A New Studio and Wire Artist Kristine Mays

Happy Friday everyone!

Today, I will be sharing with you my 'before' picture of my new studio. My husband and I have just moved back home to Arkansas, and I have rented 320 square feet of creative play-space to continue my career in making jewelry.

For the last few years, I have been making do with space in the places we have rented...sometimes a small room or even a corner in an unheated and un-air-conditioned garage. I am so ready for a dedicated space...but am a bit overwhelmed with having such a blank slate to now work with.

I kept the flooring concrete...no carpet except for a small rug for my chilling out area. I ordered a monstrous 6 foot work bench with adjustable legs instead of a traditional jeweler's bench. I decided to space out my work area in the event I have a private student or two. I wanted there to be plenty of play space for learning to occur!

I scored a huge countertop with drawers too...we just installed it tonight.  I don't really know what I am going to do with it yet, but I am confident its purpose will be revealed to me as this week finishes out.

My new space is right on the square in the city I am living in..on Saturdays there is a Farmer's Market right out my door, so if I decide to try and put a table or two there as a vendor, it will be an easy walk. No loading the car and driving in to set up. All my gear will be there already!

We have a First Thursday Art Walk there too...I am still pinching myself about my good fortune to have found this spot. There is also a cooperative art gallery above my new studio that I am going to see about getting into.

While we were moving, I found an old journal that I wrote in a few years ago about what my perfect space would be like...and I am delighted to see that desire finally realized. I believe I have found a community that really fits the life my husband and I want to live from here on out...and it's thrilling!

I haven't made any jewelry now for over a month...I'm really excited about getting my hands on a pair of pliers again, and seeing what I can dream up in my new space.  A girl needs a room of her own...and it looks like I've got a great one.

Speaking of community, since I haven't had the opportunity to share with you any of my own wire work for this month's boot camp, I would like to show you what you can do with wire that will blow your socks off...Kristine Mays is a mega-talented wire sculpture artist whose work I absolutely adore. Check out her website for some way outta the box wire work...she is truly gifted!

Today, I unpacked Kristine's LOVE letters she made for me a few years ago. They always inspire me to think out of the box and are very dear to me.

Here is the Before photo...stay tuned next week to see the After!!!