Archive for the ‘house and studio tours’ Category
You know I love husband and wife teams. Right? I do, I really do!
So, today I am bringing that love to you with a studio tour from an adorable duo: It’s Green Couch Design, a self-employed husband a wife team, Cale and Meg, working in a combination of product sales, graphic design, and landscape design and garden consulting services.
You may know GCD best through their Etsy shop, which carries screen-printed kitchen accessories, jewelry, and home decor. And so do I. But I’ve learned so much more about these two since our mini interview (and after browsing through the Green Couch Design website). Like the story of where their unique name came from…
“Everything began to take shape early one Saturday morning over cups of British breakfast tea, while sprawling on a green couch. We had a dream to raise a family, build a business, and take over the world without compromising our beliefs, our time, or our quality in any of those areas. The couch became the launching pad of our little company. The place our dreams came together.“
What a great story. And speaking of stories, let’s jump into the interview…
-In three sentences or less, how would you describe your work?
Our design style is contemporary. We love the challenge of updating the form and function of old, everyday items. From hand poured and acid dipped concrete jewelry, hand stamped tea towels and modern day, screen-printed mixer covers Green Couch Design is an interdisciplinary design firm and experimental design laboratory.
-Love your screen-printed mixer covers especially. And it’s so great to finally see where they are all made. So, where is your studio located?
We live in a very small farm community, about 30 minutes from Oklahoma City. Located in a family owned 1910 Farm House, our home-office is a bedroom, turned laundry room/design studio.
It was important to us to create a functional space out of materials we already had. Our desk is made from solid pine beams rescued from an old barn on our land , shelves made out of wooden wine crates and spare metal flashing for our magnetic inspiration board.
“It was important to us to create a functional space out of materials we already had.”
-Since you work out of your home, you two have the luxury of being able to pick and choose your hours to a certain degree. What have you found to be the best time of day (or night) to get work done?
Typically mid-mornings but we strive for a blending of life and work so that creativity is something we are and not something we do. We would rather work into the night than miss the random lunches with Grandma and Grandpa, opportunities to tend the plants, or take our dog, Josie, for a walk.
“We would rather work into the night than miss the random lunches with Grandma and Grandpa…”
-Your dog is adorable. Now, I love asking this next question because all of us define success in different ways. So, I am curious… What has been your most exciting / noteworthy event or happening with GCD recently that you interpret as a success?
To us success equates to lifestyle. We have a lifestyle we want to achieve and then maintain. Steps taken toward that are ‘successes’ for us. Most recently we accomplished the transition into three new shops, Birdie and Stash in Norman, OK and The Onion Tree in Wichita Kansas. This is a success more because of the growth of our community than the ‘future sales’. We are in this to develop or enter into (if it already exists) a community of creatives, and free thinkers. That love what they do, and do what they love.
-Three new shops, huh? That’s wonderful. So what’s the secret? What advice do you have for other artists who may be just starting out, or are struggling to be seen?
Find your heart, and speak it. The world will tell you all these 5, 6, and 7 step processes for ‘getting the word out’ but in reality people want to know you. Your customers seek you out because they connect to you, to who you are, what you do, and how you share it with the world. So finding your voice is often about looking inside and not being afraid of what you believe. You may run some people off, but you will gain many more with your honesty. Also find a friend, a fellow creative to keep you balanced and to share the hard days with.
“Find your heart, and speak it. The world will tell you all these 5, 6, and 7 step processes for ‘getting the word out’ but in reality people want to know you.”
15% Discount at Green Couch Design right now: 15% off everything in the Green Couch shop for the entire month of April, in celebration of the updated kitchen line launch! Just use the promo code KITCHEN2011 when you check out. Enjoy!
Big thank you to Meg and Cale for the tour of their studio and for answering my questions. Please visit Green Couch Design on Etsy now to take advantage of this special discount. And for more information about GCD, visit their website, also named Green Couch Design.
Last week, Dia from Alice in Designland shared a mini house tour of our humble home on her blog. And I just wanted to thank her again for asking me to be a part of what she is doing. Dia has been featured some really inspiring homes lately. And I would highly recommend you check it out.
Oh, and if you’d like to know my number one tip for decorating on a budget, how I describe my design style and more, click here to read the article and check out our home.
Good morning. Hope your weekend was a blast. Jeff and I didn’t really do anything. But I really enjoy tose lazy weekends, so it was great.
Anyway, I thought it would be fun to start off the week with a studio tour. So, I have illustrator Carrie Hartman in today to share her spacious workspace. Carrie’s husband actually built the studio with his own hands over the span of about a year and a half. And it’s really a great space (scroll down after the interview for the photos). Here’s my interview with Carrie…
-How would you describe the work that you create for your shop, UUPP?
I create my work to be playful and fresh with a modern sensibility. I am very influenced by the idea of the ‘old’, vintage imagery and patterns and like to incorporate that with textures, lots of color and a modern twist.
-And where is your studio located?
My studio is located in my home in Woodbury, Minnesota, an eastern suburb of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro.
-So, what have you found to be the best time of day (or night) to get work done? And why?
My favorite time to work is early in the morning. My studio is just drenched with natural light. There is something really inviting and inspiring about that. My studio faces my backyard that is full of trees, lots of birds singing and furry animals running, my lovely gardens and a big blue sky. I feel most at the top of my creativity during peaceful mornings with my beloved coffee.
-How long have you been pursuing work as an artist?
My Etsy shop is pretty new. I have been thinking about it a long time and finally opened it at the end of November 2010. I have been an artist my whole life. At the age of 4, my mom had to wrap up my hands each morning because I would draw and paint so much my fingers would bleed. I did go on to art school and received my illustration degree. I manage my shop in between illustrating children’s books, greeting cards and other design projects.
-I love asking this question because all of us define success in different ways. So, I am curious… What has been your most exciting / noteworthy event or happening in your work recently that you interpret as a success?
My greatest success has been that I made a goal 10 years ago that I wanted to work from home, create my art, and raise my children. I have done that and as long as I continue to be able to do that, I feel very blessed and successful. Along with that, some of my illustration work has been honored with top industry illustration awards. (Those always makes you feel good too!)
Make the work that you want to make and learn how to do it as well as you can. It can be unsatisfying if you are always just chasing the newest fad or trend or making the work you think you need to make. I think that is an exhausting and confusing path where you are not defining yourself as your own creative person with your own voice. This can make you feel like you are always chasing and running behind what is already been done. It is best to understand what you do, what you want to do, discover your own voice and then work like crazy to develop that voice. I personally find it exciting, knowing I can always improve my skills and my journey is never done.
Coupon Code for PNS Readers: 15% off your entire purchase when you use code PNS15OFF at checkout.
Visit Carrie’s print shop, UUPP on Etsy. And visit her portfolio site at www.carriehartman.com.
Thanks so much for sharing your space and answering my questions Carrie!
Patricia of the jewelry shop, Tippy Stockton, recently shared some images with me of her cheery, turquoise studio nestled on Pugent Sound. There’s a lot to see in this small (adorable) space, and all the photos are below. But before we get to that, I also asked Patricia a few questions about her studio and her vintage inspired jewelry line…
-You have so many designs, and the styles range from quirky antique vibes to fun and funky feelings. So, I am curious to know how you describe your work?
I would have to say that I am completely inspired by color, texture and all things Vintage. I inherited a jewelry box of Vintage pieces that belonged to my Mom and Grandmother. I realized they still had a place in today’s world, so I just put a new spin on them.
-How long have you been creating jewelry?
Really just for a couple of years since the death of both of my parents. I was kind of a lost soul; I didn’t know what I wanted to do other than to be by myself. So I set up a table and began creating, and here I am today.
-It’s inspiring to hear that something positive came out of such a tragic situation for you. Do you have any advice for other artists who may be just starting out, or are struggling to be seen?
This is still a tough one for me. I always want more. Be yourself, network with friends and family, do shows, start a blog – just put yourself out there.
-Absolutely. Speaking of putting yourself out there, your studio is oozing with personality. It’s absolutely adorable. Where is it located?
My sweet studio sits on a bit of land on our property under a huge Spruce tree and surrounded by Lilacs, hydrangea’s, and roses. I live on Puget Sound in WA state just a few blocks from the water.
-Sounds amazing. How many hours per week do you spend there?
Thirty +
-You seem pretty active with promoting your shop outside of the Etsy community. What ways do your promote yourself and your work online?
I have a blog, where I try to write something about my work at least once a week. I then post it to my Facebook page, which then posts it to Twitter. I have an ETSY Site, but I’m in the process of opening my own website. I’ve also been very lucky to have been featured in Lucky Magazine, 425 Magazine (a local magazine for the Seattle area), Matthew Mead Holiday, and the upcoming book from Where Women Cook.
-Congrats on those recent features. Print publication are a great way to get your name out there. I actually have one last question for you… What artist or artisan would you most like to work with on a project in your lifetime? And why?
I would have loved to have worked with Miriam Haskell, a jewelry designer at the turn of the last century. She had such an eye for detail and beauty for the simplest things.
Special Offer: Take 20% off your entire order at Tippy Stockton now through March 25th, when you use coupon code ANNIVERSARY20 at checkout. Sale Ends 3/25/11.
Visit Patricia’s online jewelry shop, Tippy Stockton, to view more of her collection of vintage inspired jewelry. And for updates, visit the Tippy Stockton blog.
Remember Ania from last week’s block printing tutorial? Well, I am back with Ania today, sharing her multi-use workspace for a long overdue studio tour. Ania is a talented paper cut artist, as well as a budding jewelry designer. And I am happy to be showing off her space today and asking her a few questions about work, who she would absolutely love to collaborate with, and more. Enjoy!
-How would you describe your work Ania?
I love reusing old maps and dictionaries into original anatomy inspired paper cut art. Each piece created with an x-acto knife is one of a kind and typically intended as a gift for a very special occasion such as wedding anniversary, birthday, and Father’s Day. Ever since I started sharing PaperCutWorks via etsy, my paper cutting craft has become immensely rewarding thanks to the loving intentions and stories behind the custom orders requested by my supporters.
-How long have you been pursuing work as an artist/ shop owner?
Both of my grandfathers were part-time artists: one created beautiful hand-detailed leather belts and bags, the other loved painting classic landscapes and still life on canvas and glass. I was lucky to grow up among creative role models and from a young age tinkered with crafts of all types. About eight years ago I started self-studying Eastern European folklore paper cutting, two years later transitioned to one-sheet solid color cutouts. Somewhere in between I arrived at my own original style & application of this traditional craft. In addition to paper cutting I also love designing jewelry. I recently merged those two interests and created a line of wearable paper cut art, which was very well received at recent art shows and handmade markets.
-What advice do you have for other artists who may be just starting out, or are struggling to be seen?
If you’ve been waiting for a good time to start sharing your creations with the world, don’t wait any longer. Putting yourself out there is the best thing you can do to challenge yourself and your creations and start growing as an artist. Over time you’ll gain skills and knowledge you simply can’t through observing other artisans and reading their blogs. Then, be patient, learn from your mistakes and stay positive. The first craft show I participated in delivered eight guests during its six hours. Needless to say it resulted in no sales. I made sure to do better research before signing up for other shows & have since landed some amazing gigs. Learn from your interactions with your supporters or booth visitors. What do they compliment you on? Do they have suggestions? Write them down & apply before your next show.
-What artist or artisan would you most like to work with on a project in your lifetime? And why?
I have the greatest respect and admiration for Kurt Vonnegut’s work, and would love to design a papercut book cover for The Sirens of Titan. Sadly, this favorite author could no longer be involved in proofing or editing my concepts, but I would look forward to conversations with Kilgore Trout and the rest of the characters.
Visit Ania’s paper cut artwork shop and unique jewelry shop for more.
This week is a special edition of Workspace Wednesday because it is the actual (wonderfully cool) workspace of a papernstitch reader, Silvana of Leefee Photography. Silvana contacted me last week, and as soon as I saw her workspace, I was like “hell yes, when can I schedule this“.
Her studio is filled with everyday objects that inspire, including shelves stacked with favorite books, a green vintage phone for quick calls, a bulletin board packed with photos taken my Silvana herself, and a collection of vintage cameras. What’s not to like here? Another great space to drool over for Workspace Wednesday.
What do you like most about Silvana’s space?
Thank you Silvana for sharing your space with fellow pns readers! To view more of Silvana’s work, visit her photography shop on Etsy and her inspiring blog.
If you like Silvana’s workspace, please retweet and facebook this post using the buttons below. Thank you!
Remember Jenna of Small Bird Jewelry from last week’s felt garland tutorial? Well, this week, I am chatting with Jenna again. But this time, its for a holiday house tour and mini interview. How fun!
I really want to share Jenna’s beautiful home, so let’s just jump right in. Oh, but before we do, let’s take a moment to “awww” over Jenna’s cat. Adorable. Okay, are we good? Let’s get going than…
Tell us a little about yourself .
I’m an art teacher and jewelry maker in Rochester, NY. My handcrafted jewelry can be found at www.smallbirdjewelry.com.
What kind of home do you live in?
My house was built in 1928. Although it had been updated over the years, it still had enough of its original charm to make me fall in love with it.
What is your favorite project that you completed in regards to your home?
My favorite project (although I have to give all the credit to my dad) was installing the sliding glass door in the dining room. It added so much more light to the space and created a perfect connection to the outdoors. With the recent addition of the deck (um, thanks again, Dad!) I use my outdoor space constantly throughout the spring and summer months.
How has having such a creative career inspired you in decorating your home?
Being a part of the independent craft community has really influenced the look and feel of my living space. Staying connected through blogs and Flickr contacts allows me to be inspired by other indie artists with whom I share a similar aesthetic. I love seeing what other people are making or finding or repurposing; often incorporating those ideas into my own home. Not surprisingly, most of my art and accessories are either vintage finds or have been made by independent artists. I love surrounding myself with objects that have meaning and make me feel “at home.”
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Thanks so much Jenna for sharing your home with us and answering a few questions. Please visit Jenna’s shop, Small Bird, to view Jenna’s lovely handcrafted jewelry collection. And receive 10% off your purchase now through January 9th when you use the code papernstitch at checkout.
