Inspiration Wall...

My studio is my very own organized mess... To keep it more organized and less of a mess I try to have a place for nearly everything.

While laying out this studio (I moved in about 2 years ago) I took advantage of the massive unused wall space and painted a "frame" on one wall to "hold" all the little bits of inspiration I found out in the world. It's the back drop for my desk, holds notes, torn out scraps from magazines, as well as little prints from artists and vintage bits. It's large enough (about 15'x 6') so I can effortlessly tack anything and everything up without doing too much editing or organizing.

These photos are from about 6 months ago and I love that it looks totally different today. It's an ever changing collage.

I think...

I think I might like the storybook of my life (i'd prefer that to the movie) to be illustrated by Chris Silas Neal...

Good Bye Everyone!

I'm sending the three editions and a few one-of-a-kind pieces I've been working on for the last weeks off to Earth Angels Toys...

Good Bye and Safe Travels!

in progress...

still working...

(while sitting in the sun)

the long awaited box... Arrived!

Last year my sister gave me a few prized Japanese craft magazines, and while pouring over them I found a Shinzi Katoh ad which piqued my interest. Those of us who live on this side of the globe know very little about this artist and designer, but he is (according to his website, and I'll take his word for it) one of the most famous in Japan. So in January, while in a bit of a funk I cheered myself with a little retail fun. I spent hours navigating through his website, picking out items and refining my selections over and over again. It was a purely enjoyable afternoon, but I was left wondering if my box would ever arrive.... when, low and behold, two months later it came! If you haven't seen Shinzi Katoh's world of cute before, Please, let me introduce you...

washcloths, folder, the cutest baby cloths

bottle cooler, folder, water bottle

tote bag and wash cloths

and my dream tote bag (soon to be diaper bag) to hold it all...

in progress...

List of things to do today in the studio:

1. Finish Ladylike Kittens
2. Start Black and White Bears
3. Continue brainstorming for Silver Bella Workshops (more info to come soon)

Drawers (continued)... and Paint Chips!

Nearly every time I find myself in one of the big box home stores, I head over to the Paint Section to fill my pockets with my color palette of the day. What I've ended up with is color chips here and there in my studio. My favorite use to date: drawer labels. I've used them on my big metal cabinet and cut them down for my little utility drawers. They add the perfect little bits of color here and there, and make remembering "what's in there?" ohhh so much easier! Is there anything better than paint chips?

My Messes

I'm trying to clean up today... it's tricky, as I'm a bit of a messy worker. Usually I like to just have piles of stuff in front of me and I work from there, but sometimes it gets to be a bit overwhelming. I'm proud to announce I can now see my table top, it's not spotless (obviously) but baby steps... right?!

Hello Baby!

Jay and I went for our T2 ultrasound last week... it's official, there is a baby in there. We've decided not to find out if we're having a boy or a girl, but all in due time. 21 weeks down and 19 to go...

drawers

A couple years ago, I found this amazing old metal cabinet in a resale shop. The shallow drawers are divided into two separate sections and it's been a dream in my studio (although I nearly broke my back getting it there). I easily loaded it up with all the little items that never had the perfect home before. I've labeled each drawer so I can see what I have and what's more I love the mix of colors and textures each time I pull open a drawer.

Have a look!