Trina of Libzoid Blog featured a snapshot of her studio a couple of week’s ago and I thought it was great. Trina has given me permission to use her questions on my own blog…. so here we go!

Artist name: Kylee Milner

Business name: Lunes Bijoux

Website: Lunes Bijoux

Do you have a dedicated studio/artistic space? Yes, it’s wonderful. I started off in a very small bedroom and have gradually expanded to a professional workspace.

Where is it located? At the front of our house - the studio is open to the public so needs to be easily accessible.

Is it a large or small space? Having knocked down a large wall and taken the bathroom out it is now a relatively large space.

What medium(s) do you work in? polymer clay, gemstones, glass…

Do you have a separate area for each? No, I have to manage my workspace. But everything is neatly organised (well every now and again it is!)

What one word would you use to describe your studio? Welcoming

What do you think is the best feature of your studio? Good lighting and now spacious!

What would you change if you could? The use of the upstairs part of the studio which is just a storage area. I would like to have this area as my teaching room but then the stairs could be a problem for some people therefore limiting classes etc.,

Can you share an organisational tip? Deal with something straight away if possible. Don’t just put beads to one side when you have finsihed with them thinking you’ll move them later because you won’t! Do it straight away. This way they don’t end up on the floor!

Describe the usual state of your work table? Tidy - I can’t work went it’s in a mess!

(My new space)

Does your work table face out into the room or toward the wall? Towards the wall - my old space used to face out into the room and I hated it when things would roll off onto the floor!

(My old space)

What’s one drawback of your studio/artistic space? Limited wall display space in the Bead Shop section.

Do you have an idea wall or inspiration board? Yes - I made it from champagne corks!

Do you listen to music in your studio? Yes, anything & everything depending upon my mood, creations in progress and clients in at the time!

Do you display your own work in your studio? Of course!

Other artists’ work? Some - I used to have some wood sculptures, now I have some photo prints. But, I never display other artists jewellery.

What’s one quirk or unusual feature of your studio? The old marble sink in the corner (which we have now hidden under a work surface as I realised I needed the surface more than the sink but couldn’t face throwing it away!)

Whose studio space would you like to read about? I would like to tag the following artists to reveal their studio spaces….

Judith of JJ Colour Art

Diane of Much of a muchness

Luny of Polymer ClayHouse

Over to you…..!

Many thanks to Trina for the idea & questions!

I thought I would share a couple of new creations with you. I have been working on my Mokume Gane technique and also combining fimo clay with the premo! range. The premo! clay is far easier to condition although I find I then have to put it in the freezer to avoid it from distorting if I am making canes.

I have mixed my own shades of blues to use in these two very different yet equally striking designs. They are all available for sale.

Mokume Bleus Range

Necklace & Earrings (sterling silver) 55€

Ring (adjustable size) 20 €

Seeing Blue Range

Choker & Pendant + Earrings (sterling silver) 50 €

Ring (adjustable size) 20 €

Each style is also available in any colour mix!

“Disappointment is the nurse of wisdom” I have no idea who Bayle Roche is but I feel this quote sums up the whole experience.

Well I am back from Mirepoix and what a total disappointment. Very poor organisation, no thought to advertising and promoting the whole concept of “Parure & Parade”. I was so disappointed that I refused to submit a piece for the voting……I had a suspicion that it was all a set-up. The best thing about it all was the wonderful meal we had for lunch on the Thursday and my next door neighbour “Sylvie” who lent me her sun hat!

My stand ready for inspection.

The piece I was going to submit but withdrew from the voting rigmarole

So now my attention turns to running classes, re-stocking and preparing for my next “outdoor” event which I know will be far more professionally organised!

With less than 48 hours to the Mirepoix event I think I have to say that I am not quite ready but have little choice but to be ready! I am still working at a stunning design that I can put forward for the public vote. I am trying to combine polymer with gemstones….I had a “message” in the middle of the night so am beavering away….

I will try & post a photo as soon as I am satisfied….in the meantime…the oven is on!

I am now in a position to give you the following information:

Date: 1 - 4th October 2009

Location: Luc Sur Orbieu, Aude

Organisers: L’association Art & Culture de la M.J.C. de Luc Sur Orbieu in association with Donna Kato

For more information contact: Kylee (lunesbijoux@wanadoo.fr)

I am still working towards submitting a piece for the event at Mirepoix next week (see post Polymer or semi-precious gemstones a real dilemma).

I have finished working on my gemstone range (or so I think I have) so that now I can turn my attention towards claying for a week.

However, supposing I was only exhibiting gemstones…which one of the following below would get your vote? I really appreciate your honest opinions / views.

1. Agate “Hidden Zebra”

2. Agate “Snakeskin delight”

3. Chalcedony “Quand neigera t-il?”

4. Obsidian “Maho mamma”

I love Jasper it comes in so many different shades ranging from the warmth and earthy feel of red jasper right through to the mustards and pale yellows of Mookite (Australian Jasper).

Jasper is said to be both a healing stone and an invigorating one. It brings stillness to a troubled mind. It is a grounding stone and is used in the base chakra of our sexual energies. Jasper is also the birthstone for Aries.

I have just been reviewing my Jasper creations past & present and thougth I would share them with you.

Mookite / Australian Jasper

Various Jasper

Picture Jasper Silver leaf Jasper

This event is currently in the first phase of the organisation process. I am in talks with the infamous Donna Kato

Who inspires us all with such wonderful colours & designs.

The idea behind the carnival is to group together a range of well known polymer clay artists / teachers and run several workshops over a 2 - 4 days (depending upon numbers).

The event will take place in the Aude region of France (near Lézignan Corbières to be precise). The workshops will be conducted primarily in English however other European Languages will hopefully be catered for.

If you are interested in taking part or simply receiving more information then please contact me or follow the updates on European Polymer Clay People

I need your help - please could someone tell me which store stocks this mirror. I want one for EVERY room in the house!

Now I’m going shopping!

For those polymer clay addicts lurking out there I am now pleased to announce that we stock a relatively full range of polymer clay products….fimo, premo sculpey & some stunning tools studio by sculpey.

For more information see my website!

Speaking of which it has a new colour scheme and a modified layout…..hope you like it!

Now - I really do have work to do!