Happy New Year

A bit late I know, but I am here and blogging again, after a couple of months break.  So I have quite a lot to update you on.

As some of you know then 2012 was a difficult year for me.  My dad has been very ill and we have had to find him a nursing home to live in.  Anyone dealing with someone with dementia will know,  then the system is difficult to navigate and not well supported,  so it has been a difficult year and I wont pretend it didn't have an impact on my studio.

I havent been working the hours I should, to be able to visit my Dad 2 - 3 times a week and my concentration was not what it should have been,  but I got through the year and things seem to be settling down a bit now.

Would you believe I have been in this studio a year now.  I started at the Craft Centre in the little studio in August and moved to this one,  with my official opening by the Mayor,  early January 2012.

Emily who took over my little Studio has since left, as things did not work out for her, so it will be interesting to see who comes into my old studio in 2013.

Anyway,  when I moved in, it was a bit of a rush to get in in time for the Mayors opening.  So it was all done quickly and with everything that has been going on then I haven't done much to the studio.  So I thought it needed a mini facelift.  I am very happy with the teaching area,  although it is still a problem that people see the desks and walk away thinking its a meeting room.  But the 'Gallery' area was  lacking something. With North Somerset Arts week in May, then I decided I need more cards and more little items to encourage people to come in. Maybe then would look at the art work a bit more.

I bought two of Emily's bookcase as she was leaving and put them on the walls. To be honest it looked a bit square and sad.  So the Fab Mr WD suggested an Island?????  Anyway I went along with his suggestion and backed the 2 bookcases onto each other and wow!  I loved it.   If people get to the door hopefully they will see more than the desks on offer.

I can't move the desks as the floor is wonky elsewhere and I would also loose my large wall space area.

So I just painted a blackboard on the wall.  Its something I have been meaning to do for a while.  It helps advertise my classes and also I can leave notes and comments for the Students.

Having the blackboard paint meant I could also  make some new labels I have been thinking about, out of bits of wood and pegs

Fin our new puppy   ( I know stupid time to get a new dog!) comes with me now to the studio.  So he has to have his own little area.  He is good company and loves seeing all the students.  He can jump over the baby cage we put up for him,  but seems happy to just sit and be fussed. He can go out into the little court yard at the back of the studio and talk with the horses any time he likes.  I have regular visitors who come just to see him growing up. He has been coming with me since he was 4 months old. He is now 10 months

( haha its a tough life)

Its proving to be a handy island, as I can hang my bags on the back of the bookcases and the shelves give me lots of options.

 And I finally made up a press book,  so people can see what I have been up to.  I still have a few bits to find and put in but at least it is started. Again this has been something I have been meaning to do for while.

Other jobs have been done to,  a bit more draft proofing, a lick of paint over places that have got grubby or chipped,  I have a working water heater now and of course had a good store room sort out.

So all in all I have had a busy break and am all ready and raring to go for my first lessons to start again on Wednesday.

I am looking forward to the challenges in 2013 and I promise I will blog a bit more often again.

Janice x