Friday, October 2, 2009

Welcome to my Home Art Studio



I am delighted to share a virtual tour of my studio with you today as part of "Open Studio Day" sponsored by Studio magazine and the great people at Quilting Arts and Cloth, Paper, Scissors magazines.

I have six sons, so as they began to move out on their own, I finally could claim a room for my studio. The challenge for me was that it needed to be a multi-functioning space (I am a writer, creativity coach, and I love to work with a variety of media in art -- primarily fiber art). For a number of years, I also costumed for the theater and for my own one-woman show.

My little space (a former bedroom) is packed -- filled with all kinds of creative items -- from my collection of over 200 antique books and magazines, to lots of vintage lace, trims, buttons, fibers and fabric.

On one side of my room I have bookcases and a roll top desk (purchased with part of a publishing advance on a series of books I wrote). I love sitting at the desk -- but it is often crowded with work as I multitask.
On the opposite side of the room is my very small sewing table. It is an antique oak "campaign" desk -- one that might have been used by a high ranking soldier in the Civil War due to its size and the ease of folding it up to carry to the next tent city. It has a small locking drawer with its original key. (This came in very handy with those six sons of mine -- if they could find my good sewing shears, they would use them on all kinds of their own projects -- including cutting wire!)

I was also blessed to receive a couple of my husband's family heirlooms I enjoy in my special space -- two antique oak spool cabinets. They really help me sort and organize all the little bits of lace, buttons and trims -- and yes, even spools of thread.




At heart I am a creator/developer. For years my husband tried to get me to darn socks (those boys went through them so fast) to help save money. I did (and still do) mend good clothing -- but to me darning socks is just so mundane! My valuable time could be better spent exploring new artistic endeavors. At one point, I must admit I did embroider the tops of my son's socks (with just a little stitch on each in the same color) so I could try to track the multiple tube socks going through the laundry and find mates before the dryer ate them!

I know my curiosity and passion for exploring the creative came from my two dear grandmothers, both now in heaven. I have been working on a quilted album of important memories of my life. I have finished the 12 x 12" page that represents the wonderful contributions those two women made in my life. From one, I inherited an interest in quilting, flowers, music, and fine detail; from the other a love of reading, writing, sketching, and needlework. Many of the initial antique books I collected and the pieces of vintage linens and lace came from their treasure trove.

There are so many heirlooms to be treasured, restored, re-purposed and enjoyed! I love living my passion every day, finding inspiration from the writings and textiles of past generations. It is my hope that I can inspire future generations to value these treasures so they will not be lost.

The opening picture of this blog post showed my antique ironing board with a project just being started. Here is the finished product -- a statement collar (bib) necklace I made from using pieces of wonderful vintage lace and buttons. My antique dress form, "Martha" is modeling it for me.

I hope you have enjoyed my virtual studio tour and the opportunity to get to know me just a little in the process. Oh, and because I know many people are curious to see the "real me" -- here's a photo my husband took of me. If you would like to see more photos of my studio and artistic endeavors, visit my Facebook Fan page (link to the right): Vintage Legacy Studio. Of course, you can always see more of my art in my Etsy shop. I have a special 20% off sale in my shop today in conjunction with the open studio tour.
Connect with others in the Open Studio Tour here.










47 comments:

di from di-did-it said...

Thanks for sharing your work space with us! I'm coveting those gorgeous antique oak spool cabinets :)

Yankeegirl said...

Thanks for the tour Judi!! As Di said....those cabinets are gorgeous!!

Wonderful creative space.

Jill said...

Beautiful work space! Great post, andy you are lovely, Judi!

Anonymous said...

Lovely space - so neat and organized. All the best to you!

Tessa said...

Thanks for the tour and some of your story Judi.

virtuallori said...

Such a warm and lovely space! I think we're ALL jealous of your antique cabinets. :-)

Pamela Baker said...

My dream home - a house filled with memories and antiques. Every corner must hold a special memory for you. Let me know when another son moves out because I am moving in!

gloria said...

An absolutely wonderful work/studio space! Amazing items, Judi, that you have to work on in the studio.

vintagerockchick said...

Thanks for inviting me over for tea in your studio. It's really beautiful, with all those treasured antique pieces. I love it - and the cake was good too x

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Love that black collar necklace! Beautiful!
A very nice studio with lovely appointments in furnishings. I have antiques in the house; other than the one table in my wet studio, everything else is salvage that I don't have to *worry* about...
Thanks for having us in!

XXOO!!
Anne

Zuda Gay Pease said...

Wonderful tour, Judi!! I enjoyed every word and picture of it, thank you so much for sharing!! I LOVE your old spool chests, so lovely and handy all in one.

Rafael's Mum said...

thanks for stopping by my blog and your nice comments. You have a beautiful studio with wonderful furniture. I love the way it looks and the memories and secrets of days gone by they hold.

Rebecca E. Parsons/Cre8Tiva said...

i so loved the tour of your creative space...it was so fun getting to know you...please come see mine when you have a chance...i am having a giveaway....hugs, rebecca

Grace said...

My goodness gracious...six sons and I had my fill with the 2 that I have.

Love the heirloom pieces you have in your studio. Thanks for sharing.

Express said...

I love your studio! I would love to have your space! How nice to have the family heirlooms!

Chauncey said...

Judi what a great studio you have. I enjoyed getting that glimpse.

Wendy said...

What a lovely space! I love the spool cabinets especially.

Marty Mason said...

What a delightful visit I just had skipping in, out and amongst all those wonderful treasures in your studio. Thanks for sharing your pleasures with us.

TJ said...

Ohh I understanding locking up the sewing scissors! That gave me a hearty chuckle. I think it's wonderful that you are surrounded by these beautiful antiques when "vintage" seems to be your passion! happy creations from tj in germany

Barbara Hagerty said...

What a lovely place to work!! Thanks for the tour of your very warm and inspiring studio!

Unknown said...

I am going to have to come and steal your spool cabinets I am afraid. Thaought I'd mention it just so you know not to call the Police.

Amy in Austin said...

Hi Judi! Thanks for visiting my blog. I love all of your vintage furniture pieces. They are just so lovely. I have a vintage sewing cabinet that my mother found in an antique store. The finish is in really bad shape, but I haven't found the time to do anything about it. For now, it's in my guest bedroom serving as a bedside table. Come back and visit anytime. I've got two more dolls I'm going to start today. I've had my fill of visiting blogs for the day so I'm going to come back and do more tomorrow.

Heckety said...

A rolltop desk and a campaign table! Am I jealous? Am I GREEN? Your Studio is lovely. I so agree with encouraging people to value what has gone before, both life lessons and posessions.
And d'you know, I met my husband when I was costuming a show- he stood in for someone who dropped out at the last moment and was too short for the costume I'd made for the other guy!

Judy Nolan said...

Judi, I really enjoyed reading about your delightful work space. You have wonderful antiques!

Donna said...

you've got some wonerful pieces of antique furniture in your studio... They must provide such warmth and grounding...

BahamaDawn said...

all of your cabinets are beautiful!!! i am stopping by for my virtual cup of tea ;)

Terri Stegmiller said...

Wonderful space! I am in love with those antique thread cabinets. Lucky you!

Robinsunne said...

Georgous furnishings. Lovely to visit with you.

Savannah O'Gwynn said...

Love your cabinets;) Thanks for checking out my studio--I love your studio and looking at everyone's place of "peace"!!!

Thanks again:)
Sincerely,
Savannah O'Gwynn

Anne at Film and Thread said...

What a charming place! And I love the idea of the memory quilt/book! It was wonderful to visit!

Tami @ Lemon Tree Tales said...

How lucky you are to have those spool cabinets to store supplies in - and to top it off they are family heirlooms. Wonderful! Wow, six sons?! It sounds like they kept you very busy. I love the idea of embroidering a little stitch on their socks to help match them. Thanks for visiting my studio. Cheers!

HeartSong Studio said...

What a wonderful blending of the old and the new. You've greated a wonderful space to be creative. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Mary Anne said...

Six sons? Wow! Nice of them to start moving out so you can have such a wonderful space for yourself.
Cheers
Mary Anne

Melly Testa said...

GREAT tour. I love the hem on the costume you sewed. I want to make a skirt with that hem/ Your space is gorgeous.

Pam said...

Your studio looks so cosy and warm Judi. Your work looks amazing!! So beautiful! Enjoyed that cup of tea too! Thanks for visiting my tour. :o)

Anonymous said...

Ditto - I LOVE those antique spool cabinets - so usefull!

nollyposh said...

A ~Lovely~ tour Thankyou Judi
i just love all your antiques, such a beautiful space to work in X:-)

Romi said...

Wondrful!

Anonymous said...

Judi,

I loved your antique furniture, it is beautiful and very well utilized. Thanks for sharing your space!

HeartSong Studio said...

Oh! Kindred Spirits INDEED!!!! And thank you so much for coming back. I figured I may lose people.

Today (after having crashed with exhaustion), I'm enjoying the Tour. And coming back to many sites to add them to my Blogs I'm Following list.

Looking forward to stopping by your Etsy store. Many Blessings

Anke Martin said...

Hi Judi! Wonderful creative space! I love those old cabinets! Enjoy your creative time in your own room, smiles, Anke ;)

Anonymous said...

Those spool cabinets are wonderful treasures! Thanks for sharing your studio.

Susan O'Connell said...

Thanks Judi for coming by and checking out my studio. I have such furniture envy! Your studio looks beautiful! Happy Creating! Susan from The Cranky Quilter

Magpie Sue said...

I wish I'd thought to include a link to the list of participating studios! (duh) What a treasure those spool cabinets are!

Cathy Tyler said...

So glad I got to see your studio! I'm working my way thru the list, but I keep getting distracted. I've heard there's a special place in heaven for the mothers of three sons - you must be on an elevated plane! Love your roll-top desk - I've always coveted my father's old railroad desk, but its huge and will probably go eventually to my brother. Darn socks? Sounds like a four letter word. I make sock dolls out of them, with a cap to cover the holes!

Alanna said...

Stopped by for a virtual cup of tea, and what a lovely time it was. Thanks for sharing your beautiful creative space!

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Loved seeing your beautiful studio; looks like a wonderful space to plan and bring to fruition works of great beauty.

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