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Tuesday, 1 April 2014

A room of my own, at last

Looking back at my last post, it has been quite a while.  And it was quite sunny then, looking at the beginnings of the base for my new studio.  Of course it didn't stay sunny, most of the country had appalling weather and although ours wasn't as bad as some, the construction of the studio did take rather longer than expected.

But it is finished now (bar a few extra coats of paint) and I am beginning to settle in.


I did have to move a lot of 'stuff' in rather faster than I expected, due to the unexpected collapse of a ceiling in the house.  But I am working my way through the clutter now, getting rid of things I don't need and rediscovering things I'd forgotten I had.  It is strange, but it does takes time to settle in to a new workspace, to find places to put things where I can access them easily and, more importantly, remember where I put them!  I'm still waiting for help to move my main kiln in, but that should happen in the next couple of weeks.

My desk in front of the window, printing press,
print rack on the wall
Baby kiln, storage, lovely big sink!  The big kiln
will go to the left of the baby kiln.

I suppose part of the reason it is taking me so long to settle in is that I am having to take time to reflect on the direction I want my work to go.  I have come so far in my journey and have learnt so many different techniques, and I have the collection of tools and materials to show for it.  And even though my studio looks enormous from the outside, it really isn't, I need to be disciplined if it is not going to disappear under piles of 'stuff'.

Plus of course I have been trying to organise yet more builders to come and sort out the ceiling in the house.  And once that is done there will be decorating to do... I only wish the lovely people who built my shed did ceilings as well.  Busy times!

17 comments:

  1. It looks wonderful :D

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  2. It looks lovely from both the outside and inside. Have a lovely time settling in.

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    1. Thank you BBB, I am enjoying deciding where to put things. The next project is a shelf next to the printing press I think...

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  3. looks lovely :)

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    1. Thank you! It's lucky the photos don't show how muddy the floor is...

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  4. It really does look great, and you certainly have come a long way in your artistic journey. I remember when ... ;-)
    Congratulations and enjoy your new space and the continuing journey in whichever directions you take (cos I'm sure it won't just be one!)

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    1. Thanks Heather :) I am so grateful to the online community who have encouraged me every step of the way :)

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    2. we're hoping you'll send food parcels when you're rich :-)

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    3. I don't think this is the way to riches tbh, the phrase is 'starving artist' is it not? ;-)

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  5. Wow your new studio looks fabulous! And I spy a radiator to keep you warm in the winter. Is the studio insulated?

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    1. The floor and ceiling are really well insulated, and the walls are solid wood, 66mm thick so pretty good too. And when I finally move the kiln in that'll keep it warm (when it's on) too! Even on frosty mornings recently it's not been very cold in there.

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  6. It is wonderful to have a space for crafting and creating that is your own - nice one!

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  7. LOL I love the first line of this post ;-)

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    1. And here we are, one year on again, oops! I have been thinking about starting to blog again, I'm beginning to miss it. I felt as if I had run out of things to say, but I think I've had a long enough break now ;-)

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    2. See what I did though? I deserve commission on forcing you to get blogging again! Now, if only I could have the same effect on my own sadly neglected blog :-)

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    3. And for that, I thank you! I really needed to get started again. Now, if I can do it, anyone can ;-)

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Helen Smith, artist and maker in glass, print and stitch.