Jeff and my dad have been working for the past week or so on the rolling walls for the studio and they are turning out so well! I wanted rolling walls for two reasons… First of all, the studio is a big, open space and I wanted to be able to divide the space and have a “back room” for shipping, storage, office space, etc. Second, I wanted to have walls I could use for photo backdrops, so I can experiment with different treatments, trim and colors. The guys built three walls for me. My dad hung drywall on one side of each of them and then Jeff did a couple different wood & trim treatments on the other side of two walls. I’m still thinking about what I want on the other side of the third wall, but I have plenty to work with now!
Here’s one of the walls Jeff finished last week…
Of course, I’m going to paint it, but I haven’t had the chance, yet. Jeff is also going to make me a “baseboard” that I can rest against a wall when I’m using it for a photo shoot. That way the gap won’t be visible. Here’s a better look at how the rolling wall works…
I’ll share more on the them later and, of course, show how we finish them.
My dad also make a sweet apron rack for me out of a piece of an antique bed and a couple of garden hoes.
It’s just a fun way to have aprons at the ready for workshops.
I moved my custom grain sack apron to the dress form.
And I also wanted to share my latest lens purchase. I sold my old d7000 and a few old lenses that I wasn’t using to buy a new FX lens and I’m so glad I did. I used the lens a lot when I did the photo shoot last week. I bought a used 35mm/f1.4 G FX lens. I buy most of my equipment used/like new or refurbished and have never had a problem with anything I’ve bought that way. It’s a great way to get nice equipment and save some money in the process. With the used deal I found, it ended up being almost an even trade for the equipment I sold.
I had a 35mm lens, but it wasn’t FX, so I haven’t used it since upgrading my camera body to the full-frame d800. I found I was really missing having a prime 35mm lens, which captures more in the frame than a 50mm, but isn’t as extreme as the 24mm.
I could hardly wait to snap a picture with it, so I popped it on my camera and took a couple of pictures of random things around the studio…
It’s a beautiful lens and I can’t wait to test it out even more.
Some photography tips are coming up in tomorrow’s post..
Wow, your studio is looking fabulous!! I love everything you’ve got going on! And your rolling walls are gorgeous! You all make a great team! xo Jen
Your studio looks amazing. How I wish you were in my area, I would so love to take classes with you and visit your space.
Your so creative. I love to paint so I love your blog. I have painted one item with your paint, it is an old sewing machine cabinet, with no sewing machine anymore. My daughter in law is going to use it in her new baby”s room
I love the apron! I could almost convince myself that I could make those!
Hi Marian!
I love everything that you do, but can I make one semi-negative comment? Do you think that the hoes are dangerous? Of course I can’t see them in person, but the pointy appearance looks, well, too pointy! I have a barn and some really cool stuff, like a hog hook, that I would love to hang halters/bridles from, but they are pointy like that! What do you think?
Pam
I thought that, but supposed they were up very high. It’d be better feng shui to have a round thing on the end of the spikes, like an acorn!
Fab space and I love seeing it blossom.
Ha, they look pointy, but they aren’t sharp. Someone would have to really go out of their way to get hurt on one!
Funny how I can be so happy for someone I don’t really know. But I really am! When your house didn’t sell and you said you were opening a shop I thought to myself “this is going to be really really good” and it is!!!! Good for You!
BTW… I use old horse shoes!!
darken up that bright screw on the hoe-apron holder…
I love how the studio is coming along. Thanks for taking us on this journey.
Of all the blogs and sites I follow I have to say yours is always not only the most beautiful but the most stylish and inviting I’ve seen. I don’t always like a particular way an item has been changed BUT I always like the way it is presented. I have the feeling If I was walking down the street and saw your workshop through a window I would love to step inside and just enjoy the ambiance. All your work is done with such a sense of class and panache. If I had the money (and a store) I’d try and hire you to decorate and design the space. I just wish I lived closer so I could attend your sales and classes.
I can’t wait to see the wall painted….it is beautiful
Love that apron! I’m curious where you buy your used camera equipment? I would love to upgrade but want to take it slow too. I have a regular 35 mm for my beginner dslr and could not live without it. Thanks!
Funny to be so happy for someone I don’t know, but I really am. When your house didn’t sell and you said you were getting a shop I thought “boy this is going to be real good!”, and it is! Good for you!
I love that apron rack, Marian! It is so “cottagey” (if there is such a word) – reminds me of something you would find in an old farmhouse.
Looking at that first rolling wall, I am thinking maybe a Curio stain with hemp oil on it. Thait would make the wall look like barn wood panelling.
Hi Marian – Everything is beautiful, of course. Very happy for you and all the progress and this next stage of your journey! I have a suggestion for your baseboards… would it be possible to hinge them so you could flip it up to roll across the room? Perhaps a hook and eye on one of the ends to hold it up? Might make it easier! Have a great week!
Love your blog, photos, and all the great ideas you share! Thank you! I find it interesting that the Apron Hook is made with hoes…in our part of the country (northwest) I would call them pitchforks or a small cultivator. Wonder what other terms vary throughout the country.
The studio is beautiful and you look like a kid in a candy store! Isn’t is wonderful how the Lord always know exactly what we need even when we might be praying and hoping for something different. I am sure it has been an adjustment but it seems like this studio is a great separation of work and home, especially now that your husband has joined your business
Hi! I know it’s kind off track, but could you give a step-by-step on those walls?!? We live in rented houses and move ever so often. And most home owners ding want sticky stuff or nails to go onto walks. Result? All our gallery wall ideas sit in a box! But this wall is such an idea! I would love to try one … And yes, we move continents! Never done America, though …
Do you have any tricks for getting those ball jars so clean? I have tons of them, but some don’t look squeaky clean like the ones you have. Thanks!
Life is but a dream….come true, in your case! I love how your whole family is working to make it all happen for you – those walls, those hooks – awesome. Funny how, the harder you work, the luckier you get, huh?
The rolling walls are brilliant! I love your Miss Mustard Seed aprons too… they are so cute! Amazing shot of the nubby throw and jars. The color and clarity on both of them are incredible!
Cindy
Wow! your studio is coming along great and looks amazing! Very professional and extremely creative! Who knows? When you begin your workshops I may take a drive down from Michigan. I’m sure there are some great places to stay in your area. the rolling rolls are brilliant!
meant to say walls!
Did your Dad dull the tips of the small pitchforks?:) I am good at bumping things and I love the hook idea but for me I would need the tips (de-horned) good farming term for lack of words.
I am so happy you have your Dad to be there to help !
Marion, Where do you buy your used lenses?