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Friday, November 12, 2010

The Search for a Studio

Isn't this studio great? Just drool with me for it bit.....It was almost mine....It's in a section of a warehouse that is converted into lofts, artists studios, and small businesses. About three months ago, I went and looked at it. It had been for sale for quite a while so they decided to lease it. I called the landlord the day after looking at it. An hour before someone had called to say they were buying it. Ugh...I guess it was one of those too goo to be true things.


That is what began the search for a studio. There was more space available in the same building, it just need to be finished out. I drew up plans, we had many meetings, and the property manager was to call some builders out for estimates. That was three months ago, I called every week for a couple of those months. He told me he was working on it, but then I slowly began to realize this just wasn't going to happen.

I have looked at lots of properties since then. Some were too much money, some I later found out had landlords with bad reputations, and mostly people would just not call me back. Seriously in this economy and people can seem to call me back? It just seems people would want to rent their space, right?

Nik and I had settled for awhile that Jennifer Jangles would just be in the basement. In some ways that's great, but with trying to park cars in the driveway, me not really being able to get away from work, and worst of all is not having anywhere to go when our boys have their friends over is just too much. Our house has become half the size because of the studio growing.

So here is the good news...I might have found a place. I called the landlord and was going to meet him later that day to look at the space. I decided I would be the flakey one this time and cancel. It seemed too big and I just wasn't thinking it was going to work. I was headed out to the post office an hour before my appointment and for some reason I turned right instead of left and headed for the studio space. I thought I would just go check it out through the windows. I peeked in and it was nice, really nice. Just a big ol square with some bathrooms and a place for my kilns. I turned around to leave deciding to leave and the landlord was pulling up. He was early, so we checked it out, I then went and met my neighbors who were super nice. I did some other checking and found out the landlord is a good guy. I called him yesterday and told him I wanted it. Wahoo!

He's getting a lease written so it's not official, I haven't signed a thing. I am not super excited yet, but I am sure this is because of all the flakey people I have dealt with so far. But I am optimistic, I think it's going to happen. As soon as I sign the lease I will go take pictures and show you.

Of course my brain is reeling, this was always going to be just a studio but it's large and it's in a retail location. I could have a store, I could have classes, or open houses, oh my! So many ideas. I would love to hear your suggestions....

Happy Friday!

12 comments:

  1. fingers crossed that this works out.
    it's wonderful there are options for doing other things besides just making and firing clay

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  2. Happy dancing for you, Miss Jennifer! You are on your way UP! I think that it is brilliant to have a multifuncional space. Retail would be perfect for you, and also classes. Oh my. I am so excited for you! I wish that I lived closer.
    Thank you for sharing your enthusiasm, Jen!
    Enjoy the day!
    Erin

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  3. Oh Erin, I wish you were near me too! I am thinking a monthly "craft night" would be a fun thing to do.

    Thanks for the kind words!

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  4. I will keep you posted, I just want to sign that lease!

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  5. I am so excited for you...Hope the location is good for a colorful little retail shop and classes...How great. You could have quilting classes too..Hope everything works out for you. Love and Hugs, Diane

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  6. Best of luck! Things like this are always nerve-wracking! You deserve a place you can "pretty up"!

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  7. Oh, Please, Please, Please let it come through and let your time there be awesome! If not, there is a lot up here (there is this old garden center with old farm house for sale, walking distance from my house - PERFECT for a studio & retail space as well as small farm setting - but expensive). Just thought I would throw that out your way - just incase that one falls through ;) DE is the best state to run a business - no sales tax either… Ok, enough nudging from me! I could always help you run a place :) Yay Jen!!!

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  8. My fingers are crossed for you! How exciting...you're just embarking into all sorts of new things, aren't you?!

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  9. Congrats, Jennifer, I'm very happy that I moved the studio into a different house from the one I live in when I moved to Louisiana. I will tell you, though, that it changes the late-night dynamic a little bit. I used to think nothing of going down to the basement in the old house and working after dinner. Even though the studio house is walking distance away, I don't do that as much now. I do know, though, about getting the business and the house separate. I wish you great luck, it's a wonderful adventure. Congrats!

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  10. Marsha, you need your farm....talk Dave into buying it for you. Is that the place I saw when I came to visit?

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  11. I hear you Lynn, I did this once before and it became a pain. I am much closer to home this time. I wish I could be down the street like you, that's sounds perfect. I am thinking we should be working every night anyway, right?

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