Friday, June 18, 2010

Where This Blogger Creates!

Hi Everyone,  

What fun to be included in Karen's Valentine's Blog Party! I can't wait to visit you all and your spaces and your blogs. We are an art colony - my dreams are coming true!


I'm Sherry from Rustique Gallery. I live in a sweet little town in Western Massachusetts in an old post and beam hardware store which my brother split into two apartments. I have lots of space, which I fill with way too much stuff-stuff that speaks to me, stuff with sentimental value. Stuff to create with. My brother Dave made the trunk below with vintage linoleum surfaces. the small one was my great grandma's doll clothes trunk, which Mom gave me when I was small.


But back to my space: I've tried and tried to partition off a corner of the living room, but it gets too crowded to work. My table tops get too cluttered and things pile up in all the corners!  I end up working in the kitchen or on a tray on the porch. This Blog Party opened up the doors to my mind and I realized that the whole living room is the studio!


So my studio, Rustique Gallery, is a big room - 20x24' with a few big windows. The floor of the old building is crooked, scrappy, painted plywood - no need to worry about making a mess! There is an odd boxed-in pillar in the center that I have installed shelves on. I have lots of shelving and cubbies and I try to keep things relatively organized. Two vintage porcelain-topped dinette tables are my favorite work surfaces. When I get glue, paint and tape all over them, I scrape them down with a window scraper and they are all clean again. A third dinette table holds my new sewing machine, which I purchased after donating two old ones that needed work. A baby changing table makes great storage for oversized books and boxes and creative scrap.




A large desk with my IMac, scanner and printers sits opposite the art area. Here I do my blogging, keep up with friends and manipulate pictures and ephemera for my collages and greeting cards. I also run a small pet-sitting business, so an office is essential to keep it all organized.




Another corner holds my altar - a quiet place for meditation, which helps me focus and keeps me centered and inspired.


A big dream is to have a group of artsy friends over for afternoons of creating, chatting, snacking and exchanging ideas. So I have a big comfy sofa and loveseat in my favorite color, purple!


I've always put together collages in one form or another. Now I am reasserting that art form and have begun to make assemblages with old, used things. I love working with paper--old sheet music ledger pages, sepia photos, old postcards and ephemera, even distressed cardboard. I have recently started adding dimension to my art by using old wooden boxes, pieces of doors and windows, hardware, old tools--you name it!


Finally doing what I love, in what spare time I can, I find that the creative process is not confined to the studio. My eyes are always open for things to use in my collages; textures and oddities to photograph, old junque on the side of the road, a dusty freeby from a friend's barn. When I walk, I look down and find seed pods, bird's nests, butterfly wings and interesting twigs and rusty things. Tree fungi, owl pellets, old books and rotten old leather. These things tell me stories and make my imagination come alive!


In the next few months I plan to do a giveaway, open an on-line shop and set up a booth in a local antique mall (and petsit and take a trip out west and...oh, yes, work 4 days a week!)  I look forward to your visits and am anxious to begin cruising through each one of your exciting posts!  Thank you Karen Valentine, the Where Women Create team and everyone who has joined the party. Let's have a blast!

Sherry

42 comments:

  1. Hi Sherry,
    I love your creative space and thanks for sharing it with us. Your livingroom/studio is beautiful. I love how you have organized everything in little cubbie cabinets. Very lovely and inspiring.

    hugs
    Sissie

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh Sherry!!!! I am so glad that you realized there was no reason not to use the whole living room as your studio - PURRFECT! I am so happy for you that you now have lots of space to create in!!! I am loving your desk area especially with the old rake on the wall, the shelves and inspiration board!!! You've done a wonderful job creating a purrfect space! Thank you so much for sharing - I have certanly enjoyed my visit!!!!!

    Purrs!

    Romeo and "her"

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a lovely home! I knew judging from your garden pictures that inside your house would be magical, you are so like me! I too clutter my space with object and items and I need them all. Your home feels so much like a home, very cosy.
    Gotta love that iMac!! I have the same one at home, it is my best friend, it has been the most stable and excellent computer I have ever owned.
    Now I have a new iMac at work and I hate that thing, even wrote about it today.
    Have a lovely weekend full of creativity, dear Sherry,
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Sherry,
    oh you have a very big and cosy room for creating,-I love how it is both for working and relaxing, and the corner with your computer, is so lovely, sweet.
    Thanks and happy creating.
    Hugs, Dorthe

    ReplyDelete
  5. LOVE your place! Your coffee table and purple sofas are to die for! Great use of space that wasn't intended as a home... I love it... all of it...

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh what a wonderful studio, Sherry!! You have it perfect for inspiration, relaxation, and creating!! Love it!!
    Blessings,
    Myrna

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Sherry, what a great space. This is truly where art meets life. You are doing what you love in the space where you live and it is absolutely fantastic. I love that first photo of your living room -- the couch, the color of the walls and those paintings ... it is truly magazine quality. Your artwork is fabulous. And so many new ventures in store for you. Absolutely amazing. Wishing you all the best, Tammy

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh my I wish I had that kind of space, but since I don't I would love to come over and craft an afternoon away! I am your newest follower. My sewing room is a little boring and small, but I would still love for you to drop by if you get a chance!

    Thanks
    Carol

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow, Sherry, you really do have a lot of great space and goodies to create with. I also love that you shared some of your beautiful art! This is the perfect place to meet w/ artsy friends and create!
    Hugs,
    Zuzu

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a wonderful space. It looks like the domain of a creator of beautiful things.

    Best,
    Bonnie

    ReplyDelete
  11. A wonderful space! I know that I could be in here for hours and hours! :)

    ~Liz

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a big spacious creative space. So many nooks and crannies filled with treasures. So, enjoyed my visit with you. Enjoy the rest of the party.
    Hugz,
    Zandra

    ReplyDelete
  13. What a terrific studio! It is such a great use of space. Absolutely stunning!!!So many goodies!
    Queen Bee Studio

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a wonderful post about your whole studio, creative space. It all looks so well organized and interesting. And the views outside your home of the countryside are spectacular!

    dotsie

    ReplyDelete
  15. What fun unique colors you used and what a great place to create!
    Best wishes,
    Chris

    www.curbyscloset.com/blog/

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi Sherry!
    Shell here! Love the trunk/cases! Too cute! And your walls are my fav color!

    I like that you have it all handy! I love the gorgeous studios that are "Mag" worthy, but I really like to see the spaces that people actually USE!!!

    Your collages are wonderful! Love em!

    And don't you just LOVE Vicki (Two Bags....)?She is one of the most gracious and lovely people I've had the pleasure to meet! Her nests are divine!

    (oh,,maybe I should just keep my big mouth shut....okay, I will "modify"--Some responders? Are "Canned." I ran into this at the OWOH event..They say the EXACT same thing on each sight they visit. Like it's formatted and they just paste.) Don't understand that logic! Closing big mouth now!!)

    Stop by my little blog and say hi if you'd like! I'm having a little bitty giveaway!

    Have a great week! Pouring buckets here still in Washington State,,,good times in the Studio!
    Oh,,,,,I'm following now, I'll be back!
    Hugs,
    Shell

    ReplyDelete
  17. love that you include the living space into your creative space. no sense in hiding away all the time when we can create and enjoy others company at the same time.

    http://patchworkposse.com/blog

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi Sherry, What fun! I enjoyed the tour of your home studio. Love how organized everything seems. Thanks for welcoming me into your studio.~Hugs, Margaret

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Sherry! Thanks so much for the tour of your cozy and fun space. I love the quilt on the couch. I also love MA. My aunt and uncle live in Plymouth and the Fall up there is so spectacular.
    Happy creating to you!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Your coffee table is to die for! Well, that, and your purple furniture. And your big windows. Ummm - well, actually it ALL is pretty cool! Thanks for inviting us to visit.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love that used the whole living room for your creative space. Good for you! It is a wonderful space.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Sherry, I love this space and the dusty purples you used. Thanks for your posts today! I had trouble with Blogger and they wouldn't publish when I clicked on them, so if you don't see them, that's why! Your story about the swallows and the poor woodchuck...oh my! Those birds ARE very territorial! They're also the cutest things when one of their flock's eggs hatch. They almost seem to celebrate!
    I apologize for grouchy old Mr. Blogger who was not cooperative because I love having you visit!
    Blessings,
    Diane

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi Sherry....very nice space...love that quilt on the back of the couch. Thanks for sharing and stopping by my space to take a peek. Susan

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hello! Thank you for visiting me in Montana. Your comments were lovely. I love your space. Especially the purple couch and hay fork! I can see you are a very creative and lovely soul. I hope to come back and visit! Kit

    ReplyDelete
  25. What a great space Sherry...so much great natural light and lots of space to spread out.

    ReplyDelete
  26. What a Fun Creative Space ~ Thanks for Sharing...

    ReplyDelete
  27. You have a lovely home and using the space you have, the whole living room, is a wonderful idea. You sound like you enjoy what you do and I want to say thanks for sharing your space.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I love the coziness and organized clutter--LOL! Your space is inspiring with so many loved items all around you and I love that purple sofa!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Now that some serious creative space..super storage cubbies too! TFS.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Sherry, such a great space! Lots of room, and such beautiful natural light...I would love to visit you here and make something! Lidy

    ReplyDelete
  31. Sherry, you have such a wonderful space - and a wonderful brother - Wow! I love how you realized the whole space is your creating room and I bet that changed everything! Good luck with your shops and such, I hope they are a terrific success.

    ReplyDelete
  32. great space! i'd use my whole house if i could! thanks fof sharing~

    ReplyDelete
  33. Sherry,
    I love seeing where you create!~ Things that caught my eye immediatly were, the old mantle clock on the side table & the wall of cubbies. I love that your studio is a part of your living space, as is mine. Sherry it sounds like you have so many exciting things happening in your life. I'd love to be one of those 'friend's who get to come hang out & talk art on the purple couch! It's always fun to read & see what your doing. Lisa

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hi Sherry! It is so cool that you live in an old hardware store! I love that you now consider your whole living room your studio! Of course it is, and it's fabulous! Thank you so much for being a part of my little party. I really enjoyed seeing where you make all your pretty things!
    xo,
    Karen
    My Desert Cottage

    ReplyDelete
  35. I wish I could come over to craft/create with you!! Your place looks so FUN with all the art supplies you ahve inside, and all the beautiful nature outside! Everytime I visit you and see your pictures, I really miss New England!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Love your purple pallet. Those porcelain topped tables are the best! I used to have one that I used for baking, you could just roll dough directly onto it and cleanup was a breeze. I love the function of the changing table for storage too. Thank you for sharing your creative haven and best of wishes on you new endeavors!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Ah Sherry What a well organized place you got, it's so cosy and warm. Love your notice board above the computer, and so many other things esp the pigoen hole's to get organized. It's nice to see ya again.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Wonderful space! Love the painting above the couch as well!!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Very nice sized studio now that you have enveloped the entire area. I think it is great. I love the little trunk that was your grandmothers! I truly enjoyed my visit. Connie

    ReplyDelete
  40. Hi Sherry, Thank you for your visit and joining as a follower. I love your creating and living space with everything right at your fingetips. It is so well organized and interesting. You have a perfect haven for crafters :) I enjoyed the tour in pictures of your area, just love, love the mountains and old faded red barns. I will be keeping up with you :0) Gerry

    ReplyDelete
  41. You have a wonderful space. Looks like you are very organized, too.

    (I'm still going down the list of bloggers spaces)

    ReplyDelete
  42. Sounds like a cool place to work and live, that old hardware store of yours. Must be a pretty nice brother to reno so you both have an apartment there.

    Love seeing that great purple couch & I can imagine your friends hanging out in that cool space.

    Your collage with Cream of the Crop & Quite a Catch made me giggle - they are so fun! Also loved hearing that you have all these great plans for your creative life and travelling. Hope it all works out well for you. :D

    ReplyDelete

Please stop in and say Hello ~ I love to hear from you, my friends!