A Cherished Etsy Find

Don’t you love how the internet can bring your attention to the most wonderful things from all around the world? How amazing that we live during an age when almost anything is just a few clicks away!

I had been browsing on Etsy (typical, I know) and came across a print I fell in love with right away. Everything about it spoke to me and it just seemed perfect for the studio space I have been slowly putting together, colors and everything. As much as I wanted to order it at that moment, I have been attempting to be more reasonable with my purchases as of late. Just in general, since if I don’t pay attention I have a tendency to get carried away. Don’t we all? It’s something I’m working on! So I marked it as a favorite and decided (against my better judgment) that it could wait.

I checked on it a couple weeks later, and much to my dismay it was no longer available. I did my best to not be too upset, and be happy for the artist that she’d sold them all. Especially since I had noted earlier that it was a limited edition of thirteen prints, I had only myself to blame for not getting in on it sooner. But to be honest I was bummed.

So I decided to send a message Catherine Hiley, the artist. I knew it was a long shot but I’d never know unless I tried. I explained that I loved the print, thought it would be brilliant for my teaching space, and although I was aware it was limited edition, would she consider printing another just for me? I crossed my fingers and pushed send.

Much to my surprise, she got back to me with the most wonderful news! She had simply let the listing expire, and linked to the new one if I was still interested. Joy of joys!! My love ordered it for me, knowing how much it would mean to have in our creative space, which doubles as my teaching studio. Then I waited, patiently, for it to arrive all the way from Scotland. Here is a picture I took for instagram to show off the packaging and stamps. Isn’t it pretty? She drew that little kitty just for me!

I know these aren’t great photos, but I wanted to show it off right away and I’d like to get some better ones up once I get organized with my camera skills. So here it is, “Katzenjammer” which translates to “cats wailing,” quite appropriate! I might change out the frame for a thinner one, but I already had this lying around and it wasn’t too busy – I don’t want anything to be a distraction from this fabulous feline trio. A giant thank you CA Hiley on Etsy, I just adore it!

A Drop in the Decor Bucket

Here is the start of what I hope will be an inspiring gallery wall in the music room. The wall is currently painted a sea green, which I love, and have no plans to change it anytime soon. It runs the length of the room and so far has managed to make it by without a single thing to dress it up save a window, which hardly qualifies. Though it did get a floral curtain recently so I suppose that can be the window’s “dress.” Everybody likes to get fancy from time to time. Even a window.

Of course my goal is to curate a lovely collection of diy and art prints, quotes from brilliant musical minds, odes to favorite composers, and maybe a photo here or there. I am sure that with a bit of planning I can come up with a smattering of such pieces, and a balance between what I want to see and what parents and students are uplifted and motivated by may be achieved. An inspiring workspace is well-known to boost creativity and productivity, two things anybody shouldn’t skip out on if they can help it.. I am deliberately avoiding putting up a bunch of generic theory or practice posters just to fill the space because I know that’s really not what I want to be looking at. At least not most of the ones I’ve seen online or in music stores. Kind of blah and not much to my taste. I want to bring a bit of whimsy to the wall and add some insight. Jazz it up a bit while giving the kids something interesting to think on as they walk out the door. For myself as well… They’re only here once a week and I’m the one who has to look at it every day after all!