiration!

This month for our studio tour, I’m visiting the California based artist Harriete Estel Berman, a living legend in the field of found object art and more...definitively a role model for many artists! (Check out her contribution to the Gallery Go-Getter Series here.)

What's your name and what kind of craft do you do?
My name is Harriete Estel Berman. I work with recycled materials, primarily recycled tin cans with printed images, to make a range of objects from jewelry to lawn size sculptures.

The tin cans are opened and organized by color, pattern, or subject matter (such as standing women, sitting women, words, candy, chocolate, tea, and crackers, moth balls, etc.). The use of tin cans is not just about recycling; the tins also make a statement about our consumer culture and how branding and marketing affect our identity. These are recurring themes in my work.

What are you working on right now?
I am currently working on a sculpture that will be constructed from thousands of pencils. This sculpture will take the shape of a bell curve 27’ feet wide and about 12’ high as a commentary about the national focus on standardized testing. The pencils have been sent to me from all over the United States (and Europe, and Japan) from students, teachers and individuals who wanted to lend their voices to this project. I have been visiting high schools in my area to encourage students to participate in the assembly of this sculpture.

When did you decide that you needed a studio? How have you set it up?
I’ve been dedicated to creating art for as long as I can remember and have always had a studio of sorts. My first studio was the breakfast room, then the living room, then the dining room, then it graduated to an entire bedroom. When my children were born, it moved into the garage. Each time I had more space which was quickly filled with more material, more tools and more equipment. I think it is very important for artists and makers to dedicate a space for themselves — “A Room of One’s Own” to borrow the words of Virginia Woolf.

It might start out as just an extra table in the kitchen, the basement or the garage, but it needs to be your own creative space, and it needs to feel good. No one else can use your space. You can’t clean up every time you need to stop working… Your creative space needs to be ready for ten minutes of work any time you have ten minutes.

Did the studio set-up impact your budget?
I keep the monetary investment in my space as modest as possible. I have constructed my own work tables or found the tables on the street. It is amazing what you can find, when your eyes are open to “grabbing” what people leave out as unwanted.

How big is your studio?
My studio is a two car garage. That’s it, nothing fancy…but the car hasn’t fit into the garage for a very long time…about 16 years. I use every nook and cranny, including hanging dollhouses from the ceiling.

I have outgrown this space long ago, but with the current economy and the cost of rent in California, I need to continue to make this space work for me. Recently, I reorganized the entire space and filtered through the accumulation of 21 years. Soon, a glass garage door will arrive to give me more light in my work space…This will be wonderful and the first big investment in my studio space.

Which is your favorite tool?
My favorite tool is my pinking shears, which I use to cut the tin cans. This is not easy to do, as the pinking shears are really designed to cut fabric. Cutting tin cans with pinking shears takes very strong hands and is very fatiguing.

Do you want to share with us one secret of your studio?
The big secret is masking tape and rags. I can’t afford to make a mistake or mark up the recycled tin cans so every working surface has rags or towels to avoid scratching the tin. Masking tape is also really helpful for “marking a line” since there is no buffing out a scratch or mark. Extreme care and careful planning during fabrication saves me time.

How many hours do you normally spend in your studio?
I usually think that if I get 24 hours in my studio during the week, I am doing well. This is in addition to all the time I spend working on secretarial work which includes:

Writing the Professional Guidelines

Writing my blog, ASK Harriete

Working on the Professional Development Seminar

Is there anything you would add to your working space?
Definitely MORE SPACE, AND MORE STORAGE. The space is well organized but it is definitely pretty tight. As soon as a few items are out of place, you are tripping over something. If there are two people working, then we have to walk around each other.

If you had to choose one synonym for your studio which one would you pick: atelier, family room, lair, lodge, nest, playroom, retreat, sanctuary, shelter, darkroom, or showroom and why?
I don’t really think that any one of these words apply to my studio. My studio is just that — my studio. It is my creative space. For the last few years, though, I did set up part of my living room as a gallery to showcase work. (My husband and I made my own pedestals.)

And last but not least how often do you clean it?
I clean my studio every time I start working, but I don’t clean the whole space. Usually, I do a little cleaning as a “warm-up activity” to get the creative juices flowing. Before I know it, I have totally forgotten about cleaning and shifted into making.

Once every couple of weeks to months, it gets a more thorough cleaning because of a visiting photographer, interview, TV crew or something special planned.

Anything else you'd like to add?
I don’t want to give the impression of the romantic artist working in the studio. Being an artist is hard work. You must be very determined. I work every minute possible either on my work or promoting my work or on the many facets of career building. I also do silver repair and restoration using my technical skills for additional revenue.

Thank you, until next studio snooping, ciao!

If you have an interesting studio or workspace and some tips to share, comment below and you may be next in our Open Studio Tour series!

Open Studio Tour: TheHouseOfMouse

2009-01-28T11:30:00-05:00

In this Open Studio Tour series, we'll be snooping around artists' creative spaces, how they set them up, when, why…even how often they clean them! We really want to know all about our artists, and maybe get a bit of inspiration!

Today I'm visiting the Netherlands, where Anna of TheHouseOfMouse creates little felt mice full-time. She made her first mice as Christmas gifts for her family back in 2007, and they went over so well, she decided to open an Etsy shop. The first mouse was listed and sold the same day on March 8th, 2008!

Let's have a look where the magic happens…

What's your name and what kind of craft do you do?
My name is Anna and I make little felt mouse ornaments. My mice are inspired by jobs and hobbies, movies, special occasions, famous people, monsters and just about anything that grabs my imagination. Each little mouse has his or her own personality and character.

When did you decide that you needed a studio?
Even as a kid I always had a space in my room for making things. The need for a studio came when I discovered my collection of materials and tools could take up a whole room all by themselves! My crafting studio was previously a painting studio, because before I started TheHouseOfMouse I was a professional oil painter. Anyone who paints with oils will know that it is a smelly process, all that turpentine and spirits does not make for an aromatic experience. My husband quickly designated a room for my painting just so he could close the door and escape the smells coming from it. Once TheHouseOfMouse took over my imagination, I re-organized the painting studio into a crafting room (fewer easels, more tables). Recently, I put up lots of shelves to store my ever-increasing stock of mice and materials for making them.

Did the studio set up impact your crafter budget?
Not really, it is made up of a collection of old bits of furniture and boxes I had lying around. I believe in recycling and reusing whenever possible. I also try to avoid spending money unless I have to. I did splash out on a laptop for my studio last week, but that was from some of my profits over the run up to Christmas. I see it more as a Christmas bonus than a dent in the budget.

How big is your studio?
It is about 4 by 3 meters (13 by 10 feet) with a slanting roof on one side, as it is up in the top of the house. It's not large, but it's more than enough space for one person to work.

Which is your favorite tool in your studio?
This is a tricky question, because the tools you need to make a mouse are very simple. I don't exactly have a favorite needle or pair of scissors! I do have some custom tools I ordered, including a custom seal to use on my certificates of authenticity, I also have a couple of custom stamps from terbearco that I use on my shipping boxes. I love them because they add a little something extra to my product and packaging.

Do you want to share with us one secret of your studio?
While I am sewing a new mouse, it tells me a little story. The story is usually about the things he or she likes to do or see. This only ever happens when I am working alone in my studio — they are shy around other people until they're finished and they have their whiskers in.

How many hours do you normally spend in your studio?
I work on my business for at least 10 hours a day. It used to be 16 hours a day but I am trying to find some balance between work and home this year, so I am cutting back. Not all of the 10 hours is spent in my studio unfortunately. I need to spend time promoting my store online and off, packing shipping boxes and waiting in line at the post office. I also have to go shopping for supplies (which of course I love). I probably spend between 4 and 8 hours a day in my studio now.

Do you share your studio with someone or would you like to do so?
No thanks! I had to share studio space during my years in University, when I was studying for my Fine Art degree, and I really didn't enjoy it. Although, of course I had no say in whom I shared with! My studio "buddies" included a tone-deaf guy who liked to whistle to the music on his iPod, and a teenage girl who never stopped talking. Both made it impossible to concentrate, and put me off the idea of sharing a studio unless I had to. I work much better on my own, I can listen to the music I want to and I can be in my own creative bubble. That's perfect for me.

Is there anything you would add to your working space?
I love to add new bits of art from Etsy to my studio space. I have a beautiful print by yalipaz and a wonderful recycled clock from foundbrooklyn, which I love. I think any additional things for my studio will be aesthetic; I have all the tools I will need for a long time!

If you had to choose one synonym for your studio, which one would you pick: atelier, family room, lair, lodge, nest, playroom, retreat, sanctuary, shelter, darkroom, or showroom and why?
I think "nest" would describe it best. Like a magpie, I collect all kinds of jewels and treasures to put in it. I am creating my little mice, which will one day "fly the nest" to their new owners all over the world.

And last but not least how often do you clean it?
I clean up my desk each night when I am finished for the day, and the whole studio gets vacuumed once a week. If my space is cluttered, my mind is cluttered. Because I am dyslexic, I rely on organization to keep me sane.

Anything else you'd like to add?
If you would like to read more about TheHouseOfMouse, and get your chance to vote for the next new mouse in my store please check out my blog.

Thank you Anna, until next studio snooping, ciao!

If you have an interesting studio or workspace and some tips to share, comment below and you may be next in our Open Studio Tour series!

Open Studio Tour: DancingCircle

2008-12-10T16:00:00-05:00

In this Open Studio Tour series, we'll be snooping around artists' creative spaces, how they set them up, when, why…even how often they clean them! We really want to know all about our artists, and maybe get a bit of inspiration!

The holiday season has started and one of my favorite things about this time of year is decorating the house. For this reason, this month I visited work space of Sherry aka dancingcircle in Portland, Oregon.

What's your name and what kind of craft do you do?
My name is Sherry Kirkpatrick. I'm a stay at home mother of four children ranging in age from 8-17. About 5 years ago I started creating wreaths and arrangements as a form of therapy when my kids were younger and always underfoot. Our gorgeous Pacific Northwest practically begs to be showcased in various floral arrangements, so I started out by just playing around with things from my yard or nearby fields. I now have a number of regular sources from nearby farms who provide me with world famous hydrangea, lavender, roses, leaves and more. It's fitting I live in Portland Oregon, the beautiful "city of roses."

When did you decide that you needed a studio and how did you set it up?
I worked in my dining room for a few years before I realized I had to move to a larger space where I didn't have to share with furniture and family members. My craft is fairly messy, so I'm more comfortable creating in a space in the garage where I can close the door when I'm done and not have to sweep every single day. I just sort of started moving things downstairs and organizing as I went along. I use up a fairly small portion of our large garage. Still, it's actually been an excellent motivator for decluttering the garage, since those shelves that previously held junk are now my floral center and thus valuable real estate.

Did the studio set up impact your crafter budget?
My work space hasn't really cost me anything other than a small increase in my energy bill — the weather is cooling off and I've started using a small space heater.

Which is your favorite tool in your studio?
That's a hard question to answer — I couldn't go on without my glue gun or my pick machine so I'll have to give them both equal representation.

Do you want to share with us one secret of your studio?
One little secret I have in my work area is this: Since I'm close to our family's chest freezer, I've started storing a bag of cocktail ice in there and if I'm working late I might fill a glass with ice and ...

How many hours do you normally spend in your studio?
Lately I've been spending more and more time in my work space — I'd say 5-8 hours a day, sometimes more. I not only create there, but I've designed a simple ship center as well.

Do you share your studio with someone or would you like to do so?
I share my work space with my husband, Dan, who has the patience of a saint with my craft. He takes up most of the rest of the garage space with his collection of wood working tools — he's an awesome craftsperson and produces my peace sign templates. Thank you, Danny, for letting me share your space!

Is there anything you would add to your working space?
I'm working on improved lighting and I'd like to get a chair that's a bit more comfy. Since my teenage kids keep stealing back their boombox, I guess I better install a little bookshelf stereo system.

And last but not least how often do you clean it?
Now, that's a good question. A primary reason I moved my operation into our garage is because it's so messy! Realistically I power clean about once a week — by then I'm surrounded by leaves, stems, cast off blossoms, stray tools, and whatnot. I always feel better when everything's tidy again — but as soon as I see a nice clear spot I fill it up again with projects and ideas. I'm a pretty messy crafter.

Anything else you'd like to add?
The fact that I actually have a work area — I certainly wouldn't call it a studio just yet — has legitimized my business in many ways. A permanent space I can call my own is comforting and motivating. I truly enjoy the hours I spend working — even if it's in a garage right now. Luckily, I can open the door and enjoy my beautiful Portland Oregon neighborhood if I begin to feel like the "cave" is too dark. Just seeing the fabulous trees and sky reminds me of why I love what I do.

Thank you, until next studio snooping, ciao!

If you have an interesting studio or workspace and some tips to share, comment below and you may be next in our Open Studio Tour series!

Open Studio Tour: Master Mask-maker CrimsonSpark

2008-10-17T12:29:00-05:00

In this Open Studio Tour series, we'll be snooping around artists' creative spaces, how they set them up, when, why…even how often they clean them! We really want to know all about our artists, and maybe get a bit of inspiration!

Today I knocked on the studio door of CrimsonSpark.

What's your name and what kind of craft do you do?
Hello, my name is Bertem Rene. I partake in the old world craft of leather mask making and create hand sculpted leather masks, suitable for many a gala or whatever suits your taste.

When did you decide that you needed a studio?
The minute I sat down and started making masks and noticed that time had flown by and I enjoyed every minute of it! So then I had to act on this euphoria so I could indulge when I wanted with no interruptions.

When and how have you set up your studio?
The studio was set up a little over a year ago, and I must say there's no definite way of how I have it set up; it's a mish-mash of everything entertaining in there.

How big is your studio?
My studio is an extra bedroom in my home so, I guess, it's standard room size, which is perfect for what I do.

Which is your favorite tool in your studio?
Hands down it has to be my horn hammer. It's my most favorite and least used tool I have. I made this tool myself, but I rarely use it for leather work, my hands do most of that duty. This is the classic leather mask making tool, but for me I mostly use the tip of it to scratch my head. But none the less, every mask maker has to have one just for general purpose.

Do you want to share with us one secret of your studio?
For some strange reason, if I'm working in my studio, the studio itself seems to distract me from what I'm doing and before I know it I'm playing the slot machines, or reading a book, or even shredding paper that doesn't even need to be shredded (don't we all just love to shred paper?). Maybe it's just me not having focus and I'm just blaming the room, but nonetheless, I think the studio made me do it.

How many hours do you normally spend in your studio?
I don't spend nearly enough time in there as I should, but on a good day I can burn about 10 hours, give or take a distraction or two.

Do you share your studio with someone or would you like to do so?
I currently do not share my studio with anyone, but my wife looks at it differently. For some reason I keep seeing things that weren't there the last time I was there, like a knick knack here and there. Slowly but surely she's taking up my space with nonessential mask making studio material, if there is such a thing? But to answer the second part of the question, I don't mind her company at all.

Is there anything you would add to your working space?
Hmmmmm. I'm thinking of a dorm fridge but that would be too easy on me, or would it??

If you had to choose one synonym for your studio which one would you pick: atelier, family room, lair, lodge, nest, playroom, retreat, sanctuary, shelter, darkroom, or showroom and why?
I would say playroom/retreat, just for the simple fact that I'm always goofing around in there playing with this and that. As for the retreat part, sometimes I use it just to get away from things and re-calibrate the re-calibrators in my head, and that's a good thing.

Oh yeah, and I make my masks in there too.

And last but not least, how often do you clean it?
I hardly clean it very much. Everything seems to fall into place; I mean, I do have to take the trash out, and that's only because I leave food items in there. My wife tells me to put a fairy door in there and they will clean it for me..........hmmmm, imagine that.

Anything else you'd like to add?
Remember people.......It's all about your persona. Thanks again for stopping by my studio!

Thank you, until next studio snooping, ciao!

If you have an interesting studio or workspace and some tips to share, comment below and you may be next in our Open Studio Tour series!

Open Studio Tour: BabyBelle

2008-08-05T16:20:00-05:00

In this Open Studio Tour series, we'll be snooping around artists' creative spaces, how they set them up, when, why…even how often they clean them! We really want to know all about our artists, and maybe get a bit of inspiration!

Today I knocked at the "studio" door of Nikki, aka BabyBelle. She is a WAHM (work-at-home-mom) who has transposed her love for knit, crochet and sewing into a special and stylish way to carry a baby!

What's your name and what kind of craft do you do?
My name is Nikki. My store is Baby Belle's Favorites and I am a seamstress and an avid knitter. I sew cloth diapers and baby carriers. I also knit baby legwarmers and wool soakers (diaper covers) when time allows.

When did you decide that you needed a studio?
I decided I needed a space of my own when my fabrics and sewing machine were taking up the entire kitchen. We'd eat dinner as a family while sitting on the living room floor. Then I knew I needed to reorganize and find my own space.

When and how have you set up your studio?
I have set up my sewing machine on a desk in our living room. It allows me to be with the family while sewing. I originally had it set up in the basement, but it got very lonely down there so I moved it to be where the action was.

Did the studio set up impact your crafter budget?
All of the furniture in my studio was found at garage sales. I am always finding ways to pinch pennies, and I find it painful to buy anything full price. So we scoured garage sales until we found suitable furniture and I'm very happy with it all.

How big is your studio?
It's just a small corner in my living room. My fabric and yarn take up the most space so they are stored on shelves in the basement.

Which is your favorite tool in your studio?
I LOVE my sewing machine. I purchased it a couple of months ago when my trusty old Brother machine couldn't handle the workload anymore. When I decided to purchase a new machine, I knew I had to have an embroidery attachment. So now I have a beautiful new sewing machine with embroidery capabilities and I'm thrilled!

Do you want to share with us one secret of your studio?
My daughter, Annabelle, loves to watch me sew and knit. Sometimes, while embroidering she will sit and watch in awe as the needle moves up and down so quickly. She will also sit on my lap and watch me knit. It's great fun for her. I'm teaching her to love fiber arts at an early age.

How many hours do you normally spend in your studio?
I think I spend 2-4 hours per day working. I am a WAHM, so I will sew while the little one naps, and then usually for a couple of hours once the kids have gone to bed.

Is there anything you would add to your working space?
I've thought at times I'd like to have my own room for my studio, but then I realize that would isolate me from my family so perhaps I'd wish for a bigger corner in the living room instead!

And last but not least how often do you clean it?
We'll just say I don't clean it often enough! I will clean it when it becomes difficult to live and work in the space. Perhaps, once a week or so. Is that bad?? LOL

Anything else you'd like to add?
Baby Belle's Favorites was born from a love of crating, and also from an appreciation of natural and simple ways of living. My inspiration was my daughter Annabelle. After her birth, I decided to stay home and raise her. Since having children, I find myself more conscious of how I treat our planet and I strive to provide the best for my children and lessen my footprint on our environment, hence, cloth diapers!

I always find great joy in creating something from scratch, with my own two hands that my children and my customer's children will use. I guess the joy comes from knowing I have given them something made with love and great care.
I have always wondered if I could actually get people to buy the things I make. It is a great feeling to know that I can and I am! I hope there is enough interest in my work to allow me to do this for a very long time!

Thank you! Until the next studio snooping, ciao!

If you have an interesting studio or workspace and some tips to share, comment below and you may be next in our Open Studio Tour series!

If you're looking for more WAHM (work-at-home-mom) content, click here.

Open Studio Tour: WorkatHomeDad

2008-06-11T17:34:00-05:00

In this Open Studio Tour series, we'll be snooping around artists' creative spaces, how they set them up, when, why…even how often they clean them! We really want to know all about our artists, and maybe get a bit of inspiration!

It's Father's Day time so I had to knock at workathomedad's studio door…a glass studio under the sign of eco friendly and fire!

What's your name and what kind of craft do you do?
My name is Matt Carrigan aka workathomedad. I am 35 years old. I have been a full time glassblower for 9 years now.

Where do you make your items?
When I started glassblowing because there were no open-to-public studios anywhere Los Angeles. Glassblowing is one craft that requires a studio right from the start. The necessary ventilation and the use of large amounts of oxygen and propane make it very difficult to set up in a temporary location like a spare bedroom or kitchen.

As soon as I purchased my equipment, I rented an old store front in the Silverlake district in Los Angeles. The storefront also gave me a retail outlet to sell my work. My wife and I ran our studio/ gallery in Los Angeles for 7 years before relocating to a small town in the Pacific Northwest.

Did the studio set up impact your crafter budget?
Opening our studio/gallery in Los Angeles took a small investment. Luckily, we are skilled DIY'ers and were able to do all the construction of the studio and gallery ourselves. Living in a large city like Los Angeles allowed us to find retail and office equipment at exceptional prices. I was also able to buy used welding equipment that is used in a glassblowing studio.

How did you set up your studio in an eco-friendly way?
It has been a slow progression making the studio more and more eco friendly. I think it started from the very beginning, when we would go to local businesses and get their old packaging materials and office supplies to reuse them in our shipping. We started using renewable energy as soon as it was available to us. It only costs a couple of cents more a kilowatt hour —not bad for knowing your power is from the wind and not a nuclear plant or from coal. We are careful to use minimal packaging for our products. Reuse, reduce, recycle is the motto in our studio.

I make a great line of wine bottle stoppers that reuse my glass scraps that would normally be sent to the landfill. These recycled wine bottle stoppers are currently my best sellers. They are bright and colorful. People love the fact that they are eco-friendly.

Which is your favorite tool?
First place has to go to my GTT Mirage glassblowing torch. My Jim Moore diamond sheers take second place.

Do you want to share with us one secret of your studio?
My studio is over 107 years old and I think it may be haunted.

How big is your studio?
My new studio is about 350 square feet. It houses 2 glassblowing work stations, a sandblasting cabinet, a photo booth, warehouse style racks for storing all of our show equipment, and raw glass materials and a kiln. We use our spare bedroom as the office for the computer, fax, copier, and file cabinets. We also use a larger enclosed back porch for our shipping department. We store all of our shipping materials there. If I had any more space here I am sure I would use it for something, too!

Is there anything you would add to your working space to make it more eco-friendly?
In the near future I would like to add skylights to my roof. That would eliminate the need for lighting my studio during the day. In Oregon it also stays light out in the summer until 9:30 or 10pm, so skylights would be very beneficial. Solar panels for electric and water heating are also on my list. I am very excited to install radiant floor heating in the studio as well. Radiant floor heating is a form of central heating which utilizes heat conduction and radiant heat for indoor climate control, rather than forced air heating which relies on convection. Heat can be provided by circulating heated water through pipes installed in the floor.

If you had to choose one synonym for your studio which one would you pick: atelier, family room, lair, lodge, nest, playroom, retreat, sanctuary, shelter, darkroom, or showroom and why?
It is definitely an atelier. It is set up as a studio and not much else. I have no chairs or couches in it. It is a place for creating art.

How much time do you spend in your studio?
A normal week finds me in the studio about 40 hours, with an additional 15-20 hours spent photographing, updating my Etsy store and website and talking to clients on the phone. My wife spends 15-20 hours a week doing marketing and sales. In the summer we spend at least every other week out of town at art festivals selling our work.

Do you share your studio with anyone?
I currently have an apprentice who works with me part time. She also helps with our booth at art festivals. She often brings Yerba Mate to the studio for me (my favorite).

And last but not least, how often do you clean it?
I clean my work area every week or so. The entire studio gets cleaned and organized once a month. Packing and unpacking for art shows is what makes my shop the messiest. I need a way that makes less of a mess when I get ready for a show — either that or a housekeeper lol.

Thank you Matt, until next studio snooping, ciao!

If you have an interesting studio or workspace and some tips to share, comment below and you may be next in our Open Studio Tour series!

Open Studio Tour: CookieTherapy

2008-05-22T12:40:00-05:00

In this Open Studio Tour series, we'll be snooping around artists' creative spaces, how they set them up, when, why…even how often they clean them! We really want to know all about our artists, and maybe get a bit of inspiration!

Today I knocked on the studio door of cookietherapy. She makes cute themed cookies, oven fresh. Many have themes that would be perfect for Father's Day Gifts!

What's your name and what kind of craft do you do?
My name is Virginia del Rio-Romani and I bake sugar decorated cookies.

Where do you make your items?
In my kitchen!

I started this "oh so much fun" thing almost 2 months ago, and since then my kitchen has turned into the place in the house that I'm the only one allowed into, like a super private club with only one member…

Did the studio set up impact your crafter budget?
Well, there was some investment that needed to be done, but I have a full time job, so I tricked myself into believing that I'm only moving money around, which actually has happened during this last month and with the increase in my sales.

How big is your kitchen?
I'm wishing for a bigger one, but for now, it's just the perfect size for me.

Which is your favorite tool?
My pink spatula. What can I say, I'm a girly girl!

Do you want to share with us one secret of your studio?
Mmm…let's see, I treasure everything in it and if somebody dares to even try to "help" I get really defensive. This is my baby, after all. But as far as secret, I'd say that I get emotional sometimes when I see the cookies finished: it's an amazing feeling and the adrenaline rush I get every day is way worth the few hours of sleep I get sometimes.

How many hours do you normally spend in the kitchen?
Between 6 and 7 hours.

Is there anything you would add to your working space?
Yes, more storage.

If you had to choose one synonym for your studio which one would you pick: atelier, family room, lair, lodge, nest, playroom, retreat, sanctuary, shelter, darkroom, or showroom and why?
Sanctuary! I feel in touch with myself when I'm decorating or baking. I think that I get the same feeling I would get if I were in a Japanese garden!

And last but not least how often do you clean it?
Every 5 seconds; you know you have to be really careful when working with food, and I take ALL the necessary precautions to get the best and most yummy product.

Anything else you'd like to add?
I have high respect for the chemistry that, at the end, gives you the sweetness in life.

Thank you, Virginia and thanks for letting us into your sweet kitchen!

If you have an interesting studio or workspace and some tips to share, comment below and you may be next in our Open Studio Tour series!

Open Studio Tours: Fruccidesign

2008-02-21T15:35:00-05:00

In this series, we’ll be snooping around artists’ creative spaces, how they set them up, when, why…even how often they clean them! We really want to know all about our artists, and maybe get a bit of inspiration!

Today we're visiting the space of the artist who will be editing the series — FrucciDesign. She's built a DIY studio nook where she works on metal and paper for her jewelry. So her pieces are truly homemade — and homemade in Italy no less!

What's your name and what kind of craft do you do?
My name is Francesca or Fru and I'm a jewelry maker, I do paper jewelry…but I'm in a transition phase to metal.

When did you decide that you needed a studio?
As most of us crafters, I've started my creative journey in my mum's kitchen then I carried on in my own kitchen, until last summer, when for the first time I met the fabulous world of metal at Penland School of Craft. Once I was back home from Penland I decided that metal is the perfect match for my paper creations. But work with metal involves a very dedicated space. So I started adapting my kitchen table to a jeweler workbench, but I simply was at crossroads: I needed to set up a studio or lose my already super tolerant boyfriend, who shares the same fate as this guy.
[ah, the lovely mess of creativity!]

When and how have you set up your studio?
There are two things you need to do setting up a jewelry studio.

First get the tools, second a bench where you can use them, and I can tell you this is not a cheap ride!

For the tools I shopped around a bit and eventually I bought all the basic things and few more. But when it came to the bench, I was a bit stuck: I found benches too big to fit in my little one bedroom apartment, and their huge price tags didn’t help. So I started looking into DIY benches, and I came across this article, which is written by Tim McCreight, a well-known jeweler and instructor. Based on Tim’s suggestions, one day last September I drove to store to get the raw materials (four wood sticks, three shelves a two drawers unit), and I build my little tiny bench, and now I use it all the time…well also because it is just next to the couch in the living room!

Did the studio set up impact your crafter budget?
It could have, but except for the tools I did everything by myself and secondly, the studio is right in my living room next to the couch, so I cut down also the costs of an extra room rent.

This of course has its disadvantages, because I need to be very careful: safety first!

Because I cannot do any "hot" metal work at home, I use the soldering facility at the local college where I'm taking a class (I actually recommend anybody who is just starting out to look for local colleges or schools, hidden treasure can be around the corner).

How big is your jeweler’s area?
Do you want to know the square footage? well, I don't know…let's say if I'll ever decide to take it down I can use that space to pile up about 30 large pizza boxes!

Which is your favorite tool in your studio?
Indeed there are two: the flex shaft and my paper shredder.

The flex shaft is a great tool that jewelers have stolen from dentists, and it is so handy, you can do almost everything with it.

The shredder is vital for my work, since all the paper I use for my jewelry is cut in tiny little strips, can you imagine to do it by hand?!

Do you want to share with us one secret of your metal studio?
Ok, but just because I love Esty and I know this information will be kept secret: I store all the extra paper (and believe me I have a lot) underneath my couch, sometime I feel like those characters in the cartoon that wipe the floor and hide the dirt under a carpet…but please, shhhh don't tell anybody, ultimately a crafter is always in need of additional storage space!

How many hours do you normally spend in your studio?
I spend all my free time there, especially at night, and the funny thing is that I'm never tired there!

Do you share your studio with someone or would you like to do so?
No, I don't share my studio with any other artists, but I do share the room where my workbench is with my boyfriend and with all our friends who come to see us.

I would love to work in a studio with some other artists, I'm sure it would be a very creative and inspiring experience. Besides, it would also fulfill my social side of my personality.

Is there anything you would add to your working space?
Oh yes! If I had more money I would first of all add more room, and then a huge table for all my ongoing paper projects, and a soldering corner with ventilation system, more light, more tools like a rolling mill, a hydraulic press and a big anvil…but for the moment I'm happy with my studio/corner/living room. Baby steps!

If you had to choose one synonym for your studio which one would you pick: atelier, family room, lair, lodge, nest, playroom, retreat, sanctuary, shelter, darkroom, or, showroom and why ?
If I have to pick just one, I would pick lair, because my tiny corner is MY world, where I can truly express my emotions and develop my idea still feeling safe.

And last but not least how often do you clean it?
Oops, you already asked for one secret, you can't get two!

Thank you Fru, until next studio snooping ciao!

If you have an interesting studio or workspace and some tips to share, comment below and you may be next in our Open Studio Tours series!