Summertime

Nothing better than ice cream in the summer.
Except maybe first-time-ever freckles on your nose.

Love Shack

I have been longing, praying and pining for an artist's shack for way too long now. It all started over 10 years ago when I went to a business conference at Sundance, Robert Redford's beautiful resort in Utah. At the resort they have the most lovely little building, which they call the Art Shack. In this humble space they teach glass, jewelry, pottery, photography and more.

I had the luck to sneak in a metals and jewelry class while I was there and the idea of having my own shack has never subsided. Especially now that I am a mom, I feel the need to carve out some extra space for myself, quite literally. The symbolism of walking to a building that is mine and mine alone is so alluring. A room of one's own, so to speak.

This shack obsession finds me pouring over books like A Room of Her Own, which provides little glimpses into spaces owned by women like Maya Angelou. I love dreaming about what my space will look like one day and get such inspiration from seeing how other women put their own rooms together.

Currently I work in the basement of my home, and my blowtorch is in the garage. Most days I am climbing up and down the stairs all day to get to the torch. Not that I don't need the exercise, but the lack of productivity at not having all my equipment in one spot on my busiest days gets old pretty quickly.

I have discussed my dreams with my friend and neighbor Sylvia Wyant, who owns the company Inspired Shacks right here in Boulder. Not too long ago she hosted her own "open shack" on a Sunday to show off the delightful tiny house she has built and uses regularly for painting, reading and dreaming in her own backyard. Her website, this article from the New York Times and Tumbleweed Houses and are regular daydreaming resources for me.
But one day, I will have my own!

Common Threads

I am so excited to be partnering with Libby Alexander at Common Threads here in Boulder. Libby and I met last week and I loved seeing what is happening at this adorable shop. We are going to create a spot in the store especially for some new jewelry designs I have been working on.

Currently they are holding a series of summer camps for kids and teenagers. The girls get to do a fashion style camp and create their own designs. Can you imagine? There was nothing like this in Tulsa, Oklahoma where I grew up! I would have killed to participate in something like that.


I admire how even her business model is creative. Common Threads serves as an outlet for kids from the AIM House, a local youth residential mentoring project. The AIM House Interns get to use the Bernina Sewing Lab and work in the store.

But it's also a retail business that sells new items like Amy Butler patterns, and is also a high-end consignment clothing boutique. Additionally it features hand made items from local artists like me and Clementine Studio. Did I mention they also have all kinds of sewing, knitting and craft classes for grown ups? Such a fun mix.

I recently saw Boris Bally speak and he inspired me to get out and teach metalsmithing like he does on a regular basis. He made me realize that it is my responsibility as an artist to teach my art form that is becoming more and more rare. So to that end, I will be teaching a class later this year at Common Threads. I will keep you in the loop. In the meantime swing by Libby's little shop when you can. You are going to love it.