14
Apr, 12

{studio sunday} with Charlie at Polka Dots Are Love

Meet Charlie at Polka Dots Are Love!  She’s a wife, crafter and vintage lover who has an amazingly beautiful studio space to share with us on this fine Sunday.  I really enjoyed peeking into her studio because its green and big!  She has so much space to create… see for yourself!

1. Who are you and what do you do?
Hi! My name is Charlie and I am the girl behind Polka Dots are Love.  I spend my days creating fun and colorful things for the shop and my nights adventuring through thrift stores in search of awesome finds (or just reading a book). I share these adventures and a little more on my blog!

2. Where is your studio located?
My studio is an extra bedroom in my home.

3. How long have you had your current studio space?
I have had this space for about 2 years. I have really grown into it and made it something I love.

4. What is your favorite part of your studio?
My favorite part would have to be the kitchen table I use as my work table.  It was my grandmother’s and I love having a piece of her in my space.

5. Approximately how many hours per day do you spend in your studio?
It all depends on what I have going on that day, but I do know that more often than not I spend an entire day in there without even realizing it.

6. Do you have any future plans for your studio space?
My studio space is always changing. I would like to maybe paint it, but I can never decide on a color… so green it stays!

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

Thank you for taking the time to check out my studio, and thank you RobbieLee for having me!

••••••••••••

You are very welcome, Charlie!  Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful and inspiring studio.  I love how much open space you have and the green walls are the perfect color, in my opinion!  I also really love how you used the door-hanging shoe rack to store all of your little supplies – clever.  Keep creating your lovely items and thank you again.
Be sure to visit Charlie’s shop + blog for some great gifts, projects and daily updates! ♥RobbieLee

07
Apr, 12

{studio sunday} with christine at flapper girl

Happy Easter to all who celebrate!  Today I’m so thrilled to have Christine at Flapper Girl share her adorable studio space!!!  I’m sure you have seen her around, as she is quite the talented lady.  She does graphic design and makes these lovely Lady Ties!  Be sure to stop by her shop and sites to learn more about her and what she does.  All right, are you ready to peek into her studio?!  I thought so!

1. Who are you and what do you do?

Hello. My name is Christine, and I spend most of my time either combing through vintage treasures at antique malls, estate sales and thrift stores, or expressing my creativity though sewing and graphic design. I bring these passions together with Flapper Girl, my line of cute, retro, and well-crafted designs that are inspired by fabulous second-hand treasures and life in lovely Portland, Oregon. 

Most of what I make these days for Flapper Girl is retro neckwear for women I lovingly refer to as Lady Ties, but I’m a vintage ephemera addict as well, and make paper garlands with vintage flair. 

2. Where is your studio located?

I carved out a tiny space in my apartment for my studio. 

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

I’ve had my current studio space since I first started Flapper Girl, but it’s gone through so many changes! It looks nothing like it did when I first created it. 

4. What is your favorite part of your studio?

My favorite things about my studio are: 

• My vintage pink Morse sewing machine. It is so cute and is such a workhorse! I sew everything on it.

• My small cabinet of vintage ephemera. I get so much inspiration from old things!

• The totally creepy, awesome, and badass framed art print above my sewing table. It’s called “Still life with skull” and is a reprint from an old daguerrotype from 1850. I am so goth at heart, so I really love this print. It was a birthday present from my husband a few years ago.

• My vintage chipmunk lamp which is stationed at my sewing table.

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

It depends on the day and what’s going on. I’m also a graphic designer, and I’m finishing up college, so some days I don’t step into it at all, but other days when I have time to create or I am filling orders, I can be in there all day. I’m looking forward to graduating this summer, so I can have more time to spend creating. 

6. Do you have any future plans for your studio space? 

I dream of having a studio space outside of my home some day. I really like the idea of getting a large space and sharing it with my husband or some of my creative friends.

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

I hope you’ll come visit me over on my blog or on Pinterest

Thank you so much for having me on Studio Sunday RobbieLee 🙂 

____

Oh, you are so welcome and thank you for sharing your lovely work space.  I really enjoyed having you and you were a true pleasure to work with!  Here are some other places on the web where you can visit and learn more about Christine and her creative talents, be sure to check them out:

Flapper Girl Website: http://flappergirl.org/

My Graphic Design Website: http://christineblystone.com/

Etsy Store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/flappergirl

Blog: http://flappergirlcreations.wordpress.com/

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/theeflappergirl/

 

01
Apr, 12

{studio sunday} with Laura of Roots + Feathers & Violet Bella

Can you believe that it’s already April?!  The year is flying by.  April is a lovely month and what better way to kick it off than with a {studio sunday} with a very talented lady…

1. Hi, Im Laura Mazurek, jewelry designer and lifestyle blogger.  I have two jewelry lines, Roots & Feathers and Violet Bella.  I run a blog where I talk about my daily life, my business, my animals, and many times my deep down emotions. 


2. My studio is an extra bedroom in my home, along with half of the livingroom.


3. We just bought this house in April of 2011, so it’s still very young!


4. My favorite part of my studio is my wall shelf my dad built that is full of little trinkets that remind me of my parents.


5. It depends on the day to how long I spend in my studio.  If I’m working on a big wholesale order and I am feeling very inspired to create new things, I can be in there for hours straight and not know it.


6. I’ve always dreamt of having a nice big clean studio with lots of windows and light… Maybe one day.


7. I think creating a studio space that you feel at home in and inspired by is truly important for successful creating. 

Thank you so much for sharing your lovely studio, Laura!  I love how you surround yourself with things that remind you of your family and that inspire you.  Oh, and that shelf that your dad built is indeed very beautiful!!!  I agree, your workspace is extremely important when it comes to successful creating – and it shows that you are doing it right for you and your craft.  Beautiful work by a beautiful lady.  Thank you again. ♥RobbieLee

If you’ve enjoyed peeking into Laura’s studio, you might be interested in seeing a few others… here.

29
Mar, 12

Call for {studio sunday} Features

Now that the new shop and blog are up and settled, I’m looking to feature your creative studio spaces again.  If you are not familiar with it, it’s so fun and super easy to do… and did I mention that it’s another way to get more exposure?!  Anyhoo, all you have to do is answer a few questions about yourself and your space, then send a few images along with them.  Easy, right?!  If you are interested, leave a comment below with a way to contact you or email me at robbielee {at} chickiedee {dot} com and I’ll send you the details.

Tidbit: Do you think your workspace is too small, not exciting enough, blah blah blah?  Well, it’s not!  That’s what makes this series so great.  Your space is just as unique as you are and you should never be ashamed of it or afraid to share.  So, what do you say… are you ready to be featured in Chickiedee’s {studio sunday}?  ♥RobbieLee

 

14
Aug, 11

{studio sunday} with Alejandra of Doe a Deer

 

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!

07
Aug, 11

{studio sunday} with Kristen of Paper Crave

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!

31
Jul, 11

{studio sunday} with Dana aka Crafty Minx

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.

1. Who are you and what do you create/do?
I’m Dana Beach from craftyminx.com. As my name suggests, I flirt with a lot of crafts. I knit, crochet, embroider, scrapbook, paint, spin, sew, and occasionally quilt.  I am currently working on a 365 project where I crochet a granny square a day. 

2. Where is your studio located? (in your home or somewhere else?)
My studio is in my house, it used to be the laundry room, but was converted to an art/music studio by previous owners so it just seemed logical that I use the space for a studio as well.  


3. How long have you had your current studio space?
For 5 years. It has gone through quite the transformation since I first moved in. 

 4. What is your favorite part of your studio?
My pink walls!

 5. Approximately how many hours per day do you spend in your studio?
1-3 when I’m doing work that requires a desk, but most of the time I work in the living room because it’s more comfortable for crochet and embroidery. At times like that the room is a great, inspiring storage space, which I need because many crafts requires many supplies and a place to store them.

 

6. Do you have any future plans for your studio space? (i.e. revamp, new location, etc.)
Right now I’m pretty happy with it. I just did a big revamp last year (you can see a before and after pic here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/craftyminx/4396307169/ I would like to buy a new house in the next five years or so and build a bigger detached studio. 

 

7. Is there anything else that you’d like to share?
You can see all of my work on flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/craftyminx/ or my blog www.craftyminx.com. My granny a day project is on a different blog: http://www.craftyminx.typepad.com/a_granny_a_day/ 

I told you it was a great and vibrant place!  Thank you so much, Dana, for letting us peek into your lovely space, I loved it!  You have a great space and you should be very proud of it!  And I love the pink walls too!

28
Jul, 11

{studio sunday} sneak peek

I’m so excited to show you Dana, from Crafty Minx’s, studio on Sunday!  You will love it so much, I just know it.  Because I can hardly wait, here is a sneak peek… Eeee!!!

24
Jul, 11

{studio sunday} with Olivia Mew

Welcome to {studio sunday}!  Today we will meet Olivia Mew, a talented and sweet creative from Montreal.  Scroll down to peek into her creative space and to read what she’s up to and what’s to come.
p.s. I love her minimalism and use of space, it would be very easy to create in this space without distraction!
1. Who are you and what do you create/do?
My name is Olivia and I draw and sew as well as sell vintage clothes. Right now I’m working on designing a line of cotton and silk scarves.
2. Where is your studio located? (in your home or somewhere else?)
My studio is located in my apartment, a 3rd floor walk up in Montreal, Canada. It’s actually attached to my bedroom – together they form a loft-like space that’s pretty great to wake up to!
3. How long have you had your current studio space?
I’ve made sure to have a studio space in every apartment I’ve lived in, but I moved into this particular one quite recently, in May. It’s definitely my favorite so far.
4. What is your favorite part of your studio?
Right now it would have to be my air conditioner – the first I’ve ever had! Heat rises something awful when you’re on the third floor with south-facing windows and it’s 37 degrees Celsius out. 
Other than that, though, I love how multifunctional it is. I have my area for packing up orders, my computer & sewing desks, a whole bare wall for shooting photos of vintage clothes and a cork board set up for photographing scarves. I love making spaces feel super useful.
5. Approximately how many hours per day do you spend in your studio?
When I’m not at my office job (which I recently quit – in a few weeks I’ll be entirely self employed!) – I’m usually here. If I have the day off I’ll spend at least 5 or 6 hours in here daily, if not more.
6. Do you have any future plans for your studio space? (i.e. revamp, new location, etc.)
Lots! Seeing as I only moved in recently, I still have lots of work to do. I’d like to install a metal bar for hanging clothes in the archway that leads to my bedroom, and I still need curtains for my front windows!
Those windows are stunning!  What a perfect place for your desk.  Thanks so much Olivia, for sharing a bit about yourself and what you do.  I’m especially grateful for you taking the time to snap a few photos of your creative studio space and I wish you the very best on your newest adventure of being self employed!!  So exciting!

23
Jul, 11

Happy Saturday

Happy Saturday everyone!  I hope that you are out and about doing wonderful things 🙂  Be sure to stop by tomorrow for {studio sunday} with Olivia Mew!!!  She’s such a sweetheart and her creative space is lovely.  Welp, enjoy and I’ll see you soon!