Wednesday, 30 May 2012

The Studio Sign

The Studio Sign arrived on Monday - my 42nd birthday!

The day finished off with the ceramics artist, Vidal, arriving with the original hand-crafted ceramic sign we had him make for the studio!!!  My husband and Vidal took hours putting it up… and I just couldn’t stop giggling as I was so pleased with how it turned out.  Better than planned… 
Vidal will be working with me to create some original soap dishes and shaving soap mugs as well. 
He included a unique mail-box as well!

 We are not a very materialistic family and don’t usually spend much money on gifts on birthdays or Christmas.  More about being together.   My husband’s birthday gift to me was a little kitten that he rescued from the golf course where he works and I baked cookies to take around to friends.  I found a mysterious bottle of Spanish red wine on my doorstep (still haven’t figured out who would have delivered it) and my dad sent me a book on making liquid soaps, which I have been wanting for some time…  My mum got me my wonderful new camera, which she had given me earlier, on her recent visit here.
Our new kitten - Micha.

Each step of this journey in turning my dream into reality has been amazing.  Seeing the sign up on Monday not only made me smile, & giggle but also brought sentimental tears to my eyes. I guess I will always remember just how low I had sunk professionally only a few short years ago… in a stressful job that almost broke me…  and feel so much gratitude now for where I am.  Making a living doing what I love most. 
Happy Soaping everyone!!
Xo
Jen

40 comments:

Amy Warden said...

Yay!! What a beautiful sign, Jen!! And a happy birthday indeed!! So happy for your dreams coming true. :)

canela y limón jabones said...

hola Jen!!!
Muchas felicidades por tu cumple y por el local. te ha quedado genial. tengo ganas de visitarlo un domingo de estos, que no tenga que hacer jabones claro. pero.... cual es la direccion?
besos y mucha suerte en esta dificil aventura de poder comercializar los jabones en este pais.

OLIVIA said...

Enhorabuena Jen y felicidades!!
Me imagino lovcontenta que debes estar, es un sueño cumplido.
Besos.

Two Blooms Design Studio said...

Your new sign and mailbox looks amazing. Congrats and Happy Belated Birthday. Your new cat is adorable too.

Michelle

Nitya said...

Congratulations and a very Happy Belated Birthday!! The studio sign is beautiful and love the little mailbox with the logo on it. I wish you lots of happiness and success Jennifer! And you have the cutest looking kitty...I feel like licking his tiny paws, just sooooo cute!!

Polly McNamara said...

That's a beautiful Shop sign, Jen, really beautiful. Glad you had a great birthday and what an adorable kitten! Thanks for sharing xxx

I-Create said...

Congrats Jen, and a very happy (belated) birthday to you! Really happy for you - things are certainly coming along nicely. :)Pauline

Unknown said...

Happy birthday Jen!! and happy birthday for your studio!!
you are in a lot of love! and I really love your studio!!
wish you many years of love and prosperity with the studio :)

gros bisous
Mika

Heidi said...

WOW, the sign looks really nice. I am so happy for you :)

Mabel said...

I LOVE IT!

Coco said...

Happy Birthday!! The sign looks fab and that kitten is absolutely adorable.

Alegria Mediterranea said...

You really made my day!
At the morning coffee,I saw a dream come true and a beautiful man!
It is so positive and refreshing to see this!!!BRAVO JEN!
You did a great artesan studio and the mailbox is a great detail.
Micha, your adorable kitten ask for a little kiss,xo,xo(I am crazy about cats).
Jen, I wish you first good HEALTH(to you and your family),full SUCCESS in everything you do and happy happy birthday!
All people must to fulfill their dreams,depend on us!
Love,
Claudia.

Tierra Verde Handmade Soap said...

Awwww,so very happy for you my sweet Jen.You deserve such happiness with your delightful spirit that you share with us all.

Jennifer Young said...

Amy, Thank you for the comment and for the birthday wishes! Glad you liked the sign! xo Jen

CanelayLimon, Gracias por tu comentario!! Todavia no está abierta al público, pero dime cuando vas a estar por la zona y te lo puedo enseñar. Donde estás tu? xoxo Jen

Olivia, Muchisimas gracias por tu comentario. Si... la verdad es que siento muy contenta ultimamente. xo Jen

Michelle (Two Blooms), Thanks for your sweet comment and birthday wishes. Feeling great lately. xo Jen

Nitya, Thanks for your comment. So glad you like the sign, mail box and kitten. Micha is turning out to be a little sweetheart. I just love his paws too!! xo jen

Polly, thanks for your comment. So glad you like the sign. We thought long and hard about the sign and decided to go with the local ceramicist. Support the local artesan community and get something really creative. xoxo Jen

Pauline, Thanks for the comment and well wishes. Always nice to hear from you. xo Jen

Jennifer Young said...

Mika, Thanks for your sweet sweet comment! Happy Upcoming birthday!! xo Jen

Heidi, Thank you so much. Glad you like it!! xo Jen

Mabel, Glad you like it!! THanks for your comment! xo Jen

Coco, Thanks for your comment. the kitten is getting cuddlier and cuddlier each day as he gets comfortable with us. He sure love to EAT. xoxo Jen

Claudia, Muchisimas gracias por tu comentario tan tan bonito y lleno de energia positiva. Besos y un abrazo, Jen

Michele (Tierra Verde), thanks for your lovely comment sweet friend. xo Jen

AYU said...

Hi Jen!
Oh wow!!!!
I love the colors of your shop sign!
Also I love the mail box too!
Vidal did a great job!

Micha is sooo cute!

Good Luck, Jen :D
xo AYU

Jabones Aromas del Campo said...

Feliz cumpelaños y felicidades por lograr tu sueño. Es bello todo el trabajo que han realizado.
Que disfrutes de Micha!!
Besitos...

STC said...

What is it with soap makers & cats? I started with one, now I have six. Micha is so cute.

Your journey is easy to relate to as I was at the point of depression when I picked up soap making and now I am currently looking to rent a space to open my own workshop. (Hopefully before July)

I am very proud of what I have seen so far and I wish you lots of success Jennifer. You're absolutely amazing!

The Soap Sister said...

First class all the way Jen! A belated happy birthday to you as well. Love the sign -I just can't believe how perfect it is!! Just amazing -all of it. Love little Micha, too! What a sweet kitty. So happy for you my dear, thanks for sharing -I tell you it's a thrill from here, too. :) ~Becky

Zwerg said...

It is so wonderful....
All the best for you...
Sometimes I will come and visit...

Jennifer Young said...

Ayu, Thank you so much for your comment!! Getting the right colours was the most difficult part for Vidal. He had to do a lot of testing for the right greens... but now we have a green that is just mine and we can use it for the soap dishes as well! So glad you like it! Micha says "Hi". xo Jen

Stc and company, Thank you for your comment. Can't wait to hear about your journe with your workshop as well!!! Have soapmakers all got cats? Many times I have conjured up the image if me as a witch stirring the pot (soapmaking pot)... now that you add the cat theory... the image looks even better! xo Jen

Becky, As always, love your comment and your enthusiasm. Thank you so much!! xo Jen

Zwerg, Thank you for your comment!!! Look foward to your visit!! xo Jen

Natalia said...

Happy birthday, Jen! I wish you goodluck with your studio!
I really like your shop, I wish I could visit it:).
Groetjes

Lyn said...

Happy birthday and wow how awesome is everything looking love love love it

Jennifer Young said...

Natalia, Thank you so much! Would love a visit! xo Jen

Lyn, Nice comment. So glad you love it!!! xo Jen

isabel said...

Hayy Jen Felicidades, que alegría me da saber que ya tu proyecto está listo, te deseo lo mejor para tí y para toda tu familia, te lo mereces por tanta y tanta constancia en todo lo que haces, ánimo y suerte,y nuestra jornada jabonera sigue en pie? un beso ISABEL.

Ambra said...

Wow, that is a really nice sign. Absolutely gorgeous! Congratulations on everything, you've done this so well. And happy birthday to you too, even if it is a little late :)

Shieh Design Studio said...

Congratulation! Looks GREAT from outside! That new kitty is a cute touch!

Bianca said...

LOve the sign jen, sorry not seen you for so long and have missed your birthday…..belated birthday wishes xx

Donna OShaughnessy said...

Hey Jen, sorry I haven't commented in awhile. I blam it on that darn Amy with all her soap challenges :) But stil...your store is so wonderful. The logo is perfect, the mailbox define and the kitten ADORABLE. Lat night my GK used the last of your soap and said "I guess we don't get clean from Spain anymore"! So I showed him your website and now we have two savings jars. One for college and one for Jens soaps

Jennifer Young said...

Isabel, Muchas gracias por tu comentario tan bonito, tan animador! Me gustaría planea una jornada jabonera y la verdad es que era una de mis goles para este año, pero no estoy seguro porque estoy enfocado en otras cosas por el momento. Serás la primera que aviso si decido hacerlo. Gracias!! xo Jen

Jennifer Young said...

Ambra, Thank you for the birthday wishes and great comment!! xo Jen

Jennifer Young said...

Shieh, Thanks for your comment!!! I will have to get more photos soon of the studio and shop... the carpenter arrived last night with the shelves he created for the shop and I was so pleased... we are really enjoying our little kitten who is getting less shy and more affectionate every day. xo Jen

Jennifer Young said...

Bianca, So glad you liked it. You were a key part in deciding on a ceramic sign. Hope to see you soon! xo Jen

Jennifer Young said...

Donna, Thanks for your awesome comment. Once again you got me laughing. How's the book going? I just can't wait to read it!!! XO Jen

Silvia en el bosque said...

What a wonderful surprise! your hand crafted ceramic sign is really great, it´s your essence. Congratulations, you´re living your dream. Health and hugs from the forest!!

Jennifer Young said...

Silvia, Thank you so much!!!! xo Jen

Anonymous said...

What an amazingly beautiful sign! Congratulations to your dream becoming a reality and from the looks of it, it was a very magical birthday, too!

The kitten is just adorable ^.^

~Robin
Kinky Witch Soap

Jennifer Young said...

Robin, Thank you for your lovely comment. Yes it was magical. Glad you like the sign! My husband, who likes to go to the studio when I am not there and "add" (change) things... painted the front doors green. I like it. xoxo Jen

lilian said...

I recently came across your blog and i really like it.You are so inspiring.Congratulations and happy belated birthday.Your kitty is adorable.
XOXO!
lilian.

Jennifer Young said...

Lilian, Thank you for your lovely comment!! xoxo Jen