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Monday, June 11, 2012

Painting with Fire Studio and Gallery

The final inspection came through on Friday, which was the Fire Marshal's.  She signed off so we're officially open ... we're legit!  I thought I'd take you for a tour of the new digs ... that is, until you can come down for a visit and play in the studio!   This main entrance leads you to the store and gallery.  

  



As you walk through the door, you'll find a glass display case and dress form on the left.  The display case is from Ikea ... it was perfect for the space and the price was right! There's also an antique bird cage and old gardening tools for children.  These things look so much better in their new home that on my Maryland screened-in porch! 




Books are stacked in an antique wall cabinet that is now laying on the floor instead of being hung on a wall!  Someone sure was clever! You're catching a glimpse of a checkerboard butcher block that was in my Maryland kitchen.  It was a splurge from when our kitchen was remodeled. I just couldn't leave it behind.  It's made from Wenge and Oak. I knew no one would love it as much as I did so it's with me! :-)  It's sitting on top of an antique spinet desk, which makes it just the right height. 





The mirror is from an old dresser that I no longer have, but I'm really pleased with how it blends in with the studio decor. I wanted the space to have the vibe of a Moroccan bazaar ... welcoming you to dive right in! Toni Maddox did a wonderful job on this display! 




If you continue around, you'll find this cabinet with stepped shelves.  It works out well because when the drawers are pulled out, you can still see the contents of the drawers beneath it.  It's sitting on top of an oak and hickory shelf made by the Amish near my Maryland home.  Jump ring jigs and screening sifters have found a home on the shelves. 




We're coming up to the slat wall where we have lots of Eurotools I've come to love over the years.  The counter is made from wall cabinets that have been painted black and then distressed.  They come out 12" from the wall instead of the traditional 24" of a base cabinet. The countertop is made from Maple and Wenge.  Our contractor recommended this wonderful shop that specializes in exotic woods.  I was thrilled to find this as an alternative to ceramic tile.  Wood, in black and tan, is a predominant feature in the space.




Next we come to my little beading area out in the main shop space.  It's a great little workspace.  Cozy and in a perfect spot where I can be available and not segregated to the back.




Across from the handicapped ramp is this pearly pink dresser I picked up from The Iron Pelican, a few doors down from our shop, is owned by a great couple, Daniel and Hilary.  They have a great eye for furniture that benefits from a little bit of their magic.  I highly recommend them and their store.  They're on facebook and are always working on something new.  I betcha no one else has a pearly pink dresser with a polishing lathe on top! 

If we walked up the ramp, we'd be in the workshop/studio space and also the shipping area.  We'll come back there in a minute. 




We're continuing our clockwise rotation in the shop to the front desk/check-out area.  Chris Connolly, one of the Painting with Fire Team Members, developed our Point of Sale system where we can easily take care of payment.  All items have a bar code, which is scanned for payment.  The system also helps us to keep track of our inventory. 




On top of the front desk is a computer monitor where we have a video of torch-firing playing on a loop.  This is my daughter, Laura, doing her best Vanna White impersonation.  




Actually, THIS might be Laura doing her best Vanna White impersonation! LOL  These are the filigree beads.  On top of that cabinet is the antique headboard of a child's crib that fits so tightly on top of the bins that we didn't even have to secure it with screws or nails!  Sometimes you just luck out! :-) 




Now we're almost back where we started but we're on the other wall of the shop with the enamel inventory.  We decided to keep most of our inventory out on the floor rather than having it divided between the front and the back.  David comes to the front to fill orders.  It's been working really well.  There's still enamel inventory in the back, but it's the little bits of enamel that's left behind after weighing the  3 oz. and 8 oz. jars. 





This narrow black cabinet is in the center of the store is another find from The Iron Pelican.  It's perfect for the space.  These are the enamel collections and liquid enamel.  






Now, we've walked up the ramp and entered the workshop area.  Each work station has its own ventilation system controlled by a switch.  This is the bomb!  Did you notice someone very famous at the end of the workshop?




Here's my jeweler's bench and other tools.  At the time of the photo, I was still trying to straighten out this area.  It's gotten better, but we're still not there yet. :-) 





This is part of the back room where inventory is kept.  The room makes a bend to the right where the washer and dryer are kept and another small storage area.  




We're back to the front again, but this time we're at the front of the workshop area.  Marilyn looks great in torch-fired enamel beads ... don't you think?

Thank you for indulging me in my pride of our new space.  I couldn't have done it without the help and encouragement of so many of you.  Whenever you say a kind word to someone ... or in your heart wish them the best ... you are helping them advance.  I'm grateful for your encouragement along the way and for God's blessings! I hope you'll plan a visit to take a workshop.  If you're in the area, just stop in to say hello! 


37 comments:

Carol Dee, CZT said...

You and new store are SO HOT!

Diane said...

Simply divine Barbara! Congratulations on a job well done...all the little details in your shop make it look like a place I'd like to visit! And, the workshop...well, yes it is the BOMB =) Yes, I believe....some do like it HOT!!

A Polymer Penchant said...

How wonderful! Thank you for the guided tour, it's such a treat. Wishing you much happiness in your new giggs. It sure looks like a lot of hard work and clever planning. I hope you all can find time to celebrate and soak in the accomplishment when all those torches are blazing and happy students playing.

Barbara Lewis said...

I was in there working yesterday. The shop is two blocks from my house, which I'm still pinching myself about! In the course of the day, I might make a couple of trips there. :-) Thanks for your kind words!

Kathleen Lange Klik said...

Thanks for the tour! Your shop looks fantastic and like a lot of fun, love all of the artistic ways you display beads, books etc.!

Lori P said...

Barbara, this looks fantastic! (BTW, Laura outshines Vanna) Makes me want to drive to Florida REAL bad! I love it. All my best.

Gardanne said...

Looks really wonderful Barbara, I wish you were around the corner. I hope to get down there someday.

Ema Kilroy said...

That is wonderful!!! The tour was great. I was just in FL a few weeks ago. I'm not sure you were open then. I am hoping to get back again in November, about an hour south of St. Pete. I am definitely putting your shop on my list of places I must visit. Good luck to you.

In the Light of the Moon said...

Everything looks amazing friend.I am so happy for you and can say with out hesitation..."Dreams do come true"...Now I just have one itsy bitsy question...where is that old door? heehee. xoxo Cat

BlueAntiquities said...

Barbara, OMG, the store and workshop look so wonderful! The furniture and special pieces such as the bird cage make it like a specialty gift shop. I love it! I cant wait to see it in person, and use those torches, whoohoo! Hi Vanna! XO Laura

Heidi Post said...

Congratulations on your new space! It looks fabulous!

Cyndi J said...

I can't wait to visit again now that the space is done! Love all the antique bits. Lots of hard work and love went into this shop. Best of luck to you and the team.

TesoriTrovati said...

LOVE IT! I am especially smitten with the bins of beads, the colors on the shelf and the VENTILATION system for each station. That is BRILLIANT! I so hope that I can figure out a system for myself that will work. I am so pumped up about enameling. The class was soooo fun. I will post soon! Enjoy the day. Erin

Cynthia said...

Congrats!! The space looks fabulous. I think I hyperventilated when I saw the giant bins of beads!! I think I saw that in a recurring dream of mine! I sure hope to get to FLA to see it in person someday!

Lilyweeds at Augusta Kent Studio said...

Congratulations! what an amazing place. Much success. Wish I lived a lot closer. :)

Stacey said...

What a gorgeous space!! Some day I hope to make it to see in person!! Really just awesome! Congrats! I wish you mountains of success!!

Libellula Jewelry™ said...

Everything looks wonderful! I can tell you have worked very, very hard to get everything *just right*.

Heading down for a class is definitely at the top of my very long "to do" list...

Karen Totten said...

omgosh now I KNOW I have to take a workshop in your wonderful studio!!! I hope to someday soon!

Mari said...

Congratulations, Barbara!! How exciting!! Thank you for the great tour. Now...must find an excuse to visit my friend near West Palm, so we can drive across & visit your fabulous new place. Much success to you!! :)

KayzKreationz said...

It looks so great. I sooo wish I was closer and could come see it and play.

Liz said...

Wow! I definitely will be visiting. I would love to take a class.

Unknown said...

Oh how exciting...congrats! I so want to come on down for a class...maybe I can talk the hubby into a short trip... Will start working on him. Until then enjoy!!

Marsha of Marsha Neal Studio said...

Oh - BRAVO!!!! I'm so proud of you (and your crew)!!! Can't wait to get down to FL and visit!

Michelle W said...

Your store looks wonderful! I wish I lived close so I could come and play :)

Susan C. said...

It all looks great-Congratulations!
Hope to see you again soon.

Inbar Bareket said...

WOW ! That looks amazing Barbara !
CONGRATULATIONS !!!!

sandi m said...

Oh how luscious to look at! Now I wish I had taken your class at B&B.

Maybe next year - if you teach again.

Congrats!

Jenni said...

Thank you for the guided tour..everything looks wonderful..so well set out and attractive. I wish you well with this new endeavour...if I was closer I would be there tomorrow. (Australia!) The ventilation system looks incredibly efficient.
jenni

Barbara Lewis said...

Thank you! It was a labor of love. I stayed there last night and worked until 8 p.m. on some jewelry. It felt great to have everything at my fingertips! I think I can finally make some forward progress on jewelry-making!

Laura Twiford said...

WOW Barbara! It's incredible the transformation since we were there in March! It looks so beautiful with all the displays and how it is all arranged. What a great team to be working with! I didn't think you'd get your studio area in there but you surely did! Congrats and best of luck to you all! can't wait to get back down and visit!(((Hugs)))

Debora Mauser said...

great job and looks like such a good place to learn, laugh, shop and just hangout!

Kumi Fisher said...

The studio looks great! I felt like I was on a tour of the studio in person. Thanks for the fun post! Hugs!

Carol Combs said...

I'm coming to visit this week!! It looks fabulous...

Third Eye Gypsy said...

Wow! I'm so excited for you! The studio space is just absolutely wonderful! Everything is so tidy, organized and full of inspiration!

xo Genea

Unknown said...

Your shop and workshop is great - congratulations - I wish you the best. I am especially impressed with your workshop area and wish I could take a class with you but I'm in South Africa! In the meantime, I bought your book and are going to try enamelling on my ceramic beads. I see you have done that and are happy with the results.
Regards
Desiree Malan
www.earthbutterstudio.blogspot.com

NPedersen said...

Thank you so much for sharing your shop! It is beautiful! Oh how I would just like to watch you work and see how you do things....like a sponge I am!
Very Nice!

Cassie Donlen said...

Wow, what a fabulous tour. That was so much fun. Your space is so creative and clever. I wouldn't change a thing.. I'm beyond impressed and am. So happy for you. Your daughter is beautiful also. Wishing you only the best.