studio tour

be proud of me, folks.  stand up and applaud and cheer and stomp your feet and yell out accolades, which i will proudly accept because this - this! - was no small feat.  i worked and toiled on both saturday and sunday, cussing and fretting and crawling under spaces, pulling furniture out and in, moving boxes here to there, filling FIVE large plastic bags of garbage to overflowing (don't ask), and standing in the middle of the room for more times than i care to admit and wailing, "where do i begin?!".  it wasn't pretty.  i was a mess, and my body at the end of yesterday, as the light begin to dim outdoors, was an aching lump of muscles that had not been used that way for years.  but - and i exaggerate not when i tell you this - when i finished as much as i could for this stage (there is one wall left to conquer, and no, you will not be seeing photographs of it, i do have some smidgens left of pride inside of me), when i finished i stood back like a proud little girl, beaming, and blurted right out loud, "oh, i am just tickled pink!".  this is not something i tend to say.  pink is not a color with which i am enamored - but say it i truly did, and then noticed beyond the dark studio doors a glimmer of the sunset skies draping themselves across my living room windows.  how wonderful - o! how wonderful.

i sat here and imagined showing a photograph of myself standing at the doorway of the studio, all dolled up in a 1950's taffeta dress, hand outstretched, beckoning you into the newly redecorated splendor of my workspace, and had to laugh.  here i sit, in pajamas, black framed eyeglasses (as you see in the photo above), hair looking not much different than it did when i first got out of bed.  i'm proud, though.  the studio does look good.  i can see the surface of my table for the first time since i moved here, 2 1/2 years ago.  it's white, or a dirty cream, an old church table that i purchased for all of $7.00 a presbyterian rummage sale and then covered with pages torn from an old french/english dictionary.  i never see that surface anymore - how lovely to see it now again, ready for action.  ready for magic.  ready for inspiration.

i've walked in that room countless times last night, and again this morning, just to stand and stare.  it makes me feel good to see my familiar trimmings and trinkets lovingly arranged, as opposed to thrown in piles haphazardly, fabric with paper, sticks with beads, tangled beyond recognition.  this vintage desktop calendar organizer now brings me enormous pleasure, holding as it does some of the sticks and dowels that i use in my artwork and jewelry.  no longer are half of them on the floor, or mixed up in barkcloth and linen.  i use a great deal of vintage ribbon in my work, and if you'll go back and look at the shelves to the left of my table in the previous post, you'll see a great writhing pile of minerva-like strands tumbling out and over and down to the floor.  at least now, for this time being (shall we time it?), the ribbons are contained in an old amber glass jar, as well as in a little three drawered chest - that is, until the first time i need the snippet that is assuredly at the bottom of the assortment.  you don't want to be here when that happens.

it's daylight now, and a sunny day, so it's hard to imagine the wonderful effect of all those tiny lights on the tree branches and the vines draped across the window and (mighty heavy) antique mirror i've hung to add more light on the wall behind my table.  but seeing these lights makes me actually long for the first snowflakes of december, and cups of chai and my favorite classical music floating in through the door.  my goodness.  a minor miracle has occurred, then.   i'm actually wanting to be there, in that dark little room, and begin to work my fingers like an elf far up at the north pole, nimbly fashioning magic into ornaments that will bring comfort and cheer to those who carry or wear them.  i look around me and see little vignettes of magic - a house here, a gathering of tiny dollies there - and do indeed feel surrounded by stories and comfort and all things sweet and serene.  as i should be, in the place where i work and create.  what's wonderful to imagine is the stories these little dolls may carry from here to there with them, when they leave their world of tree branches and tiny white lights, and go out into the greater world beyond, sent out by someone who has given them the beginning of a story, and urged them to tell the rest to those who will wear them close to their heart.

so.  now you have seen the bad, and the good.  the mess, and the tidy results of a maddening weekend of cleaning, sorting, throwing away.  rearranging, hanging, huffing, cussing, wailing, and finally, standing back in utter amazement and puffing up with pride and thanking myself for taking the time - making the time - to pull off such a monumental feat.  remind me, won't you, from time to time, that this nice look is good?  and that i need to strive to keep things at least halfway this way? xo

Comments

[wordybird]

oohh!! i am so impressed and jealous as HELL. my studio is in our bedroom - as a result, the only neat thing in there is the (usually) made-up bed. i so love all my tschotchkes on all my shelves - but you could write your name in the dust (don't tell!).

[Marjorie]

This is beyond gorgeous. I am really in awe.

[kim]

i hope those dollies behaved while you were cleaning, they have a tendency to start a ruckus when they
get moved around to much...
xoxox

[carol]

that room is magical! i love those lights.

[Lee]

Awesome! You should be proud of yourself as it looks beautiful and inviting. I love the twinkly branches and the dolls in the tubs.
great job!!
I can feel the magic beginning to build ;)
ox
Lee

[tanaya]

Oh Nina, it is AMAZING!

I can't wait to see the inspiration that flows through this room, into your soul and back out again through your hands and into your beautiful creations.

Just lovely!

[cori]

absolutely gorgeous! what an inspiration, thank you for sharing the process. :)

[Liz]

OK, now THAT is some studio cleaning inspirational stuff! It looks Amazing, and it looks like the sapce is So ready fro you to come in and create all winter-long.

[Tina]

Lovely. You've somehow managed to create peaceful in that space where magic happens.

[Shirley]

OOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH girl , you totally ROCK!!!!!
It must have been those purple tights. Everything looks real nice and I love those elfin lights draped over the twigs. I have matching lights over my mantle. Now, I've got to get my room to match yours, in neatness. Ughgh!
Yes sir, I mean ma'am, you truly pulled it off.
Now...if I beg really nicely , will you come here and do mine??
HA! HA!
xoxoxoxoxoxSassi

[Adrienne Berry]

HOORAH, HOORAH, HOORAH!!!! Way to go Nina!!! As soon as I saw the first pic I thought it was Christmas with those beautiful lights!

[bobbi]

Good for you, nina...you did a great job and it looks totally magical in your studio...
Also, you have so perfectly described just how I feel when I walk into my studio...the comfort and serenity is so unbelievably precious and i always hope that some of what I feel is present in the things I make in that room.

[Vickie]

Wow; what a journey and what a great tale about getting there. Really, I hung on to every word! You are so cool, Nina; your digs look fantastic!

[ro bruhn]

What a magical wonderland you've created Nina, I could see your jewellery hanging from those twinkling branches, the light bouncing off your wonderful silver and gems.
Ro
xo

[JbaskArts]

Perfection!!!!!

[T2]

OMG! Frame these pictures and have one tattooed!

Way to go, lady. I know this can be a long time coming and a long time to complete.

Proud, very. Plus, your studio looks wonderful. LOVE those lights. I look at that studio and it fits YOU.

Now get busy and make stuff to mess it up again!

xoxoxoxo
TT

[Dawn]

Love it all, Nina! Those twinkly lights are just enchanting.....

[Megan]

Bravo Nina - what a satisfying way to spend the weekend. Now, to work with you!
Mx

[Shari Beaubien]

Aahhh, Nina... I'm laughing and stomping my feet and jumping up and down for joy. I know what a feat that was... believe me, I do. From one artist who creates in a minor explosion to another, I understand. Cheers and hugs, Shari

[Jen]

Can I come over and play?

[Linda]

O Nina it is absolutely beuatiful, I want to come and play in your amgical place. It is so inviting..
Well worth the effort
Linda

[Jen Crossley]

WOW it looks to pretty to make a mess now !!! I bet you feel better now .Hey can I take your rubbish out to the bin/Jens house!!!
Jen

[Kimberley]

Amazing - you've done it and done it well! I love that feeling you spoke of when you've worked hard and love the results.

[Loretta]

Wow, it looks like a really magic place. I am totally stealing your idea and putting up lights, too. May your working hours be filled with dreams.

[Penny]

Its marvelous!!! You should be proud. I love the idea of the mirror -- an additional point of light. You're going to walk in there and just want to get busy and create, create, create - however I'll bet a lot of us would have loved to have gone through your 'bags of junk' before you threw them out!

[Wendy]

Nina- I just love how enchanting your dream/work/create/collect room has become this weekend. I do feel your aches.
The table top is so sweet to see and like Loretta I am going to 'imitate' the branch and twinkle light idea here my in my
studio.
You are an inspiration.
I hope you enjoy that wonderful space for days and days.

[Jo Stables]

I can just see you tinkering away in that little twinkling wonderland, like an elf on Christmas Eve! It is beautiful Nina, I am sooo envious. I just got fed up with my mess and only cleaned the desktop, now, after seeing your huge effort, I am terribly ashamed of myself... Maybe next weekend...??

[John]

How very beautiful dear Nina--radiant just like you. Can't wait to see the enchanted treasures produced 'neath your lovely branches.

[nita from red tin heart]

nina i am so proud of you. i hate decluttering and i am doing the same thing myself right now. it is hard work. it looks so amazing what you have done. i love the lights on the cork screw willow branches. wonderful. i have lights all over my mirror in the kitchen and i like to put them other places too. looks great. xoxo nita <3

[Gina]

What a clever girl you are Nina. The branches and faery lights are amazing! I keep faery lights on my windows all year long to brighten up the nights too. My neighbors think I'm nuts but I don't care a bit. And I'm absolutely in love with the crow I see above the mirror. I use their image in my work all the time and I attract them into my backyard so I can photograph them. I hope you spend many cozy days in your studio drinking tea and creating those treasures that you are so good at creating.

~Gina

[katie]

beeeeuuuuutifullll!

okay, i took the first step and acknowledged my very own messy studio after your earlier post, now you've inspired me to tidy it up and so i can ENJOY the space and all my own lovelies again. thank you.
xoxo katie

[Erin Perry]

Job well done indeed! Your studio now looks as magical as the lovely jewelery you create there. As you spent the weekend carving order out of chaos, I attended a 3 day workshop with Lynne Perrella. Arrived home this afternoon with artwork and shopping - looks like I may need to do a studio overhaul to find room for all!
Would love to hear the delightful stories your little porcelin babies will tell when they emerge transformed by your loving touch to begin a new life yet once more.
Erin in Morro Bay

[Deb G]

Just lovely....

[Vickie Hallmark]

Oh my! I tidied up a bit in my studio this weekend, but now I see I need to set my sights a bit (make that a mile) higher! I want some pixie lights and branches of my very own!!!

Thanks for the gasp of delight.
-v

[Rhonda]

Those lights! What a wonderful idea. I always mope and sulk around during the winter months because there is just no light in my house. And the lamps don't reach the dim corners of the main room. I think I'll do some after-Christmas shopping. :-)

Rhonda

[Cindy Dean]

Very inspiring! I am loving the lights on the vines. I think you may have started another trend! I did some clearing out myself this weekend. It just feels so good when everything is in it's place! Congrats on a great feat! Believe me, I know what a challenge it can be.

[andra hepler]

clap clap clap..smiles!

[hol]

Oh--my--stars- and-garters...that is what i say, before reading ....now, i must read...
Oh-my-stars....hol, babe

[cd brinkley]

oh, nina, i am so proud of you! i know the feeling of standing back and just absorbing the room, knowing that it is beckoning to you, waiting for you to create. i have been wanting to add those little lights to my room, was going to wait until i could hit the after christmas sales, but your studio has inspired me to not put it off, and to just do it, just because it will make me happy. thanks for sharing your beautiful studio with me!

[Bonnie]

It looks like 'Welcome to Fairyland' and it looks like where magic happens.......and
it does look like a 'Happy Place'
Well done Nina.

[Judy Wise]

Oh, the branches and twinkle lights! Brava! I bought them over a year ago after catching a glimpse of them in your room at Ft. Worden over, what, 2 years ago. You had them draped over some netting encasing the window and beyond that was a view of the water - so enchanting and I have never forgotten it. You have the best ideas. (BTW, mine are still in the box. I am such a slob!)

[hol]

Oh--My--Stars -And-Garters..Sista, you've done proud!!!!...There's something in stars & planets, i swear, it's a happening all around....I got the 'juice' last week...you got it this last week-end...POWERFUL! ..YUMMY!!..chew it up so you can put it out ....Space to create, room in void to fill...BRAVO-O-O...OX..hol babe

[sepia art studio]

I truly know how hard it is to keep an tidy studio, it is impossible for me *grinning*! I always make an promise, that if i will keep the studio tidy after the cleaning, but never can keep it. I am thrilled to see these photos. The faerylights bring always more magic in a any place.

Delila

[Sarah]

Nina,
it looks wonderful and inviting. I too end up with a small square to work on and then at some point the need for order kicks in. During the process I always find objects or ideas I had forgotten I have. I hope you did too.

[Isabel]

This post left me smiling for your childlike glee and Christmas' morning attitude.
And these wonderful wonderful windows into your world just add more to the magic of YOU!

[Lucy]

Bravo!
Tidy or untidy, it's all fabulous!

[Deborah]

Love your blog. It is my favourite. Use it to jump start myself on my days off.I live in Ottawa, Canada and work part time outside and part time at home as an artist. Loved your studio process. Always feel good when my own wee space gets a little once over but it's impossible to be tidy and be creative I think. It's kind of like dieting though. Once people live their regular life again they sometimes put back on weight so I don't like to gush too much when they are at their slimest lest they feel bad with a pound or two back on. We don't want too much credit for tidy as it has to get messy in order to live and live I can tell you do in your own wonderful way. Very aware of each day. Wonderful to meet you via your blog. Deborah

[Linda Manning Findley]

The purple tights must have done the job because it is BEAUTIFUL ... such an awesome place to work and you muse will surely live there all the time .... great job .... Linda F

[karen]

bravo! i love your new studio. and those lights...what a great idea. my studio is the best room (to me) in the house. you deserve the best place in your house to create. now you'll do your best work ever.

[Jeri]

What a beautiful transformation - enjoy!