Artist name: Nicole Valentine - Rimmer

Location: Victoria BC Canada

Website: www.NValentineStudio.etsy.com

Blog : www.nvalentine.blogspot.com

Do you have a dedicated studio/artistic space? Yes


Where is it located? I have a studio above our garage.

Is it a large or small space? I'd say medium, my office is in there as well.

What medium(s) do you work in? Currently three, I lampwork, metalsmith and am trying my hand at acrylic painting. Do you have a separate area for each? Not as of yet, we are currently working on a new studio space in my garden for metal smithing and painting but its slow going getting it done.


What one word would you use to describe your studio? Heaven

What do you think is the best feature of your studio? Can I pick a couple features? I love the opening sky light, it allows fresh air in without causing a draft. I also am pretty fond of my glass storage unit it was a wedding gift from a builder friend and it helps me stay organized.


What would you change if you could? As much as I love having a window in front of my work bench I'd like it facing a different direction. Early morning torching can be hard as the sun is coming directly in the window.

Can you share an organizational tip? Clean your work space at least once a week. I've started vacuuming my work bench once a week and it really helps me stay organized, which helps me stay focused.

Describe the usual state of your work table? Fairly clean, sometimes the glass piles up a bit!


Does your work table face out into the room or toward the wall? It faces a wall/window.

What's one drawback of your studio/artistic space? I'd like it to be less accessible to others. Since I work above our garage people can come up and interrupt my work time. I find the phone distracting as well. I'd like a more secluded studio space. The metal smithing shop we are working on setting up is more secluded. It's in my garden, the largest window faces the back of the garden and the window facing the driveway has a black out curtain on it. No phone out there!

Do you have any studio mascots (pets, mannequin whatever)? My flying cow! The cat comes in for a visit once and a while but usually it's too hot in there for him.


Do you have an idea wall or inspiration board? Yes, and would like a larger one.



Do you listen to music in your studio? What kind? I am a fairly eclectic music person. If I had to pick one style I'd say country. I like listening to our local country station because I get fairly up beat music and some news.


Do you display your own work in your studio? Other artists' work? My work is often scattered about, beads in bowls waiting for photos, finished pieces in various steps of completion. I have a display case with other artists beads in it. I've also got a wonderful original acrylic painting in the studio done by Jennifer Zizman.


What's one quirk or unusual feature of your studio? The roof is slanted! It can make it hard to get storage units in, but it's blue with white stucco "clouds" on it so it's not too bad!



Thanks so much for participating Nicole!!!!

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If you would like to be a featured artist, just shoot me an email at : Melissa@kcjewelbox.com and I will send you the questions and information.