Worker's Workroom

Spending summer days in my studio. I'm surrounding myself with some pretty dreamy inspiration lately. Creams and tans and gold and lace. I've been trying really hard to make time to work on things in this place of my own. Mend things. Create things. To just slow down and simply think about things. It's getting easier and easier to do that.

I've had the chance to do some vintage collecting over the past couple of weeks, and have come across some incredible pieces. Some really incredible pieces. Before they make their way to the store, they sit in my studio with me. Among my most recent finds, a vintage wicker picnic basket in the shape of a suitcase with leather straps on the inside for holding cutlery and dishes and maybe, quite possibly, a bottle of wine. Beautifully aged leather straps to keep it shut too. I haven't decided if I want to part with this. Currently I'm imagining it strapped to the back of my bike.

This dress may be my favourite find ever. I feel like I say that a lot, but this one is beyond compare. A wartime cotton voile wedding gown with floral cut-work detailing, sheer short sleeves over a sweetheart neckline, and removable long fingerless gloves, all in a soft antiquated white. I tried to play dress up in this, but my hips didn't make the cut. I can't wait to see the beautiful bride that takes this home. In fact, I'd actually like to be invited to the wedding because I want to see the look on everyone's face as you walk down that aisle.

When we attended our friend's wedding in Mexico, they gave out paper fans on the beach. I took mine home and carried it around with me, finding it useful to have on hand in this heat that we're experiencing. I couldn't turn down this vintage Japanese paper fan when I saw it. Delicate cream paper dotted with silver sparkle paint and warm rose-toned wood. Stay hot forever, please.

It's funny, I love accessories - I opened a whole shop with my love of jewelry and adornments as a driving force - but lately I find myself returning to the most simple and the oldest pieces of jewelry that I own, again and again. The necklace is a tiny gold heart that I received as a baby. It has two small dents from where I used to bite on it while I was teething. The bracelet was given to me on my 25th birthday by my Aunt, who was given it on her 25th birthday. It's a delicate gold bangle with an etched floral design, and I believe has been in our family since the beginning of the 20th century. We have very few antiques or heirlooms on either side of my family, so this piece is very precious to me. I can (and do) wear these with anything.

If my 15 year old self could see me now, wearing all this gold jewelry, I'd probably gag myself with a spoon. The fact that I'm starting to dress like my mother, in more classic pieces, would totally not go over well either. Khaki slacks, navy stripes, buttoned up oxfords and huaraches. It's weird how that actually happens.

You'll probably see me in this outfit a number of times in the summer. Thrifted silk blouse and leather belt (which leatherworker Amy Kenny borrowed to make a similar belt herself out of the dimensions) and pleated cream skirt from Urban Outfitters that I bought a couple of years ago. I feel very daytime fancy in it. And a little bit like I should be drinking lemonade on a front porch swing somewhere in the South.

I bought this Field Notes notepad ages ago from Dave at Mixed Media. I bought it with the intention of doing something good with it. Filling it with really good things. It has, so far, remained empty. But I still carry it with me every day. I liked the steno book style of it, and though it'd be easier to use on my travels. I also kind of fell for the Hobo Symbol Quick Reference Guide on the back cover.

It will be filled with really good things soon.

My studio is home to most of my Beehive projects. I've finished up one scarf already for our knit installation piece, and chose these colours for my second one. I really like the combination of these two, Linen and Butterscotch from Lion Brand's Wool-Ease Thick & Quick collection. Even though it's been incredibly hot to knit, I'm really proud that I've actually been able to pick up knitting (and from a pattern at that!) again, and it keeps me going.

The ladies of the Beehive made beeswax candles in old mason jars a couple of weeks ago in celebration of Kate's upcoming wedding.  We made them with the intention of her using them on all of her wedding tables. It took two evenings worth of work, and we made over 20 candles. Wanting to make sure that they would all actually work and stay lit, I took one to test it out. It worked! And smelled amazing.

My studio also holds my books, my embroidery, my sewing machine and quilting supplies, my collection of cameras and all of my photography equipment and darkroom supplies. At times, I think that I should stop stretching myself thin and focus on one interest to really develop it, but then I think that life is too short not to try your hand at everything. I'm okay with not always being the best. At least I gave it a good shot. I feel abundantly lucky to be able to have my very own space to try.