Monday's ACEO's

Pure Torcher Studio

Since my retirement and move, I've had to set up two new studios. One in Alaska and one at our winter home in Arizona.

This Alaskan studio is quite a step up from my old dank corner in my old garage. I have high ceilings and window light with lots of room for storing a plethora of random collections. The vent hood is working better than my old one too since it goes straight up through the roof. I had been concerned about my old vent hood as I was experiencing a metallic taste in my mouth after lampworking sessions. I know that can't have been a good thing.

This studio is housed on the upper floor of the Garaj Mahal, our two story structure that is filled with all manner of hunting, camping and necessary items for living in the great northland. ( I wish that I'd made up that most fitting name Garaj Mahal but the credit goes elsewhere, Thanks Foote's) It's has three bedrooms upstairs that have housed seasonal archaeologists and are now guest rooms. Two of them I've taken over for a lampworking- hot glass studio and studio annex/sewing room. See I told you I've been blessed with lots of room!

The propane tank is housed outside on the deck and I'm using an oxygen concentrator as my oxygen source.

Friday's Projects

After being gifted great stash of large vintage buttons I wanted to make some chokers using nothing but buttons. I made these two necklaces last night. I had to redo them a few times. Once when I was snipping the Beadalon as I was finishing I actually cut the main thread and had to start all over again.

The idea I had in mind turned out to be not mechanically possible but the results were pleasing anyway. I wanted the small buttons to be on the outside but it turned out that there was no way that the necklace would lay right. The necklace would actually turn itself over while you would wear it. (I did a small test drive for a few minutes in front of the mirror.) It didn't take long to find out that it wasn't going to work.  So they turned out to be necklaces that  perhaps have even more personality on the back side than the front. I don't see a problem with that. It's a pleasing design that the wearer will enjoy seeing  hanging even when not in use.

I  finished the ends with some tiny round stone beads that I purchased from  Crystal Penrod of Alaska Bead & Gem 

I 'd like to put them in Chartreuse's shop in downtown  Fairbanks. They feature recycled, upcycled fashions in their fun, quirky boutique that is a fresh addition to the city.

Thursday's Projects

I tried my hand at a tool apron pattern.  The instructions for the ties however, were off.  A 34 inch tie just won't do. I made adjustments and improvised after I had cut the pieces.

The fabric was a desert scene against a Bali sarong fabric and the blue one was inside out Hawaiian tapa fabric contrasting with the right side.

My Office Surroundings

My new rug really ties the room together.

I am indeed lucky these days to have a lots of different spaces to do different aspects of my creating. Kind of like having three different studios.

My first studio is my office space in the upstairs that looks out onto some snowy spruce trees today and fresh tire tracks on the newly fallen snow. This is the room where my Mac resides along with a printer and scanner and office supplies. I am scanner crazy and would feel awfully bereft without one.

Here I have various collections of dolls, antique wooden pieces, Hmong fabric swatches, vintage books along with cool trinkets I've collected over the years.

I have a table for assembling , gluing or packaging in the middle and it's a real challenge to not let it turn into just a catch-all for my messes.