art studio

Come On Inside Joyful Paws/Pause Cottage Studio to See What’s New…

It’s been many years now since my studio was featured on a local news station. Back then it was #shesheds that were all the rage and why a reporter had reached out to me for an interview and a tour.

The funny thing is my studio had been built long before it became a trend. So I guess I was ahead of the curve – though I didn’t know it! LOL

Since the construction of my studio back in 2009, I’ve evolved, as well as, my special space has morphed into supporting more dreams of mine which now all take place under this 10 x 12 roof.

It’s here I still write, though these days that is mostly blog posts and my newsletter. But it’s where I now also create Animal Oracle mixed media art, and facilitate Intuitive Oracle Readings for people and for people and their pets via Zoom.

So after I was sweetly nudged by another artist to share a video of my space, I created this updated video…

And you are cordially invited to come on inside! I hope you will enjoy! And when you are done, you can also check out the studio of the artist who nudged me to do a video…see below…

Here is a tour of Jules Chabeaux – wildlife artist – art studio…

XO

Barb

    

The Tiny Twig Talisman Story and the Artist Who Created Them.

The artist, Sandi, who created this Tiny Twig Talisman, is someone I recently learned about from another artist — and all because of a serendipity connection on Instagram.

Sandi’s IG page is called Bluebird Cottage. Well, you know me! Anything related to cottage and I’m going to want to know more! I would come to learn more about Sandi from her artist friend, Lille Diane and who just happens to also love something else just as much as I do — donkeys!

I’d discover through Lille Diane that Sandi was featured in the May/June/July 2020 issue of In Her Studio — one of my favorite magazines. How did I miss that? A little research, a gently used copy found on eBay, and well, now I feel like I’ve connected with another kindred spirit in Sandi (and Lille Diane, too!)

Sandi has a lovely bohemian-style art studio with lots of happy and bright colors as featured in the pages of the magazine. Her Esty shop is called, Love From Cape Cod. Swoon! I’ve often wanted to visit Cape Cod since falling in love with it through the pages of the author, Susan Branch’s memoir, Martha’s Vineyard – Isle of Dreams (which I’ve read at least ten times now. I’m not kidding!)

So back to Sandi. Her posts on IG always bring me so much joy and her love of home, art, and nature feel so in alignment with mine. When she posted her newest creations (Tiny Twig Talismans) and the story behind them, well I knew I just had to have one to add to my altar in Joyful Pause Cottage.

From Sandi’s IG page:

Tiny Twig Talismans. Created with much love over many months. The story behind these is…. Three years ago my favorite tree in the front blew down in a blizzard. I loved that tree and was heartbroken to actually see it come down in the high winds across the driveway. Before the tree crew came to cut up and haul away the broken parts I went out and gathered many of the smaller branches. Some are in a large vase in the loft and greet me every time I go to my studio. Other tiny twigs wait for me to lovingly create these precious talismans. They have the sweetest energy and I loved creating them. Do you love trees too?

When the package arrived containing my sweet little twig of the tree that Sandi so lovingly found a way to commemorate into these beautiful works of art, I should have known how it arrived would be first-class too.

The Tiny Twig was wrapped inside this blue bedazzled tissue and then tucked inside the brown paper with lovely calligraphy written on it and a floral sticker which came inside the envelope with floral washi tape taped to the front.

Included inside was this beautiful envelope and colorful and sweet card. It was many gifts in one and unwrapping it all felt so very magical!

For many years now I’ve truly enjoyed every time I can support an artist. When I do, I feel like not only do I honor them, but I also honor a part of myself that loves to create too. You aren’t just getting an item, but something that comes from the heart, soul, and the hands of the many hours of joy that go into creating by the artist. Talk about good vibes to have in any space and exactly what I surround myself with in Joyful Pause Cottage!

So, welcome Tiny Twig to my space, and thank you, Sandi, for following your artistic whims and dreams…

XO

Barb

                  

A Dancing Fairy (and Grasshopper!) Inside Joyful Pause Cottage. Come See the Video.

It has been one of the most magical June’s I can remember in a long time. Though I know it’s just the beginning of the month. But I’m feeling like the difficulties of 2020 are beginning to show the gifts of why we had to go through what we did.

For me, I’m deeply appreciating things even more than I did before. The simple things. Like growing a vegetable garden this year, paying even more attention to the flower and shrub gardens around my Joyful Pause Cottage and home, quiet weekend mornings sipping coffee out front with John, and catching moments like this when a fairy and grasshopper dance in the sparkling light coming through the shade on my window…

Click here to watch the video I captured of it, or on the video below… 

Wishing you a most magical week.

XO,  Barb