Thursday, July 11, 2013

Where Bloggers Create 2013!

Hi and WELCOME to my creative space! It's nice to have both old and new friends drop by!
I'm pleased to be participating again in Karen Valentine's 5th Annual Where Bloggers Create Tour (Click on the link to visit lots of other artists' inspiring studios. See list in her sidebar).  Since my space hasn't changed that much since last year, I decided to freshen things up on a bit on the blog with a new photo of myself and a wider main column to allow my photos to be larger.  Just little tweaks, but it feels cleaner to me.  But on with the tour!  Come on in and let me show you around...
As you enter the room, there is a long counter with file cabinets below and shelves above.
I'm lucky to have a room dedicated solely to the artwork I do both professionally (illustration, graphic design, textile design)  and 'just for fun' (jewelry, mixed media, collage).  I'm showing you the "company's coming" version of my space--in real life it is MUCH more chaotic, with several projects going on at once, and messes left everywhere. I am a hoarder collector of SO MUCH stuff, this room is pretty packed full.  And what doesn't fit in here, is stashed in other parts of my house, much to the chagrin of my patient family. I can't help it....I love so much crafty stuff!  And, like most of you, I love to be surrounded by all my treasures!
Can you tell I like little houses?  I store treasures and supplies inside my vintage doll house.

Old game pieces, my stash of pearls, and other trinkets crowd the shelves.

Precious old photos of my mother-in-law and my dear old dad (how great is that cowboy outfit!?)

A tiny guardian angel perched on top, watching over the stash
 Beneath the big house are a couple of smaller wooden houses.  One of them has hooks inside and is just perfect for my etsy jewelry inventory:
The bird hooks below hold samples for the soldering classes I teach.

My Etsy inventory is low right now...but I'm busy making new items!  Check back soon.
As we keep going to the right, you'll see shelving, cupboards, and filing cabinets holding lots of supplies.  Like many of you, I like to collect old baskets and cases for storage.
I added these cool old metal cases last year, and finally got around to filling them up with jewelry supplies:
I've dedicated one shallow shelf to my collection of cute face cups.  I'm always on the lookout for more:
Baskets on the shelves hold stamping supplies, soldering equipment, and more.  The vintage white doll case holds glass and cutting tools.

Continuing along the wall, I have closed cupboards plus my photocopier, printer, and computer. 
Next to my computer monitor, I've hung some of my mixed-media angel paintings.  I scan the originals and from them make wood-mounted prints and cards.  I usually have a few of these paintings in the works.
The french doors lead out to a small balcony, ao even here in rainy Oregon I get lots of natural light.  The pennant banner above the doors is also part of my blog header, and welcomes crafters who come to my studio to attend my collage and soldering workshops.  In a couple of days, this space will be invaded by 6 twelve-year-old girls, making glittery charms for a birthday party.  Glitter, glitter, everywhere! (sorry dear husband, I know how much you HATE glitter!)
Lots of collage supplies fill these shelves: old books, sheet music, maps, wallpaper, etc.
The baskets hold textiles, trims and laces.  Then there are my tins full of old postage stamps, and cute wooden boxes filled with old buttons sit below the little window.

My drafting table is the hardest thing to keep organized.  As I work, I am just MESSY, and end up doing my work on any tiny clean surface I can find.  The built in light box is invaluable, and its glass top is great for xacto-cutting.



Next to the desk is a storage closet.  More hoarding lurks behind the door, in a semi-organized state--bins full of this and that:
The inside of the door holds several illustrations done for Simplicity Pattern Company.  I spent years as art director of Daisy Kingdom, Inc., a fabric, craft, and publishing company based here in Portland, until it was bought out by Springs Industries, and they did a great deal of licensing with Simplicity.  I still do freelance illustration and design for them and other clients.
Sorry this photo is so murky!
This is a clearer example of the type of illustration I do for sewing pattern companies.
Well, that's the end of my tour. Thanks so much for visiting and seeing where I work and play.  I'm so looking forward to spending the next couple of weeks peeking inside your creative spaces.  So many kindred spirits out there--and a special thank you to Karen Valentine for hosting this wonderful event where we can all hobnob with each other!  Again, I'm so glad you stopped by, and I'm hoping you'll leave me a comment and let me know you dropped in!  And I'd love for you to become a follower...a girl can never have too many friends!

 And now, I'm off to go snooping inside your studios!




43 comments:

  1. LOVE LOVE your space...very organized...but I love all the art you have made more!!! and the bling!!!! drooling here:):) Where did you get your flat file...I really need one of those for my space:):) hugs-S

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  2. It is all beautiful, but as a collector of hands, the giant hand in one of the last photos won me over. How fun!

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  3. Wonderful space...so bright and organized! Your illustrations are beautiful!

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  4. So fun to peek behind the curtain into your creative space.
    enJOY a lovely weekend,
    Kimberly

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  5. What a wonderful space! I had to stop and examine each photo because there were so many things in them that I loved! I look forward to looking at the other participants' spaces, as I'm in the middle of a craft room clean up and organization.

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  6. What an amazing craft room you have. You have LOADS of stuff...wow! Thanks for allowing us to have a peek. Your pattern illustrations are so beautiful. As a stamper and cardmaker, I'd love to see them in RUBBER. Have you thought about that at all? Greetings from South Africa.

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  7. Oh Maggie, I love love love your space! You and I like a lot of similar things so I could stand and stare at all your treasures for hours. I am envious of those french doors and all the light. Thank you for sharing!

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  8. lovely spot for all your fun creating

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  9. Just found your blog via Pinterest. Love your Studio with all those goodies. Barkley is adorable. I have two Shih Tzu - Tia and Teddie.

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  10. Wow Maggie! You've got fabulous vertical storage, and your space is so full of light! I have one window in my craft room and another narrow basement type window on the wall opposite my work table, which means I'm a huge fan of lamps and twinkle lights. :) I would love to host a crafty class at home for friends sometime, but first I'd have to send my husband and son on a hunting trip or something- the giggles, hen talk, and glitter would be too much for them to take. How often do you open your studio for classes?

    Thanks for sharing- (love the Bailey's cups!),

    Michaele (Twigs and Tulle)

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  11. Maggie, your illustrations are wonderful and I love your studio. Those house shaped curios are delightful! Thanks for giving me the tour. :-)

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  12. It's always nice to meet a fellow (hoarder) collector!:) You have some fun collections! I made my daughter a Daisy Kingdom Easter dress loooong ago. I loved those patterns! Thanks for the tour!

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  13. Maggie!
    I was so very excited when I saw this post,
    I absolutely adore how you have everything set up!!!
    Your vintage houses are so very sweet.
    Love love love your studio and your style!!

    Have a magical day:)

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  14. I love the tiny houses. It adds so much to your rom. It looks beautiful, you did a great job!-xoxo=cindy

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  15. Maggie--
    What a beautiful studio you have for your creating!! How I covet those lovely French doors!! You have wonderful treasures-- I love how you have some of them stored in your doll house- that is so creative!

    What an interesting career you have- your illustrations are beautiful! I guess I just never really thought about it before-- but I guess someone has to create the images for the patterns!! Now I know it's you!

    Thank you for taking the time to visit my little yarn room and making me smile--
    Vicki

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  16. Hi Maggie, I have been enjoying your blog for about a year now, and it is wonderful to be able to get a peek into your amazing space. I don't even know where to start. You have so much going on, and yet you leave room for all those little lovely things around the room, all the little cherries on top of the ice cream sundae :) I adore those little winking tea cups. How can you not be in a good mood, with their the faces looking at you.
    I'm having a Give-A-Way on my blog for a $25 Amazon Gift Card. Please come over and put our name in the hat. All you have to do is leave a comment and follow me back.
    Have a great day,
    Your blogging sister and follwer, Connie :)

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  17. First, I LOVE your beautiful illustrations! I used to LOVE to draw when I was a kid, and always wished I continued with art when I got older into high school and beyond, but I was shy, and intimidated by the kids I thought were better than me, so...... But now I am slowly trying my hand at it again, via art journaling and doodle pads. I'm a total novice at painting, but I have fun with it anyways!... BUT, back to your craftroom, I immediately LOVED the houses on the wall!.. Love all the baskets and old metal cases to hold your things!.. The button boxes, by the window, are so sweet!... And my eye caught the paper towels under your desk space! Oh my gosh, I'm running with THAT idea right away! (wondering why I didn't think of it! I'm always RUNNING for a wipe or a paper towel to fix a mistake/spill/accident of some kind when I'm crafting, so this is a MUST!.. I thought the gameboards hanging about were really cute too! Thank you for sharing your creative space, and I hope you're enjoying your weekend! ~tina

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  18. Lovely bright space! And love the puppy too! Hugs from me! http://connell-crafts.blogspot.ca/

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  19. Drooling with jealousy, here (not a good look, I know!) - waiting to get my own little 'patch' under control.... here

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  20. Starting at the bottom here, I know I have sewn some of those Daisy Kingdom dresses. They were my favorite when my girls were little {you know before they wanted to dress themselves LOL} thanks for that walk down memory lane. Your studio is fantastically full of so many good things, love the apron on the door...just saying... I am sure you would be right at home in my space too. By the list of your bits and bobs, we are a kindred collectors of sorts. And you have doors off your space, pure bliss. Thanks for sharing, keep smiling and creating

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  21. Hi Maggie! I love your space and the storage that you have. I envy you for your closet, something that I am not blessed with. Thanks for letting us visit you! Sue

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  22. I just drooled as I toured your studio! So organized with so many different places to light ones eyes. Your space truly reflects you and I love that! The wonderful way you display and honor your charms... the boxes for the buttons.. the sheet of gift wrap used as a piece of art... and your illustrations that you display. Oh, how I remember Daisy Kingdom when I lived in Portland! Their illustrations on their patterns were truly unique pieces of artistic eye candy! And that you give classes in your space! I wanna come and play!! Thanks for sharing!

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  23. OH!!! And I forgot to say that I *love* your new photo on the sidebar... beautiful, happy lady!! And I have always loved your banner and now I see that it's part of your studio!

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  24. Great space, Maggie! Love all the room you've got and all that storage! I'd kill for half your storage. : ) Love seeing the different pieces you use for displaying ~ the house shelf is great.

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  25. What a beautiful and well organized space your have! You know I love all those little boxes, nooks and crannies. I hope the birthday part was a big success. That's a great picture of you on your sidebar Maggie, and I really like the larger photos...must be able to see every detail of your space.

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  26. Wow, your illustrative art is fabulous! So is your craft room. I want all of your bling and the silver and glass jar next to your bingo cards lol!

    Carol

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  27. You have a great organized space. Love all the jewelry. Your illustrations are fabulous! What a great job you have.

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  28. Oooh! I love all of your drawers. You are very organized. I like all of your artwork on the walls. Thanks for sharing!

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  29. You have a beautiful room, and lots of lovely storage. You can never have too much. Like you, on occaison I can find myself working on the tiniest piece of space!
    Thank you for sharing your space and happy making.

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  30. I think your studio is just wonderful! I love all your little things for organizing. And your illustrations and artwork are just gorgeous!

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  31. Hi Maggie, what a great space you have, love how you organized and displayed all your goodies! Thanks for sharing your wonderful space!
    Have a great week!
    Diana

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  32. Love your space, and your collections. So bright and cheerful. Your illustrations are amazing. Thanks for sharing.
    Gwen Simmons
    http://aglitchintime.blogspot.com

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  33. Hi Maggie, You've got a wonderful studio. I love the houses on the wall and the bird hooks are so adorable. You've got such a cool table. I can imagine that the built in light box is very convenient. The fashion illustrations you made are fantastic. You're very talented. Love your jewelry as well.

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  34. Maggie, you have a great creative space...I love so many things in it but I am especially fond of your bird nest shadow box pendants and the display "house" you have them in. I am a new follower, and looking forward to keeping in touch!

    Becky @ Vintage 541

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  35. You've packed so much into your space ~ yet it doesn't look to crowded! Love the metallic trays for your jewelry bits...

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  36. I love when I get to come and play in your studio. So much fun to be inspired. There is nothing quite like a crafty friend to keep me happy. Chris

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  37. Love your space (yet another of my favorites : ) I like the windows and that that you have a little balcony out side of them, that's really neat. And all the old sweet things, like the smiling tea cups... how divine!!!
    And your illustrations are lovely and how exciting to meet someone who has done the once I have seen on the pattern cases.

    Lovely tour and beautiful space!!!

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  38. Oh how I remember your studio from last year! The houses on the walls, the "Dump Here" sign ;), your beautiful illustrations! Thank you for another lovely tour; I must be sure to Follow you so I can visit more often!

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  39. What a fantastic studio! You have so many beautiful and interesting treasures. I live across the river from you in Vancouver, WA, and of course I visited Daisy Kingdom often. Your illustrations inspired a generation! I'm a new follower.

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  40. Maggie this is the first time in which I've visited your blog and am absolutely embarrassed at what my home craft studio looks like in comparison to your truly well organized room! Every thing is in it's proper place and reflects the dream craft room for any aspiring artist.

    I sell my creative wares on Etsy but would truly like to try my hand designing illustrations for sewing pattern companies on a freelance basis. Any advice on how to contact some of the well known companies while presenting a well balanced portfolio for their review would be greatly appreciated.

    Please forward any information to me at reneexuereb@yahoo.com on what procedures I must take in order to accomplish this endeavor. Thanks & continue on with with all of your truly inspiring illustrations on this wonderful blog.

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  41. Aloha Maggie,
    I love your studio, I love your artwork, you're so full of talent! Though I'm not participating in this year's party, I'm having a grand time visiting everyone. Thanks for a fantastic tour!

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  42. I loved seeing your creative space. Your drawings are just beautiful. I saw some things you have that I have too, like the little white glass girl on the third pic down top shelf of your little house and also I recently came upon some face mugs that I love too here: http://www.pattyantle.com/2013/08/moving-sale-treasures.html

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