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!

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.

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!