Good Morning Stampers!
Today I am sharing with you two posts in one. I will begin by sharing these dazzling tile coasters we made at "Add a Little Dazzle's Monthly Club" last night. All the ladies and gentleman (my oldest son) created their own set of coasters. They came out dazzling and everybody added their own touch. We all had a wonderful time and I can't wait until we meet again next month. Now just imagine sitting on your porch this summer using your coasters for your big glass of iced tea. These would make a beautiful, inexpensive gift that will wow the recipient. These coasters are refreshing!
If you would like to be part of the club but live long distance, no problem. I will send you all materials for your monthly project along with your minimum order every month. I have one full club with 12 members, so I am now working on filling another club. Email me at monica@addalittledazzle.com if you are interested in joining.
A lot of people have asked me about my studio and why I call it such. Well, when I first started my business in Arizona I had a corner of the laundry room where I had a desk with all my supplies and then the rest of it just took over the house. I am sure you all know what I mean.
When we moved to New Mexico last October, I told my husband I wanted to find a house that had a garage we could convert into a work area for me. We couldn't find one that met all the needs of a family of five. Then we ran across the house we currently live in and the man who was selling the house had a room at the entrance of the house he used as his office. This room was big and it had a lot of potential. I was so excited and could envision what I had in mind. I wanted it to be a studio, not just a work space for me and so the idea of converting it into a work studio was born.
When we were looking at this house, this section was already built into the room. I thought it was a perfect work space and the top glass cabinets would be a perfect place to showcase my work. My idea was to build matching cabinetry along the other wall to hold all my equipment that had been toted around to workshops and classes in a suitcase. It was a great idea, but we found out it was expensive. We didn't have the money to have these cabinets installed and I just prayed and asked God to make the way. I was moving to a new area and rebuilding my business and making it even stronger and I needed a place to run my business.
The cabinetry you see here is an answer to prayer. God provided half the money and the owner of this house worked out the rest of it with us. I had Davis Kitchens of Albuquerque do the cabinetry and they did an exceptional job. I had a timeline, as I was having my grand opening, and they worked with me to meet that deadline. Inside these cabinets and drawers is all my equipment. I love it because it is all tucked away and out of sight. I like everything to look neat and tidy. It isn't like this when I am in the midst of creating projects, but I do like to have a calm, clean, organized, and relaxed environment for my customers. All my ink pads and some equipment is out but organized.
As you can see, the drawers were built deep and sturdy to allow room to fit heavy equipment. I have everything from cutters, envelopes, bags, adhesives, and accessories in each of the drawers. Everything has its assigned place. Now the cabinets above are not very neat right now. That is why you don't get to see a picture of them for now ;). I have all my stamp sets separated by category but they aren't very neat right now. My assistant Cathy would kill me. She worked so hard at getting them organized. Sorry Cathy. I promise to get them back in order before you come next week. That is why I love this cabinetry so much. If you are in a hurry and need to put stuff away, you can hide it. I love it!
This table seats 6 people. I have 2 of these tables in my studio, so I can actually accomodate 12 people comfortably. When I have classes or club events, I place a grid paper on each person's spot and I place baskets in the center with all the supplies everybody will need for completing the project. I usually have a checklist with everything I need so I just pull out little baskets and fill them with the needed supplies and it is an easy way to check to make sure I haven't forgotten anything. In the middle, I also place a bigger basket and that usually holds the stamp sets and ink pads being used. In order to help preserve the tables, I had a piece of glass cut to fit each one. I have to clean them a lot with glass cleaner, but I never run into the problem of a table with ink stains etc. on them.
Attached to the table is this removable cup holder/trash holder. I place a mini trash bag in it and then after the class I go through and take out the bags and I am ready to put them away. This tool is great to help keep mess to a minimum because as you know cut paper accumulates quickly on the table and takes over. Another great feature is this cup holder. Many of us like to have a drink handy during class but how fun is it if you spill your drink over your project. Not fun at all! This cup holder helps eliminate this from happening.
God has truly blessed me with this awesome studio and with His help I am working hard at building my business. I was a bilingual teacher for 10 years and once I had kids decided to stay home. As many of you who are stay-at-home mothers know it gets very lonely. All of a sudden your life revolves around toys, cleaning house, and changing diapers. I love my children and I wouldn't trade them for the world but it was important for me to find something for me to do that helped fulfill me and at the same time help provide an income for my family. Does that sound like you?
I am truly blessed and glad to have found Stampin' Up! When we moved here to New Mexico I was very lonely and having to restart my business forced me to go out and meet people who I now call my friends.
Have you ever thought about making a career out of Stampin' Up!? Well, I am here to let you know it is possible. You don't have to have a studio like mine. I started off with a small space and it worked just fine. I worked at it and grew little by little. If you would like to be part of my Stampin' Up! team, please email me at monica@addalittledazzle.com You can start your business for as little as $75 from the comfort of your home. I love that I am able to work the hours I choose and am able to do it around my family's schedule. If you join my team, I will offer you all the help you need to help you take your business to whatever level you choose. As part of a member of my team, you also receive my monthly demonstrator planners for FREE. These planners give you all the tools necessary to kick off your business. Don't miss out on this wonderful offer that ends May 31st.
Thanks for visiting me today. Please leave me your comments. I would love to hear from you. I will post another project tomorrow so make sure to come back. If you are ever in the Taos, New Mexico area I would love to have you come visit my studio and spend time here. I am sure you will enjoy yourself and we may even throw a hamburger on the grill for you and take you out on the back deck to enjoy the beauty of the desert and mountains.
OHHHHH!!! Don't forget!! Enter my "Last Chance Contest". This contest ends tomorrow May 30th at midnight. Read down 3 posts for full details and don't miss out on a chance to win a $30 gift certificate and lots of more goodies!!
Have a dazzling day!
Monica: Thank you for sharing your studio. I will be moving to Tuscon in about two months. We have bought our DREAM home and my husband has dedicated one room for my stamping studio...we are going to have built ins made and I am gathering LOTS of ideas to make my dream studio come true. I think I like your idea of cabinets and LOVE LOVE LOVE the glass doors. I have plenty of stuff to hide...but PLENTY of stuff to spotlight and having the cabinet glass doors on a few of the doors could be a way of meeting both needs. THANKS AGAIN-appreciate all the suggestions. Kadie
Posted by: Kadie Labadie | May 29, 2009 at 07:19 PM
could you share where you get the cup holder trach bag holders? Those are awesome!
Posted by: Deidre Mooney | May 30, 2009 at 09:28 PM