Saturday, June 19, 2010


Karen Valentine hosts the most amazing party with the opportunity to visit with some wonderfully creative people. I joined the fun last year and have moved home twice since then. I have just set up my new creative space. We have only been in this house for a couple of  months and we are still at the 'where do we put this' or 'where is it?' stage but welcome to my creative space.


The sign on the door is from our old teddy bear shop in South Africa. Our new workroom is set up in the dining room with the result that we have lots of doors. One leads to the kitchen which can be useful when you are trying to cook dinner and work is waiting to be finished and the deadline is tight!
 
 The view from the kitchen door to the work tables. One whole wall is a glass sliding door to the conservatory which looks out onto the garden, not good at times as the 'bird restaurant' can prove to be a distraction. Our kitties are studio assistants with their beds and toys available. Unfortunately none of them wanted to pose for photos!
 


This is an old spice rack made by my Dad some years ago, recycled to display our finished work and a portion of our collection of vintage items.
 


 My Mom (Wendy) and I have worked together for many years. We ran a Teddy Bear shop in South Africa and now we work from our new home in Cambridgeshire, England. We create miniature teddy bears, jewellery and embroidered items which we market on e-bay, Etsy and from our web page.  We are both very creative and like to learn new techniques such as tatting, needle lace and other crafts to broaden our skills, many of which we incorporate into our other work.
 
My favourite item, old apothecary drawers which I received for my birthday present last year. Found in a Brocante shop whilst living in France it has been carefully transported in several moves. I feel that the 'aged' appearance is part of its charm and do not wish to re-paint the drawers.
 
I love old spools of thread and have built up a wonderful collection.


 
 Pictures of some work in progress, little bears are all over the studio.

The less interesting side of the room, where all the beads and fabric is stored, including all the paperwork and really boring but necessary stuff. A lot of things are still in boxes in the large double garage which means we have to go searching for things when needed but most of the important items are close at hand. It is my dream to one day to have my own house with a big studio with space for everything. In the meantime this is a lovely space to work in.
 
This is the conservatory where we will sit and stitch when winter arrives and the light is not very good for doing fine work. Here again the garden and visiting birds can prove to be rather a distraction.

I hope you have enjoyed my creative workspace, please do go and visit all the amazing blogs with beautiful stuff to feed your creative soul.

25 comments:

ginger@bearbits said...

Hi Megan,

I am amazed that you are all set up and working so quickly after moving house twice already. Good for you both! It's nice to see where all the little bear faces come into being. It'd be nice to be able to visit in person and see all the creative things you do.

Thanks for the tour!!!

~ginger

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Megan,
So nice to meet you and your wonderful creative space. Looks like you are well on your way to having everything set. I have moved many times and I can appeciate how much work is involved especially setting up a studio. You are amazing to have so much done after moving twice too. Love the sweet bears. You are a lovely talent.

Have fun and enjoy all the parties. Hope you can stop by mine too.
Hugs and best wishes in your new home.
Celestina Marie

zandra said...

What a big and spacious creative space. I love teddy bears. How nice to live in England. My daughter is going there this semester to study. So, enjoyed my visit with you. Enjoy the rest of the party.
Hugz, Zandra

Queen Bee said...

What a great creative space! Love the old apothecary drawers! And your bears are adorable!
Queen Bee Studio

Decor To Adore said...

What a wonderfully creative space!

I adore your storage solutions. They have inspired me.

Tobi Britton*pinkpixieforest.blogspot.com said...

What a sweet space and absolutely adorable bears!!!
Thanks for having us over!
Sparkly Hugs,
Tobi and the Pixies!

Anonymous said...

Greetings from Canada, Megan! your studio is lovely, and I really like the notion of your sun porch for handiwork. I must also say, your wee bears are delightful! I have just started collecting bears, but have not yet made one, though I'd like to try.

Thank you for the tour! If you get a chance, you might like to pop by and look at my studio shots. Cheers...

Lynette

SandraRee said...

Hi Megan!

I do love your studio, looks like the perfect place to create!

Kisses
Sahara

oh...I'm so happy your dad is okay! :)

Unknown said...

Your bears are darling! What a great place to create them. :) Everything is in it's perfect place!

~Liz

kluless said...

Thank you for the tour and I agree, the little apothocary chest is perfect in every way, just the way it is!

Jillayne said...

Your room is charming and it looks like you have figured out where to put everything just fine! And your bears are just adorable!

Mascottblog said...

Hello ! I have just visited your place ... Thanks for letting us in .. I am about to move house too , and will be lucky to have a place for myself , and I admire how you have sttled all the necessary things ! ( just before the photos ? :) The place looks nice !

Karen Valentine said...

Oh Megan, your bears are just precious! I adore that old dresser you found in France. No wonder it is one of your pieces! And I absolutely agree... do not paint it! The patina is what makes it so special! Thank you so much for letting into your home. I really enjoyed my visit.
xo,
Karen
My Desert Cottage

Terri said...

You have a "beary" nice space to create and your Bears are just adorable. Thanks for sharing it all with us!

donna joy said...

adorable bears-and how organized for someone who has moved~wish i was that organized!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Your old apothecary drawers are great! Love your wee little bears. Thank you so much for inviting us to drop by so soon after you moved!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Wonderful space, Megan! I love your mini teddy bears. If I didn't think I'd mess it up so badly ~ I was looking at your kits in your Etsy shop. Thanks for sharing your space.

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

Hi Megan!
I love your creative space an all of your creations! Everything is so beautiful! Thanks so much for the tour. I'm following your blog so I can keep in touch.
Hugs to you!

Connie Eyberg Originals said...

You have certainly moved around a lot which must be a huge challenge in setting up studio space. I can't imagine. Your little bears are adorable! Thanks for the tour. Connie

Lynnae said...

I love it. Especially the apothecary drawers and the conservatory. I could daydream for hours in there!

Renee said...

I love your space. It is great. Love the apothecary chest. I wouldn't paint it either, too much character as it is.

Your conservatory is a nice space too, love all the windows.

Cute bears.

Thanks for sharing.

Renee

Monica said...

Megan,
what a lovely studio you have! And your bears are JUST WONDROUS!!!!!!!!! Love the bear sign too.
All my best for your new adventure in a new home!
Monica.

Artzy Heart said...

Love your space! It's taken me 20 years to get mine set up...but of course, before that every room was filled with children.

Scrapping With Sherry said...

Absolutely love the Apothocary drawers you got for your birthday!!! I am trying to finish up the list of where bloggers create link party... It is taking me a while. But I am determined. Love to drool over others craft areas... I have only been blogging for about 3 wks but I would be honored if you would stop by for a visit at http://scrappingwithsherry1.blogspot.com Take care~ Sherry

Anonymous said...

Your bears are just gorgeous! I absolutely love the one with the top hat & checkered pants, but the one with the backpack & puppy really stole my heart.

Those windows are a great way to let in the light and the view - how lucky you are to have both. :D

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