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Tuesday, November 12, 2013

A Studio Of My Own

We've had Taylor's bedroom sitting empty since July when he
got married. I had always thought we'd turn it into a guest room
until last week.  Why waste that much space when we rarely, if ever,
have guests sleep over?  With Taylor and Lauren living nearby,
they most likely won't be sleeping over, either.  

 I took a walk through the house and did some critical thinking.
What I really needed to do was combine my two home based businesses
(a gift basket business and my etsy shop) into one space where it
could be organized and run more efficiently.  So, the idea of a studio
was born!  I browsed Pinterest for a day or two and saw lots of
craft room type set ups. I also decided that I had an aversion to
calling it a craft room.  Makes me feel like I should be sitting in there
sewing quilted Bible covers or something.  haha.   So not me.

 There are lots of neat organizing things
you can buy and they all looked very nice and snazzy.
But I really thought it would be wise and more 'me' to use my
old vintage stuff, things around the house, and lots of my
auction and thrift store finds to set up my studio.
I just like old better! ha.

So, welcome to my studio!  It took me a week to put it together
and I didn't buy a single thing to do it!





The desk belonged to my father-in-law. 
 I remember when I was in high school, seeing it in his home office.  
I think he's looking down and smiling at how it's still in use and in the family.
I put a basket at my feet and it only took about an hour for a cat
to find it there and snuggle down...the finishing cozy touch!



This room holds lots of memories for me!
It was the nursery both times we brought babies
home from the hospital!  Then Taylor moved back into
it as a preteen.  I pulled about 45 NBA posters off the ceiling!
I really should have given it a fresh coat of paint but I opted to just
 cover the dart board 'misses' (holes in the wall) with the cork board. :)
 I kind of like it having a few scars from it's previous life, 
at least for now.


I can get a package ready for shipping nice and
fast now with Styrofoam peanuts and bubble mailers
right at my fingertips.


I've always kept a file of favorite magazine pages
for inspiration.  Way before Pinterest! ha.  It was fun
to pull out that file and fill a large cork board.


The sign was fun to paint!
The board was in the auction trash.  I didn't 
need to stain it or change the shape!


My old Raggedy Ann finally has a place to be.
And so do those pretty vintage plates I rescue at auctions.
And the futon lays flat if we need that extra bed.


I had to smile when I laid my trays of jewelry bits and pieces in
the top desk drawer.  Three across fit exactly, as if it had been
custom-made for it!  It just felt like it was meant to be!


The closet holds all the unsightly stuff!



Thanks for letting me give you a tour!

Song Sparrow Treasures has had 243 sales
in it's first year on Etsy!

This just feels like a great way to celebrate!
Quite a few of you who have done a little 
shopping there!  Thanks so much!

97 comments:

  1. your studio is beautiful Betsy, it looks like a dream come true!

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  2. I especially appreciate how it looks like it's always been there. Organized and well thought out!
    Who needs new? This is so much better! And beautiful, just like you! I hope you have many creative hours in your new studio. You certainly deserve a special place just for you!

    Cheers!
    Vincent

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    Replies
    1. Did you see my stack of old dictionaries? :)

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    2. I did indeed, little doll! Are there leaves in all of them? Its about time for you to pull out a page and draw something again, don't you think? Time to break in the studio with a creation!

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    3. I did like using the dictionary pages for art...I'll do that again for sure! And you better stop calling me doll, or The Silver Fox is going to have a coronary! He owns that name! Just sayin'!

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    4. And....by the way....I own "Cheers!"...so, you better shape up....Vince!

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    5. haha...Ok...that made me laugh! Vince has his orders now. He better just behave and say 'nice post'! :)

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  3. oh Betsy its beautiful, I noticed that basket right off the bat! I had baskets all over our house for my three fur babies, too! This looks like a lovely room that will spark lots of creativity! I just know it! Your Etsy did wonderful for its first year!

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    Replies
    1. I have several cozy cat baskets, too. I love the look of them...especially filled. haha. My shop did wonderful this year...I am SO thankful. I needed a creative outlet for all the auction rescues and it was the perfect solution!

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  4. Oh me Oh my, so wonderful Betsy!! I love it all, and I love that you call it your studio - sounds far posher and more creative then "a craft room", and you will create in there as well as running your businesses from the room. I especially like the crocks on the floor - they are massive, I've never seen ones that size! Great job. Now you just have to keep all those men in your life out of there - just you and raggedy anne hey! xx

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    1. haha..I know! I couldn't call it a craft room. ugh. Posh...LOVE that word. We need to bring it over here. Maybe I'll start using it and cause a trend. lol.... The men have no interest in entering that room, so no worries.

      Aren't those huge crocks great? They weigh a ton. lol....

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  5. Wow...I love it! It looks so inviting with all of your special things in there. You now have your own spot to "nest". Great idea!

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    1. Exactly. And my kitchen desk can be for blogging, coupon clipping, recipe searching and family stuff. I'm feeling more organized already! ha.

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  6. It looks wonderful and I know you'll enjoy your time there. I'm one of your happy customers and I know there's going to be many more. :)

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    1. I know you are! So fun to see people I 'know' shopping there. And it's fun to share my finds with them!

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  7. Oh Betsy!. Oh wow wow wow wow wow wow. What a room - what a great place to work from!! And complete with cat in a basket!! Awwwww! It's absolutely wonderful!! Thank you for the tour!! This room is truly transformed and yet still full of beautiful memories! Take care
    x

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  8. Oh it is wonderful! I am so jealous! My house is so tiny! We have a basement but we call it King Tut's tomb. I wish some archaeologist would come and excavate it for us! Wonderful room~looks just like a magazine!

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    1. I'm thinking the King Tut's Tomb needs to be transformed into the Queen of the Sheeba's Sanctuary! haha.

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  9. Your studio is wonderful! Good for you taking the space you need for yourself. I am sure you'll be very happy in there. :)

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    1. Thanks, Jen! It feels like a luxury! But I suppose at this stage in our lives, we've earned a bit of it! haha.

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  10. Your room look great! Glad you have the space to yourself!

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  11. Look beautiful, what nice have a special studio for you! I love your Raggedy Ann and love all these big jars are amazing:)

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    1. Isn't Raggedy cute? She's big for a rag doll! With all my babies being boys, I didn't have a place for her!

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    2. I just looked in there and Samantha is sleeping in Raggedy Ann's lap! lol....

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    3. It was so cute! It was like Raggedy was holding her! haha.

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  12. what a wonderful space to work in, I love the vintage look and everything seems to fit together really well. You know if the cat approves you have done a great job.
    Taria

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Taria. I love the vintage look, too. It all kind of works together even if things don't really match!

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  13. Look at you go
    Everything high and low
    all laid out in its spot
    Even a comfy kitty cot
    Be easy to find everything too
    Great thing to do for you

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    Replies
    1. I knew your ocd
      would approve with glee
      as everything has a place
      and is waiting there to create
      and even better than that,
      make a buck or two, dear cat!
      hahaha.

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    2. haha that sure works for me
      And my ocd
      Except up here
      It would be a loonie or two i fear

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  14. This is amazing, what a beautiful idea.

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  15. wow quite the set up bets....all the tools at your fingertips as well....ready for you to get all kinds of creative.....to have a studio...how cool would that be.. a place to retreat and get creative....

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  16. It looks wonderful! We've left the empty bedroom as it is, although there's now an awful lot of random things stored in it:-)

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    Replies
    1. We have another one like that! Hopefully next year we can expand a bathroom into it! lol....

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  17. This looks wonderful! How nice that you have your own space to work....and with the cat :)

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  18. What a beautiful work space! Love that your jewelry trays fit so beautifully. Was meant to be. :-) I love vintage too, and am delighted when I can upcycle, reuse items. I feel smarter than the average bear!

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    1. Yes, it was just meant to be. Love it when things like that happen! And I'm loving the vintage stuff...shopping around your home is so much fun...and free! ha.

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  19. I'm so impressed by your new studio! It just begs to be used and loved. What a great place to be inspired and lose time in. And, oh by the way, it seems the Blogspot curse has been lifted. I can now type comments with the letters fully in front of me.

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    Replies
    1. I know...I can't wait to get in there and do something! I have so many ideas spinning around in my head! So glad you can comment again...hate it when those weird things happen!

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  20. Of course it's not a "craft room"!!
    When you have a couch/futon, it's officially a studio.
    My favorite things, are all the glass that holds your treasures, especially the huge one on your deck, that has the ribbons.

    Well, done. Now have fun putting all those baskets and presents together!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Christine! Now that it's all official, I need to get busy! :)

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  21. What a wonderful space, Betsy. You do more in a week than most of us do in a year!

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    1. I'm so glad to have this finished as of today! Whew! lol.... I've neglected the daily housework...need to catch up!

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  22. Good for you! It looks perfect for you and I am so impressed you made such a pretty space with things you had.
    Hope you have lots of productive and happy times in you studio

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    Replies
    1. I agree it is perfect for me. And I knew you'd appreciate the upcycle/recycle style! ;)

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  23. Your idea to turn this room into your own studio was brilliant! It's perfect! I'm sure you will enjoy this special space so much. Congrats on all the success of youe ETSY shop,too!

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    1. Isn't it? I don't know why that idea took so long to hit me! haha. Such a better use of space!

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  24. Awesome studio, Betsy...
    Now....get in there...and start creating!
    Love your Raggedy Anne♥...I made my girls the big one as well...will be making Miss V one...in a few years! ha!

    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    Replies
    1. My big Raggedy was a gift to take to college with me. She lay on my bunk bed for four years....nice memory. :)

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  25. Hand over the big ol' crocks and no one gets hurt!!! If you hear creaking in the night pay no attention cause it will be me nipping them so just close your eyes and go back to sleep. ;)
    That room is Fan-Dang-Tastic! Not having to purchase one thing is Fan-Dang-Tastic, too. Great memories in that desk which makes it even more special. I love pieces that have a story. A foot warmer with a heart beat. Sweet.
    Your unsightly stuff isn't so unsightly. If you could see my sewing room. What a hazard zone. eek!
    You did a great job and in a week...Wow. You're going to love it.

    JaG

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    Replies
    1. They are pretty cool crocks, aren't they? I love them! They are usually too expensive to get at the auctions but once in a while I have found them at yard sales.

      foot warmer with a heart beat....you come up with the neatest phrases!

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  26. Wow! This is great, Betsy. I have looked at the photos several times and it's just such a great spot. I am so glad you did this for yourself... and for us - your eager buyers. How perfect that a cat settled in right away. A sure stamp of approval. I am sure more will follow... especially with Raggedy Ann's willing lap. What is the set of six photos above the closet? At first I thought it was botanical prints, but I think I see figures there. Very lovely. And I so love the vintage look - looks inviting and cosy and inspiring. Congratulations on a job well done. I bet you can't wait to get in there. Cheers! Oops... better say Ciao! or I may be disciplined... ;-)

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    Replies
    1. The six photos....artist Harrison Fisher (early 1900's) The series is Greatest Moments in a Girl's Life. One of my favorites!

      Yeah, The Mister and I are going to a concert this Saturday...Sarah McLachlan. Are you familiar with her?

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    2. I am indeed! Love her music, but have never seen her live. She is a Canadian treasure. I lost my brother to cancer a few years ago and her song Angel was a beautiful gift to our family. Jeff had liked it too. I really hope you enjoy the concert. You will have to report back! xx

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    3. Oh... and I see black wooden cat made it upstairs! He looks great there.

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  27. It looks great, doll. A helluva lot of work, for sure, but well worth the effort.

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    1. Most certainly worth the effort! Hope to get in there tomorrow and create something! :)

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  28. Hi Betsy .. just lost my comment - ugh!

    Incredible use of space .. and it must be so helpful to have your own studio - I like that name .. as you, rather than craft-room - I feel that would be filled with squares of cloth, knitting wools etc ...

    I love the colour created with the lighting .. it looks so inviting .. and will I'm sure make life easier. The closet looks tidy! Wonderful to have the cats at your feet ... how many can fit in the box at a time .. and will it become and have a sole owner?

    So pleased for you - that it's all worked as it's meant to ... your FIL will be very happy that you're using his desk, and that you'll be working at it often ...

    Congratulations ... brilliant job - enjoy using it .. cheers Hilary

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    1. Oh, Cinder claimed that basket right away! Nobody has tried to share it with him. :) Samantha was sleeping in Raggedy's lap last night...so sweet!

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  29. That's an impressive conversion, Betsy.

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  30. Wow, it does look great! I was wondering what room would get the make-over. Lots of wonderful items that you have re-used and created a new life for, especially old family pieces. I love using some of my parents pieces of furniture. Wonderful memories as you said!

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    1. Yeah...nice to use the stuff you have...especially if it's been in the family before us!

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  31. What a wonderful way to make use of the spare room. I love it!

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  32. Wish I had time this morning to look closer at all your pictures, but I am off to the courthouse with my jury summons this morning.
    One day maybe I will have a studio too! It looks like so much fun.
    :0)

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    1. oooh.....I wonder if you'll be chosen! Fun, fun! I was chosen once....an experience everyone should have at least once!

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    2. I was not chosen this time and I am off the hook for 8 years now. Truthfully, I wasn't sure whether to be relieved or disappointed.

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  33. Wow, you created quite the space for yourself. Love that you used things you had and didn't buy anything. You have quite the eye for turning your vintage finds into aesthetic beauty.

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    1. I think vintage stuff is just like that...it kind of all goes together even if it really wasn't meant to. ha. Everything just has that aged, worn look. The older I get, the more I appreciate that! And yeah, nice to do it without spending anything!

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  34. OH.MY.GOODNESS.GIRL! It's beautiful and I am VERY excited for you to have your own 'studio'....slick name for a slick setup and woman! ;-} HOW wonderful...and you did it all in a week? You are totally amazing. Enjoy every second you get to spend in there.

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    1. Thanks Marsha! I did it in a week, but it was a lot of hours in that week! It helped that I didn't have to paint...just empty the room and move the stuff in. It was the organizing that took a lot of time. Now, let's see if I can keep it neat and tidy! ha.

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  35. Very impressed how neat and tidy all your stuff looks. And love the plates on the wall. Plenty of room for more?

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    1. Yeah, that was the idea...room for more! There are always lovely old plates left for the trash at the auctions!

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  36. I have some great plates up in my kitchen. Every time Terry goes out he knows there's a chance there will be another plate on the wall when he comes home. And I really want one of those clocks made out of an old plate.

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    1. Those clocks are really pretty, and easy to make I think. Pinterest has lots of tutorials!

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  37. Absolutely CHARMING Betsy. What a great way to use the space...and I LOVE all your auction finds. Mine are in the basement and not well organized...YET. :)

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    1. All that fun stuff waiting for a dreary day! Maybe mid winter you can have fun with it! ;)

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  38. Congratulations Betsy! On your new, old, cosy studio! Does not every woman need a room of her own?! And congratulations, too, on (for?) the success of your Etsy-Betsy shop!
    Best regards
    Christel

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    1. Thanks, Christel! Yes, we need a space for all of our creative stuff! :)

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  39. Betsy, this picture with the little girl with the kitten on her lap is from an old "Victoria" magazine, right? I kept it on a mood board in my studio for years!
    Christel

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    1. Yes! Oh, you are so observant! I have a post coming up about that page!

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  40. I loved the tour. I wish I had my old Raggedy Ann doll...and my Ms. Beasley too. I am slowly collecting glass jars as I love to see the colorful contents in them. Your new office room looks fantastic.

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    1. Aw, you had a Mrs. Beasley? LOVED Family Affair!

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  41. Congratulations on such a wonderful space to create!! Suites you perfectly! I'm a little green with envy. ;) blessings ~ tanna

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  42. That looks inspired. I wish you many happy hours tucked away in there, with the cats for company.

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  43. Great idea, Betsy, and you are so well organised.
    May your businesses be a huge success . . . .:)

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