Cyber Monday Sale - Starts Today

If you are looking for gorgeous unique gifts, check my shop:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/AZCreativeStudio

I have listed several items on sale, the discounts are already taken off the original price. Sale ends 11/30/2010.

Fabulous Art Studio: Ileana Hunter

Shop: IleanaHunter
Owner: Ileana Hunter

How does your studio reflect your style?
The furniture is black and white, much like my artwork, and it’s small, much like myself! I’m afraid this is still a fairly new house and a bit austere for my taste.


What is the favorite part of your studio?
The studio is also my library and my photo studio where I work with my models. So quite a lot to choose from! I do adore my books and they bring me such joy and tranquillity, so I will have to go with the library.

What pieces in your studio inspire you?
I have a section of the wall where I keep my newest pieces – they never last, though, I am too much of a perfectionist and every time I look at one of my own artworks I find new flaws, so they’re on permanent rotation. I lovingly call it ‘the wall of shame’. (OK, not so lovingly.)

Do you have any handmade or vintage decor pieces?
There’s very little room for that, as most of my walls are covered in books. But you can see a rather pretty piece of gothic architecture out of my studio window – Norwich Cathedral, 100% hand made! I never get tired of how the light falls differently on its spire each hour of the day.

What is favorite color palette and how did you implement this in your space?
I spoke of my black and whites earlier – I didn’t have that concept in mind when I bought my studio furniture, but it must have been a Freudian thing, as it miraculously turned out to be black and white.

Strangely enough, though, if someone asked me, not related to art, what my favourite colour was, I would say red. And my dresses would prove that. What can I say? I’m a person of many contradictions.

What is the one tool used in your creation process you treasure the most?
My lovely brain!

What are the books or magazines that inspire you?
Art books and hours of longingly gazing at old masters’ pieces. But I read so much in general, there’s no telling what will pop into my mind and come to life on my paper.

What changes/upgrades would you like to make in the future?
I would like an obscenely spacious studio. So spacious, that I’d be able to swing a cat in it and the cat would actually live to tell the tale.

Website: http://www.ileanahunter.co.uk/

Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/people/IleanaHunter

{Images from Ileana Hunter}

Last minute Thanksgiving Shopping

I just got a vintage silver gravy boat and a cute apron. What do you have left on your list?

Featured: Yellow Maple Leaf Place Cards - http://www.etsy.com/listing/60738411/yellow-maple-leaf-place-cards

Fabulous Art Studios: Hotdogs and Poodles

Shop: Hotdogs and Poodles
Shop Owner: LaShay

How does your studio reflect your style?
I love bright colors and warm weather but I hate clutter. It's the main reason why my studio is in my 12 x 18 "sun room". I am able to take advantage of the heat and with all the bright light, I can see if there is clutter or debris lurking around the space.

What is the favorite part of your studio?
My favorite part of the studio is my computer of course. I can't live with out it! I actually use a Mac laptop to print all my packaging and labels and use my Iphine when I'm laying down in bed or in the kitchen to check my emails.

What pieces in your studio inspire you?
I am inspired by my world travels. There is a painting on my wall above my workspace desk from a favela in Brazil from a young boy. I actually didn't want to buy it because it was sloppy on the corners but my husband really wanted to help the kid out. We wound up buying it anyway along with a similar painting, which you can't see in the photos, from another boy whose work was much neater. The two paintings are lined up on top of each other, kind of like a before and after. They always remind me that there is always room for improvement no matter how many other products out there that may be similar to your own.


Do you have any handmade or vintage decor pieces?
I handmake everything! I am a self titled frugalista. See that light hanging from the ceiliing? It's a curtain rod with an ikea light kit wrapped around. I got the the light shade from family dollar.

What is favorite color palette and how did you implement this in your space?
My favorite color palette is grey and yellow. My living room is decorated in this color scheme. The sunroom is an extension of the living room so I hung up some printouts and put them in yellow and silver mattes. The curtains are also that color. However, my favorite color is pink. You can clearly see my obsession with the color around the studio space.

What is the one tool used in your creation process you treasure the most?
I really treasure my glue gun. I'm not even sure if that is the old one or new one or my desk. They both are so beat up and over used! I've tried tack glue, fabric glue, even elmer's glue, but the glue gun is the best!

What are the books or magazines that inspire you?
I like fantasy and over-dramatic books so my favorite books are the Harry Potter series, Night, the Twilight Series, Abraham Lincoln:Vampire Hunter and the Shopaholic Series. I don't read a lot of magazines anymore but I look at U.S. Weekly every once in a while to see what accessory and clothing trends celebrities are wearing.

What changes/upgrades would you like to make in the future?
In the future, I would love to have my items sell in several boutiques. I haven't had much success out here in Albuquerque because fashion isn't really a major part of life like it is in my hometown of N.Y.C






***Special Offer***
LaShay offers 10% discount to our readers. Upon checkout, enter: AZBLOG 10 in a "Message to Seller" and 10% of your total purchase will be refunded through Paypal.

You can find Hotdogs and Poodles on:

Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/hotdogsandpoodles

Website: http://www.hotdogsandpoodles.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/lashaycarr

Gourmet Hostess Gifts on a Budget - Everything under $25

The Pink Cupcakes (9x6) from Babypicturethis
http://www.etsy.com/listing/61292504/the-pink-cupcakes-9x6?ref=tre-4cdcf05838426d91b9aa55e6-2

If you are on a tight budget these amazing finds will make a great hostess present!

Click on the link below to view each one of them:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4cdcf05838426d91b9aa55e6/gourmet-hostess-gifts-on-a-budget?ref=pr_treasury

Hostess Gifts under $75

24 Assorted Regular French Macarons - Perfect for tea time from Sparkleskitchen
http://www.etsy.com/listing/61625842/24-assorted-regular-french-macarons?ref=pr_shop

Perfect for Thanksgiving! Please click on the link below to view each item:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4cdb2446581e8eefb6e2c371/hostess-gifts-under-75?ref=pr_treasury

Contemporary Decor

To view this treasury click here:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4cd8d8a54f496d916b95e8fd/be-inspired-by-this-david-bromstad?index=0

***Amazing Giveaway****

****Congrats Christian!!!****



Jaclyn from Root & Flower offers a free print to one of the readers.

All you have to do is leave a comment under this post:
http://azcreativestudio.blogspot.com/2010/11/fabulous-art-studios-root-flower.html


Ends Sunday night, so hurry!!!

Fabulous Art Studios: Root & Flower

Shop: Root & Flower
Owner: Jaclyn Evalds

***Amazing Giveaway*** Please check the details below!


How does your studio reflect your style?
Well, I believe in surrounding yourself with things that you love and also items that are practical. Nothing is too fussy or matchy matchy. My studio is a mish mash of things that I love, and collected over time. There are some new pieces, too, like the shelf and work table. So I guess that's my style - time-worn and new items together, not too fancy, and definitely functional.

What is the favorite part of your studio?
My work table. natural light comes in through the window over it, and my paints and brushes are all within reach.

What pieces in your studio inspire you?
I have a little inspiration area in one corner. I attached ribbon to two walls, and use it to hang inspiration images or artwork with little binder clips. it's very simple, but it works for me.


Do you have any handmade or vintage decor pieces?
Yes! The chairs in the studio are from the attic of the house where my husband grew up. They are a little rickety, but sweet. I recently made the curtains from lovely vintage fabric that I found at the thrift store. they are a pretty shade of wheat yellow with tiny white flocked polka dots, which is so cute!

What is favorite color palette and how did you implement this in your space?

I like earth tones, a lot of browns, greens and blues. I tend towards those colors in my work. and I also love faded colors. since I am unable to paint the walls (I rent), color has been brought in with wood tones from the furniture, the curtains, and my own paintings.


What is the one tool used in your creation process you treasure the most?
I love my table top easel. It's nice and sturdy. When I'm not working, it functions as another display for a half-finished or completed painting.

What are the books or magazines that inspire you?
I love online magazines like lonny, rue, and i just started getting into cellardoor {from the uk}. i also treasure my audobon 'birds of america' book, that i bought when i first moved to portland. i'm a sucker for lovely bird illustrations!

What changes/upgrades would you like to make in the future?
Someday, I would love a nice big studio with tons of natural light and maybe even a bed to take naps! A girl can dream! for the short-term, I need to find a better way to store finished paintings. I'm running out of space in my apartment!


{Images from Root & Flower}

You can find Root & Flower on:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/rootandflower

http://www.rootandflower.com/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rootandflower

http://www.facebook.com/rootandflower

*****Amazing Giveaway: Win a print of your choice!!******

Leave a comment and Jaclyn will pick a winner by the end of this week.

Fabulous Art Studios: BellaBeads4U

Shop: BellaBeads4U
Owner: Marilyn Pizzolon

My studio/work area is furnished in vintage pieces. I was raised by parents who lived thru WW1&2 and The Great Depression. We made due with what we had, re-purposed(long before it was the norm) what we could. Many of the pieces are family, many my husband and I purchased. Vintage/antique give off a warmth that I feel comfortable with. Many of my jewelry pieces contain vintage components. I have favorite antique fairs that I frequent, scouring for vintage pieces//components to incorporate into the jewelry I create.
As for my favorite part of my studio, the comfortable chair and vintage light. I've had the chair since childhood and the light was rescued from a potato barn and restored by my husband.
The most inspirational piece is the Oak armoire which holds my finished pieces. It is solid and built to last generations. I like to create well made pieces that will last more than one season. Being from the frugal family, we utilized personal items that were seasonless. I like to think my pieces are that, with a few exceptions of whimsy.

My color inspiration comes mostly from nature.
I look through botanical books that my Mother had to see what colors go well together and like to walk thru the nearby woods/park as well. Earth tones seem to be my favorite.
As for my favorite tool, well my Ott light of course. Reduces eye strain and provides a natural light that doesn't skew colors. My newest and next favorite tool is a stand with magnifier and clip arms which makes soldering silver so much easier!
My all time favorite magazine for this craft is Bead Style and their specialty books/magazines. My "6th sense" somehow guides me to put a look together with just the right materials. It's like being a good cook and spotting a recipe knowing the ingredients together will taste good.
As for my future plans, enhancing my wire wrapping skills and learn to fuse glass and create my own beads/pendants. Retirement is on the horizon and I won't have any lack of things to do or create. Staying active, physically and mentally and challanging oneself on a daily basis is the key to health and a fruitfull existence.

You can find BellaBeads4U on:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/BellaBeads4U

{Images from BellaBeads4U}