Big Dreams, Small World

I have a very definite vision for the future of Heritage Bay Studios, and although right now they may seem unattainable, I have big dreams. A few years ago my family started to build a very large house so that we could at last have the art spaces we've always wanted. We have a large wood shop, a stained glass studio, and all-purpose craft room, a sewing room, and space for a pottery and ceramics room. We have several kilns for both glass and ceramic, as well as all the equipment necessary to teach classes.

Teaching has always been the goal, and although my personal experience with teaching is limited I love sharing what I know how to do. I'm well aware of the pure joy that comes from seeing a creation come to life from start to finish. To be able to hold something that you have crafted, something you've never been able to do before, something new.. it's an amazing feeling. I'm sure there's some psychological reason I have this desire to create, to learn, to touch and experience art, and this desire is probably why I have absolutely no focus and love to do everything! Learning to channel my enthusiasm has always been a challenge, but lately it has been much easier now that I have the opportunity to work on my ideas independently.

Heritage Bay Studios may have started off as a small family business, but I have big plans for what the future of it can be. Teaching stained glass, carpentry skills, basic woodcraft, quilting, costume design, basic sewing, jewelry design, cartooning, life drawing, painting, cake decorating, sugar craft, screen printing, or anything else. I may pick up on the way to the young, to the old, to anyone who wants to learn! I imagine Heritage Bay Studios in a lot of different ways; an artist colony with lots of different teachers in a plethora of media, an artist retreat where you can go to refine your skills, or even as a fun camp for kids or families who want to learn something new. Big plans! Big ideas!

the Ohio State University

This fall my husband started his PhD program at the Ohio State University. The journey that we have embarked has been fraught with various emotions, ranging from excitement to terror, to complete and utter disbelief that we have decided to do this. I'm glad that he's had the opportunity to speak with people who are on his level when it comes to art education and things that are frankly completely over my head, and I've been given the opportunity to expand more on some art projects I've had in mind. I miss actually working with Heritage Bay Studios. While running the website, updating the Etsy store, posting to Facebook, and generally trying to keep us as an Internet entity has kept me busy, I miss actually having my hands covered in paint and discussing new ideas for designs with my mom.

That being said, there is a lot for an artist to keep herself busy with in Columbus Ohio! I have already met some wonderful artists, talked to Museum curators who are excited about the work that they do, and gotten to explore many of the festivals Columbus hosts. I'm not entirely sure what to do with my life once the PhD marathon is over, but I have some big ideas (which may or may not work out, since I almost always over stretch myself!) Pictures coming soon!

It begins..

Thanks for reading the very first post of our blog! I hope as time goes on we will be able to use this space to share some insight in what we do and show you some tips and tricks of the trade. For those who may not know us, we are Heritage Bay Studios, a family of artists based in southern Maryland who wood burn and paint a variety of home decor items, ranging from kitchen good to furniture to wall art. We use a whole bunch of different equipment, and I'm eager to show you all how to do it! For now, thanks for stopping by and you'll hear from me again soon! Ta!