Meet Alejandra of Doe a Deer!  Today we will be peeking into her studio to see where she makes all of her cute dog collars, leashes, bags and zipper pouches.  Yay!  Alejandra and I met not too long ago and what drew me to her blog was her complete honesty.  She writes about what she knows, and she doesn’t try to impress.  Ironic how that becomes impressive and very refreshing, isn’t it?!  She’s a very sweet and creative soul, so let’s see what makes her tick…

1. Who are you and what do you create/do?

My name is Alejandra, and I own a small business; Doe a Deer–I create accessories for women and their dogs, including purses, pouches and clutches; collars, leashes and doggie bandanas! I offer more muted styles, but most of what you’ll find is bright and boisterous–something that will call everyone’s attention.

2. Where is your studio located? (in your home or somewhere else?)

As of right now, I just have a small home studio–about 500 sq ft. We live in an apartment and don’t have much furniture, so I fill up the entire space of what would be the living & dining rooms.

3. How long have you had your current studio space?

As long as we’ve lived here–about nine months. And we’re due to move again. (sigh!)

4. What is your favorite part of your studio?

Tables. You can definitely never have enough. I like to have one for sewing and organizing the queue of things to be sewn, and one for cutting. Storage would have to be my second most favorite, and of course you can never have enough of that, either! When you make a myriad of different things, it’s a lot of fun trying to find items that will fit best–right now I’m using a large coat rack that I got for $3 at Goodwill to hang the bags I make.

5. Approximately how many hours per day do you spend in your studio?

12+. Being the sole mind & creative force behind any small business is harder than you could ever imagine, but so worth it.

6. Do you have any future plans for your studio space? (i.e. revamp, new location, etc.)

New location, please! Right now my significant other is job hunting, so it’s possible we could relocate to the other side of the country! We’ll just have to wait and see. My wish list for a new studio: A dedicated room with beautiful wood floors, large windows (skylights a plus), vaulted ceilings, and built in bookshelves & storage. A girl can dream, no?

7. Is there anything else that you’d like to share?

I hope you’ll visit me at my blog, Doe a Deer. I love making new friends and sharing our adventures!

Thank you so much for sharing your space with us, Alejandra!  I love how you work with what you have.  I feel that our studio spaces are always evolving and growing.  While in college, I too used the dining room, in our one-bedroom apartment, as my complete studio.  Our apartment was small, but the Mr. and I made it work.  I really have to thank him for putting up with that mess for two years!  Your space is great and I hope that you will let me know if you move and get a new space!  Please share!

It’s that time again!  This week we will be peeking into Kristen Magee’s studio space.  Does that name sound familiar to you?  Of course it does!  Kristen is the creative mastermind behind Paper Crave.  The site that you visit when you crave all things paper.  I love paper, as you know, but dare I say that I’ve found someone with a greater obsession over paper than I!?!  Yes, it’s true!  Kristen fills her shop and blog with so much eye candy for the paper lover in all of us.  Now it’s time to see where all of the magic happens…

1. Who are you and what do you create/do?
I’m Kristen Magee from Paper Crave, and I’m a paper lover, crafter, home cook (gluten and sugar free), and freelance graphic designer and web developer.

2. Where is your studio located? (in your home or somewhere else?)
My studio/office is in my apartment. It’s technically the second bedroom, but when we moved in, my husband and I knew immediately that we wanted to use it as our workspace. Since we have to abide by all of the fun apartment building rules, we can’t paint (boo) or tear up the carpet (double boo), so we went for a light, modern look. Thankfully, we have a huge walk-in closet in our bedroom, and I store most of my craft supplies in there. It means that I have to shuttle things back and forth a lot (I re-purposed my husband’s old toolbox to hold the smaller supplies that I use most often, so I can just grab it and go), but this system helps me keep things more organized.

3. How long have you had your current studio space?
Just about three years.

4. What is your favorite part of your studio?
I love that my desk is right next to the window. We’re 11 floors up, so the view is pretty great. I also love the cabinet that holds the printer and my die-cutting machines, scanner, and paper cutter. Everything was scattered all over the floor until recently, so it was great to get something into the space that organizes everything and keeps it off of the floor. That drove me crazy!

5. Approximately how many hours per day do you spend in your studio?
About 10-12 hours a day. I practically live in here, but I also like to do whatever crafting I can on the couch in the living room.

6. Do you have any future plans for your studio space? (i.e. revamp, new location, etc.)
The space is still pretty blank, and I’ve been itching to get more color on the walls (I really wish we could paint). For a while, I’ve been collecting prints, posters, and other pieces that I can hang on the wall. Now, I just need to decide where I want everything to go!

7. Is there anything else that you’d like to share?
You can also find me at Invitation Crush, where I share all things invite and over at Domestifluff, where I share gluten free, sugar free recipes, as well as some of my craft projects.

Thanks so much, Kristen, for letting us peek into your creative space!  It’s nice to see where all of your creativity is bottled up and channeled out.  Keep doing what you do and thanks again!  Be sure to visit all of Kristen’s sites; she has has so much to offer!

Hello and happy Sunday!  I’d like you to meet Dana from Crafty Minx.  She’s a sweet and colorful lady with lots to share on her blog.  She has great tutorials and tips, so be sure to check out her blog after this.  I have to say that I’m very impressed and inspired by Dana’s studio.  The first thing that caught my eye, obviously, was the color of the walls paired with pops of color here and there.  I could get lost in her studio for days and still not lack in things to do.  I love the “kitschy” feel of her space and she has really made it her own.  On that note, let’s get to know her a bit better and peek into her studio space.

]]> http://chickiedee.com/blog/studio-sunday-olivia-mew/feed/ 2 http://chickiedee.com/blog/1980/ http://chickiedee.com/blog/1980/#comments Thu, 21 Jul 2011 13:12:25 +0000 RobbieLee http://chickiedee.com/blog/?p=1980
I have been busy busy making all sorts of new goodies for the shop.  August is fast approaching, so I am trying to keep on schedule as much as possible to meet my goal that I set.  I’m sorry that this weeks posts have been pretty weak, but I just want to keep you in the loop and let you know that I’m still here and working hard (smile).  I’m excited to announce that {studio sunday} will come full force, beginning this week!  I have a line-up of some very amazing and talented creatives, many of them whom you already know.  So be sure to stop by this Sunday to peek into the first studio space!!

Happy Thursday and I’ll be sure to keep you posted.

Hey all!  I have {studio sunday} spots open for July.

If you don’t know how it works, it’s really easy.  All you do is snap about 5-10 photos of your lovely studio space or workspace and email them to me along with the answers to a few questions (below).  That’s it!  There is no catch.  Email the requested items to me at robbielee {at} chickiedee {dot} com as soon as possible and I’ll get you posted.  It doesn’t matter if you are a quilter or a furniture maker or something in between, I want to see your space.

The idea of {studio sundays} is to showcase each of our creative spaces to inspire others.  We all have a space, big or small, where we create lovely things.  The beauty is that each space looks, functions and feels very different from everyone else’s.  We are always showing off our handmade goodies, but what about giving some credit to the lovely and creative space that you’ve also created!

Along with sending in your 5-10 photos, please tell us about yourself:

1. Who are you and what do you create?
2. Where is your studio located? (in your home or somewhere else?)
3. How long have you had your current studio space?
4. What is your favorite part of your studio?
5. Approximately how many hours per day do you spend in your studio?
6. Do you have any future plans for your studio space? (i.e. revamp, new location, etc.)
7. Is there anything else that you’d like to share?

It’s about time that we put the spotlight on our creative spaces, and I can’t wait to see yours!

1. Who are you and what do you create?

Hi everyone! My name is Jenni. I am going to be the big 30 this year and I feel this is my best crafting time ever! I have so many ideas I impress my self. For the past 20 years I have lived in Orange County California, living with my husband Jerry for the past two years in a condo that I never want to move out of. We have an awesome daughter and two dogs, Gizmo and Juicy. Yes, two more things I am obsessed with OWLS and I heartyou on instagram.

My studio is in my condo. We have a three-bedroom place. My space is shared with my Natalie. She is a busy girl finishing up her last few months of high school and we don’t see her much so I take over her room while she is away. I think this might be news to her as she reads this, love you Natalie. While Natalie and I share a room my husband has a room full of sports memorabilia’s right next door all to himself. But as he would say my studio has barfed all though the house.

I have had this location for the 2 years. Natalie might be living here full time with us for college and that would mean I’ve got to pack up my studio and find a new location. Keep reading I have plans for this move!

I don’t have one single favorite part in my studio. Everything is my favorite in a different way. I love my sewing machine. I love my shelf where I display all my projects on. I love my vintage sewing case that holds on my notions. Can you see I love a lot of stuff?

Gosh, Sometimes hours go by before I realize that I haven’t left the room. It’s my happy place where all my worries seem to disappear.

Yes, I always have plans. In my bedroom there is a loft. You get to the loft though the walk-in closet. You pull the stairs down and you walk up to the loft. As of right now there is a lot of junk up there. Some day soon I would like to change that space to my studio, making it my own place to get away and just craft.

Yes, I would love to share that I my self just started a blog; this sweet blog is just to show off all my projects. http://jenni-medina.blogspot.com.

Thank you Jenni for letting us peek into your space and I’m so excited to hear if you do end up transforming your loft space into your new studio space!!  That would be amazing and quite the little get away (smile).  If you do make the switch, please let me know so I can do another post!  Also, congrats on your Blog!  Have a great rest of your Sunday and I’m off to go see The Hangover Part II…hahahahaha.

]]> http://chickiedee.com/blog/studio-sunday-jenni-medina/feed/ 2 http://chickiedee.com/blog/studio-sunday-alexz-bird-trouble/ http://chickiedee.com/blog/studio-sunday-alexz-bird-trouble/#comments Sun, 15 May 2011 13:42:26 +0000 RobbieLee http://chickiedee.com/blog/?p=1750

I’m so excited for today’s {studio sunday} feature!!  I’d like you to meet Alexz from Bird Trouble.  Today we get to peek into her fabulous studio space and learn a bit more about her.  So, read on…

Where did Bird Trouble come from?
The word Bird Trouble came to me from one of my favorite songs in high school from a British band. The word bird is a British slang for girl but after doing a little more research, I learned that it meant ‘Sweetheart’ more than just an ordinary girl. Combining that with trouble just reminded me so much of myself, haha. I feel that my personality and my products give a little “trouble” but still remain sweet. Not that I’m trouble! Well…… that’s not true… haha!

1. Who are you and what do you create?
Hello friends and friends to be! I’m Alexz. I’m 24 years old and I live in a very full apartment in Chicago, Illinois. I’m obsessed with squirrels and I need to be creative 95% of my daily time. That being said, I am the lady behind Bird Trouble handmade shop and blog. I create [mostly one of kind] shoulder bags and accessories out of fabric and leather goods [new material and vintage materials] with my sturdy vintage Kenmore sewing machine. I also like to paint, play with clay, and sketch.

2. Where is your studio located? (in your home or somewhere else?)
Currently, I enjoy being creative in a cramped style. In my apartment. Well, in mine and my boyfriend’s room to be exact, so that my other roommates don’t have to deal with my craft mess all the time. I do leave my fabrics and any other notions around the apartment’s living, though.

3. How long have you had your current studio space?
I moved my desk to our bedroom [from the living room] before this past winter. I’ve been living in this current apartment since last August. Yikes, I’m such a wanderer that I’ve probably had over 7 different craft spaces in a few different homes in the past 2 and half years! I do love it though, for now.

4. What is your favorite part of your studio?
I can’t choose! I mean, I know it’s my bedroom and all… and I love everything in here. If I had to choose a few different things though: 1] my desk from Ikea. My boyfriend, James, drilled a hole in one of the drawers and put this sweet door knob that I purchased from Anthropologie a few years back. I’ve been wanting to use it ever since but wanted to save it for something special. It’s definitely meant for my desk and I think it’s awesome that my boyfriend put it on. 2] my vintage magicians suit case. YES! A magicians suit case! Not only does it look fricken’ awesome but it’s practical for me to stash all the fabric and leather scraps that I’m using constantly. 3] my inspiration cork board. My boyfriend also made this for me. Randomly came home one day and it was on the wall. It’s perfect for hanging my design sketches, inspirational color schemes, and some small drafting patterns.

5. Approximately how many hours per day do you spend in your studio?
HAHA, way too many. I honestly think I’ve sat in the living room 1 time in the past 2 months. I just really like my room and the privacy I have in it. It’s also right next to the kitchen… so that may be why. I don’t watch cable TV so there’s no point in being in the living room unless we have guests. I normally go to my day job, work long hours, and come straight into my room to creative and watch Netflix. When I get my own place, that will change.

6. Do you have any future plans for your studio space? (i.e. revamp, new location, etc.)
When our lease is up in August… myself, James, Ty [our dog], and Detective Bacon Cheeseburger [our cat] plan on finding a vintage space here in Chicago with 1 bedroom and hopefully an outdoor back deck area. We plan on sleeping in the living room with some sort of curtain room divider so that we can utilize the only bedroom for work space to share. It’s so funny how it’s all planned out in my head already.

7. Is there anything else that you’d like to share?
This was fun! I hope everyone enjoyed reading a tad bit about myself and reading about my work space. I want to encourage everyone to check out my blog and if anyone wants to network, please contact me because I’d love to chit chat!

That was fun!  Thank you Alexz for allowing us to peek into your creative space!  Check her out and spread the love.  As always, if you’d like to be featured and share your creative studio space (no matter how big or small) shoot me an email at robbielee {at} chickiedee {dot} com!

Hey all!  It’s that time again for {studio sundays}, yay!  If you’re interested in being featured, let me know, because I’m looking to do some again in May.

If you don’t know how it works, it’s really easy.  All you do is snap about 5-10 photos of your lovely studio space or workspace and email them to me along with the answers to a few questions (below).  That’s it!  There is no catch.  Email the requested items to me at robbielee {at} chickiedee {dot} com by April 29th to be featured in May.

The idea of {studio sundays} is to showcase each of our creative spaces to inspire others.  We all have a space, big or small, where we create lovely things.  The beauty is that each space looks, functions and feels very different from everyone else’s.  We are always showing off our handmade goodies, but what about giving some credit to the lovely and creative space that you’ve also created!

Along with sending in your 5-10 photos, please tell us about yourself:

1. Who are you and what do you create?
2. Where is your studio located? (in your home or somewhere else?)
3. How long have you had your current studio space?
4. What is your favorite part of your studio?
5. Approximately how many hours per day do you spend in your studio?
6. Do you have any future plans for your studio space? (i.e. revamp, new location, etc.)
7. Is there anything else that you’d like to share?

It’s about time that we put the spotlight on our creative spaces, and I can’t wait to see yours!