phm studio spaces

phm studio spaces: v is for violet

2008-09-13T07:35:00.000-07:00

Artist Name: Tanyalee Philpott or v is for violet
Shop site: tanyap.etsy.com
Website: visforviolet.com
Blog: etsylove.ning.com/profile/violetlee
City: Whittier, CA (woot!)

Where in your home/apartment/city is your studio located?

We have an older style condo with a rather large living room so my husband and I decided to cut it in half and make work spaces for each of us. My side houses all the fabric and crafty stuff and his side houses all the nerdy computer stuff.

What equipment/tools do you use?

In my art I use a sewing machine, paint brushes, fabric, opaque projector, paint pens, hot glue gun, safety eyes, glitter etc.

Do you have an inspiration board, and can you tell us what is inspiring you now?

I don't really have an inspiration board but I consider my whole space and inspiration board. From the pics you can see that I love to collect things and they always end up somewhere in my studio. I consider all those silly things my inspiration. I also like that I can look in any given direction and either laugh or feel inspired. Some of the stuff I have around serves to remind me not to make the same mistake twice. I know it sounds weird but I feel like you have to be honest with yourself and realize that not every idea is the best, but they all have potential to be the best. Right now all my little white ceramic pieces are what inspires me, I recently made an albino octopus as an ode to my little white collection...sadly with the recent earthquake in LA I lost some of my coolest little breakables***in memory of my unicorn that turned into a headless horse :(***

How do you create best (e.g. do you listen to music while you create and if so what?)

I usually create best when I have a great movie on and my daughter is either sleeping or busy playing in her space. I don't know what it is about T.V but I love to have it on and kinda loud. I think I like the way it makes me feel like I am in a crowded room. At the moment I am obsessed with Lars and the Real Girl, it is full of really funny sayings that I think I would have missed had I been sitting watching.

List (3) of your favorite artists

I love this bag! It is so funny and creative, way to go Kukurbita :)

I think this print is GREAT! I love screen printing and mixed media, yay magic jelly.

I love the idea of paper dolls for those of us that may be a little older than 5 :) and they are so beautifully done. Elsita is very talented.

I chose to use my fav's from Etsy because I like that if someone agrees with me and enjoys the artwork they can just click and buy :) I'm that kind of girl, if I see it, I want it. Plus it is a great feeling to have someone buy your artwork, it makes you feel like someone understands what you love.

If yours isn't, what would be your perfect studio?

My perfect studio would be in a room with a door so I could make a mess once in awhile and not worry about people coming over and tripping over piles of fabric and thread. Can you keep a secret? I would love to have my husband in that "perfect" room too, I like being in the same room with him and both of us enjoying our little projects :)

phm studio spaces: laurie coyle

2008-09-13T07:13:00.000-07:00

Artist Name: Laurie Coyle
Shop Name and Url: LaurieCoyleDesigns.Etsy.com
Blog: LaurieCoyle.Wordpress.com
City: South Lee, Massachusetts

Where in your home/apartment/city is your studio located?
My studio is on the second floor of the 100 year-old farmhouse my husband and I own on the side of a small mountain, in the beautiful Berkshire Hills of Western Massachusetts. It is in the office I share with my husband, which is also known occasionally as our guest room, storage space, and cat-hangout.

What equipment/tools do you use?
I create my illustrations and design my prints and greeting cards with a wide-screen Macbook and Wacom tablet. Some of my other favorite tools include a wonderful little Gocco screen-printer and my HP Photosmart D7460 printer. I print with archival inks on soft gloss photo paper as well as on wonderful 100% recycled papers from Mr. French, which are made using hydroelectricity. I also love to play with fabric and a sewing machine, as well as with all kinds of art paper and tools, including an x-acto knife and bone-folder, a paper cutter, stamps, punches, photo-transfer paper, and, one of the most useful tools around, double-stick tape. My photographs are made with a Nikon D40 digital camera and my trusty Slik tripod.

Do you have an inspiration board, and can you tell us what is inspiring you now?
I have a collection of wonderful crafty things hanging around my studio to inspire me, but currently I am gathering inspiration from all things outdoorsy, reveling in the summer and the first glimmers of fall and the beauty around me; animals, flowers, trees, weeds, grasses and bodies of water. I love the colors and textures of the woods, and the aliveness of it all. My husband and I have a wonderful dog and have just gotten some goats and chickens, too, so I'm watching them as much as possible, taking note of how they move and interact.

How do you create best (e.g. do you listen to music while you create and if so what?)
I can often be found working on my computer at the kitchen table or on the couch, half-paying attention to a movie or an NPR radio program. I also listen to music and Hayhouse Radio shows on the internet while I work. I definitely work best alone, and find a quiet house the best place to get things done; distractions are a major problem for me, so I try to reduce them as much as possible. I make lots of lists, so I know what is most important to accomplish each week. When I am working on a painting or other craft project in my studio I always have some music on and the windows open, if possible (of course, 6 months out of the year it's too cold for that here in New England!).

List (3) of your favorite artists
Ryan McGinnness
Tord Boontje
Lotta Jansdotter

If yours isn't, what would be your perfect studio?
I dream of having a more cohesive decorating scheme in my studio. And maybe an industrial paper cutter and large-format printer, as well as someday an entire letterpress setup; right now I have a tabletop Kelsey Excelsior that I am refurbishing, but I would love a Vandercook! We painted the room when we moved in three years ago, before I really knew what we'd be using it for, so I think I would like to have a brighter, more inspiring color on the walls (I'm thinking orange right now, but am always changing my mind). I am currently in love with this wooden cubby cabinet I just found at a friend's yard sale; she had gotten it from an old apothecary, and the little cubes work perfectly for my cards, envelopes and tools. Eventually, ideally, I'd like to have a studio in the back of my own little retail shop, in the bustling arts district of a nearby town, where I could walk to work and bring my dog.

phm studio spaces: ladies and gentlemen

2008-09-02T22:09:00.001-07:00

Artist Name: Website/Shop: ladiesandgentlemen.etsy.com
Blog: ladiesandgentlemenhome.blogspot.com
City: Seattle, WA

Where in your home/apartment is your studio located?
We currently live in a 1905 apartment located in beautiful Seattle, WA. As far as the L&G studio goes, it's pretty much all over our apartment. I sometime place things on our shelves until the items gets shipped to their new homes. So you can actually see things from the L&G shop pop up in the photos...It's almost like 'Where's Waldo'!....Unfortunately, you won't find Waldo anywhere in our place.

What equipment/tools do you use?
We have our handy dandy Nikon D-40X SLR camera, our laptops....oh yeah, and Dylan's good ol' 80's bio-diesel Mercedes, name Dieter, who takes us to all of our treasure hunts!

Do you have an inspiration board, and can you tell us what is inspiring you now?
Our inspiration board isn't in one particular location...like the L&G stuff, our own stuff is spread out everywhere as well. Wherever there's shelf space, it's filled with something. That was one of the reasons we had to make the grid shelf...more room for treasures. But mainly it works as our inspiration station where we display our findings. Now, we're both inspired by photography, ceramics, cooking, and travel. Currently we're working on some L&G exclusive designs involving ways to re-purpose & re-create found objects....so, stay tuned!

How do you create best (e.g. do you listen to music while you create and if so what?)
We tend to get lots of ideas when we're traveling, especially when we're flying or on the road. Partly because we get inspired by new surroundings, but also there's more downtime to think and talk about new things. But if you're talking about getting stuff for L&G, then it's all about luck.....We usually find the best stuff by taking the time to dig through places people look the least, that's where the goodies are!

List (3) of your favorite artists
Pie Hein Eek: We love this Dutch designer's austere yet playful furniture from reclaimed wood.

Gordon Matta Clark: We're suckers for abandon buildings..he took it to the next level by slicing & dicing condemned buildings into works of art.

Nicholas Nyland: A Northwest artist and good friend whose bold uninhibited use of color and decoration makes a feast for the eyes be it installation, painting, or sculpture.

If yours isn't, what would be your perfect studio?
Our perfect studio would have a super tall ceiling (at least 20 ft) with a loft space, lots of windows and sunlight, and also a whole wall of shelves from floor to ceiling where we can put lots of random collected objects and materials. Oh yeah, we can't forget about the ladder to get to the shelves. Ideally, we would have Euro citizenship so we can have the studio in the Netherlands, too.....next to some farmer's market...with nice well-dressed Dutch neighbors & their cute kids....and it would be close to at least couple of bars and yummy bakeries.....and we'd be buddies with all the cool Dutch artists and designers like Hella Jongerius and Jurgen Bey....AND they have the most amazing flea markets there! OR we wouldn't mind having the same set up in Japan. Okay, maybe I'm getting a little carried away....it doesn't hurt to dream big, I suppose.

Thanks again for letting me ramble on like that!!
Thank you Jean and Dylan!

ladiesandgentlemen.etsy.com
ladiesandgentlemenhome.blogspot.com

phm studio spaces: the paper thieves

2008-08-26T23:54:00.001-07:00

Artist Name: Stephanie Meurer/The Paper Thieves
Shop Name and Url: smeurer8.etsy.com
Blog: thepaperthieves.blogspot.com
City: Los Angeles

Where in your home/apartment/city is your studio located?
I live in a loft in a supposedly converted cement factory turned bakery (or maybe it was the other way around?). My loft looks like it was originally the loading dock and offices. I have a separate studio space here which functions as my workspace
and office.

What equipment/tools do you use?
gocco, drill, letterpress, computer, printers, hammer, knives, cutter, sewing machine

Do you have an inspiration board, and can you tell us what is inspiring you now?
I have a bulletin board and shelf above my desk that not only collects receipts, but unintentionally becomes an inspiration board, with reject items I have printed, photos I like, and old toys. My roll up door serves as a greater inspiration board, as I have small pieces of art on there from people I admire, interesting handmade flyers from my friends' bands, odd postcards etc.

How do you create best (e.g. do you listen to music while you create and if so what?)
I seem to listen more to music if I'm painting, but not so much if I'm printing. I like to keep the door open and hear them hum of the freeway and neighborhood dogs. If I do listen to music, it'll lean more towards mellow/indie: The Wrens, Massive Attack, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Jeff Buckley, Beirut, Calexico.

List (3) of your favorite artists
Trish Grantham
Claire Oswalt
Evan B Harris

If yours isn't, what would be your perfect studio?
I fantasize about a barn (or bigger loft space), with built in shelves, air conditioning, lots of light and less dust...and more natural light!

Thanks Stephanie

studiopalooza: Michelle Caplan

2008-08-01T23:54:00.001-07:00

Artist Name: Michelle Caplan
Website/Shop: Website, Shop
Blog: http://michellecaplan.blogspot.com
City: Los Angeles, CA

Where in your home/apartment is your studio located?
Technically my Studio is a 10'x10' room in the front part of my home, but in the past year I have taken over a large part of the homes center spaces. I was lucky enough to stumble upon a huge 4ftx8ft table that easily accommodates larger canvases.

What equipment/tools do you use?
A lot of glue, vintage ephemera, framed canvas, vintage photos, tissue papers, computer, Epson printer, and occasionally my sewing machine.

Do you have an inspiration board, and can you tell us what is inspiring you now?
My inspiration board is above my computer desk, and is filled with photos, objects and tear sheets that inspire me.

How do you create best (e.g. do you listen to music while you create and if so what?)
I get most inspired by the photos I find, and the ephemera. My most favorite pieces of ephemera are vintage handwritten lists. I am a neurotic list maker, and find a great deal of beauty in the fine lines of text written in beautiful cursive ink.

List (3) of your favorite artists (with links - just fill in the blank part in between the code shown)

Jen Renninger
Betsy Walton
Francesco Clemente

If yours isn't, what would be your perfect studio?
One day I dream of having a huge barn, or separate structure located in back of my house to work in. I keep threatening to convert our garage into a workspace, but never seem to find the time! I dream of organization and order. It would be so nice to have everything in one room/space and be able to escape the masses of paper at the end of the day!!

studiopalooza: the little stitch

2008-08-01T23:36:00.000-07:00

Artist Name: the little stitch
Website/Shop: thelittlestitch.etsy.com
Poppytalk Handmade: Table 117
City:las vegas

Where in your home/apartment is your studio located?
My studio has actually taken over the dining room.

What equipment/tools do you use?
I very old but reliable kenmore sewing machine, different blends of felt, lots of printed & unbleached cottons.

Do you have an inspiration board, and can you tell us what is inspiring you now?
I have a inspiration board & over 5 full sketch books filled with magazine clippings that i've worked the last 10 or so years accumulating. My biggest inspiration at the moment is actually 2 different japanese magazines -
Milk, childrens magazine & the fashion magazine - Fudge.

How do you create best (e.g. do you listen to music while you create and if so what?
I mostly listen to non stop music at night (radiohead, klaxons, nine inch nails & brmc) or have bravo tv playing in the
background when I sew.

List (3) of your favorite artists

shimandsons.typepad.com
yvestown.com
theblackapple.typepad.com
letrainfantome.typepad.com

If yours isn't, what would be your perfect studio?
That would be a run down farmhouse somewhere in the country, preferable where I grew up in western new york. I'm still working on that hopefully when the lease runs out on this place that will be next.

phm studio spaces: nikki martin (khiti)

2008-07-31T16:57:00.000-07:00

Artist Name: Nikki Martin
Website/Shop: khiti.etsy.com
Blog: khiti.blogspot.com
Images: flickr.com/photos/khit
City: Brooklyn, NY

Where in your home/apartment is your studio located?
Anywhere I can find space in my apartment in Brooklyn

What equipment/tools do you use?
Silkscreen paint, pens, pencils, Singer machine, cotton, linen

Do you have an inspiration board, and can you tell us what is inspiring you now?
Most of my ideas come from random things I see on the street and in magazines.

How do you create best?
Lots of space and natural light. And if there's lots of tedious cutting to be done...a good epic movie.

List (3) of your favorite artists:
Angela Adams
Lotta Jansdotter
Ashley G & Drew

Thank you Nikki!

phm studio spaces: sweet pea ink

2008-07-31T16:18:00.000-07:00

Artist Name: Cristina Sequino
Website/Shop: sweetpeaink.com

Blog: sweetpeaink.typepad.com/borntofly
City:Leesburg, VA

Where in your home/apartment is your studio located?
A dedicated room in our basement.

What equipment/tools do you use?
My computer, Adobe Photoshop, Epson R2400 Printer, Vintage Clip Art & Ephemera

Do you have an inspiration board, and can you tell us what is inspiring you now?
Yes. I keep two magnet boards side by side. One to display projects I’ve just completed, and the other for bits and pieces of work I admire from others. I so admire the photos of studios that are perfect clean, tidy and sparse. That is so not me! I am definitely a lover of the visual, and keep bits and pieces of inspiration, color and tools all around my space.

How do you create best?
Flipping through magazines and catalogs will send me off on creative spurts. Scraps of vintage paper, old photographs and antique fairs are all sources of new ideas. I will actually create about 20 different note card drafts and then delete them all because they are not “just right.” Then the “right one” will come along and BOOM I’m off on a creative whirlwind.
I’ve been told that my creative process is, “backwards.” I rarely have the end product sketched out or even finished in my mind. I start out with one small image, idea or quote that I like and then piece things together from there.

List (3) of your favorite artists

aliedwards.typepad.com
teresamcfayden.typepad.com
rebeccasower.typepad.com

If yours isn't, what would be your perfect studio?
Love my studio, just dream of having windows to let in the light!

**Special news…I just found out Sweet Pea Ink will be mentioned in the August issue of Stampington and Co., “Artful Blogging” magazine!**

phm studio spaces: domestic construction

2008-07-30T21:15:00.000-07:00

Artist Names: Domestic Construction (Trish Andersen and Maureen Walsh)

Website: domestic-construction.com
Blog: no
City: Brooklyn, NY

Our studio is separate from our apartments... it is located in Greenpoint Brooklyn on Dobbin Street. Conveniently a short bike ride between both of our apartments, it's cozy but efficient.

We always have our hands in some new process... we use anything from delicate needles to saws and drills. We have two sewing machines and a serger. We built a light table to expose screens for screen printing. Every day/project consists of a different tool/process, this variety drives us. We could leave the studio covered in saw dust one day and dye the next...

We are constantly gathering inspiration and imagery, all the walls in the studio become a revolving inspiration board. We are particularly fond of hiding the inspiration in unknown spots to be discovered later. Right now we are especially inspired by the transformation of materials and objects to create innovative and engaging surfaces. Our consistent source of inspiration and smiles is our marionette Wilson! He's quite a funny man.

We need music to create... if there is silence we both go crazy! Our I-tunes is always on shuffle to keep things moving. We also do a lot of free association brainstorming and no holds bar material process exploration.

Some artist we love include:

Tara Donovan
Ghada Amer
Pamela Wiley - our favorite mentor and dear friend

We would love to have a larger space with a whole wall of windows to keep all the different processes from overlapping. We'll keep our fingers crossed...

domestic-construction.com

phm studio spaces: natasha mileshina (bubbo)

2008-07-29T21:08:00.000-07:00

Artist Name: Natasha Mileshina
Website/Shop: bubbo.etsy.com
City: Silver Spring, DC

Where in your home/apartment is your studio located?
Right in our bedroom, in 1BR apartment.

What equipment/tools do you use?
Paper, pencils, pens, iMac and green tea with honey

Do you have an inspiration board, and can you tell us what is inspiring you now?
We moved here recently, so whole my inspiration board in a folder right now. Now I am inspired by old books, travels and martha stewart magazines. New places inspire me a lot, that's why I love traveling. Especially to old Europe — a lot of wonderful things around and visible because you are new there. My favorite places are Switzerland and Netherlands, the places where I have an urge to do something. I always carry around my small camera – to take inspiring things with me. And I am dreaming of Japan.

How do you create best?
Under the pressure, I think — tomorrow deadlines, few projects happening all in one time, plus party the same night... That's for me :)

List (3) of your favorite artists:
Currently I am in love with those —
andrewholder.net
gesinehackenberg.com
markallenmiller.com/
and stylist: rebeccathuss.com

If yours isn't, what would be your perfect studio?
I would love to have studio with lots of storage space. And somewhere in Netherlands, please.

2008-07-29T19:09:00.001-07:00

Artist Name: sarah ahearn
Website/Shop: sarahearn.etsy.com
Blog: sarahearn.blogspot.com
City: Ithaca, NY

Where in your home/apartment is your studio located?
My studio is a few blocks away from our apartment in a lovely little building that used to be a little furniture store. It's a cute (and small) space I share with a couple of graphic designers. We each have our own space, but it's nice to have someone else to talk with or bounce ideas off of once and a while. I have to confess though, that today i am painting/working from my back porch which is really cozy on a rainy, summer day like today!

What equipment/tools do you use?
Most of my work is done with acrylic paints, mixed media (pencil, colored pencil, and pastels) and collage. For the collage, I have lots of old books that I cut up, especially dictionaries.
My biggest tool though is my 600 lb. letterpress named Gordon.
I recently aquired an large old set of drawers (flat file) that has been just the perfect spot to organize all of my prints, organization is really important in a small studio.

Do you have an inspiration board, and can you tell us what is inspiring you now?
Yes, I actually have an inspiration wall, along with a few boards throughout my space. I use the orange wall next to my desk as a giant ever-changing scrapbook of ideas and inspiration. I also have mounted a large piece of homosote (bulletin board material) to the back of my work table. I post sketches and ideas there along with little bit of ephemera that I collect. I am constantly inspired by the combination of text and image. Lately I have been inspired by the phases of the moon, and I am working on a whole new series illustrating the moon and its different phases.
How do you create best (e.g. do you listen to music while you create and if so what?)
I have to say I love listening to NPR and to audio books. If I am really concentrating though, silence is best. I generally have music on in the backround too- I am listening to the latest from she &him and feist.

List (3) of your favorite artists
So many wonderful artist out there- but these artists make me happy-
lucie summers, amy ruppel, and michael cutlip.

blu-shed.blogspot.com
amyruppel.com
michaelcutlip.com

If yours isn't, what would be your perfect studio?
I would love a studio in a barn, in New England, in my own backyard with lots of sunlight and a poured concrete floor to hold up my heavy letterpress and tables. In addition, the space should be big enough so that I can teach classes and hold open studios. Someday soon I hope!

Thank you Sarah!

phm studio spaces: signs by diane

2008-07-28T22:47:00.000-07:00

Diane Coyle
SignsByDiane.Etsy.com

Where in your home/apartment is your studio located?
It’s in the finished basement of our home. It used to me my kids’ playroom but my sign business has now taken over.

What equipment/tools do you use?
Power saw, power sander, paint, stain, sealer, computer, die cutter

Do you have an inspiration board, and can you tell us what is inspiring you now?
No I don’t have an inspiration board but I do save pictures of great looking signs. I get my inspiration from driving around and seeing signs as well as going to flea markets. I also love to travel and we recently went to St. Paul De Vince in France where there was an incredible assortment of signs hanging out on the streets of the boutiques and shops.

How do you create best (e.g. do you listen to music while you create and if so what?
I love to listen to classic rock. It gets me motivated!

My favorite three artists happen to be very contemporary although I love vintage.

Dale Chihuly chihuly.com
George Nakashima nakashimawoodworker.com
Annie Haslam nniehaslam.com
Annie Haslam is a good artist but I have to admit that she’s my favorite singer! Amazing voice!!

If yours isn't, what would be your perfect studio?
My perfect studio would be a nice large cottage out back (with a lovely view of the ocean. but I’m dreaming now!) I would have lots of room to spread out with lots of table space and everything nicely organized. A place for everything!

phm studio spaces: olive

2008-07-26T20:56:00.000-07:00

Artist Name: Fallon Akers
Website/Shop: oiive.etsy.com
Blog: xxsweetfancyxx.blogspot.com
City: Henderson , Nv.

Where in your home/apartment is your studio located?
My little work shop is in our spare bedroom. As I began to sell on Etsy My fabric collection grew too large for the kitchen table!

What equipment/tools do you use?
My Sewing Machine, cutting mat, a grid for measurments and a rotary cutter.

Do you have an inspiration board, and can you tell us what is inspiring you now?
I do have boards for things I like but I find most inspiration from things I see. Often times I see things as they are not meant to be. One of my pillow designs is of a sheep. I got the idea from an illustration of a man. Sounds strange I know, but to me I saw an adorable sheep with long skinny ears.

How do you create best (e.g. do you listen to music while you create and if so what?
I MUST listen to music while I create. Its a big inspiration. I often listen to my music folder found on my blog where you will find my favorites like Morrissey and Badly Drawn Boy. I also can listen to Frank Sinatra for hours. My creativity flows best when I have new fabrics to work with so I make many stops to the fabric shop. I create late at night often until 3am so I usually have a coffee or a spike (energy drink) to keep me from nodding off and I tend to snack on oven made orange rolls, yumm :)

List (3) of your favorite artists

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http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=31041.com=" target="_blank">

If yours isn't, what would be your perfect studio? I would love a small old house near the beach with noisy floor boards and lots of windows.

phm studio spaces: pixel impress

2008-07-26T19:53:00.001-07:00

Artist Name: pixelimpress
Website/Shop: pixelimpress.etsy.com
City: Snoqualmie,Wa

Where in your home/apartment is your studio located?
My studio currently occupies a spare bedroom in our house. But most often I find myself working at the kitchen table to be near the puppy, the TV, and the kitchen for quick snacks.

What equipment/tools do you use?
Paper, paper, and more paper!, bone folder, envelope lining templates, rubberstamps, ink, glue, paper cutter, laptop, epson printer, silk ribbon, ...

Do you have an inspiration board, and can you tell us what is inspiring you now?
I have an inspiration bowl filled with home decorating magazines, photos of plants in my garden, and just yesterday I picked up a box of matches with the most gorgeous colors on it.

How do you create best?
I create best when I know there's nothing else pressing I need to do but make stationery, a sound asleep puppy, and "Fatal Attraction" on in the background.

List (3) of your favorite artists:
Yikes! They don't have websites, but their work is in my studio. The gorgeous and so-detailed-that-it-blows-my-mind watercolor of paintbrushes on my desk and the orange graphic canvas on the top shelf that's actually a distorted photograph of a pansy.

If yours isn't, what would be your perfect studio?
I'd love to have a room with lots of windows, antique tables where I can spread out several projects at once, loads of storage for all my supplies, and walls covered with inspiring artwork.

phm studio spaces: brooklyn rehab

2008-07-26T19:52:00.001-07:00

Artist Name: Alyssa Zygmunt
Website/Shop: BROOKLYNrehab.etsy.com
Blog: coming soon
City: Brooklyn

Where is your studio?
I live in it. It's everywhere. Space is a luxury in New York City. Books in the kitchen and a bike in the living room is not an uncommon practice here. As an avid collector it was even more important for me to learn the art of displaying, storing, and rotating my obsessions.

What equipment/tools do you use?
Gocco Machine, Paper, Stamps, Punches, Vintage Trim, Powershot SD400 Digital Elph, Lowel Digital Imaging Light, HP Color Laser Printer

Do you have an inspiration board, and can you tell us what is inspiring you now?
I live life with my eyes wide open. I'm always seeing inspiration in store windows, blogs, magazines, museums, and flea markets. I'm addicted to supplies and trying new techniques. I have just about anything you could ever want from glass etching kits to ceramic molds that I made myself. I keep most of my ideas in my head but I do store leftover paper scraps, tears from magazines, and random findings on clip boards.

How do you create best?
I would not call what I do creating in the traditional artistic sense. It is more like curating, arranging and combining interesting things in new ways. These moments often happen weekend mornings after building up ideas while day dreaming at my corporate fashion design job. If I could, I'd collect and craft all day long from the back of my real store. One day I hope!!!

Please take a tour of my home here

List (3) of your favorite artists

Helga Steppan
Chris Kenny
Judith Hoefel

If yours isn't, what would be your perfect studio?
More natural sunlight. As you can see from the pictures that there is no direct sunlight. Luckily my little balcony and backyard are easily within reach.

Thanks Alyssa!

phm studio spaces: nice

2008-07-26T19:51:00.001-07:00

Artist Name: Caitlin Holcomb of Nice
Website/Shop: nice.etsy.com
Blog: nice-etc.com
City: Chicago

Where in your home/apartment is your studio located?
The second bedroom of a 2 bedroom apartment I share with my boyfriend. I just got the room set up so these photos show the sort of bare bones (nothing on the walls and my fabric and things hadn't yet been unpacked).

What equipment/tools do you use?
My computer is my most favorite tool. From photoshop to the internet and so forth, it's a huge part of my work process. Drills and dremels have come in pretty handy..my sewing machine, though I have to say, I do a ton of hand sewing.

Do you have an inspiration board, and can you tell us what is inspiring you now?
Growing up I always seemed to have inspiration boards happening at some place in my bedroom, but lately I haven't been needing that. I tend to save random images to an inspiration folder on my computer, and magazines seem to still do the trick (though I never cut them up). I like to quickly skim through my inspiration sources so my brain doesn't become too saturated. The closest thing to an inspiration board in my work space right now is a huge piece of cardboard which I propped up like a science presentation board from middle school! We rent so I didn't want to put holes all over the walls, so I've been using it to pin up my vintage crochet trims and doilies that I use for my light shades. This has been a great help as it allows me to see them always and pick and choose as I go.

How do you create best (e.g. do you listen to music while you create and if so what?)
When I am working on projects for Nice, I have been doing a pretty ok job at making sure I wake up at a normal work day time, though it might still be true that my creativity and work ethic really shine in the evening! It's sort of a battle..haha. My most favorite artist to listen to while I work is Colleen (colleenplays.org), and this has been true for several years now! When I need something upbeat I listen to a lot of old bossa nova and various artists that have stayed in my favorites for some time. Music has always been a huge part of my life and I often tell my blog readers and Etsy customers that if they send in photos of their purchase I'll send them a mix cd in exchange!

List (3) of your favorite artists:
ohmerci.etsy.com - First, I have to say my mom. She has always encouraged my brother and I to be creative and she is a wonderful inspiration. Ever since I can remember she's been making beautiful things. She is also the kindest person I have ever known.
Henry_Darger - I never grow tired of Henry Darger and his work. I love his story.
urner Classic Movie channel - I have so many favorite artists, so I decided for my last link to instead include a favorite source of inspiration. I absolutly love the Turner Classic Movie channel. If I watch television, it's usually that. I am a huge fan of old movies.

If yours isn't, what would be your perfect studio?
I just moved into this apartment so I'm pretty thankful to have the space I do now. I'm pretty fortunate to have it. But a girl can dream...My dream studio would be in or near where I live, have tons of natural light, painted white wood floors, huge counter height tables, tons of storage, should probably be right off of some beach yet still close to a fabric and art/craft store and probably also near a nice bakery/cafe!

Thanks Caitlin!

phm studio spaces: heather smith jones

2008-07-26T19:50:00.001-07:00

Artist Name: Heather Smith Jones
Website: heathersmithjones.com
Shop:hrsmithjones.etsy.com
Blog: hrsmithjones.blogspot.com
City: Lawrence, KS USA

Where in your home/apartment is your studio located?
My studio is on the top level of a two-story garage built by my husband, directly behind our house. He designed and built it using metal and locally milled wood for the exterior and reclaimed yellow pine flooring and trim for the interior. He's also made some of the furniture including my work table, love seat, and coffee table.

What equipment/tools do you use?
One of my primary mediums is something I call 'pinhole' where I use a sewing needle tool to poke holes through paper creating texture, imagery, writing, pattern, etc. It makes a raised surface on the paper similar to the look of embossing. I also do mixed media work on paper using graphite, watercolor, acrylic, and colored pencil. Sometimes I make my paint by hand, including watercolor, egg tempera and oil.

Do you have an inspiration board, and can you tell us what is inspiring you now?
I put up photographs, cards and the like on my wall with magnets, and move them around from time to time. Mostly I have pieces from friends, who certainly inspire me. I like seeing how they compose an image, or capture light. The way people see is so interesting to me.

How do you create best?
I love working in the morning when my mind is fresh. But any time of day that I'm in my new studio I'm pretty happy. Of course, having a few homemade chocolate chip cookies nearby while I'm working is good too.

List (3) of your favorite artists:
Two stand out in my mind -
Squeak Carnwath
Cy Twombly

If yours isn't, what would be your perfect studio?
Thankfully, after more than three years of construction, I am in my dream studio. It's my favorite place to be.

Thanks Jan! The PHM Studio Spaces is such a wonderful series, I'm enjoying them so much.

Thank you Heather!

phm studio spaces: bailey doesn't bark

2008-07-26T19:48:00.000-07:00

Artist Name: Re Jin Lee
Website/Shop: baileydoesntbark.com
Blog: baileydoesntbark.blogspot.com
City: New York

Where in your home/apartment is your studio located?
Facing the apartment from the entrance, my studio is on the far left corner. Instead of a window, I have an emergency exit door.

What equipment/tools do you use?
Pens, Markers, Pencils, Brushes, Paint, Glazes, Clay, Kiln

Do you have an inspiration board, and can you tell us what is inspiring you now?
At the moment I have an inspiration "stack" as I just moved in to my studio and am in the process of making a board. I'm inspired by feathers now...

How do you create best (e.g. do you listen to music while you create and if so what?
I work best when inspiration hits me and I sit down and draw for hours! (Many days I'm just doodling). For some reason I like to work in silence...

List (3) of your favorite artists:
Can it be two?
Harry Clarke
Kay Nielsen

If yours isn't, what would be your perfect studio?
I think mine is perfect at this moment... But in the future I'd like to be in a bigger space, not in my home and with plenty of windows. Maybe with a little garden?

Thanks RJ! Fun fact: If you're curious about her walls as much as I was, she says they are tin and then painted white, very common in New York lofts she says. (It's a pre-war building).

phm studio spaces: jewelweeds

2008-07-26T19:43:00.000-07:00

Artist Name: Julia White
Shop Name and Url: www.jewelweeds.etsy.com
Website: www.jewelweeds.com
Blog: ww.jewelsandjules.blogspot.com
City: Brooklyn

Where in your home/apartment/city is your studio located?

I am lucky enough to have a spare room in our Prospect Heights, Brooklyn apartment. It's not big, but I love being able to shut the door and leave a mess.

What equipment/tools do you use?

Aside from by computer and camera, most all of my tools are very simple and/or old. The sewing machine I use was my great aunt's. I love how heavy and sturdy it is, and it has a surprising number of fancy features for a machine that dates from the 1950's. It reminds me of the industrial machines I used at F.I.T. and in the many costume shops I've worked in. My other
tools are pretty standard tailor's tools; hand needles, chalk, beeswax, scissors, rotary cutter and mat, rulers and tape measures. For printing, I use my gocco, linoleum, leaves, pens, pencils, ink and brushes.

Do you have an inspiration board, and can you tell us what is
inspiring you now?

I recently dismantled my inspiration board because it was in the sunniest spot in my studio and I needed it to take product pics with natural light. I do get a lot of inspiration from my house plants, so much of my art is deeply rooted in nature and it's nice to have a little bit close at hand. I also am a notebook person. I keep fabric swatches and sketches for current and future projects along with about a million to-do lists. I also have many folders on my computer with inspiring pics and links. I'm the kind of person that has a hard time cutting up magazines that I love, so I have lots of pages turned down in my magazine library. I definitely subscribe to the notion that a reasonable amount of disorganization promotes creativity. I do get very energized when I stumble upon some idea or image that I had previously overlooked.

How do you create best (e.g. do you listen to music while you create and if so what?)

I listen to NPR almost all day, but when I need a break I listen to Iron & Wine, I especially love the new album, Shepard's Dog, and Joni Mitchell is a perennial favorite. I'm definitely one of those people that need a little bit of noise around. And more so when the work is primarily solitary. Sunny days help too, but if it's too nice I'm liable to wander off to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. But that's research, right?

List (3) of your favorite artists
Tifenn Python
Lena Corwin
Heather Moore of Skinny Laminx

If yours isn't, what would be your perfect studio?

I have a bit of a farm fantasy, so I would love to have studio in a barn where I could just open up the big slidey doors and have sunlight pour in. When I was a kid, my mom used to bring her sewing machine outside and sew while my sister I and played in our treehouse. I would love to be able to do this some day, it's a little tricky doing that in Brooklyn!

Thank you Julia