In Her Studio

Joyful Pause/Paws Cottage Studio Gets an Update

Posted by Barbara Techel

It has been years since I found these sweet little bird houses and painted them orange which adorned the front of my cottage studio.

As you can see by the photo above the color faded over the years. It was time for an update, but alas, procrastination was holding me back. Or was the timing not yet right?

I initially thought I’d just repaint them in the same shade of orange, but then had the idea to paint each one a different color. This was just the inspiration (and kick in the butt!) I needed to tackle this project one recent Saturday morning!

And I am thrilled with the final outcome! Looking at them now affixed to the front of my studio, I had to smile because I had this sense that one special little colorful donkey I found on my travels to Florida this past winter had somehow subconsciously influenced me. So a big hee haw of a thank you to Donkey who is shown in the photo below along with the updated birdhouses.

P.S. If you are new here…there have been many paws that have inspired my journey for the past 25 years who taught me the power of pausing often in my life to reflect and come back to center in order to live a meaningful life.

xo

Barb

    

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

Posted by Barbara Techel

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