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.
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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.
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The old windows were salvaged from my hub’s childhood home,
on 240 Main St.,
now underneath a mini mall.
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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!
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Please stay tuned for
a full Joy Studio(s) reveal and news!
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!
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!
1.
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
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.
Thanks for the visit!
Also,
by Great Joy Studio | Sep 1, 2015 | Quilting & Fabric, Studio
THANK YOU!
To all of you for supporting us on our Joy Studio facebook page last month
&
participating in the Sew Scary fabric giveaway.
To continue the first year celebration of the Joy Studio expansion
and home studio spruce up,
we are sharing progress shots featuring
more of our fabric collection,
Letter Stitch!
Here is some of the fun we had creating with the Antique Typography
in the home studio.
Art history studio screen.
Window shade buntings.
Sewing supply shelves.
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&
Needlecraft collectibles.
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Pillows.
&
Quilts of course.
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Upholstery
&
comfy couch makins.
The possibilities for this fabric group are endless and inspiring.
If you love letters, written text and pattern, check out
“Letter Stitch” from Quilting Treasures in quilt shops now.
Still going too!
Lots more studio joy in store!
Coming right up.
by Great Joy Studio | Aug 10, 2015 | Quilting & Fabric, Studio
Last Fall we presented our Sew Scary Collection to the trade at the
International Quilt Market in Houston
Where, sooooo much excitement with this group began.
Now, we are delighted to share, with you!
Here are some of the process shots, projects and fun stuff from the studio.
Our first look (in print) on paper.
The festive and fast, FREE project download at Quilting Treasures.
And some fun framed & stuffed ideas.
Sew Scary delivered to quilt shops in the Spring and is widely available.
So, try your local quilt shop.
AND . . .
Quilted!
By Brenda Miller of Among Brenda’s Quilts.
Above, is a peek at our
Scaredy Patch
quilt in
AMERICAN QUILTER MAGAZINE!
Another easy patch project in the AQ September Issue 2015
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For a little extra excitement,
our Joy Studio (North) is celebrating our
ONE Year Anniversary in the new work space.
So, how better than with a giveaway!
Yeah! Applause, applause, applause 😉
WIN
This Sew Scary Tote & a Sew Scary short stack of fat quarters!!!
‘Like’ our Joy Studio Page on Facebook
to be entered. We will be including our current fans as well.
And please, let us know.
Random drawing, choosing five winners again, for a LIKE of our FB Page
In honor of the 1 Yr. anniversary, Joy Studio work space.
Drawing results announced August 31
by Great Joy Studio | Aug 3, 2015 | Projects, Studio
Where did July go?
Summer family visits and work on a new fabric line.
Poof, it was gone!
First of the month, with my BIG 2015 deadlines met, feels great! Ahhhhh
Time for a breather . . . and a little creating, just for fun is my August plan.
And
I’ll be doing it on a clean slate well, drawing table top actually.
Trying to look on the bright side . . of our studio clean up casualty.
As some of you may remember, most of my creating is performed on my dad’s, now vintage, drawing table. Not only does it hold numerous, fond memories for me, but it is an esteemed and sentimental studio piece. I’ve spent many a melancholy moment, years in fact, between sketches reflecting on the stains, splashes and scratches made by him on this favorite time worn treasure. So, I was devastated when of all items, it was nearly destroyed.
Earlier this year, during the studio cleanup, everything had to be moved for the carpet shampoo. After running out of room, I was forced to drag a few things outside temporarily for the shampooer. What could happen on a sunny day after all with no rain in sight, right?
Wait a minute. S U N ? + Magnifying glass + wood =
F I R E !
It wasn’t sunny when I took everything out. 🙁
However, during the many hours waiting for the carpet to dry the shade receded and the table was in full sun. Um, not sure how long. When I finally decided it was time to bring everything back in, I discovered something very odd.
OH NO! S M O K E ???
How? From what? And yes, smack dab in the center of the table top!!! The table was burning.
Noooooooooooo!
Of course, the magnifying glass lamp . . . . . and the sun. Not a good combo for wood. What was I thinking?
How dumb, and how sad. I immediately began to douse and investigate. It had burned a nine inch long gouge, nearly all the way through the beloved, irreplaceable table.
So, after a few tears well, quite a few, and panic, I began gently sanding the charred finger wide and deep, damaged section.
I mean, this was not only where my dad worked, sob, sob, but was the only work station I would ever, be able to connect (emotionally speaking) and create comfortably. No, no, no, this could not have just happened I thought, as I sanded, and sanded and sanded. Then pretty soon I began to realize, if I kept sanding, I just may go through to the other side. It was that deep. I decided to stop.
Didn’t look good.
As I stared at the ruined rubble in a daze of despair, it became apparent. If, I wanted to save the integrity of all the stains, the splashes and drips that my dear dad-o left behind and still be able to function, I had to flip the top. After all, I couldn’t bear to sand, fill and refinish the entire top erasing the traces of creating he had left behind.
So, it was decided.
It was the logical solution.
Funny though, how creativity is all tied up to our emotions and how easily that can be interrupted, blocking the natural flow of making. We’ll see.
So goes my tale of the turned over,
clean slate,
in it’s new location,
ready for action . . . again.
Full studio re vamp news & reveal to come – Fall 2015!
A vintage paper cutter conveniently holds our product labels and twine.
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