Monday, July 9, 2012

Studio Tour - Meghan Berney of Simply March


The Studio Tours continue!  Meghan Berney (you know, the one who is writing all these posts!) is going to blog in the third person and let you into her home sweet home.  Meghan is also one of the FredMADE leaders and is excited about joining together with other local Fredericksburg folks to create the axis of Fredericksburg crafty super powers!  Check out her shop, Simply March and read on for a delightful little studio tour.


First off, give us the scoop on Meghan!
Second Studio Tour...see, it's not so scary!  I'm a thirty something who lives in Fredericksburg.  I haven't always lived here, but came to the Fred for college (UMW) and just kinda stuck around.  The area has always been appealing, as I love any historic place and if nothing else, the Fred is definitely that.  I live with my sweet husband, Chad, and our furry children, a kitty and a dog.  I love, love, love to create and think that Simply March is a wonderful outlet for all things eclectic, vintage and pretty.


Where in our region do you live?
Falmouth Area, right across the bridge from downtown...I can dream!


Tell us briefly about your creative space and the products you create there:
I make at home and realized recently that I'm not very productive if I can't be social!  Everything became a chore when I had to hike up to our third floor bedroom and sit for hours with nothing but my supplies to keep me company.  Therefore, I made the decision (with the approval of my wonderful husband who is ever so tolerant of my creative ridiculousness) to take a sort of odd and unused area in our living room and make it a "studio".  We put a desk behind the love seat, got a great cubby from ikea, a few white boards for photography and voila...social space for creativity!  I can see the TV and all things Simply March (necklaces, note cards, wine cork earrings and a "coming soon" line of collegiate themed but pretty accessories) live right there.


Any other spaces you create in?
Having my main creative space in a living area has really motivated me to keep my crafting world minimized, well organized, and contained.  The abandoned third bedroom (lovingly referred to as "The Sweatshop") was de-stashed and converted back into a bedroom that may, one day, be home to a little Berney.  My overflow supplies live happily in the garage and are perfectly accessible for those days I want to branch back into sewing, painting or whatever other crazy craft my brain has decided it wants to take on this week.  I also have my "wrap station" in the garage for when orders come in.  I believe very strongly in packaging things in a beautiful way, and as such, I need space to store my stash of cigar boxes (sourced locally and perfect for shipping out fancy necklaces), brown mailing paper, bubble wrap, envelopes, and pretty ribbon.



What in your studio best reflects your personal style?
Ooooooo, I just LOVE my map cabinet!  I knew I needed something with a door to hide away all the STUFF, so I found this little $20 cabinet on CraigsList and covered it with vintage maps.  It's really become a signature piece and is completely representative of my love for all things vintage.  Currently, I'm working on keeping the inside a bit more organized.



What works best about your set up?
My desk rules.  It's a World Market purchase and 100% the perfect size.  The pull out tray allows me to switch gears quickly from jewelry creation to paper crafts.  My only challenge is keeping it clutter free enough to take advantage of its awesome size.



What would make your creative process easier in regards to your space and the tools in it?
I think if I had a studio space that wasn't in my home, that would be something spectacular.  I guess that's my dream...to run/own a studio that has space for a collective of crafters to come and work and sell their awesome stuff.  Maybe someday.  Otherwise, what I have now works very well.


What is your "go to" creative tool?
Laptop!  Without my MacBook, I very much doubt I would be as productive as I am.  I never realized how much time you need to spend, not only making, but promoting, posting and working on my blog, Another Crafty Day.  My laptop has been invaluable.  The other seeeeecret product that I have fallen quite in love with is Citra Solv.  It's a cleaner that allows for the most amazing image transfer process.  It's my little (not so) secret weapon (and you can get it a Wegman's!)




What in your studio space helps you stay organized?
I have recently discovered Thirty-One and it's turned into a must have for organization.  I am completely obsessed with their cute products (especially the bins!!)  and purchased some really great pieces that not only keep me organized at home, but also allow me to travel easily with my supplies and finished products.  It's like having a mobile studio!


What would your dream studio have that yours currently does not?
A BUTTON MACHINE.  Seriously, I have lusted after a Tecre button machine forevs.


What in your studio helps you stay focused?
The TV?   No really, I love some background noise.  I have a bit of a crush on all things English and I love the big costume movies that I’ve seen so many times, I don’t really have to watch.  I can just listen and look up every once in a while to a visual treat of pretty dresses and ridiculous hair.  Marie Antoinette, the Young Victoria, Downton Abbey and the King’s Speech are several of my most favorites.  And Harry Potter…it’s ALWAYS a Harry Potter Weekend at my house.


What is your biggest distraction?
Right now, it’s a 7 month old puggle named Sheldon.  I’ve never had a dog, and let me tell you, I had NO idea that, probably much like children, they require constant supervision.  Plus, it’s very hard to buckle down when you have such a sweet face to love on!  Luckily, my husband is very supportive and we trade off to ensure we each have designated creative time and a break from puppy duty.  It also ensures that little Sheldon gets constant love from someone….such a sweet face!
Thanks for reading!  I hope you're inspired.  Find out more about me, Meghan, through the following links:

2 comments:

  1. Meghan!!!! I love this! :-D So glad we're studio tour buddies now! I love your space, the map cabinet is keeling me! I have to get one & copy your idea, maybe with some vintage crochet patterns on it or something :-) Seriously I have nothing but open shelving & I'd love a cabinet like that to contain some of my stuff, there's only so much that I can shove in the closet, lol! Your puppy is so cute too! Hope we can get together sometime soon & tour our spaces in real life...that is if you're ever up for coming out to Spotsyltucky! :-D

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  2. Thanks Nadir! I'm looking forward to doing another one of these because I LOVE looking at how others have their things set up. And I can't tell you how awesome it was for you to help me bring that post idea to life! Let me know if you need help with the cabinet...it was all Modge Podge magic and I learned a LOT during that little project. Patterns would be precious. Mine is by no means perfect, but certainly a labor of love.

    And YES, we need to get together. I'm thinking the next meet up will be during the week...Jodie and I need to get on planning that.

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