New Studio Space

This year has been a year of growing, maturing (cough! cough!), and dreaming about the future. It’s hard to believe that I’ve lived here in CR for nearly 8 years and have had my shop for almost as long. It’s been a wonderful experience starting my own business and watching it grow and become a success. But now that it’s established, it’s got me thinking “forward” a bit as well. Where do I see myself in the coming years? Where do I see the shop? The jewelry line? My other creative endeavors that I’d like to dabble in (sewing, making handbags, belts and other accessories).

These thoughts have been circling in my head a lot.  I want to expand outside selling exclusively in my shop and on-line and see my work in other boutiques. This means getting together a catalog (check!), creating a whole new website (check it out here!!!) and scouting out boutiques that I think would be a good fit for my jewelry (check, check!)  I also realized that while I love my little shop, I spend a lot of time there — 6 days a week, 9 hours a day, give or take. I’m not complaining – especially after more than 15 looong, painfully stressful years working in a law firm. BUT….I also would like more time out of the shop. Not necessarily not working because I LOVE making jewelry!! But I decided that I would like an actual studio with space to really work and create collections. My workspace in the shop is about 4′ x 3′ — a girl likes to stretch her legs from time to time.

With that desire fluttering around my mind, I came across an amazing little house for rent that caught my eye. At first, I didn’t even think “Oh studio space!” — I just thought “Oh cutie-pie little cabin house!!” But for some reason, the place wouldn’t leave my mind. I decided just for kicks and giggles to see how much it was renting for.  The price was right and so I thought, why not go for it?!?

It’s perfect!!

Lots of natural light, 1 bedroom + loft + amazing patio with a view.

And HELLO!! a bathtub!! A true rarity in Costa Rica. I’m not sure how I’m going to get any work done with that deep outdoor, jungle view tub….but I’ll do my best to work through the distraction.

I’m not really sure what the plan-plan is yet.  It’s low season here and October and November are so slow in town that it’s really not even worth being open.  I’ve decided to close for the down season for the first time since I opened 7.5 years ago and work completely from the new space.  And if I like working outside the shop, maybe for the upcoming season I’ll actually hire a part time shop person. Hmmm.  It’s been many years since I’ve had any help.  Since I’ve never worked outside the shop, I really have no idea what to expect.  Who knows, maybe I’ll hate it and decide that the shop and the action in town is a better place for me.  But I’ll never know until I try it out.  For right now, more than anything, I’m soooooo excited to set up a real work space.

Stay tuned for more photos and news on this transition.