Evolution of the Studio

We realize we never did a blog on the studio remodel -- aside from posting a few pictures here and there. Mostly, it was due to the crazy work-load that has insued since Aaron was accepted into the ACC show. So...working backwards, here are some pics chronically the transformation.


Imagine you're Aaron.
Besides having an overwhelming appetite for brownie sundaes with sprinkles, this is your view from the bench. That would be a good blog title, wouldn't it? View From The Bench. I digress...


Here's what it’s like to ‘go to work’ every day. This is Aaron gearing up for a day in the studio. He's practically living out there these days. The goal is for him to be done today which is why I need to get this blog posted and then head out to do some cheerleading.


Here's what the studio looked like once we got everything moved in.



Aaron working in the studio. He's putting finish on 110 pairs of earings and they are drying on his homemade earring holder.


Aaron coming home from a bike ride.


Unpacking!!
We did this on New Years Eve and New Years Day.
Due to the show we didn't get to do any organzing, really. When we get home from the show we should really sort through everything, but knowing us we'll get distracted with the garden or whatever so who knows when we'll really get to it.


This is what it looks like from the outside. Note the awesome french doors. Gone is the "man door" and the garage door.


Anner climbing the ladder to the attic. We love the attic. Adam said it was "creepy but cool".


The new attic -- before we move all our junk up there. Now it's a sea of blue plastic tubs with hand-written labels.


New windows that actually open!!


The studio with lights put in and the walls painted. Painting is how we spent Christmas. It's offically called "Gold #3". I call it "Perfect Shade of Studio".


Here the new floor. It's level and everything which was a big step up from the old, slanty floor. This make it much easier to set up shelves and equipment. Before we had to shim everything and it was a bother.


Pouring the new floor.


Pouring the new floor.


No more siding. The doors came off, siding off, and let the transformation begin!


Out comes the uneven yucky floor. It was just one of those things... if we didn't re-do the floor right now when would it ever be done? We'd end up with a terrific studio all over, except under our feet. Aaron researched a ton of options, including "floor leveling" but in the end it just made sense to get rid of the old stuff and put in a nice new floor.


Ba-bye concrete. Aaron posted our concrete chunks on Craigslist and sure enough someone took it all away for us. How great is that!!?!??


We had the best construction guy ever. We'll use him again this summer when we re-do our roof (yes, conventional wisdom would say that you should do your roof and then your studio, but we just couldn't resist doing the studio. *sigh*).


Here comes the new insulation. You can see the beams on the ceiling were reinforced for the addition of the attic.


Removing the old windows. We kept them because we think we can paint them and make them into something cool for our garden. Any bets on how long it takes before we either make they Something Cool or get fed up and post them on Craigslist??


Getting everything ready for storage and starting demo. This was Thanksgiving weekend.


Before Pictures. Aaron figured out how to take the garage door off. Eventually this space was turned into french dors which make it a sunny, happy place to work (unless it's raining and then you just have to will the sunshine in your own head).


Old windows that don't open and look ugly.


A marco view of the old, unheated, poorly lit "studio" space.

Three Days and Counting

OMG -- I can't believe it!!! Tonight Aaron said, "Only three more days before we leave..." NO WAY!!! Luckily, work has been totally insane so I hardly noticed our deadline approaching. So much less stressful that way; well for one of us it's less stressful.

No worries though!!! We've had a small army of friend helping us out with all sort of things and it's made a HUGE difference. Thank you friends (you know who you are).

This weekend we'll make the last and final push to finish the last of the stock and (gasp) pack and head East. We're both really excited! Fingers crossed for a fun time, good sales, and one more thing to chalk up on the life experiences list.


A Pendant Forest


Earring Production...look out!


Aaron At Work


Ed and Brigit working on the earring line


Consultation with Anastasia

Spring Fever

Just a quick note that Show Preperations are in full (and I mean FULL) swing!!! Aaron has been doing an amazing job. Today we practiced setting up the display table and it looks like everything will work reasonably well. YEAH!

Then we went for a walk through our garden and things are looking promising. Tulips are coming up, crocus are blooming, and new primroses are planted.

Not much to say, really, Aaron's workng a lot and I'm doing what odds and ends I can. Here are a few pictures. Just 14 days before we leave. YOWSIERS!



Sneak peak of what the displays might look like. We're still tweaking.


Primroses - sure sign of spring


Tulips coming up.


Valentine's Herbs (some girls get roses....but those are ordinary)


Crocus

Oh Ya You Becha!

My trip to Minn-e-SO-ta, was a big success. I had a great time. I even got a big dose of winter. Enough to last me more than a few years. Granted it was "warm" by MN standards (high 20's) but it snowed almost non-stop during my visit. Not really my idea of a good time!

BUT, what WAS a good time was:

Spending time with dad


Got to know my 3 year old great-niece Ryan. They grow 'em pretty darned cute up north!

Watch the first half of the super bowl with Grandma Elsie. We were both rooting for, as grandma called it, The White Helmets.



Spent most of a day with my pal Heidi. We had a grand time doing not much more than chatting and trying on cloths. We bought a few things, but my purchases were off-set by the fact that I lost my fabulous carhart insulated jacket in the airport. :( Guess I can't visit MN until spring.

Had brunch with mom, and my cousins.

And had one of Mary's amazing veggie omelets. No one make an omelet that is as good.

Came back last night (after 2 coatings of de-icer and 75-minutes waiting on the run-way) to my Honey. We immediately went out for Thai food and a review of all the work he did while I was gone. Clearly, I'm a distraction. Production seemed to have skyrocketed during my leave. Duly noted.

Today was back to work and all was well!

Happy New Year - Birthday Month - Studio Opening...

As you know, January is birthday. Today, in honor of the last day of the month Little Hannah & Adam sang the bday song to me one more time. I had a really fun birthday month. My friend Karen was in town and we all went out for a really super-fun night out. I had a great time. And, if that wasn't enough, Aaron had planned a mystery date with our friends Big Hannah (who's not big at all) and Louie. Again, good times were had by all.

It's not a birthday without a yummy dessert:



Sometimes you have to just go buy your own bday gift and in this case I really felt like I HAD to have these boots. I'm currently scheduling my social events around when I can wear the boots. I love them.



The four of us having dessert at Crush. It's really fabulous. So good, in fact, that this was the second mystery date Aaron took me to Crush. I recommend it all the way around. http://www.chefjasonwilson.com/


Anner and Aaron on bday date night. Good times.



The studio is up and running! Yet another amazing January accomplishment. I intend to do a whole entry showing the evolution of the new studio but right now I'm a little distracted with the upcoming show so here are just a few pictures of Aaron at work.

Here's his bench:



Pieces in process. They are going to be Ga-ood! Can't wait to see the final versions.


I've been taking care of miscellaneous things like ordering displays.


Aaron at work:


Mother Nature has been working overtime. With the warmest January on record (or close to it) all of our bulbs are busting out of the ground. Didn't I juuuust plant them??


Hellebores are Aaron's favorite and they are finally starting to "take". They are starting to make our garden their home. It's a welcomed bloom in the middle of winter.


We also had our friends Jack and Anastasia over and we made marshmallows together. Now we're on Anastasia's food blog. We're nearly famous!
http://stasiacooks.blogspot.com/2010/01/homemade-marshmallows-mmmmmm.html


Who knows what will all happen in February? We'll just have to find out.

Meet a Real Life Super Hero

Meet Mitchell's sock critter. I figured I should post some pics since the family in MN hasn't seen Mitchell's critter. Some of these pictures were taken before his cape was finished, but definitely a superhero. You can tell he's a superhero because his ears are windblown from flying through the air.


Packing up Mitchell's critter to make the holiday trip to Atlanta. I put on a happy face, but the truth is, I was really attached to this one and kind of sad to see him go. At least I know I can visit him in March and learn his name.








Family Photo
(It's been a prolific sock critter season. Can't imagine how many more might be created in the new studio!)