…with four great animals?! A successful studio space that’s what!
I had another “small world” experience recently when I began corresponding with a very talented jewelry designer who lives in Cambria, California. It just so happens that I had been considering that as a vacation destination this summer, and it is also the location of a gallery that is thinking about carrying our work.
So when I clicked on Gwynnie’s blog, I already felt a connection. Her work certainly cemented that feeling, as it’s truly lovely!
"Eternity" Necklace
You can check out either her web site or her blog here to see more of her lovely items:
www.gwynniebdesigns.com
www.gwynniebdesigns.blogspot.com
You will quickly note that she shares her studio with 2 cats and 2 dogs – and they are precious! I asked her for some additional information about them, and she was kind enough to share the details below:
Q: How many animals do you have?
A: I have a wonderful family of 2 dogs, Louie and Lucy, and 2 cats, Bleu Kitty and Fatso Skinny. Libby Lu, our 18-year-old cat, went to Kitty Heaven a few months ago and we all miss her terribly. She was the matriarch of this motley crew and kept everyone in line!
Louie is 10 years old and a mini fox terrier. He’s on meds due to a fused spine but he’s still very much a feisty terrier, even though he sits funny because of his condition. He loves watching TV, especially the Animal Planet and The Dog Whisperer.
Lucy and Louie
Lucy is 5 years old and a rat terrier. She was the runt of the litter and is about half the size for this breed. She’s a tiny little girl and weighs about 9 pounds, but she’s all terrier and thinks she’s bigger than she is! We rescued her from an awful breeder who had Lucy in a small wire cage that was off the ground on stilts. The breeder was going to “get rid of her” because she didn’t like the breed and didn’t want a runt. Lucy was so happy when her little feet finally touched grass after spending the first months of her life in that awful cage!
Bleu Kitty
Bleu Kitty is also 10 years old and a rescue. He was living with other feral cats near a friend’s home and was a mess. He was prone to eye infections and very skittish the first few years, but now he is a happy, healthy cat. I’m not sure what breed he is but he does have tabby markings and a beautiful soft coat that is very fine.
Fatso Skinny
Fatso Skinny is 5 years old and a rag doll. He was our neighbor’s cat but he fell in love with Lucy and always hung out with us. When the neighbors moved they asked if we wanted him and of course we said yes. He’s 20 pounds of pure kitty love! He kept growing and growing so everyone started calling him Fatso. His fur mats terribly and causes him a lot of discomfort so we give him a buzz cut once a year. Underneath all that fur was a big cat not a fat cat, so that’s how he got the name Fatso Skinny.
Q: Do they play an active role in your art business?
A: Every one of them plays an active role in our studio space, which is also our home. We live in a former shop that was converted into a living space with the living quarters upstairs and the studio downstairs. My husband has one side of the studio for his antique clock business/music studio and I have the front half for my art business.
"Paper Circles" Earrings
When we come downstairs in the mornings to work Lucy and Louie are right there with us. Lucy likes to race to the bottom of the stairs first and then takes her place on the sofa near my bench. Louie slowly follows and the routine of a day’s work begins!
Sometimes one of the cats will race Lucy either up or down the stairs, and you have to be careful or they’ll take you out if you’re in their way. Both the dogs and the cats are always with us. My business includes my animals and it wouldn’t be the same without them.
Q: Are there ways in which they inspire your work or assist you?
A: I’m inspired by them daily because each one of them is a delight and a constant reminder that life is sweet. It’s never boring with four animals!
They chase things, they purr, they get frisky, they love me up, and they’re always happy to be with us. Their companionship makes for a happy studio, which in turn makes for great creations!
The dogs help unpack boxes by inspecting everything and sniffing and pushing things aside. Occasionally they knock something over and look at me like this was the plan all along. And they’re very good about letting me know the UPS truck has arrived by barking. When friends visit Lucy dances and they’re all genuinely happy to see someone, especially if a treat is involved!
"Lovely" Bracelet
The cats wander in and out, bringing the occasional “gift” of some poor rodent or just hanging out and observing what we’re working on. If I ignore any one of them for too long the dogs will push up against me or drop a ball at my feet, and the cats will jump on my bench or meow until I stop what I’m doing and pay attention to them. They can be quite demanding!
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share regarding having animals in your studio?
A: I love being a self-employed artist and cannot imagine my studio without the companionship of my furry little kiddos. Creating can be solitary, but if you have a studio full of love and happy animals than all is good and you’re never really alone.
I couldn’t agree with Gwynnie more! 
