insulation

Though I dreamt of a little log or stone  - how great would stone be?! - cabin in the woods for my studio, it seemed more prudent to repurpose a space already available to me and not spread my footprint any further than needed. One of the tasks in changing a barn or shed from storage to livable space is to consider how one will be kept warm, or otherwise in comfort protected from the elements. The search for eco-friendly insulation began. And I have been pondering this thought: if one was to use recycled newspaper shreds, would those stories, of fortunate events, sad happenings, shelter animals in need of caring homes, grandparents peacefully passing away, a sale on horse feed and end of season clearances on electric cars... lining your roof and walls and beneath the floorboards... could or would those fragments of stories shape your daily life unknowingly?

A desire ever since moving to the Freedom Maine land, 1996, now the plans for a private studio are moving from thought into action. Yes, a personal space of my own simply for creating and resting and sipping tea that is away from the business of, well... doing business. Indeed it is possible that the future might also include the occasional open house invites, where my latest carved wooden spoons, kiln fired bowls, or new tea blends will be only subtly displayed... but after sharing spiced hummus and garden veggies, a little bit of time together talking about the weather growing colder or warmer, days shorter or longer, and watching the sunset, it will be a gentle nudge, pleasant farewells to folks, a tranquil sigh perhaps, and then to embrace solitude again.

The art and tea, and self, will be found for sale elsewhere*, with labels and tags and hype not so welcomed in the studio, in the hope that within it's walls it may remain a more peaceful place.

Oh yes, I am looking forward to this.

*admittedly, the "elsewhere" will indeed include right here, online, as seen in the sidebar along with other needful things.