Etsy's Handmade Blog
Open Studio Tour: HarrieteEstelBerman
Story by FrucciDesign, HarrieteEstelBerman
Published on March 12, 2009 in This Handmade Life 		Photo by

Harriete Estel Berman

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:


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!

Tags crafting spaces, FrucciDesign, HarrieteEstelBerman, Harriete Estel Berman, jewelry, metal, Open Studio Tours, sellers, studios, studio tours, THIS HANDMADE LIFE, tin cans, work flow, working spaces, workshops
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88 comments     Login to add your own!

March 12, 2009 at 4:40 p.m. tinahdee

Wow! That is truly spectacular. Thanks!

March 12, 2009 at 4:40 p.m. voleurdebijoux

Fabulous article! Thank you so much for sharing your studio with us, Harriete! :)

March 12, 2009 at 4:43 p.m. WearableByDesign

Delightful! It's always wonderful to get an insight into an artists processes.

March 12, 2009 at 4:44 p.m. CatherinetteRings

Stunning work . You are very talented .

March 12, 2009 at 4:44 p.m. dogties

Great stuff!

March 12, 2009 at 4:47 p.m. elizabethwren

So creative, I love it!!!

March 12, 2009 at 4:53 p.m. ModernMetalJewelry

I really enjoyed the article as I have been a fan of Harriete's work for a long time!

March 12, 2009 at 4:53 p.m. worksandfinds

Oh wow! Thank you for sharing.

March 12, 2009 at 5:03 p.m. olliegraphic

Love this!

March 12, 2009 at 5:04 p.m. Karmacrochet

Great article! I love that stuff!

March 12, 2009 at 5:17 p.m. niTeBecOmEsdAy

i love that teapot! thanks for the great article!

March 12, 2009 at 5:20 p.m. pattihaskins

Very interesting and informative. Thanks to you both.

March 12, 2009 at 5:22 p.m. artsharkdesigns

Great studio and article!

March 12, 2009 at 5:27 p.m. EJPcreations

She has always been such an inspiration!!! I love her work and her books. So happy to see this article :)

March 12, 2009 at 5:43 p.m. DeNovoStyle

Great pieces! Truly amazing creations from found things!

March 12, 2009 at 5:44 p.m. softandcozy

Hey! The lady who made the tin whistle out of coca cola bottle caps lives in my tiny little town!! :)

This is inspiring to me, seeing Harriet's workspace. I just purchased a used cabinet on craigslist that I'm VERY excited about... it'll be my first area designated solely for crafting. As of now I sew anywhere and everywhere.

March 12, 2009 at 5:49 p.m. sherrytruitt

I've loved Berman's work for a long time, nice to get a peek into her studio.

March 12, 2009 at 6:03 p.m. dragonhouseofyuen

wonderful article thanks!
yes, every single minute is put to use! how apt, and I also love old tins and metal.
Great to see littleblackrabbit in the mini treasury above, all such beautiful work, all collages (assemblages) with metal!
just super

March 12, 2009 at 6:08 p.m. ChocolateBeachFlower

what a fun article!!

March 12, 2009 at 6:10 p.m. BPyarns

Thanks for the peak into Harriete's studio!

March 12, 2009 at 6:10 p.m. lucybluestudio

It is great seeing bits of someone's studio. Thanks for sharing!

March 12, 2009 at 6:15 p.m. worksofwhimsy

So interesting, I can't wait for the next in the series.

March 12, 2009 at 6:29 p.m. MGMart

Great article!!

March 12, 2009 at 6:56 p.m. KiraFerrer

Great stuff!! Fantastic interview!

March 12, 2009 at 6:58 p.m. theaxx

What an awesome place to be!!!!!! It looks so juicy colourful and fun in there. and the curator picks are so funky and personality-packed.

Thanks for the article!

thea.
xx

(www.forthevisionaries.tumblr.com)

March 12, 2009 at 7 p.m. odiliafu

Very special and interesting!!

March 12, 2009 at 7:04 p.m. schOOLLOcker

So inspiring! I adore studio tours; looking forward to more articles in this series.

March 12, 2009 at 7:12 p.m. pogoshop

What wonderful variety in her materials and in her art! I hope we'll get to see Harriete's pencil sculpture when it's finished. I love the concept.

March 12, 2009 at 7:41 p.m. yaelfran

wonderful article!!!!!
Thank you two, frucci and Harriete!!!

March 12, 2009 at 7:45 p.m. asundrynotion

Found objects are the best! That iron collection reminds me to go list my vintage 50s chrome travel iron right now. Congrats Harriete!

March 12, 2009 at 7:48 p.m. CeramicsbyMarcelle

Great article! Harriete has been a friend and neighbor for several years and is very inspiring to be around. Fabulous art!!

March 12, 2009 at 7:53 p.m. EpicBones

nice! i love the open studios series!! Harriete seems awesome, it's great she's using recycled materials!

March 12, 2009 at 8:12 p.m. MyJunkyTrunk

I love these articles! Gorgeous and inspiring work!

March 12, 2009 at 8:23 p.m. miccicohan

So creative! I love every item and love seeing her space!

March 12, 2009 at 8:37 p.m. artwithallie

Cool stuff - If I'm not creating in my own area I'm keen to snoop around in others!

March 12, 2009 at 8:39 p.m. uncharted

great article... I love finding new ways to use vintage materials! Harriete does a great job!

March 12, 2009 at 8:55 p.m. PipocaHandmade

Truly unique and inspiring! I love the range of pieces.

March 12, 2009 at 9 p.m. bhangtiez

wow, nice article...thanks 4 sharing! what a fun looking studio

March 12, 2009 at 9:03 p.m. Rose442

Wow! What unusual and fun stuff!A true Artist of imagination and persistence!

March 12, 2009 at 9:05 p.m. Rose442

I'd like to see the pencil sculture when it's finished!

March 12, 2009 at 9:35 p.m. 3squares

fabulous work!

March 12, 2009 at 10:03 p.m. FoundVintageStyle

love the chair piece... it's great to see someone take their art that far!

March 12, 2009 at 10:08 p.m. baconsquarefarm

Thanks for sharing your world with us~ like your shop and studio~ great article frucci and harriete~!

March 12, 2009 at 10:13 p.m. bellasparty

Great work! Very creative.

March 12, 2009 at 10:31 p.m. adamsonart

As an artist using both garage and dining room, I can totally relate to your space constrictions. I'm so glad my kids grew up and live in their own space now.... I stole one bedroom for my other etsy shop LOL. I'm so happy how it all worked out. It can only get better from here :)

On with the rest of it! Wonderful article. Thank you.

March 12, 2009 at 10:38 p.m. MetroGypsy

Great article! Very very interesting items too...

March 12, 2009 at 10:46 p.m. jnoriginals

Great article! I think folks are always interested in how other designers work. There was a recent post about this topic in the BBEST blog here:
http://boomersandbeyond.blogspot.com/...

March 12, 2009 at 10:49 p.m. marcelostworld

Interesting article, very creative artist!
Thanks for sharing.

March 12, 2009 at 10:53 p.m. 5gardenias

harriet--- i salute you, your wonderful work your continual creativity!-- you have the true grit and commitment it takes to stay working at it as an artist. it IS hard work, and you're so right---it is NOT romantic!! but it is a way of life we artist folks wouldn't trade for the world!

March 12, 2009 at 10:54 p.m. 5gardenias

p.s. ---great article frucci-- thanks!

March 12, 2009 at 11:05 p.m. bunnyboutique

I can tell that I'm going to love this series of articles like the "Quit your day jo0b series". I'm also in the midst of trying to find space to create a fine jewellery workshop. Unfortunatly the garage is a gym. My current studio is the spare bedroom, and there's definatly no more room in there.
Thanks Harriette for sharing, it was very helpful.

March 12, 2009 at 11:08 p.m. novadesigns

I really enjoyed this article! I always love seeing other artist work spaces :o)

March 12, 2009 at 11:31 p.m. ManoCelebrates

Very nice work, lot of hardwork and creation.

March 13, 2009 at 12:15 a.m. jurphy

Wow, I am in AWE! Amazing work and very inspiring!

March 13, 2009 at 1:08 a.m. Lunatiger

I'm always flabbergasted at the amount of creativity found on etsy. It never ends...and I don't want it too!

March 13, 2009 at 3:21 a.m. sunshinerivers

hi, i'm new to etsy and already i feel connected to a new community... the artist community. reading this article made me feel right at home, the creativity, passion, dedication. awesome work!

March 13, 2009 at 8:33 a.m. Rhiannon228

I WANT that teapot.

March 13, 2009 at 8:45 a.m. zombuki

You should come by my studio, I just posted some weekly photos on my blog @ http://pbrigitte.wordpress.com/ :3

March 13, 2009 at 8:53 a.m. khamm75

wow i love taking a peek inside the artist's world!

March 13, 2009 at 9:23 a.m. EvesArt

I love the reusing/upcycling/refabricating!

March 13, 2009 at 9:59 a.m. thestapeliacompany

Such neat pieces! I love these studio tours.

March 13, 2009 at 11:23 a.m. azurejoy

Very interesting and encouraging. I have my little studio and love spending time working in it... now if I could just have more time, I might get something finished!

March 13, 2009 at 11:32 a.m. meebees

What a great artist! I appreciate her honesty in talking about her work. I, too, have constructed my studio from things off the side of the road. An old kitchen cabinet, a window pane, and more!

March 13, 2009 at 2:29 p.m. littleblackrabbit

thanks - she is amazing!

March 13, 2009 at 3:04 p.m. HarrieteEstelBerman

Thank you everyone for your comments and interest in my artwork. It's great to meet all of you online.
You are welcome to visit my website at
www.harriete-estel-berman.info or ask your professional question and read my past blogs at http://www.askharriete.typepad.com.

March 13, 2009 at 5:42 p.m. sandali

I absolutely love it !!! It makes me want to Charleston ;)

March 13, 2009 at 6:33 p.m. BlueTerracotta

I've seen her work and love it! It's nice to get to see the artist, how and where she works.

March 14, 2009 at 3:54 p.m. primitivepainter

I wish my studio looked so nice, and colorful too.

March 14, 2009 at 5:58 p.m. Waterrose

How interesting and what a fantastic medium!

March 15, 2009 at 8:59 p.m. jodieflowers

Awesome!

March 16, 2009 at 6:10 p.m. A2SeaCreations

Hi Harriete!
What an innovative and unique idea! I appreciate you 'letting us in' to your creative life and sharing that part of yourself. I wish you all the best in your journey and best of luck with that pencil sculpture! Sounds intriguing!

Micki from A2Sea Creations & A2Sea Photography

March 16, 2009 at 7:54 p.m. TreeHuggerStudio

Neato speedo !!!!!!!

March 17, 2009 at 5:07 p.m. BluCille

Great ideas for recycling.

March 17, 2009 at 8:11 p.m. JMNPOTTERY

I love how colorful everything in your studio is!

March 19, 2009 at 9:14 p.m. Shroompiloop

Love all the amazing color tones -- makes me want to munch all the beautiful wrappers ;)

March 19, 2009 at 11:54 p.m. Eclecticclayworks

Thanks for opening your studio up to all of us......so great to see how other artist do thier thing....great stuff, very cool!

March 20, 2009 at 1:09 p.m. 8PawsCollars

How cool to see in your studio. I agreen that staying organzied is key to a smaller space. And revisiting the way is organize is key every couple of months. Thanks for sharing!

March 23, 2009 at 8:11 a.m. safarisister

Harriete, thx so much for taking the time to share your workspace and more! I had the pleasure, many years ago, of having had several classes with you through Mariyln DiSilva's metal department at CCAC now CCA...1990-1991.

I always enjoyed your work and my hat is off to you for the work that you continue!!!

best regards,
Jacky Powell -- Michigan then California and now Mexico City LOL

April 2, 2009 at 5:56 p.m. dafnadagan

it is realy a magic

April 3, 2009 at 7:15 a.m. simplylovlee

Love it!! Too cool!

April 5, 2009 at 3:14 p.m. Ladybrook

AWSOME!!! So much color!!! Thanks for sharing!!

April 9, 2009 at 9:24 p.m. gilstrapdesigns

Great article. My studio is the dinning room but it's my little space and I love it. It's our workshop.

May 12, 2009 at 10:08 p.m. BlessedRepublic

Thank you so much for sharing. You are such an inspiration!

May 16, 2009 at 10:54 p.m. moxiesisters

Really cool stuff! So original and fresh.

May 26, 2009 at 1:14 p.m. sineminugur

Love it!

June 3, 2009 at 7:33 a.m. dovegrey

Great studio pictures! I have a small studio at the back of my house, it was a summer kitchen/sunporch but now it is all my own! I seem to be in need of more space, may have to take over one of the spare bedrooms!

July 30, 2009 at 4 a.m. riorita


How very bright and colorful. I love the Obverse Obsession Chocolate pot and the Johnny Robot Pin is very cute!

Oct. 18, 2009 at 7:38 p.m. LondonParticulars

Love the colors!

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