Art News | Great Joy Studio

Where (this) Woman Creates

by Great Joy Studio | Oct 22, 2015 | Art News

It’s True!

Where Women Create paid our Joy Studio(s) a visit!

And you can see the feature in the Winter Issue,

on news stands Nov.1, 2015.

•

In addition it is my pleasure to be doing a signing

with the magazine’s creator and editor in chief,

Jo Packham!

the International Quilt Market in Houston on Saturday.

•

Last year at Fall Quilt Market I met the very gracious Jo, at the Sew Scary fabric debut and soon after we began the process. Another dream goal, being realized, hard to believe. The upcoming visit understandably, thrust us into high gear sprucing up and organizing both work spaces as you have seen (here) over the past months. A tall order after only just moving into to the new space last August however, quite rewarding and needed.

Re-creating the inspirational areas was perfect (God’s?) timing!

•

So,

I hope you will pick up a copy

that you will enjoy reading our story.

•

Almost, like a fairy tale ending?

•

Or a new chapter.

😉

Studio Cabinet Update

by Great Joy Studio | Oct 12, 2015 | Studio

In our May, what we’ve been up to share,

we included a chalk paint treatment to some studio storage.

I recommend for any large painting projects.

No stripping or sanding, just start painting.

For our application, we used Annie Sloan purchased at Nettie Suze.

•

Here is the pretty cabinet reveal.

One set houses pastels, glues & framing equipment.

On top,

some acquired vintage (my dad’s)

tools of the trade.

Sculpting, palette knives and photo developing pan

& anything for small constructive projects.

Also…

Some familiar faces.

The watercolor is from the Hairraising Halloween collection.

•

The old windows were salvaged from my hub’s childhood home,

on 240 Main St.,

now underneath a mini mall.

Vintage clothespins secure the

Scripture index cards, hand written (other side) by our Syd,

especially for me, to encourage during a dark time.

The other cabinets have all printed and promotional matter.

All of the doors still need their knobs

and a clear wax coat.

On the counter tops…

My mom’s French female book end and one of my dad’s sketches.

Several porcelain pin cushion tops, saved for a future Handmaids® challenge.

All gathered around my aunt’s miniature cafe furniture.

An antique re-print

available soon on our

Joy Studio Vintage shop.

A vintage paper cutter conveniently holds our product labels and twine.

This was the fun part of the home studio project.

Finding a place for everything,

cleaned up, freshly painted and everything in it’s a place.

Then surrounding myself with treasured sentimental items

creating an inspirational work space

offering both comfort and joy.

It was high time!

Ahhhhh,

At last, organization is at hand!

•

Please stay tuned for

a full Joy Studio(s) reveal and news!

Staircase Reclaim

by Great Joy Studio | Oct 3, 2015 | Projects, Studio

Another one of my bright ideas!

Again, as part of the studio shape up this summer,

we reclaimed some lumber from our home remodel that was being stored under the porch.

The former studio staircase rough is now a heavy duty work bench.

A well needed station suited for those too messy to work on inside projects was my thought.

The designer in me couldn’t resist using the stringers as a decorative apron . . .

. . with the risers as decking on top.

A couple of the treads are on each end.

A little transparent stain with a little color & voila!

Seasonally, it will serve as a potting bench. I love the results

the new work surface!

Many thanks to my hubs!

Often, I am the one who comes up with the vision,

and always the one who hangs on to scrap lumber but,

not the one who can execute!

Vintage

by Great Joy Studio | Sep 14, 2015 | Collectables, Studio

I should title this post, “. . . Another man’s (woman’s) treasure?”

If you have been following our art journey then you know that over the past year we have been . . .

Cleaning up,

expanding,

and setting up SHOP! Our latest,

JOY STUDIO VINTAGE on Etsy.

All summer (and a bit longer) we have been diligently sorting, cataloging, and prying out of my tight grip, the many collectibles in the studio. Some are very difficult to part with however, it’s time. I suppose many artists are also collectors and I cannot deny, that I am a passionate one. I acquired my first antique furniture piece at age 16, my grandmother’s dresser and have admired vintage items and antiques ever since. Not sure why, perhaps it is the detail of the workmanship? Or maybe the history of a piece that I find intriguing.

H o w e v . .

. . . my great weakness of all time, is vintage (& antique) illustration!

Yes, OLD paper. Not sure why but I get lost in an illustrated image, sigh.

I have always been fascinated by illustrations, especially pre-1960s, ever since pouring over my dad’s childhood books as a kid.

Yes, I would say fascinated!

verb (used with object), fascinated, fascinating.

to attract and hold attentively by a unique power, personal charm, unusual nature, or some other special quality; enthrall:

I am certain, that being exposed to these interesting and sometimes charming images has inspired, shaped and contributed to my illustrative endeavors.

Anyway . . .

My collections have now become somewhat vast, I hate to admit.

Much of the ephemera I have collected was solely for inspiration and reference so, truly it has served it’s purpose,

although I still adore and never tire of viewing it.

So.

I am opening the file drawers and am in the beginning stages, of offering some of my favorite pieces to be shared with other collector’s and admirers who share my passion. We have a long way to go so there is sure to be (LOTS) more in the coming months so please check back often. To date, we have a variety of vintage post cards and antique trade cards in the old paper category. Still listing and haven’t even started on the children’s books yet! Those will be tough.

So, I invite interested parties to take a look at

Our Shop.

There are also vintage art supplies, paperdolls, pincushions and prints.

As well as sewing related trade cards!

Surprisingly, many of these treasures are selling as soon as we list, and before we could get anywhere close to completing this daunting process. For instance, we started with approx. twenty rocking chair sewing caddies which were intended for a She Who Sews (Rocks) challenge. Before we could organize it, the cute rockers began to disappear. Four are left.

We thought it might be a good time to share with our like minded/kindred spirits.

If you can find something you like, please enjoy.