Whew!

Well here we are already February.

The studio is nearly empty yet the new one is not quite ready. Guess where everything is. Yes, one of my garage bays. Thank goodness it is a tandem bay.



Much more has been packed in here since this photo. I tried to pack in an organized manner. As I'm sure you know, that only works for the first 75%.
So look at this photo and know that I have NO IDEA what is in 25% of those boxes.
:)

So. it's no secret that we are moving to 3231 Creatives at 3231 Broadway in Everett.

We will be primarily a workshop space and still have open crafting time on the schedule. Workshops will be Thursday - Saturday and Wednesdays will be Appointment Only and private groups.

Third Saturdays will of course be: Art Walk!

The online stores are slowly but surely ramping up to handle 80% of the retail business.

Watch for our announcements to come via FaceBook, this Blog and our Networking site!

Art Gel! I'm in love!

So, while at the amazing Alexanders Beads on Roosevelt, I asked about two part epoxy resin in jewelry grade. I always ask, to no avail. I suspected they wouldn't have it but it's been my experience at that shop to continue to ask for things and they often appear for sale. Either from the back room or because people have asked so many times.

Well, to my surprise, he pulled out a bottle of Art Gel and some samples.
They looked great so I had to bring it back to the studio and give it a try.

Results? LOVE!


Unlike the many other 1 part resins coatings and gels, it goes on clear and without bubbles. It flows well, dries in about 12 hours, is only $10 for 4 fl oz. It does still soak into the paper and threaten to run if you are using a home printed photo but even glue does that. Nothing a little Modpodge sealing can't handle.

Product: the Beadsmith DG3 Art Gel

Location: Alexanders Beads - 6307 Roosevelt Way NE Seattle, WA 98115

Fall's Wild Ride

Here we are, mid-October and no classes posted.
My husband and I have moved our home, still in transition in fact, and I haven't had a pinch of mental or physical energy left for anything else.


I've moved my jewelry bench and all of my supplies into the studio's back room Which means there are still boxes everywhere. My focus for the rest of the week is to make inventory for the

EtsyRain pre-Holiday Show

that's this weekend at the Intiman Theater.

Next week, I'll be posting a class schedule, finishing up Halloween decorations and getting ready for our

1st Hallow-versary, Art Party

that will be at the studio on the 28th, 29th and 30th.

More info to follow!

Thursday Night Live!

I expect this will be a fun evening!

Join us for Junque Journals
this Thursday 07-15-10 from 6:30 to 9:00pm (or when we're done)


Find your simple supply list and RSVP at the Art Space Meet-up
HERE

2 more chances

to take the
"Yard Art - Flower Stakes" workshop.

This Saturday, July 3 at 11am
OR
Sunday, July 11 at 12 noon

Follow this link to sign up: http://blackdoorstudio.ning.com/

$35 workshop & supply fee and All supplies are included, just show up!
I also have a selection or teacups if you want to make your own Mad Hatter's Tea Party for your garden :)

Studio Themes!

Today I had a suggestion from one of my awesome EtsyRain teammates, (of which there are now 790!) She mentioned that one of the local, Washington Arts Council stores that she consigns with has 60-90 day "Themes".

I LOVE the idea

and think I'm going to sit down with the calendar and make this happen!

Having the workshops, weekly art exploration groups and the Studio Store all work together sounds like fun! Of course, the popular workshops and vendor items will always be present. I may try to figure out a way to work them into the theme with a few tweaks though.

SO.
If you have a theme you would like to see, post it below :)

Intro to Soldering (jewelry) Workshop

Black Door Studio
is so lucky to have a seasoned pro teach us the ins and outs of soldering.

This Saturday, February 6th, we will have 2 workshops!

Steven Sheely will be our instructor for this workshop.
He has a long history as a metal smith jeweler and stained glass expert.

The project in this first class will be a simple microscope slide pendant giving you 8 inches to improve your technique.


You will leave knowing soldering safety, basic soldering, how to solder a glass pendant, how to add a jump ring to a piece of metal and of course, with your new pendant.

What you put in your pendant is up to you! You can use an old postage stamp, mini collage, a picture, dried flowers, sheet music, old lace, pretty paper, etc. Basically, anything that is flat and can be pressed in glass.

All tools and supplies will be provided.

* There is a $45 supply and instructor fee.

** Space is limited so you must RSVP

I HAVE 2 OPENINGS LEFT!!!
email me to claim one.

Redecorating!

Yes, it's time to add more workspace. Already.
We are crazily working away and rearranging, cleaning and redecorating!

When you come into the Studio in the new year, you'll see new vintage treasures, furniture and art & craft supplies for sale. There are new items from local Artisans, more table space to spread out and a new workshop calendar.

Pictures coming!

BDS has a new Meet-Up!

I'm so excited to have started a meet-up for the studio! I think this is a sure-fire way to build our art community.

The 1st Thursday of every month at 6:30pm will be a "Let's Meet" mixer.

Members will be able to meet each other, have space available to work on a project, show off their art, be inspired by others, see what the studio has to offer (changing all the time) and have input on groups, events and the direction of the meet-up group(s).

Here's the link: ArtSpace at BDS
Hope to see you!

More announcements to come!

Beginning Workshops!

I've added a section to the left ~~>>
that shows the scheduled workshops for the upcoming month! Yay! A real calendar. Of course if there is something you're interested in and the time just doesn't work, email me and we'll figure something out.

I'm always interested in feedback regarding different times of day and new ideas for workshops. Workshops can range from beginner to intermediate.

We have many talented artists and artisans in the community that would love to share their craft! If you are one of them and haven't let me know, please do :) The workroom is available for you to be the host your own workshop OR for you to be a guest instructor.

Meet the Mascots

This is
Sir Roy,
formerly Roy,
formerly Corduroy.


When joining us in the Studio, if you have allergies or other adverse kitty reactions, let me know and I will send them to their room! (It's the entire upstairs so not a problem).

They will also likely be upstairs during workshops as Zoey has the insatiable need to "help" with everything you may be (trying) to work on.















This is Zoey.
formerly Kitten Face,
formerly Sparkles.

It took about a dozen photos per cat to get these with the least amount of movement. As you can see, it wasn't a complete success.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Black Door Studio's Grand Opening Celebration!

237 Elm Street, Everett
Thursday October 15th
Open House from 3:00pm to 8:00pm


I've held back some special treasures and all of the Local Artisan goodies until this very day! There are a few other surprises, too. You'll have to come by to find out!

The Test-Run

Last night I had some of the WCW (Wildly Creative Women) girls come by.

Not always the brightest bulb in the pack, I forgot to take pictures until clean up was well underway and everyone was packing up to leave :( Thought I'd share those I did get!



We had an awesome beginning Batik lesson from Jeannie and Kate. Boy were everyone's creations beautiful! While we were waiting for them to dry, Heidi showed us how to make little wire spiders. We switched from wire to fuzzy pipe cleaners so we could all figure it out. My sparkly gold spider may not be the most realistic but I learned how and the world could use a little more sparkle. Don't you think?


OH: The chairs came!!!!
Just barely in time. Yes, "Amazing Demo Handyman Carpenter Chair-put-together Guy" was putting them together as fast as the girls were arriving.

Sneak peek at the Bead Drawers!

Beads!
Vintage, new, semi-precious, glass, metal, some findings. 384 cubbies of them! (And more stashed away.)


Yes, the drawer cubbies are custom made by the "Amazing Handyman-Sign-Carpenter Guy"

Another Quick Before/After

There are still some naked walls, lamps with no shades and some empty spots here and there, but getting closer to being ready for the Grand Opening Celebration on October 15th!


Yet another "Amazing Handyman-Finish Carpenter-Etc Guy" creation! A breathtaking front desk!

Almost open!!!

So, I order these chairs. 8 of them to be exact.


The website says shipped from Texas within 2 days, UPS ground. Yay! I order them on the 20th knowing UPS ground can take as long as 7-10 days. Here I sit, (on my other chair) holding my breath. 12 business days is tomorrow, Tuesday, and I have my 1st group gathering at the studio on Wednesday evening. "What about your fatally optimistic attitude?" you ask.

Well, I would have faith and chant my "It'll be fine" mantra like I usually do...

BUT:
When I called the company to get my UPS tracking number the non-english-speaking Texan gave me another number to call. That led me to a slightly-english-speaking Texan who told me he would call me back with tracking info. Never did. I persisted with another email, (the previous unanswered email was 4 business days BEFORE the phone call) and was given a tracking number. As I was putting in the tracking number on the UPS website, imagine my surprise to find out that the number they gave me to track my package was MY ORIGINAL TRANSACTION NUMBER and not a tracking number at all!

SO:
Ladies of WCW, I have 4 tall chairs if I bring my tall chair from home. Some of us may get to stand :)

It will be fun!

The Front !

Before :(


After :) Ta-daa!


Believe it or not, that sign is 8 feet long. It was so HUGE inside my entry at home and it looks so small on the wall. By the time we finished up today, the sun was setting over Puget Sound behind me as I took the picture. I know you can hardly see the sign but it's the best I could do with the reflection. Most importantly. It's pretty much done from the front!!!


Here is the upshot of the sign. See the reflection of the letters? That's because they stand a little more than an inch off the base. I can thank Amazing Handy-Demo-Sign-etc Guy for that!

We have a little monkeywrench.

A friend in need, my sister-from-another-mother, is making a huge unwanted but necessary cross country move to Richmond. Not our little West Coast Richmond... the far away Richmond. I've been helping (kinda) to pack, offering support, moving lots-o-stuff around and now will be helping drive one of the two giant trucks across country. 3 people, 2 trucks, finding a place to live all in six days.

Now, you may think this is insane but hey, it's how I roll. Hahaha! WHEN I WAS 20! This sister would do it for me so, I'm there.

What this all means is: my progress in the studio is going to come to a dead stop but, Amazing Handy-Sign Cutter-Demo-Contractor Guy is going to add "Finish Carpenter" to his title. He doesn't have to but he says it's better than being home without me. Awwwww. What a keeper he is.

I'll be leaving the 16th and back in action on the 23rd or 24th.

NO, NO, NO! Not the 23rd now. It's been moved to the 26th.

OH MY.

All of the tear out is done!
We did run into some live, on-the-wall wiring with no idea how to turn it off. None of the breakers seem to do the trick. Oh, and also the live natural gas lines attached to the interior wall with handy little valves. The landlord gets to solve those two challenges. So. That means we are done with tear out except for the awful carpet over the glued down carpet from the 1960's. I was going to paint the ceiling before we started that little adventure BUT, my Amazing Demo Guy tore it out, cut it up and tossed it out before I even had a chance to say, "what are we going to do with all this garbage?". He's pretty awesome. So my next job is tsp and an old floor mop for the walls so I can go in with KILZ and fresh paint. His next job is the floor-remover-sander-thingy. On the floors, of course. I'm thinking by Monday I might have a couple "mid-way " pictures.

Ahem. That August 1st date is going to come and go. But hey, a girl's allowed to be an optimist.

I finally have keys in hand to the new Studio/Store!

There is a ton of work to do.
What I'm going for is "European Flea Market meets Art Space with Odd Supplies".

Think: Recycle, Decor, Art supplies, Workshops.

There are basically 3 rooms.

• The largest room is to be used for the retail space. Here I will be offering antiques, refurbished flea market finds, odd collectible and decor items, creations from local Artisans and supplies. A few "normal" supplies but mostly supplies to inspire new projects that focus on altered art and recycling.

• The adjoining room is a workroom. A place to have workshops and host meetings, a home to art tools, a deep sink, and a giant worktable for projects and refurbishing.

• The third room is a smaller space that will be similar to my personal studio at home. It's a great place for my smaller projects. Also a computer and wrapping area, storage for my etsy store items, a tabletop photo booth, etc. It's also the room with the little kitchenette and the path to the restroom.

• Upstairs is a wonderful unfinished, low ceiling, attic area with shelves lining the wall. A perfect place to store those treasures that have yet to make their debut or that still need to be cleaned up and refurbished. The shelving is also a wonderful spot to store the supplies and "work in progress" items from our workshops.

So far, I've picked colors for paint, ceilings and trim. Chosen window coverings, ordered an awning, designed business cards and started working with the company on an exterior sign. I still have to choose lighting for the retail area and figure out what to do with the floors. I'm hoping that under the carpet is concrete and I can do a light stain and some polishing. My fingers are crossed. I have the "Amazing Handyman & Sign Cutter-Guy" as my helper. Who am I kidding? I'm his helper. kinda.

Time to get busy!