A Guide for Makers

Introducing
the
M A K E R ‘S G U I D E
more than just a pattern.

joystudiohandmaidsmga

In October 2016 we introduced a line of 3 HANDMAIDS® applique patterns.
This was our soft launch to the trade which presented at the
Fall International Quilt Market.
These are oversized studio pieces, 60″ x 18″ that many of you expressed interest in from my Joy Studio feature photos in Where Women Create. Well, we wanted to explore just how much, by creating these life size “She Who Sews” girls in large format applique, for a start.
The response at market was overwhelming!

handmaidsapplique-1

We are just getting started and planning to have these three available early this year.
Also planned, is loads of inspiration, ideas and opportunities to share.
We’ll let you know where and when right here at
G R E A T  J O Y  S T U D I O.

joystudiohandmaidsmgb

Artist’s guide to inspire you, the maker.
Keep creating!

New Product Announcement

We are sew very excited to announce a

NEW

“She Who Sews”

product line from

LANG!

langjoystudio1

These beautifully made products were chosen for an exclusive program

&

will soon be delivering to select JoAnn’s stores.

It is a continued privilege to share the art and the positive messages that have come to be associated with the Handmaids® series. Absolutely loving these sewing inspired items!

The collection includes

Bob’s (nesting) Boxes . . ,

langjoystudio2

langjoystudio3  •

boxed note cards, note pads, planners . ,

langjoystudio4

langjoystudio5

langjoystudio7

journals and lots more!

langjoystudio6

See them all in February 2017 at participating

JoAnn’s

stores. Comment with your state, for the location nearest to you.

Our LANG (mug) cup runneth over.

langjoystudio8

Save

Save

Save

Still Seeking

Happy New Year!

Still seeking light. And still hopeful,

in more ways than just a bright, well lit work space of course.

However,

I decided to share the Joy Studio portion and progress on our big project, to start out the blog year.

If you’ve been following us in the past two years you may remember that as we outgrew our work space it was necessary to rent additional office and Etsy shop storage areas. This was working out nicely until our shop managers MOVED! So, everything came back to the home studio causing quite the challenge in 2016.

Here’s the timeline in a photo nutshell.

Moved From The Rental

Moved From The Rental

Dinning Room Designated for Drawing

Dinning Room Designated for Drawing

Made A Plan for On Site Studio

Made A Plan for On Site Studio

With the former home studio now full of fabric, office and Etsy shop we (I) decided to build on our home site. A scary project but a long time dream that I never thought would be realized. Still waiting but it’s looking like in 2017, it may really happen!

   •

Broke Ground Early July

Broke Ground Early July

Poured Foundation

Poured Foundation

Floor Went On

Floor Went On

Walls Went Up

Walls Went Up

Roof Went On

Roof Went On

Wrapped While Waiting for Windows

Wrapped While Waiting for Windows

We were told the wait for windows would be five weeks! Then they came, in a big storm. Windows were wrong. It was then we discovered that two of the four walls were also, wrong. So, they came down and we waited for windows. And waited. And waited. It would be another five weeks. Second try, they were wrong again. Windows held up the studio project until December.

Windows Deliver During A Storm

Windows Deliver During A Storm

Walls Torn Down

Walls Torn Down

Wait for Walls & Windows

Wait for Walls & Windows

We kept going luckily, wrapping walls, running wires and having HVAC installed.

Electric And Furnace Installed

Electric And Furnace Installed

Shake Siding

Shake Siding

We couldn’t leave out a fireplace of course. Built by family and friends. Nice!

Stone Fireplace

Stone Fireplace

Insulated

Insulated

As the new Joy Studio sits now, we are fully insulated and with the correct windows.

I am starting the new year working in the designated drawing station in the dinning room at my dad’s drawing table. I’m feeling snug and . . . GRATEFUL.

joystudiomover

Dad’s Table & Palette Tin

Looking forward to 2017 and I hope you feel the same.

&

I almost forgot! We are having a FABRIC special!!

Use Code: january2017 for 25% off at,

Great Joy Studio Etsy Shop

Through January.

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Where (this) Woman Creates

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.

WWCPosterQTLo

&

In addition it is my pleasure to be doing a signing

with the magazine’s creator and editor in chief,

Jo Packham!

At

the International Quilt Market in Houston on Saturday.

JoyStudioWWCg

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!

JoyStudioWWCb

So,

I hope you will pick up a copy

&

that you will enjoy reading our story.

JoyStudioWWCc

JoyStudioWWCyJoyStudioWWCx

*

JoyStudioWWCf

Almost, like a fairy tale ending?

JoyStudioWWCa

Or a new chapter.

😉

Studio Cabinet Update

JoyStudioCabinetA

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.

JoyStudioCabinetB

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.

JoyStudioCabinetCJoyStudioCabinetDJoyStudioCabinetE

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.

JoyStudioCabinetF

&

The other cabinets have all printed and promotional matter.

All of the doors still need their knobs

and a clear wax coat.

JoyStudioCabinetH

JoyStudioCabinetI

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.

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

JoyStudioCabinetK

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!

JoyStudioCabinetKBefore

Ahhhhh,

At last, organization is at hand!

Please stay tuned for

a full Joy Studio(s) reveal and news!