so here it is.
this is what MOST of the pondering and turmoil has been over...
(there is more, but i'll have to save that for another day)
this, above, is our studio now.
on our property with our home for the past 14 years.
cute, homey, small home business feel.
safe.
low overhead.
in the country.
no commute-for my husband and i anyways.
housed in two separate shops.
lot's of hauling stuff back and forth.
very limited office space.
not very efficient in A LOT of ways.
with no room for growth.
and here is our NEW Allen Designs studio!
not this whole bldg, just the unit circled.
we just signed the papers to purchase yesterday!
NOT on our property with our home.
more space.
loading dock.
clean and new.
plenty of office space.
centrally located (Vancouver, WA) for everyone else.
space for a little showroom.
opportunities.
part of a community of other businesses.
i tend to be a 'if it's not broken, don't fix it' type of person.
lot's of prayer for wisdom has been done.
this has been a very hard decision for us.
i like the business just the size it is.
it's simple.
i've never been out to build something big.
i'm still not.
change is scary.
but EXCITING!
what do you think? crazy? be honest.
"if we're growing, we're always going to be out of our comfort zone." -john maxwell
« sitting pretty | Main | lucky you - st. patrick's day cupcake toppers »
March 08, 2011
Comments
The comments to this entry are closed.
Search
ABOUT ME
- hi and welcome!!! i'm so glad you're here! my name is michelle. i'm blessed to be a wife (to gary) of 18 years and a mom of two girls; alexis(16) & jess(11). i've been a full time artist for 15 years. i made my start at Portland Sat. Mkt. and art fairs around the country, and then headed into wholesale shows when our oldest began school. i love ART-ing, art journaling, running, cycling and downing junk food!
Teaching at
follow us
Shop our website
Categories
- Around the Studio (130)
- Art (255)
- Art Journal Pages (54)
- Artful pinings (11)
- Artist Resources (14)
- Books (1)
- China (56)
- Crafty Ideas (83)
- Favorite Artists! (48)
- Fondness of Food (32)
- Goody Giveaway (39)
- house projects/remodel (14)
- my home ART STUDIO (27)
- On the Road (55)
- Press (3)
- Public Works of Art (10)
- Running (17)
- Sketchings (8)
- This and That (190)
- Travel (54)
- Tutorials (20)
- Want to make (4)
artsy inspiration
- adeolas studio
- amanda jolley
- amy lee
- Amy Peters' Studio
- Anne Leuck Feldhaus
- Catching Fireflies
- artsyville
- creative kismet
- Curly Girl
- erin leigh
- felter-elizabeth armstrong
- Gisele Jaquenod
- heydiddlewoolies
- Janne Robberstad
- Judy Wise
- julie abbott art
- Karla Dornacher
- reenie hanlin
- Niccole Photography
- rita maria gallery
- shelly massey
- sunny carvalho
- wild gypsy chronicles
- tattered edge
- teesha moore
- tyler-baby lux
- whatever
You know what I think! I've got my eye on a small corner:) Can't wait to see it.
Posted by: niccolew | March 08, 2011 at 06:01 PM
Wow CONGRATS!!! I know how exciting this all can be, so wonderful and SO happy for you!
Posted by: sonya paz | March 08, 2011 at 06:03 PM
That is amazing - just got the chills for you. It will be a whole new adventure! Good luck ; )
Posted by: Lexie | March 08, 2011 at 06:16 PM
it's my opinion that you must have thought this through from every angle - including the "crazy" one.
it's a new chapter in allen designs and now's your chance to greet all possibilities with open arms.
"those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it." change is at hand and you're the "doer" here - don't let any little thoughts or hesitations hold you back, strong woman :)
Posted by: lauren | March 08, 2011 at 06:18 PM
AMAZING... CHEERS TO YOU!!!!!...WOW CONGRATULATIONS!! CAN"T WAIT TO SEE WHAT YOU DO WITH IT.......... HOW EXCITING...YOU WILL DO AWESOME....AFTER ALL THATS ALL YOU KNOW HOW TO DO.....(AWESOME WORK)!!!!! xoxox;D
Posted by: Kirscha Gray | March 08, 2011 at 06:19 PM
What an incredible leap of faith! Congratulations! Beautiful space!
Posted by: Melissa Irvin | March 08, 2011 at 06:32 PM
Awesome, congrats, now breathe!!! Wishing you continued success, joy and prosperity!
Posted by: joanne sharpe | March 08, 2011 at 06:36 PM
It looks Amazing! When are you hiring me?!?! ;-) ... nah, I'm not worthy. I can't wait to see it in person. Let me know if you guy need help moving! I owe you guys big time so this could be, fun? (gulp)
Posted by: Bernie | March 08, 2011 at 06:46 PM
I think it is great! Best of luck to you!! Can't wait to see more pictures when you are all moved in, especially the showroom space! Next you are going to announce that you are selling your house? Then again, the old Allen Designs space would make an awesome play/game/kids room or wait, maybe an apartment for the older child! Or a rental apartment for extra income! Anyway....enjoy the ride!
Posted by: [email protected] | March 08, 2011 at 07:03 PM
What happened to the bar? :) I think it looks fabulous and I hope you love it!
Posted by: Lee Ann | March 08, 2011 at 07:18 PM
Congratulations! Sounds like doors are opening up in big ways. The new building looks amazing. When do you move?
Posted by: Teri Leigh | March 08, 2011 at 08:26 PM
Love it! I see job openings! I think it would be a blast to work for you or a company like you...know of any in the Fargo,ND area? ; ) way to go, can't wait to see move in pics.
Posted by: Liz | March 08, 2011 at 08:45 PM
Wow how did you get a building with lots of circles already around it? Far freakin' out!
Posted by: D. Supplitt | March 08, 2011 at 08:46 PM
My dad always told me, "the harder I work, the luckier I get." Looks like alot of luck is coming your way! Congrats and don't worry, be happy!
Posted by: robin west | March 08, 2011 at 08:59 PM
i think its terrific! WOW! congrats! am excited to see how this new space brings new creative juices! xo!
Posted by: Sarah Fitzgerald | March 08, 2011 at 09:10 PM
Congratulations! This is so exciting. I'm proud of you for taking the leap. You are a serious, constant inspiration. Can't wait to see it all decked out! What will you guys do with the current studio? Chicken Coop? fresh eggs...
Posted by: Erin Leigh | March 08, 2011 at 10:07 PM
LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! big squeeze right here!!! :-)
Posted by: lindsay christ | March 08, 2011 at 10:12 PM
MAN!!! you guys are the most awesome supporters ever!!! thank YOU SO MUCH! it's just one more confirmation that we're doing the right thing. big hugs to you all!
Posted by: michelle | March 08, 2011 at 10:46 PM
You are doing the right thing! Just another step in to the world of Sharing your wonderfull Art. Next step is to open a shop in Denmark I'll run it for you:) Congratulations!!!
Posted by: DoodleDiem | March 08, 2011 at 10:59 PM
This is entirely too exciting!!! I can't wait to watch the journey unfold for you guys. You are an inspiration Michelle and an encouragement in the arena of courageous faith steps!!!
Posted by: Healing Expressions | March 09, 2011 at 06:12 AM
Wow! Great new spot! Congrats Michelle!
Posted by: fryestyle | March 09, 2011 at 06:12 AM
Not at all. You have to nuture your dreams, just like a child and when a child outgrowns their runners, you get new, bigger ones. Why should your business be any different? Take care of it, and it will take care of you. Yes, it's scary, but no risk, no rewards. If you always do what you've always done then you will always have what you've always got.
YOU CAN DO IT!! And the fact that your husband is behind you says alot about his faith in your ability to make it work. Eyes foreward, shoulder squared. Own it!
Posted by: Lelainia | March 09, 2011 at 06:28 AM
God gives us big dreams, so that we have room to grow into them!
Posted by: Laura | March 09, 2011 at 07:13 AM
Michelle: You are big, really big now. You are all over the world. It's time! Yeah, it's scarey at first - remember when you started all this in the beginning! Change and steppin' up is good.
Posted by: Jodie Smith | March 09, 2011 at 09:04 AM
Congratulations! What a dream come true even if it wasn't the dream you thought exactly! Your art is touching SO my hearts(that's gotta be a dream - right?)... and time to make room for more heart's to be touched! How special is that!? You are an amazing inspiration to me!
Nat
Posted by: Natalie | March 09, 2011 at 09:37 AM