Ginny's Small Studio

The Alchemist

Some people, some special people are just not content with the ordinary. It is imperative to them to seek out the authentic, the historical and the unusual. Professor Asperity is such a man. He wanders through the trees seeking out Oak Galls. They have to be the perfect and proper Oak Galls, for Professor Asperity hand makes batches of Oak Gall Ink.

The ingredients are a wee bit strange and the process unique to this product. Here in his words is the process of brewing: "To brew Oak Gall Ink (or Iron Gall ink) it is best to brew it in an iron cauldron or pot, and add nails as many recipes suggest to set the color. When iron sulfate (called vitriol or copperas in the past) is added to the liquid tannin, it turns from a mild brown to a purple black color."

Interesting, isn't it?

Professor Asperity also makes his labels by hand in another step towards making his ink especially special.

Why, you ask, am I telling you all this? Small Studio has been chosen by Professor Asperity as just one of three stores that have his handmade Oak Gall Ink available to customers. I am thrilled beyond thrilled. I always say that I am a lucky person, but this stroke of luck has me in awe.

Come in and claim your bottle.

(All photos except the bottom one are property of Professor Asperity and taken by photographer Samantha Bryson. Bottom photo is mine)

The Week

It seems that blogging time escapes me and all of a sudden it is next week. Since I am at the store most of the time and it has been freezing (9 was the high the other day), John and I have not been out exploring much. That means that I have no new adventures to share with my readers. Let me see how else I can amuse you.

Oh, THE 2013 WORKSHOP SERIES IS ONLINE!!!!!

Let's see. What else. We have been having spectacular sunsets.

Yesterday, Launie McDevitt taught a Zentangle class at the store.Students were having fun doing the Tangle.

Driving home along the lake we always admire the old, traditional homes. There are so many different types of architecture, but generally they are pretty traditional.

Some are large and some are small.

Some are new and some are quite old.

What a jarring surprise it is to come upon this new construction that is replacing the small old home next to it.

Here is "better" view.

What do you think?

One (or three) of Those Days

The plan was to have the 2013 Workshop schedule live on Jan 15th at the latest. So many things got in the way. Missing info from some of the instructors was one. Computer problems on both my side and daughter Amy's side. My mail server changed and upgraded the program which deleted sent mail and saved mail. Guess whose mail contained pertinent workshop info. When I sent Amy (my webmaster) photos, they totally disappeared. There has been much hand wringing and hair pulling and "arghhhs" exchanged this weekend when we were working to finish the site. We thought we had 90% of it that we could get live, but we are still working on it. Maybe tomorrow, maybe not. Cross your fingers, please. And toes. When we walked into the kitchen this morning, there was something huge sitting on the deck post. By the time I got my camera, it had flown into a nearby tree. John thinks it is some kind of hawk, but it is so huge. It was surely more than a foot in height and almost as wide.

Then we went along the lake since it was so stormy and windy. We love to see how high the waves are. As I was trying to get a photo of the waves, which were about 3-4 feet high, a gull flew right in front of me. Scared the camera right out of my hand.

Do you think it is some kind of sign?

Speaking of birds, we have so many Canadian Geese in this area. They no longer head South, instead choosing to stay here. We have noticed that they no longer fly in a V formation. I wonder if they have forgotten how.

We had a great time on Saturday at our Free Play Day. We were so busy in the store that I was unable to take any photos, but it was a really fun group. Love Play Day. Next month it will be on the 23rd of Feb right after Aimee teaches a quickie face drawing, shading and painting class.

Keeping Busy

We sell Cage Dolls, sometimes called Santos. They are beautiful all by themselves, tall and graceful with quiet, serene faces. I decided to fashion a skirt from our vast array of ribbons for one of them. My sidekick Aimee, elbowed me out of the way (because even grown-up girls like to play with dolls) and created this:

Isn't she lovely?

It has been like Christmas at the store with boxes coming in from several companies. Below are just a few things that are on our shelves right now at the store.

French style striped ribbon. Wouldn't this be great on a table runner or as a closure for a book or journal?

Ivory and rust combine to make these shabby clips.

Authentic vintage street signs.

Uppercase is one of our favorite magazines. This issue has some particularly interesting articles.

Sweet linen hearts for your Valentine's Day (or any day) sweetie.

We have restocked the Peerless watercolor pads as per your request. I also added to this order 2" square Peerless papers that come in a set of 20 colors. These are great for on-the-go journaling.

Speaking of journaling, we have 2 spots left in our Journal Play on Saturday morning. It is free, but reservations are required. It is so much fun! Call to reserve: 440-808-8599

Hunting & Gathering

John and I had fun shopping for vintage goodies today.

See anything you like?

Arrivals and Departures at Small Studio

The Snowflakes for Sandy Hook have departed and were mailed to the White House at the beginning of the week.

The snowflakes looked so pretty all nestled in tissue in the box. I felt so important sending a box to the President. John took the package to the PO and when he returned I eagerly asked him if the postal clerk made any remarks. No, the postal clerk said nothing. I hope the president sees the snowflakes. Even if he does not, the good feelings of the participants was a great thing. We all felt like we were making something happen. Thanks again to all who created the snowflakes.

We have had some new arrivals this week at the store.

Valentine goodies.

We received some new Coffee Break stencils and kits.

Also among our recent arrivals are apothecary jars with interesting old labels.

And we received these very cool vintage style metal "camera" clocks.

Stop by and have a browse. We have a handful of spaces available for our Journal Play morning on the 19th and it is not too late to sign up for the Zentangle classes on the 26th. Call the store 440-808-8599 or stop by

Small Studio

26113 Detroit Road

Westlake OH 44145

Day Off

What a wonderful day I had today. First I had a lunch date with my Ohio son. We always say we will have a lunch date, but the time just slips away. I have three children and two bonus kids, but only one lives in Ohio. John was a bit jealous that I had this opportunity, but sent me off with a kiss. We had a lovely chat, catching up on each other's lives. Tim and I had Creative Block together for almost ten years, so it was fun to talk business together without having a lot of background to explain. Then I came home and played. I wanted to do a store sample of the Theater Shrine we sell from Coffee Break Design.

I love these kits. They are simple to construct and really fun to finish. I used Graphic 45's "Le Cirque" papers to complete and decorate this theater. It always feel so good to make things and I am a big fan of the quick and easy.

Sandy Hook Day at Small Studio

People came to Small Studio today to make snowflakes in memory of the Sandy Hook victims. Groups of six at a time gathered around our table and created sparkling pieces of goodness.

We had snowflake makers of all ages and both men and women.

While we created they introduced themselves to each other and talked of subjects ranging from Sandy Hook, school, guns, grandchildren, texting etiquette, holidays, workshops, art, pugs, jobs, books and movies. It was very social, very caring, very special and also productive. It brought people together who might not have met each other. It made us all feel very connected. It was a very good day of sharing and making. Thank you to those who participated. John has offered to pay for the mailing. The 36 snowflakes will go out on Monday to the White House.

Observations

Snowflakes for Sandy Hook project: One of the other merchants in our complex has decided not to participate in this project because it is too political. Really? Hoping, insisting on safety and mental health care for the citizens of our country is too political? Paying tribute to the victims is too political? Everyone is allowed their opinion, but I was surprised at this response. Surprised and disappointed that they feel that way. Please come on Saturday afternoon and make snowflakes with us. It is a gesture of kindness and goodness.

As always, it is so difficult to proofread one's own words. In the e-mail newsletter I sent out yesterday I listed the Journal Play morning as the 18th. It will be held Saturday January 19th. 10:30-2:30. Call the store to reserve a seat for this free event. 440-808-8599

26 Acts of Kindness

Ann Curry suggested we all do 26 acts of kindness to honor the 26 lives lost at Sandy Hook Elementary school.

If you need a little inspiration for your #26Acts, take a look at these 26 ideas: Buy coffee for the person behind you in line

Pay someone’s parking ticket

Rake leaves for a neighbor

Leave a gift card a drive-through window

Take a homeless person lunch

Leave candy in the cable guy’s van

Send flowers to a rehab facility

Pay off a lay-away bill

Buy hot chocolate for a veteran

Pay an elderly couple’s bill

Write your kindergarten teacher a thank you note

Bill a client at $0.00.

Give truffles to a secretary

Leave cash-filled post-it notes

Leave thank you cards for your sanitation crew

Leave a surprise treat in someone’s grocery cart

Volunteer at a soup kitchen

Donate a toy to a group like the Salvation Army

Donate to a Sandy Hook relief fund like the Newtown Rotary Club

Donate to a local blood drive

Take a pet to visit a senior citizen

Give clothes to Goodwill

Praise your boss

Send a treat to a day care center

Volunteer to read in a school

Pick up trash you see

Our world would be a better place.

The Snowflake Project

Come join us next Saturday, January 5th from 2-5pm at the store to make snowflakes to send to the White House. We were all horrified at the events at Sandy Hook Elementary school in Newtown CT right before Christmas. The merchants at jefferson Square, where Small Studio resides, wanted to make snowflakes and send them to Newtown. It seems so many people were moved to do this, that the town has requested that people please stop sending items. So we have decided to send these snowflakes to the White House to impress on them how we feel about gun control and the safety of our children. This is a free event and we will provide the supplies to make the snowflakes. I hope many, many of you will come and join us. After you make a snowflake at Small Studio, you can wander over to some of the other merchants and make one there also.

Small Studio 26113 Detroit Road Westlake OH 44145 440-808-8599