When is it too late to wish you all a Happy New Year? Hopefully it's still OK!
Wow, where has the last two months disappeared too? December was incredibly busy, as you can imagine, with most clients (not all - thankfully!) having the same deadline. Add to this, an additional self imposed deadline too.
I have been working in my studio for over 12 years now and it had become a little worn and tired; the floor had worn through where I sit at the bench and the work tops were weak and cracked. For several years I have contemplated renovations, but quickly moved on at the very thought.
However, with the help of my husband the time had come. With the very last Christmas orders still being processed through Royal Mail, my tools were all carefully packed away and removed for a Christmas in storage, and immediately the studio was gutted from floor to ceiling. With such a small timeframe before I needed to be back at the bench making again the pressure was on. The list of orders and commissions growing by the day for January/February delivery. Adie, my husband, managed to get the new oak flooring in and finished before we downed tools and shut the door for the final time of 2018 and let Christmas begin.
Christmas was delightful, New Year too - lots of time with family and friends. Adventures, celebrations and quiet times by the fire, with fizz and food.
It wasn't long before we were back in the studio with renewed energy to get it finished. New worktops, bases, sink, taps, painting, skirting boards... the list goes on, but we did it. I am still on the hunt for a few prices of furniture but so nearly done. I have finished my first whole week in the space and it feels so fab.
As with all spaces, large or small, home or work, they evolve with you and your needs and this space will too, I cant wait to see how this evolves.
Out with the old.
No time to change our minds, onwards and upwards.
I have been working at my old bench for nearly 18 years. A good friend found it for me in London when a studio was closing down. He bought it for me, and drove it home to Herefordshire. He had a tiny car and at over 2m long is was never going to fit. With the help of string tying it down, and his boot open for a 4 hour drive, it made it to Herefordshire. Thank you Wally Gilbert. However, it couldn't take another move and it was decided we should retire it, and make new. It had just one last job to do; be the template for the new bench. The traditional jewellers semi circles work so well for me, and now I feel a little of the old lives on in the new.
We used a router to cut the semi circles following the line of the old bench.
My Dad popped in to see how we were getting on, in true farmer style.
We fitted a new sink. Well I say "we", perhaps I mean Adie, with help from my brother Andrew and nephew Tom.
After another long day it was lovely to sweep of all the dust and enjoy the late evening sunshine stream in and admire the shadows.
Tasha, my workshop buddy looking a little unsure of all the changes.
When the time came to get all my tools back in, I felt like we had taken a huge step forward.
My new workbench.
The nearly finished studio. It feels so lovey to work in a fresh and organised space.
