If you follow me on any of my social media, you may have seen that there has been lots of work going on down at Shed 2 Studios for a while.

Last year, I took over extra space at the communal studios, which has undergone somewhat of transformation.  For the last few months, my wonderful brother and sister-in-law, Ian & Allyson, have been working really hard turning this:

Into this:

Yes, the carpet still needs cleaning!  But we’re very, very, nearly there.  And I am very, VERY, excited!

What will the new space be?

It’s going to be multi-purpose.  If ever you’ve been down to Shed 2 Studios, you will know that it’s wonderful, open space that I share with three other maker-businesses.  It’s a wonderful space and atmosphere, but I share with woodworkers, which means lots of dust.   It also has a high open apex roof, and single glazed skylights.  This means the light can be fabulous, but the space can be really cold, especially in winter.  It can be very hard to keep warm.  Also, as it’s open, I don’t have a lot of wall space, and what I do have is covered with glass, tools and equipment. It is very much a working artist’s studio, and not a gallery space.

The ‘Royal Suite’ has walls, a ceiling and a door.  This means it will be easier to keep clean, to keep warm and to have work out on display.

Workshops can be held in the new space, at any time of year, not affected by the winter chill.  There will be art work out on display to inspire students.

Or larger groups, for example hen parties, could have their session in the main space, and we can take a break for a drink and snack in the suite.

I struggle with the physicality of selling events; I am going to also open up as a sort of ‘pop-up shop’ sometimes.  I will leave out on display in the new room.  If nobody comes to visit, I can be getting on with work in my main space, which will be unaffected.

Last year, I talked about doing memorial glass ; pieces with ashes in from dearly departed loved ones, or pets that have passed over the rainbow bridge.   I want a quiet, calm, respectful space to do this when I am making.   I also want to offer people the chance to make their own piece, or sit with me whilst I create some special, memorial artwork for them.  Again, this needs to be quiet; but also a little more private than my main studio, as it may be an emotional journey.

It’s quieter, and kind of tucked out the way.  It will also be an ideal teaching space for people with sensory issues, who might not appreciate the hustle and bustle of the main studio.

And of course, it will be an office space for me. I do most of my admin at home, and will continue to do some of that; but I can do a lot more at the studio going forward, as I have a desk that won’t be covered in bits of glass!

Why ‘The Royal Suite’?

A few birthdays ago, a wonderful friend got me this for a birthday gift:

When talking to my brother about various options we kept saying ‘the new space’.   Ian said it needed a proper name.  This was going to be installed, and so he dubbed the new space ‘The Royal Suite’ – and it stuck.

Exciting times ahead!