Studio Tour
JEWELRY & TEXTILE STUDIOS. . .
This Gallery features the areas that I create & work in to produce what you see in the shop. I produce the pieces in two studios. I have a "messy" studio in the garage where I enamel a variety of metals with powdered glass and a 1500 degree propane and oxygen powered torch. I have a fan set up in front of the torch specifically to pull away any smells or loose powdered glass. The fan can also be used if I'm working with other products that are smelly or produce dust. I can also hammer and cut metal and then shape it in the garage as well as apply color using patinas, paints, waxes, or other materials.
In another part of the garage I dye fabric and keep leftover dye in two small refrigerators for use on another day. I frequently paint an image on fabric and incorporate the dyed fabric into the piece. These textiles are usually sewn on a sewing machine and hung on walls, much as you would a painting on canvas.
Finished items are then brought into the "in home studio" which is the former living room. (Don't worry, we do have a living room which flows into our kitchen.) It is a large space with big picture windows and is organized with tall Ikea cabinets that hold jewelry and textile supplies. On the tables are the materials and tools that I use daily. In one corner of the studio I have a table for packaging and shipping. In another part of the house I photograph my pieces. Though it is a great idea to photograph ones' work outside in natural light, the pacific northwest is not always cooperative. So I use one of two photo tents and lights which are always available when I need them regardless of the weather! I photograph on a variety of surfaces: clear or black Plexiglas, tiles, textiles, etc.