Busy, busy, busy...

I noticed this morning (as I sipped my first cup of coffee at the kitchen table, only the vague outline of my newly renovated studio visible in the moonlit darkness outside the window...) that it's been nearly a year since my last post... :o While I am both shocked and appalled at myself, my absence has not been without good reason...

Before... The old building had great bones, but needed heaps of work...

The biggest project, as mentioned above, has had me ensnarled in a many months long tangle of extension cords, power tools, sawdust, paint (and some very colourful language over banged thumbs) to create my very own little 'shedio' from the bones of an uninsulated, hundred year old, wooden building on my property. What was once a drafty construction, in which I could only work a couple of months out of the year, has become (once the electricity is installed later this week) a proper studio and workshop space! 

Before... Looking up into my old, seasonal workspace, having removed a previously existing dividing wall to open up the sight lines... 

After... Looking up into my new, year round workspace, from the area where I can now conduct workshops in jewellery making, painting, woodworking, etc...Loving the new door, and the spot where the garbage bag is sitting will be where I'm having a wood-burning stove installed, for extra cozy-warmth. <3

Inside my new workspace...That gorgeous railing (used to keep me, and other clumsy sorts from walking/falling through the 'Twilight Zone' door to the basement we discovered during renovations) was found back in the deepest recesses of the barn. As soon as I saw it, I knew it had to be worked in. <3

After... Having left the beams exposed, and the ceiling open for a lighter feel, it's all now thoroughly wind/water-proofed and insulated...

A new roof and windows were installed, and the ancient chimney (that was cut off for some reason many years ago) rebuilt and protected with a rain hood and collar...

 Definitely a labour of love, and it turned out far better than I'd hoped. I can't wait to 'move in' and get to work! <3

Besides keeping busy with that (hence the title of this post ;) ) I've been working on a slew of pet portraits, all now off to their forever homes...

And illustrating articles for SageWoman Magazine. You can pick up the current issue 'The Magic of Trees' online through BBI media. This piece, and others, were done for the article 'The Lady of the Sycamore'... (You'll also be able to see new work from me in the upcoming issue 'Worlds of Faerie')

Between illustrations, custom orders for artwork and jewellery, getting married, (Yep, my fella and I finally got around to making it official <3 ) and myriad other goings on, a lot's happened, but I think this brings us pretty much up to date. I hope you'll forgive me my long absence, and thank you all for hanging in here with me!

To keep up to date with all my activities and creations, don't forget to like and follow my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BirchValleyStudio

Until next time... (which hopefully will be sooner than a year) I wish all of you every joy. <3 <3 <3 *Pours herself another cuppa, and wanders off to get to work...