*Part One here.
I sort of had an identity crisis when I gave up my business and my studio. A lot had changed. We moved to a new town, the kids started public school, and for the first time since I'd become a mother, I couldn't define myself by my business. And I didn't realize how much I needed that definition until it wasn't mine anymore. It's true, I was still technically working (I was drawing and painting and licensing after all) but without an actual business, I just didn't know who I was or what I wanted to do with myself.
After floundering for months (for over two years, actually), I decided to make my home, my life, our lives — my creative business. I decided to write, record, tell stories, take pictures, craft, and sew with as much enthusiasm as I once had for my greeting card business. And for the first time in a very long time, I actually felt like making something simply because I wanted to. Something I didn't have to sell. Something I could make that would be theirs. Mine. Ours.
Slowly, I started hunting down my old supplies from college: Where is all of my thread? I used to have a bone folder, has anyone seen that? Do we still have gel medium? Projects were being worked on at record speed. Then, of course, I wanted my studio back.
Michael needed a studio, too, now that he was working full-time for himself. His needs were simple, though — he only asked for a task light and a power cord. I wanted a bit more than that and I was determined to create a studio space for all of us this time. So I started by clearing off shelves and bringing in old artwork from the garage.
I made a cute little polka-dot pillow and opened up some space so I could think straight.
I put some of the kids' artwork on the shelves above our computers. We have to eat in this room, too, so I'm trying to keep things somewhat sparse and not too cluttered with office supplies.
Little tidbits here and there. These glass jars belonged to my grandmother.
I washed the walls and painted the trim. (This is a little hallway that leads to the backdoor.)
I organized all of our supplies and made some new curtains. The kids supplies are mixed in with ours since everything gets used by everybody.
Are there things I would change about this room if I could? Yes. Do I hate my dining room table? Completely. Do I wish I could keep my sewing machine set up in here somewhere? Definitely. Am I grateful for having this space at all? Eternally.
My studio means something different to me now. The kids are older and they’re in school longer and I don’t need my own space as much. Everyone (including the littlest one) understands that “work” is important to each of us and this time, I'm enjoying the company. And, who knows, I might even open up shop again someday…
Oh. Hi, you.
*All wooden shelves, drawers, curtain fabric, paper roll from Ikea.
*Canvas bins, magazine files from the Container Store.
*Red cardboard boxes from Storables.
*Everything else, I don't remember.
