I am quite confident that I could be happy in a studio like this - I wouldn't mind taking up the whole block...

Suffice it to say that it has been more of an adventure than anticipated.  We did not have internet, phone, email or cable for almost 10 days, so that obviously set us back a little…and we have also had some unexpected home repairs to make that have re-concentrated our efforts in areas other than the studio at the moment.

My sincere apologies, I can at least tell you that the photos DID get taken as the work was being done, and we will post them along with descriptions and the latest as soon as we can dig out from under some of our responsibilities.

In the meanwhile, I can share these with you – one is a photo of the “Back 40″ (the back of the house and the mowed acreage to the right of it; as well as the wooded acreage providing the shade that is behind me; and Don’s new grass garden (something he has always wanted).  Note the metal sculptures – no grass garden is complete without rusty metal grasses too!  :)

In the meanwhile, here is a little before the “before”…

I remember now why I say I will never move again after every move…

Boxes, boxes, and more boxes to pack, then unpack…

And the satisfying, yet also vaguely depressing sight of all of your current space slowly emptying out…

I had a wonderful e-mail from a friend and store-owner that expressed extremely well how we hope this move goes…

She said, “May nothing break; and everything turn up in the box where you think you packed it!”

The next photos posted should be of the REAL before – the new studio before renovations begin…stay tuned!

“This handsome dude is one of many puppies that will be at Dunn Meadow on Thursday from 1-5PM for our “Rent a Puppy” fundraiser. Stop by to love on this guy for 30 minutes for just 5 dollars!”

I don’t know how many dogs will be there, but I’m expecting to empty my bank account…

One in Homer, Indiana:

And one in Metamora, Indiana:

The Sampler makes its own beautiful cherry furniture and woodenware, and were kind enough to stop by our booth and chat at the recent Indiana Artisan Marketplace.  Just as we appreciate the hard work and lovely lines of their products, they are expanding their stock to include additional handmade items in their own stores.

The variety of furniture they hand-turn is truly amazing – simply look at all these table leg styles:

And the finished products?  Truly stunning:

You can always see more at their website:

www.samplercherryfurniture.com

Soon, an assortment of boxes and cards from Sleeping Dogs Studio will be keeping these lovely pieces of furniture company.

If you stop by, be sure to send our good wishes!

An old gentleman lived alone in New Jersey. He wanted to plant his annual tomato garden, but it was very difficult work, as the ground was hard. His only son, Vincent, who used to help him, was in prison. The old man wrote a letter to his son and described his predicament:

Dear Vincent, I am feeling pretty sad because it looks like I won’t be able to plant my tomato garden this year. I’m just getting too old to be digging up a garden plot. I know if you were here my troubles would be over. I know you would be happy to dig the plot for me, like in the old days. Love, Papa

A few days later he received a letter from his son:

Dear Papa, Don’t dig up that garden. That’s where the bodies are buried. 
Love, Vinnie 

At 4 a.m. the next morning, FBI agents and local police arrived and dug up the entire area without finding any bodies. They apologized to the old man and left.

We have cultivated a nature preserve of sorts with some success – and we’ll miss the birds, turtles, squirrels, chipmunks and plantings we have put in over the years!

The good news is that the new location has a much larger lot – we can’t wait to do something similar there…

Not only are they easy to find (located at 8663 River Crossing Boulevard), and full of lots of beautiful gift options:

but their staff is terrific to work with and will be happy to help you in any way they can!

Winging their way to the store this week are many of our newest items, including these fun goodies:

Boxes of every shape and style, including our new mirrored jewelry box with lined trays

Frames and Earring Holders of Various Sizes and Styles

Stop by Details soon to expand your shopping horizons!