In 2019, when I started planning my current studio, I bought the furniture first and then designed the room around the new pieces. My first purchase was a counter-height desk. Using it is wonderful and so much easier for cutting fabric and photographing my products. My grandson loves it too and we use it for crafting together. It’s large but offers so much flexibility for everything that I do, I’ll never part with it.
I still have the cabinets in the closet (it works so well!) that house all of the vintage jewellery that I’ve collected. They also make a great backdrop for many of my product photos and even double as a walk-in closet for lifestyle photography. Tucked in the corner is a microwave cabinet that has just the right space for my printer with cabinets above and below for additional storage. A corner desk with bookshelves finishes off the room and leaves just enough space for me and my pup, Piper.
I’m very grateful for my studio, and the creativity that it nurtures. When I design jewellery, the desk-top is usually covered with beads, chains, vintage pendants, wire, glue and tools. I pick and pull out all the pieces I’m considering and spread them out until I make my final choices. It can be quite an energetic process. And at other times, I have the exact pieces already decided on. I set them on the desk and don’t stray from them throughout the entire design process.
Setting up my new studio really boosted my creative energy. I’ve even staged it as a vintage Paris dress shop for some fun photography shots. It’s such a joy to be in there, and even though I work some long hours, I’m surrounded by the things that continue to motivate my creations.
Keep sparkling!
Marian xo
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If you’re a fan of period dramas, chances are you’re familiar with this fashion icon of the 1920’s, the Cloche. With the popularity of Downton Abbey and Boardwalk Empire in 2010, followed by Peaky Blinders in 2013, the fashions, jewellery and hats of the 1920s peaked our interest—and it certainly did mine. I fell in love with the classic bell shape silhouette of the hat and the beautiful detailing on them.
