Holy moly! Moving into the work phase!
I had no idea how much work would be involved in building out a studio space-- but here we are, ready to start the work!  The city permit has been approved,  and here is my contractor and sub-contractors, planning out the details for kiln and sink installation.   I have an architect and engineers,  a whole team of people who've been involved in this process.  Who knew?
It's a sweet, intimate space with big windows and wonderful light.   My Pinterest board of ideas is exploding, but my designs are due this weekend, so in the wee hours of the morning, I've finally settled on colors and furniture ideas--
I love white - beautiful Scandinavian white - with rustic touches and decor-  black pendant lighting, a huge table by the windows for making, packing & shipping, workshops, coffee time, and gatherings.   
My biggest inspirations are these images here. 
Very exciting, a bit overwhelming.... it looks like this is happening! 

"Every artist was first an amateur."  Ralph Waldo Emerson

Have you ever thought of a design or product that you thought you would love to have, but then when you searched for it, it didn't exist?  Then maybe you thought about making it yourself, even though you weren't quite sure how to do it?
That's how I ended up with my first clay experience late in 2011.  I really wanted a shiny white log for my fireplace.  Five years later, that log ended up getting picked up by Anthropologie in their winter collection!
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​While traveling to visit family in Germany, as well as during visits to the beautiful cities around Scandinavia- Bergen, Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen- I discovered beautiful little working studio boutiques where the artists work, sell, and in some cases host workshops.  Each one I discovered along the way touched my heart in a way that made me realize, "this feels like home. I want this." ​

Opening up my little Etsy shop in 2013, I started selling my early designs, hoping there might be people out there who enjoyed my quirky little sponge holders and yoga mermaids. To my absolute delight, people bought my work! And over these last years, as orders double every year, I've discovered that ceramics is no longer just a hobby-- it is my passion, and about half of my work these days is customized work for individuals- functional pieces that have special meaning for my customers.
The new studio will be an avenue for expansion, and hopefully a fun gathering place for creative spirits to come together and try their hand(s) at making some fun pieces of their own!