by Great Joy Studio | Jan 7, 2011 | Getting Started, Studio
Armed with good intentions and resolutions, I accomplished some, not all, of what I planned for the first week of the new year:
Washed some filthy, but interesting vintage windows that I’ve been storing for years, on the one warm sunny day we’ve had.
Afterward I played a bit, utilizing the new decorative elements on a blank studio wall over the company filing cabinets. The lateral file systems were a big help in gaining control in the studio’s office area. One unit houses my sketches and ideas, while another, the not so fun, but necessary business items. Fitting & functional.
Then I had to clean up the paper blob that typically accumulates on top of them both! Oh my, still working on that, end of the year items, etc.
I found the wire/rod dress form in a shop on the way home from Spring Quilt Market last May. The sparkly J-O-Y letters, Wendy Addison – Tinsel Trading Co., were purchased a few weeks earlier at the ME Home Companion workshop event. The dress form, art pieces are from my “Tiny Tailors” fabric line. It’s nice to see them all in their proper places at last.
I managed to get the Christmas decorations put away,
…do a little sketching on a new line using some of my old art,
and tried to eat healthy for the last three days in a row!
So, not a bad start, I suppose. This also seems a good time to declare the rest of my ongoing organizing goals for 2011 and checking off some from 2010. During the studio clean up attempts over the past year, it became necessary to extend the regrouping to all areas of my life, eeks, as I’ve stated a few times already. It seems the farther I get into this, the more projects and stuff I (re) discover. Fun, but at times it still overwhelms.
Dealing with all of the accumulated debris while the under lying prioritizing of what’s important to do with one’s time vs what needs to go, is a challenge. Seeing some results helped me this week however, to stay on (practical) task. Overall, I’m encouraged to keep going and hopefully you are to.
by Great Joy Studio | Dec 30, 2010 | Personal Touch, Studio
Little did I know, last December I was just beginning work on a program that would monopolize much of my time, energy and focus in 2010. In addition, my chaotic studio surroundings were closing in on me, literally. In reflection, it has been a good but challenging twelve months.
One year later, to be heading into the new year with a clean slate (work schedule), an organized work station and a considerably tidier, studio space, over all, feels especially good. I’ll reveal my progress on the complete studio undertaking after the holidays. Maybe in stages, still have a far way to go.
What a difference a year can make. Tools are close at hand, some practical while others offer sentimental comfort…
and everything is in good supply. Paint is housed in the drawer on the right.
The large message board was a Christmas present to myself, one that I’m not entirely sold on keeping.
I suppose most of us like a new day, a new year. It feels kind of like a new start, full of possibilities and opportunities, to make necessary changes, to do better, another chance to get things finished and in the proper order. Hmmmn, I wonder what God has planned for me in 2011! And…for you.
A hearty thank you for all of your comments and encouragement in this first year of the Joy Studio blog and a Happy New Year! God bless you.
by Great Joy Studio | Dec 16, 2010 | Studio
Ice storm, well more like freezing drizzle, fell over night leaving behind a glaze covering on everything this morning. A good excuse to stay in, light the (season’s) first fire in the studio fireplace and enjoy the view.
by Great Joy Studio | Dec 9, 2010 | Collectables, Studio
I still haven’t found the right time for trimming our main tree. Maybe today! I’m not altogether sure, how I want to decorate it this year. For someone who was formerly dubbed “the ornament lady,” surprisingly I always lean toward our simple paper snowflakes, the kids and I cut when they were little.
The alternate choice of course, is none other than, the original, hand painted, made in America, signed by the artist, glazed and fired ceramic ornaments! Chuckle. Here are some of the last produced that I managed to hold on to before Tidings of Great Joy moved into art licensing. You can see how the cookie cutters were utilized to make them and why I began collecting the cutters.
With all of the cookie cutter collection talk on Tuesday, I was reminded of my treasured time and handiwork of years gone by. I unpacked them today. Maybe this year they will make it on to the tree. I’m still trying to find a way to get them back into production. I’ll keep everyone posted.
On each of the Tidings of Great Joy ornament hang tags it reads:
…for unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
It was the Christmas story read by Linus in Charles M. Schulz’s ” A Charlie Brown Christmas,” that inspired the (then holiday ornament producing) company’s name. Est. early 1980’s.
by Great Joy Studio | Dec 2, 2010 | Art News
Our weekend giveaway offer is from the “Christmas Traditions” commemorative collection. A 1700’s Sugar Tree (signed) print, greeting cards (12 pack includes two of each of the six designs) and a few other surprise goodies.
1. Comment here to enter. 2.Let me know that you (click on) “Like” Tidings of Great Joy, LLC (Facebook page) for a second chance to win! 3.For a third opportunity, stop by the Fine Art Ltd. booth #413 at the St. Louis Holiday Magic show, the America’s Center anytime this weekend and say Hi! I’ll be there Sunday afternoon.
Announcing a winner Sunday night, December 5th.
“Christmas Traditions” products availability:
Country Door & Bass Pro shops – dinnerware
Fine Art LTD. – Glass ornaments, cards & prints
Quilting Treasures – Quilt fabric available March, 2011, exclusively in quilt shops
by Great Joy Studio | Nov 28, 2010 | Art News, Field Trip
A couple of weeks ago, I took a drive across town to pick up some of the “Christmas Traditions” ornaments at the Fine Art LTD gallery. It was my first opportunity to see the finished product and I was quite pleased with the final result. What a privilege, to be a part of this interesting commemorative collection and discover the meaningful story of a 500 year Christian, Christmas tradition. The Christmas tree.
This weekend the “Christmas Traditions” ornaments, dinnerware, prints and greeting cards will be available for purchase at the “St Louis Holiday Magic” show December 3rd – 5th, held in the America’s Center. Come by and see me at the Fine Art LTD booth and say hello on Friday, Dec. 3
For additional information and details on this collection go to Joy Studio’s October 25th post titled “Announcing.”
500 yr celebration of the decorated Christmas tree from
The National Christmas Tree Assoc.
Additional Availability:
Country Door & Bass Pro shops – dinnerware
Fine Art LTD. – Glass ornaments, cards & prints
Quilting Treasures – Quilt fabric available March, 2011, exclusively in quilt shops
Riga – Be sure to watch this, it’s really fun!
Afterward I played a bit, utilizing the new decorative elements on a blank studio wall over the company filing cabinets. The lateral file systems were a big help in gaining control in the studio’s office area. One unit houses my sketches and ideas, while another, the not so fun, but necessary business items. Fitting & functional.
Then I had to clean up the paper blob that typically accumulates on top of them both! Oh my, still working on that, end of the year items, etc.
I found the wire/rod dress form in a shop on the way home from Spring Quilt Market last May. The sparkly J-O-Y letters, Wendy Addison – Tinsel Trading Co., were purchased a few weeks earlier at the ME Home Companion workshop event. The dress form, art pieces are from my “Tiny Tailors” fabric line. It’s nice to see them all in their proper places at last.
I managed to get the Christmas decorations put away,
…do a little sketching on a new line using some of my old art,
Dealing with all of the accumulated debris while the under lying prioritizing of what’s important to do with one’s time vs what needs to go, is a challenge. Seeing some results helped me this week however, to stay on (practical) task. Overall, I’m encouraged to keep going and hopefully you are to.
