How serendipitous to find a post today by a fellow blogger participating in My Desert Cottage’s annual “Where Bloggers Create” challenge, inviting folks to share peeks into their creative spaces. I LOVE seeing people’s studios and working spaces and so of course I want to play along as well. Thanks to Karen Valentine for hosting this. I hope you’re inspired to share as well, and I certainly invite you to visit other bloggers and tour their studios as well.
My studio space is in the upstairs enclosed porch. It’s a very small, oddly shaped space, but with lots of windows providing good light and a view over the garage roof into our neighbor’s backyards and gardens. It’s a funky eclectic space that suits me perfectly. But because it’s small and oddly shaped it’s almost impossible to get full-room photos, so we’re going to approach this in a much more piecemeal fashion.
As we head up the stairs we pass the back door which I’ve painted red and hung the first of many birds that fill the studio with their winged energy.
Across the stairs I’ve got prayer flags hung. These are traditional Tibetan ones, and I usually have a second set of personal flags hung as well. I’m currently working on a new set right now, so I’ll have to show you another time.
We’re now officially entering studio space because we’ve passed under the watchful eye of Rosie the Crow who bestows blessings and a reminder to keep our eyes peeled for any and all sparkly treasures.
The first landing is guarded over by a dragon, and I’ve got a small bookcase here mostly filled with bookbinding volumes, and then a shelfing unit filled with a miscellaneous supplies. I LOVE the funky vintage fabric I found to use as a covering – it makes me smile every time I pass it. I’ve also got some vintage shoe lasts propped in a window.
Moving up the final stairs we pass under the watchful eyes of this strange beauty. There’s something about her that reminds me of my mother, and I like to think she’s adding her mojo and inspiration as well.
And now we’ve arrived in the actual working area. Welcome.
This is Studio Bibelot.
Bibolet is defined as a small object of curiosity, beauty, or rarity; a trinket; a beautiful bauble; a book of unusually small size. And bibelots are what I like to create. I love creating sacred objects and talismans, but I also create jewelry, journals, zines. I play with paper, write poetry, send out love letters; I love color; create magical scented blends with essential oils; and wish my drawing skills were a better match for my imagination. I think the world is filled with treasures and it’s up to us to notice and appreciate them. And most of all I do my best to keep my feet and heart on the joy trail.
I have a couple rituals I always perform when I enter the studio. First I light some incense, I set an intention for the work I’ll be doing, and often I pull a few cards to see what direction they might offer.
As we’re getting ready to poke around, we’ll likely be greeted by Solaria.
All the windows are filled because I love and am mesmerized by light streaming through things.
Here’s a view into the studio straight on:
The wall behind is filled with several units of with large wicker drawers, but I’ve also got things in vintage suitcases, ribbons in glass jars, miscellany in baskets. You know how it is.
I’ve got a couple baskets filled with paper rolls. I confess to a penchant for beautiful Japanese papers.
And here’s the latest studio basket. I’m planning on filling it with sketching/journaling supplies so I can carry it outside while the weather’s nice, but Solaria is fascinated by it and seems to want to claim it for her own. I keep telling her it’s too big, as she really prefers to cram herself into things about a quarter her size.
As you can see, I’m not a less-is-more kind of person in the studio. I like overflowing baskets and bits and bobs tucked everywhere. Inspiration is never more than a few millimeters away. But these days I’m especially loving my little string of flower beads with the beautiful bee pendant. That’s kind of how I feel in my studio – like I’m in a garden of fabulous flowers and my lucky job is to flit about and drink deeply of the nectar.
And I think we’ll call it a wrap there. There’s always more to see, more drawers to poke around in, more idea journals to page through. But we’ll save that for another time.
Now it’s your turn. Do you have a dedicated space for creating? Are you inspired by having random bits of wonderfulness around, or do you prefer a pristine tidy work place? What’s on your work table right now? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
Hello! I love that you have birds greeting you as you walk into your studio. I enjoyed meeting Solaria and seeing the glass displays in front of your windows. There is something about light streaming through objects!
To answer your question at the end of the tour, my current studio has lots of cupboards and drawers with everything hidden away. It looks nice, but I have discovered that I am happier when I can see everything. I get inspired by seeing all the things I have collected. For me, a tidy workspace becomes a deterrent to creating! When we move to our next house, I plan to have a wonderfully messy studio! 🙂
Thank you for the tour!
Thanks for stopping by Tammy. How fun you get to plan a new studio and while it’s being built you get to dream about what you want! Here’s to big beautiful messes and inspiration all around.
I love your creative space! Your animal spirit guides are wonderful. I’m right there with you on “less is not more,” LOL. I like overflowing baskets of supplies too! Your direction cards are awesome. I’d love to know how you made them and chose the messages. I’d also like to see your original prayer flags.
Thanks for the tour!
Thanks Becky – I love your creative space as well. Making decks of cards is fun. An easy method is first creating a list of words and then finding or creating images to go with them. Intuition and fun working hand in hand. I create lots of prayer flags, and while they’re nice to hang outside, I also like hanging them over the stairway to the studio. Walking past them creates a little breeze and I like thinking of the prayers and wishes being sent out into the world each time.
Love, love, love your creative space. We both have kitties and we both obviously draw enjoyment from them. Are the birds into the entry some of your work? Love them! If you look at my space…I cleaned this week. Like I do once or twice a year. Its not the norm. I love your creative spirit and hope to stop back by again soon.
Teresa Young
http://www.foxhollowstudio.com
It’s always fun to meet the furry helpers isn’t it? Your two are delightful as well, and I’m sure grand helpers and muses as well.
While the door bird is mine, Rosie the Crow is a piece done by fraktur/folk artist Toni McCorkle.
And I’m with you in the occasional studio cleaning – my muse speaks loudest when things are deliciously messy.
Thank you Deborah for allowing us to visit your creative space. There are so many wonderful pieces adorning it from the entrance all the way in. Rosie the crow is a great piece. And also thank you for stopping by over at my creative space and for your kind comment. Wishing you a great weekend.
Hugs,
❤️Ana
Thanks for visiting Ana, and wishing you a wonderful and creative week as well.
I love this, makes me want to visit. I have a lovely office with a big desk for creating. The office has a lovely view of a field full of horses and, at this time of year, bunny rabbits. All my art work has been given away after emptying my storage space in Australia so I am starting again. My office in the meantime is full of Chakra images, Pixies, Fairies, and Crystals. Flower essences, essential oils also have their place. A patchwork chair sits by the window as a place to sit and contemplate. Isn’t it lovely to create such magical spaces.
Your space sounds magical and perfect Kama! And I couldn’t agree more – it’s great fun to create what delights us. Here’s to more of that always!
How synchronistic, Delightful, Dashing Deborah. I’ve got a small workspace here and I was just thinking yesterday I’d love to see your creative space as I remember you saying years ago it was fairly small. So I open up my e-mail this morning to find my wish has been granted! Thank you for your post, I love your goodies, pls don’t be surprised if you hear the Dr Who theme, get a glimpse of a British phone box one night and find I’ve time travelled to borrow a pinch of this and a pinch of that from your collection – but I promise to return them! Much love, Mo
LOL – you know I love those delightful synchronisities Marvelous Moveable Mo. I’ll keep my ears tuned for the sounds of the TARDIS – how fun to imagine you arriving for a quick pop in. They’d probably hear my delighted shriek all the way back in Cypress.
Such joy! Such colour! I love what you shared. It truly gives me a window into your world and you. A few months ago I had a good look at my creative space and discovered it was my late husband’s! His favourite painting, his awards etc. Wow. That was an eye opener. Now it’s all about me. I have more work to do. Thanks for the nudge and reminder, Deborah.
Thanks Kelly. And I’m so glad you’ve reclaimed your creative space to more fully express you. There’s real joy in that and I most definitely celebrate you.
Pretty! I see you like your space to feel homey. I find that when I get to cozy, I get contented and lose my drive. Finding the balance between serene, comfortable, and inspiring is something I am constantly striving for.
It’s fascinating to me how we’re all wired differently and how each of us creates optimally in different environments and circumstances. I find it’s as much fun discovering what delights and supports us individually as it is creating. Always wonderful things to explore!
It looks different from my last visit, lots to explore in there. That door bird is beautiful! I’m impressed. Hi, Solaria!
LOL – given my penchant for hanging things and switching out what’s inspiring me in the moment, things are always in constant flux. Solaria sends little purr kisses back.
oh how I love to peek inside someone else’s studio. And your is just lovely, I can feel the creativity coming through your photos.. And those rolls of papers- to die for! Thanks for sharing
It really is great fun to peek into each other’s creative spaces isn’t it?
Love your Studio Bibelot. What a great name for it. Thanks for sharing your creative space!
Thanks for stopping by and visiting.
Oh Deborah,
This was just the juicy bit I needed tonight! What fun! I have often dreamed of seeing your studio. You always have such interesting things to share! I love your apothecary chest and your windows full of color and your journals that are probably peeking out everywhere you look! That chest of drawers with the odd tear shape is so cool too! Thanks so much for sharing this with us!
I’m glad you got a virtual peek Amy, and you’ve called it correctly – there are journals peeking out everywhere. 🙂
What a lovely space!
Thanks Carol. I appreciate you stopping by and wish you lots of fun in your studio.
Wow Deborah what a fabulous studio!! I love your vintage suitcase and timber drawers especially. Thanks so much for the tour. Karen.x
Thanks Karen. I’m delighted you stopped by and wish you a wonderfully creative time in your lovely studio.
Such an enchanting space. I love all the colorful artwork, vintage finds, and the baskets!
Thanks Amy. Glad you popped by.
I love how you frame your studio space around objects that are significant and sacred to each part. Yes, I have an upstairs studio. It was once a dining room. I don’t like that part so much because it is also like a through-way to get from one space to another and I worry about my work getting smudged but it hasn’t happened so I shouldn’t worry so much. Now, as you’ll see on my blog, my warm weather space for working is outdoors.
It’s true Stephanie, and how perceptive of you to notice. One of the messages I hope my life exemplifies is that choosing to notice the everyday sacred is a beautiful and delightful path to be on.
It’s nice when we can let go of some of our worries, and so here’s to releasing some of the concerns about your work getting smudged in passing. And how fun you’re outdoors now – I really enjoyed seeing your latest post documenting your work.
LOVE your space. I especially love the Scrabble tiles with your Studio Bibelot. Such fun stuff! I documented my new space here:
http://asmile4ufromjanet.blogspot.com/2015/06/june-jottings-2015.html
but it is still a work in progress as I find I need to rearrange things once I start creating in the space. I like the idea of picking cards before you start. Might try that! Thanks for sharing your space!
I’m glad you came by for a peek Janet, and how fun to see your creative space as well. I like having a little ritual to open my creative time with, and drawing cards is always fun.
OMGoodness, how fun! I love seeing people’s studios too! I would play along if I had more time… will she do again in the fall?
It IS fun scoping out where we all create isn’t it? I believe this is only a once a year thing. But I certainly do hope you’ll join next year, or find another tour to play in.
Love this…great idea to share your creative area with your fellow creative people….Thanks for sharing
I think we’re all curious and it’s a delight to see how and where we each create. Happy you stopped by Sacha.
Terrific post, Deborah! My space to create is all over the place right now. With kids moving in and out, creative chaos has ensued wherever and whenever I get a chance. Currently it seems to be out back in the screened in porch where I can listen to Mother Nature and take in the serenity of living in the woods…even in the pouring rain. The problem with that is I have to keep running in and out for something that I want to use, because it is not my usual space. However, I am on a mission to re-claim my very own space to create, as soon as the revolving door of college kids is silenced. And I ALWAYS, ALWAYS light incense and at least one candle…usually 3 if I have them at the ready. Thanks so much for sharing. And I’m going to pick a card after I light my incense and candles as I begin my next altered book project. Aloha Friend!
I love thinking of you living in the woods Vicki, and soaking up all that goodness. It’ll be fun when you get to re-claim a me spot, but in the meantime here’s to creative fun wherever you are. I love your incense and candle-lighting practice. And I certainly look forward to peeks into that altered book.
Hello Deborah,
Thank you for giving us all the chance to take a look around your working space. I love how everything in there has a significance. Must be such a comforting and motivating space for you. I am currently building my house….certainly being inspired by you to create MySpace:)
Thank you for such a lovely post.
Wish you a wonderful week:)
Oh how fabulous to be building your home. It’s exciting to start with a fresh slate. You’ll have lots of fun ahead of you!
What a fun space, I really like that little quirky shaped yellow drawer piece, so unusual! Thank you for a warm welcome into your special creative space.
I love that drawer piece as well Sandy – I consider it a real treasure. Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting.
Now there’s a room where creativity can flourish! I love it.
Thanks for stopping by Eli. I do have a pretty fun play room. 🙂
I heart Solaria! Both her beautiful self and her beautiful name. I’m sure she’s multi-talented (it runs in your family, no doubt) so she’ll take to that larger basket in no time. Especially if there’s a little something crinkly and catnippy at the bottom?
As far as what’s on my work table now — stacks and stacks of books, odd bits of paper covered in print and paint, my easel of course, and several palettes brimming with color. A folded-up towel that Addie and Shnoodle use as a cat bed, in separate shifts, of course, as they wouldn’t want to cuddle too closely together. As far as I can tell, everything I use is out on my work table now, leaving a severe tabletop deficit. I think it’s time I did a clean sweep because a vast expanse of near-empty table — with only an easel and some color and a scattering of cat fur — is one of my surefire roads to inspiration.
Oh Harmony – the way you express yourself, both through writing and art, never fails to make me smile. “Severe tabletop deficit”?! Oh how I relate. Kitties sleeping in shifts on a towel bed? Does life get better than this? Wishing you lots of inspiration, and plenty of elbow room for your Muses.
Hi Deborah! It’s so nice to meet you!!! I’m so glad you discovered the party and joined us! I love what you said about keeping your feet and heart on the joy trail! That is one of the things that creating does for all of us I think!!
xo,
Karen
Thanks so much for hosting the party Karen – how fun to play along and see so many creative spaces and meet so many fascinating artists.
It’s obvious I’m running late to the party, because I had intended to get by sooner. Sadly, life has gotten in the way, but I couldn’t miss this opportunity to see your incredible studio where all the fun (ICADs and SOC entries, too) happen. I like that you are NOT a less is more person, because the studio is filled with such energy and good vibes.
Thanks for sharing and light an incense for me someday (grin).
I’m delighted you stopped by Elizabeth and that’s the beauty of virtual parties and tours – the doors never close. Thanks for the kind words and I’ll certainly light some incense for you. Wishing you lots of creative fun in your studio.