Wednesday, January 11, 2012

A Door of One's Own

WARNING: This post is photo heavy


Ah yes, a door of one’s own, attached to a room of one’s own, that room being my studio. Or, as I like to call it, the ‘what-would-happen-if?’ room. Most of my creative endeavors tend to be experimental; some successful, some not so much. But I’m enjoying myself, so who cares?

First, the studio. It’s only been in the past few years that I’ve been able to have this space. It used to be our homeschool classroom, then, when the kids grew, it became a shove-junk-in room. But now it’s my very own space. Hooray. No more working at the dining room table.

[a Pinterest-inspired project in the works]

I have to say that my family has always been respectful of my projects and supplies. I’ve never had to worry, even when my kids were young. The cats, however, have been another story. Curiosity has nearly killed them on several occasions (curiosity as in Acorn).

For instance, the fairy house I made for my girls when they were little. You may not be able to tell from the picture, but it was huge. I burnt my fingers a million times with the glue gun - suffering for my art. It was a thing of beauty, if I do say so myself.

It had so much detail: a pine cone shingled roof, a fur-lined fairy baby cradle, a watch tower, stairways, windows and window boxes, just to name a few

This is what’s left: Rubble. The cats decided to climb into it one day and naturally they couldn’t get out, so they broke their way out. I was so depressed I nearly slept for a week. Okay, I’m exaggerating. But I was really, really mad.

(Don't be fooled by the Beatrix Potter Tom Kitten look--it's an act)

It's just one of many things they’ve destroyed, hence the recently-installed door. I can shut them out now, muahahaha. This means no more “little cat feet” walking across oil paint pallets; no more tangled yarn, no more spilled ink, no more eating raw wool (above) then puking on something else I’ve made…

Many of you are probably thinking by now that I'm a saint for keeping them. You are--right?

Well, they're here because some other, more merciful people who live in this house deeply love them

and--the cats haven’t wrecked any of their things—-just sayin’.

Truth be told, I love my kitties, too. What a pushover...

But because I have a room of my own

antique buttons are no longer cat toys

a room of my own



with a door that locks...Muahahaha

(Detail of a painting in progress)

31 comments:

Janie Fox said...

That fairy house is/was fantastic, I wanna craft with you!!

Jodi said...

Any time, Janie :)

Kerrie said...

oh, I just love everything about this post. I love the peek into your "what-if" room...the wooden shoes, the fairy house! oh my! It's inspiring!

Rae said...

This was a GREAT post! I love looking into other peoples studios. Wow...love your fairy tree house. Your story telling is so wonderful, you need to write books, or do you do that too????
Love you friend!

Nancy said...

I too loved the fairy house; I am so sorry your furry friends destroyed it.....I have one of those furry friends and I know exactly what you mean about the feet in the paint, destroying a ball of yarn, etc..but you have to love them....I am glad you have a door now. I have one on my studio but unfortunately I forget to close it.....

Great post.

Jodi said...

Thanks, Kerrie and Nancy. I don't write books, Rayanne. My grammatical skills are sorely lacking. I'm just a gabber.

Unknown said...

Oh happy day!

I too suffer from a cat. She has recently shredded some of my old prints from college. Irritating.
I'm so glad you have a door that locks. You need one with all that glorious colorful wonder in there.

Nancy said...

Any girl whose mother burns her fingers building her a fairy house is bound to turn out well. That's what I think. Love that you keep scissors and a ruler in wooden shoes hanging on the wall. Who thinks like that? I also love that you say, "Muahahaha." :)

Laura said...

Your studio has me salivating. Beautiful! It's the dining room table for me :). And that fairy house? Oh. My. That is some serious creativity. I just love how you see, Jodi. It inspires me.

And the kitties are cute too.

Amy said...

Amazing Fairy House! Glad you have pictures. On a vacation in Maine we took a hike and came to an area where people had built little fairy houses. We joined in with a small one of our own. But this? Wow. Thankful you have a room of your own and a door~no telling what you'll create.

Joy Lake said...

LOVE THIS POST! I will remind you though that a certain someone did offer to take a furry friend to the bottom of the world (quite far away from your creations, mind you) and you only would part with the grey-furred troublemaker. Wonderful photos. I can't wait to see you studio/what-if-room in person sometime,

Southern Gal said...

We have those creatures around here. They are of the outdoor persuasion, though. ;)

Love the fairy house, the wooden shoes, the pinterest project and the art. Oh, the art. You are so very talented, gifted, blessed. Hugs.

Anonymous said...

well, i would love to make a fairy house, but i don't know if the boys would go for fairies. maybe i could tell them it was a toad house - anyhow, I love your what would happen if room ! thanks for showing it to us :)

Leslie said...

Couldn't be too photo-heavy for me! And I find it hard to believe that those darling creatures could be guilty of all that mayhem. (Not really... I grew up with cats, so I know their secrets... and basenjis are nearly as bad.)

Do you remember that we made a fairy house too? After we watched the movie Fairy Tale, A True Story. Ours was made of bamboo from my mother's garden, and various and sundry bits of acorn caps and sticks and spanish moss. I guess you could say it was the Florida version of yours. Sadly, the humid Florida air took care of ours, and the glue gradually disintegrated. Between falling bamboo planks and the ubiquitous mildew of Florida summers, Emily's fairy house went the way of all flesh (or all fairy houses, as it were...)

Leslie said...

p.s. I hope you show us that painting when it's finished...

Unknown said...

I love you.
Oh my word... I love how you think and see and do.
( why have forgotten how much I loved so much of these things you have/create/are? where has that part of me gone.. ? thank you Jodi.)

Thickethouse.wordpress said...

Such a fascinating post! I'm amazed by how many things we like in common and what that could possibly mean - acorns, dutch clogs, textile art, color, color, color.........

I have a sort of studio and I need to use it more to create! You inspire me.

Jennifer said...

Oh my! That fairy house is/was amazing! My mind is swirling just thinking about making one (and I don't even have anyone who would play with it except me :)

We had cats before Stella, and I loved them all but I know what you mean; you have to be a saint to put up with their antics!

Loved the glimpse into your studio, seeing all the bits and bobs, works in progress and pretty things. So glad you have a door now to keep the kitties at bay!

And thanks for making me laugh out loud today, friend!

Quotidian Life said...

(weird--I couldn't post a new comment/find an option to do so, so am commenting here)
Loved your studio, Jodi. I have a sort-of room in our new house where I can put all my creating things and leave my sewing machine out all the time. It has made such a difference in my inspiration and ability to create.

Anonymous said...

Dear Mrs. Lenz,
That littlefairy house...
i was about three years old when I last saw it,
and I didn't remember it being so complicated!
If I was a fairy, I would be in heaven if I lived there.(no elf could have done it better.:D)the door looks like bilbo's door in The Lord of The Rings.

And my STARS! they look quite good on your window. they are to high up for the Kitties to get!

Love,
Audrey

Jodi said...

Dear Audrey, I remember when you first saw the fairy house. I told you I was going to make some fairy dolls to live in it. And you said, "No, don't. It's so yummy, real fairies will come and live in it." So I never made fake ones. And yes, the stars are up nice and high so the cats won't get them.
Love, Mrs. Lenz
P.S. Audrey, you can call me Jodi if it's ok with your mom

Jodi said...

Thanks, everyone, for your comments. I really want to answer everyone, but Blogger is being annoying and keeps freezing on me. I do appreciate what y'all have to say.

Chelsey said...

I love that fairy house! How beautiful... How big was it?

Will your project be a suitcase/coffee table? I have a very old suitcase that I use for the kids big lego. When we go camping or visiting relatives I dump all the lego out on the floor and use the suitcase for the kids clothes.

Jodi said...

Chelsey, big enough to have two people carry it. Have you ever seen the movie "Fairy Tale - A True Story"? I took my inspiration from there. And yes, a suitcase table. I'm going to use it to store some of my art empheria in.

Emily said...

I remember that fairy house from an earlier post! I just LOVE it - it would have broken my heart to see it destroyed. If only cats could realize they aren't as dainty as fairies. (Lady doesn't seem to have learned that lesson either, especially when an elaborate system of homework has been laid out on the floor and she decides to Help With It.)

I really love all your old-fashioned drawers and glass bottles. It looks like a wonderful What If room :)

Jodi said...

Emily, Thank you <3

Abby said...

this post inspired me to clear a space in my room for a craft table! I just ordered a table and am so excited to have my own space for projects!

tamarahillmurphy.com said...

delightful work! keep making (and protecting from vandals!)

Olivia said...

Such beautiful things you make! I would love to see them in person. And your fairy-house was delightful beyond words! I so love having a corner to make my creative piles in. ;)

Aqeela said...

Your room is so interesting, and a great post by the way!
Aqeela xx

Terry Arnold said...

What a good way to start the post! Hehe, the door to your “what-would-happen-if?” room looks enchanting. It’s a concrete way to tell your visitors that your studio will amaze them. Well, I was… just by viewing it here. :D

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