Last August I got the keys to my very own studio for Honeydew Club. Having worked from my bedroom for five years a proper workspace was something I'd been dreaming of for a long time. The room needed quite the makeover so I wanted to share some before and after photos with you!
The before and during:
My first job was polyfilling and sanding the many holes in the walls, ready for painting. I knew I wanted a feature wall and after buying several fancy tester pots (Farrow & Ball 👀), I chose the lovely purple-grey that I already had in my cupboard (Dulux).
The floor badly needed replacing and levelling, so I hired a contractor and had new vinyl put down. This was the biggest expense by far but levelling a floor is just a bit beyond my DIY skills. I also hired an electrician to replace the old broken lights with new LED spotlights. It took a lot of time to get the place spruced up but it was so worth it.
The finished studio:
This lovely big desk is put together from a spare piece of worktop with Ikea drawers and legs. When my Mum got a new kitchen she saved this piece of wooden worktop that was left over. She kept it under her sofa for me for more than a year, just in case I got a studio. I'm so glad she did!
There are three desks which might seem a bit extra for one person, but each has a purpose. The large one is for working on my laptop and packing orders. Next to that is my jeweller's bench; this is taller than a regular desk so I can make jewellery without hunching over. It's where I do all the messy stuff like sawing, filing and soldering.
Next to the window I have my 'clean' jeweller's desk, again higher than a regular desk. This is where I do wirework like wrapping gemstones as well as attaching chain and clasps. I've also been using it for photography as it's lovely and bright.
I'm now happily settled in to the space and it's been so much easier to keep everything organised. I got my sister Tessa Holly to take some professional photos of the space whilst it was still looking nice and tidy.
If you're local to South Wales, the studio is at The Old Wool Barn in Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan. A collective of artists and designers, The Old Wool Barn is open to visitors. You can see my work in person and buy any jewellery I have on display. To be sure to catch me there, get in touch by email or Instagram. I'd love to meet you!