Ginny's Small Studio

Lucky Ohio

We have had and continue to have quite a storm here in Northern Ohio, but we are so much better off than the East Coast. Nevertheless, we are still having extremely strong winds that almost pull your car door off the hinges. It is cold and rainy and we are among the 4500 residences in our town without electricity. It went off late yesterday and we just got a phone call saying we should prepare for an extended period without it.

Fallen trees are the culprit. Whole trees and large branches have fallen across wires to put us into the dark. Trees are one of the reasons we love Ohio. There are millions of stately old trees. We mourn the loss of even one.

Water is the other culprit. Lake Erie is wild this week with huge crashing waves. This photo was taken by a bystander by a lighthouse in Cleveland. It is awesome in it's fury. Creeks, rivers, ponds, lakes and newly formed oversized puddles have also done much harm. Because we have no electricity and because the rain has not stopped in three days, our electric sump pump has let us down and our finished basement (John's pride and joy) is flooded and under about 3-4" of water. We raised everything we were able to, but were hindered by the dark and the weight of some items. The two of us were totally unable to budge the heavy wood pool table. We could not vacuum the water...no electricity.

The wind has done a bit of damage here at our home, too. We have lost part of our arbor and our fence blew down. Two majestic plants on either side of our front door are just about to fall over.

We called around to all the hotels within 30 minutes driving time of our home and either they were without electricity too or there was just no vacancy at the inns. So we have our blankets, our book lights to read by and Panera's which is very crowded, but has soup and an occasional outlet available for one's laptop. Westlake, where Small Studio resides, also has pockets of outage. Our store is without electricity also. Maybe tomorrow will bring us back to civilization. Enduring all this is an adventure and nothing compared to what is happening elsewhere. Our hearts go out to all of our friends in the East.

Oh Soggy Day

We braved the driving rain and the powerful wind to vote early this morning. There was a line, but it moved quickly and efficiently. The Board of Elections clerk who was processing us mentioned that early voting had already outnumbered 2008.

We live in the swing state of Ohio. Right now it is the wet state of Ohio. The wind has been fierce and it has been raining steadily since yesterday. We are getting the Northern storm that will meet up with the hurricane. Driving over the Black River, we were amazed at how high it is, There are flood warnings throughout the area, but it will be nothing compared to our friends along the Atlantic coast. We lived in CT just a couple of miles from Long Island Sound in 1985 when the last hurricane hit land there. I am hoping for safety for all of you and quick recovery after the storm.

Morgan Dollar

My grandmother wrote on a coin envelope "the first 1/2 dollar that Curtis earned as a small boy". Inside was this 1913 half dollar and this Morgan Dollar from 1879. If the Morgan Dollar had a "cc" on it, the worth would be perhaps $1000, but since it does not, it is worth about $24. The 1913 half dollar is worth about $11. To me this money along with Gram's writing on the envelope about my Dad is priceless.

We had our Nutcracker Box class last night taught by Stacy Rich. The ladies enjoyed themselves and created very cute little boxes. It was a fun evening. Thank you Stacy and students.

In other news, we are getting in new product everyday in anticipation for the upcoming holidays. I will start putting out the Christmas decorations after Halloween. Come in early for the best selection. I am having so much fun looking for unique items for you.

I promise this is the last Fall photo. The reason? Even though it was 80 degrees today (!!), leaves were falling like snow, twisting and turning, floating through the air in a lovely ballet. Our trees are almost bare.

Come see us at the store in Jefferson Square, Westlake OH.

The Firelands

John and I had an errand to do in Norwalk OH which is about 40 minutes away (and 40 miles away for you who live in congested areas) and I could not stop taking photos. Norwalk's Main Street is dotted with beautiful old homes built in the mid to late 1800s.

A little history is required here. In 1779, during the Revolutionary War, the British burned Norwalk CT (and Westport CT where I lived for 15 years) and in compensation gave these "fire sufferers" 1/2 million acres of land in the CT Western Reserve area of Ohio. These settlers called one of the towns Norwalk after their lost CT homeland. The area is called the "Firelands".

At one time Norwalk was the home of Fischer Carriage Works which later became Fischer Body and part of GM.

On the way home we drove through nearby Milan which began with the same history as Norwalk. Milan is also a lovely old village. One would never guess by driving through it today that in the 1800s it was part of the Erie Canal system and was the 2nd largest port behind Odessa Russia. That distinction lasted until the railway system took over the canal system.

Milan is also the birthplace of Thomas Edison.

As you can see by all the fallen leaves, Fall is almost over here even though it was 75 degrees here today. We have our last classes of the season coming up:

Oct 24th...The Nutcracker Box

Nov 3rd...Get Your Sheet Together (Bookbinding)

Nov 17...Zentangle 2

You can get complete information on our website.

Journal Play

Today was "Journal Play" at Small Studio and we had a full classroom of journalists playing in their individual journals. Aimee Kluiber did a few demos. The favorite was the Gelli Arts 8x10 pad for mono printing. It was fun and as I always say I love being surrounded by customers who are happily creating.

Thank you, Aimee and thank you to all who participated today. It was fun to see you all and I thank you for your support of my store.

Every day the Fall colors get more intense. I know cold, gray weather is coming and so I am relishing every day of beauty here. Today, I took these photos around our home.

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This week at Small Studio

I have to begin with Fall color. It is the dominant thing about each day right now. This is the view from the front window at Small Studio.

New product has been arriving daily. We have been receiving art supplies and gift items for the upcoming holidays. Check out these wonderful red and white tableware items. I love red and white.

Theresa Loomis was in today with show and tell. She makes lovely jewelry and this is her latest necklace below.

Don't forget our FREE Journal Play on Saturday. We have just two spots left. Call and make your reservation. Just bring your own journal and supplies and sit and work with us while we chat. Aimee Kluiber will be doing some casual demos using Copic Markers, Gelli Art Plates and maybe Pan Pastels. 10:30-2.

Also coming up soon is The Nutcracker Box class with Stacy Rich on October 24th, 6:30-8:30pm. $30.

Small Studio

26113 Detroit Road

Westlake OH

440-808-8599

Odd Bits

This photo is for my brother Doug and sister-in-law Leslie who visited us last Oct when there was very little Fall color. This year is absolutely beautiful.

Below is baby Orlando playing with our Halloween decorations. So cute.

I have been working on the workshop line-up for 2013. So far we have: Keith Lobue Michael deMeng Andrea Matus deMeng Dan Essig Teesha Moore Tracy Moore MaryBeth Shaw and Julie Snidle Carol Owen Ingrid Dijkers

Save up your pennies for a wonderful year.

Farewell Keith Lobue

We dropped Keith off at the airport early this morning. We laughed. We cried. We will miss him. Keith is a very special, kind, wonderful and talented human being. He has promised to return again next year, maybe for an entire week of instruction.

Here is a photo of Keith and John signing their masterpiece. They sure had fun making it together...like two little boys, especially when they had to run to the hardware store for supplies. I swear they were both skipping out the door, giggling. Come by and have a look at my new and original piece of art.

Last night we had dinner at the Cabin Club in Westlake, a favorite of ours. Keith took this cool shot of us with his iPhone:

I spent the day unpacking goods and arranging and rearranging. Here are some of our new things.

Beautifully handmade dolls with great details and character by Julie Stowe. They would make wonderful Christmas presents.

New designer ribbons for you to play with:

New to the store is this light, floral fragrance line in dark and quirky packaging. Chose parfum, handcreme or lip balm.

We have fun Halloween decorations:

I know landscape photos are boring, but just look at this wonderful sunset we saw on the way home tonight.

I would love to see you at the store SMALL STUDIO 26113 Detroit Road Westlake OH 440-808-8599 Open 10-6 Tues-Thur, 10-5 Fri and Sat

Keith Lobue: A-W-E-S-O-M-E

This post is going to be mostly photos. The weekend with Keith was just wonderful. Full classes. Happy students. Delightful and talented instructor. Happy shopkeeper.

Students diligently working.

Some of Keith's beautiful jewelry.

Entrapment! Students loved making these cages.

Keith and his stylin'trousers.

Work in progress.

Keith with assists from John, spent the day constructing a mobile for the store. Now Small Studio has a cool "Good Junk" mobile made from product available at the store, hanging from the ceiling. Keith, you are awesome. You too, John.