Studio Rubiano

Despite the high heat here, in Texas, I spent a delightful weekend among friends in Austin.  I took Stephanie Rubiano's amazing "Magnetic Personalities" class at her beautiful home.

 

I traveled with my good friend, Sally Turlington, who was kind enough to drive us in her new car, while showing me the features of her new i-phone...very cool!  Upon arriving in town, we met up with Stephanie and our friend, Kim Loya.  The first spot we hit was the infamous Uncommon Objects.   Uncommon has the most eclectic mix of things you've ever seen. 

In amongst the giant clown shoes, stuffed terriers (sorry Maggie!) and vintage store display pieces, you can find all kinds of interesting baubles.

 

 

I had to grab this old, leather briefcase out of poor Sally's hand...

 

...and swipe these tiny cigar boxes out from under poor Stephanie.  But, in the end, they forgave me for my over-zealousness.

 

Don't worry, I left a few things for them (wink!).

See...we're still friends!

 

Next stop was Stephanie's home and studio where we met up with the lovely, Diane Cook.  Steph graciously allowed us to wander and take photos.

 

Let me tell you, Stephanie's workspace is filled with inspiration.

She has such a gift for arrangement as well as an incredible creative vision.

 

Of course, this extends right into the rest of her home...

 

...which is fabulous, as well and filled with artwork by Stephanie as well as by many other artists.

 

Sally, Kim and Diane

 

Cee Cee Grimes and Jennifer Rowland

Saturday was class day.  If you get a chance to take this class, with Stephanie, I highly recommend it.  I know she'll be teaching it at Artfest next year.  Look at the adorable thing I made:

 

Magnetic Personalities-Sarah Emeline

Actually, if you get a chance to take any of Stephanie's classes, you should jump.  She's so knowledgeable and, like I said, she's got that creative vision that turns everything she touches into gold.

 

In this class, we got to play big-girl paper dolls all day.

 

We created a doll from special materials (not just paper, after all) and worked on their wardrobes which was a kick.

 

Stephanie taught a lot of useful techniques, including waxing some of the clothes.  Fun stuff!

 

 

 

 

Sally's magnetic personality

 

I was lucky enough to acquire one of Stephanie's "Perching Pixies."  This one stands in a little tin teapot that reminds me of one my mom had as a kid.

 

Sunday was the Austin city-wide garage sale.  You'd think we'd had enough shopping after the hours we spent at Uncommon but nooooo...

 

This wasn't really a garage sale in the garage sale sense of the word.  It was inside, for one thing (thank you God, for that, as it was 103 outside!) and the place was filled with vendors; like an antique mall but with way, way better prices!

 

And guess who was vending there...

 

...my friend, Katy, from Beads by Sandy...yay!

 

 

Much as I love my vintage pull-down maps, old green fan, crusty little chair, cabinet cards and other goodies, my find of the day was this shabby chic birdcage, I picked up for a song (pun intended).  Wife Whisperer tried to put it on the curb last night for the garbage men but, luckily, I caught him!

Deryn and Kim

Thank you, Stephanie, for a wonderful weekend.

Comments

[fibuline]

Oh as I shall like so many marvels in my workshop !!!

[pamelahuntington]

Deryn..
Looks like you had a fabulous time
with Steph.. I Love her house and
the new paper doll project is so
sweet..and Uncommon Objects --wowzer
what a place... I LoVe it there!!!

[Shuku]

I so need the inspiration from looking at these pretty things! It's been a rough several weeks; after vacation and the Old Love necklace, I've had a total creative block. I'm not entirely sure if it's because I'm expecting too much or myself or because I just am too perfectionist, but I can't seem to produce anything worthwhile. *sigh* Website launch is on hold, everything's on hold, I feel like a failure! It's like a paralysis of the brain where nothing I start is ever good enough. I'm hoping it goes away soon!

[Jen Crossley]

All the eye candy on your blog I was dribbling all over the keyboard
looks like you had a amazing time
Jen

[Mary Beth Shaw]

You live *such* a charmed life my dear. And what shopping you do!! World class, that's for sure :-)

[Diana Frey]

Deryn... thank you for sharing. What a wonderful experience and your paper dolls are so fun and you got to spend time with my friend Diane....I'm envious. I would have loved to join you ladies. And the birdcage is fabulous ...despite what the Wife Whisperer may think.....great find.
Hugs
Diana

[Mary Ellen]

You're always and inspiration, but never more so than in the past few days. I was in Austin visiting my sisters and when I read your post I dragged them to SoCo (again)so I too could hunt for goodies.

It may have been hot but it got me out of soggy NYC (until the rain followed along). It was a joy to see the sun AND my sisters and it was all topped off by following in the steps of sisters in art!

[alicia]

what a wonderful trip! how wonderful to spend the day around so many gorgeous little bits and baubs! i wish i lived much closer -- your adventures look like so much fun!

and that bird cage is fabulous!

[debra cooper]

oooh, looks like you had so much fun! I really need to go see Stephanie next time we're in Austin--and time it with the City Wide Garage Sale--sweet!!

[barbe]

Thank you for allowing me to live vicariously thru your shopping adventure. San Francisco is so picked over and over priced, it makes you cry. I loved seeing your finds and know you'll be making something magical with it all.

[Stephanie Rubiano]

Hey Deryn!

I truly appreciate the wonderful review of our weekend and my class! I hardly felt like I was teaching at all, lol! It was so good to see you after all of this time and I look forward to our next adventure. Glad you saved the cage after all you went through to get it home!

Stephanie

[ruth rae]

it looks like you all had one fantastic time! antique shopping with like minded friends can sometimes be a little complicated at times! I had the joy of a city wide yard sale while I was in Portland! your home city was such a joy Deryn! thanks for the shopping info!

[Teresa McFayden]

Oh my gooseness. So many pretties. Love your magnetic dolly and that pixie in a teapot is adorable!!! Lucky you!!!

xoxo

[Seth]

Great vignette shots here!

[francie]

I just lurk here and have only commented a time or two ;) but I just nominated you for a blog award.

http://burdart.blogspot.com/2009/06/premio-meme-my-first-blog-award.html

[Kelly Snelling]

Swooning here. All those fabulous girls together at once And all those amazing trinkets and creations! What fun, what fun. I'm almost jealous but I'm not because I am excited that you all got to have such a grand time. That is enough to keep me especially happy. :0)

[Cindy]

Oh that looks like it was so much fun.

[Susie L]

Aaawwww! First, I want your t-shirt, then I want to come and live with you and see all those neat places you go to.
You find the coolest stuff, must be a western US thing.
I get all worked up with the thrill-of-the-find, even tho' it's vicariously. Thanks for letting us go with you in photos.
Susie
TheAntiquePalette.etsy.com

[Dale]

This does look like you had a wondeful time. This is the second time i've heard of the Unusual Objects store there.... it sounds fascinating!

[Talisa]

I love the shopping stories - I hope to visit Austin one day, it sounds so cool! Thanks for all your inspirations - I just started my own blog and my first post was a project that began with one of your tutorials. Thanks again!

[Marie-Aimée]

it's really amazing !!! and so beautiful treasures

[Renate]

Ooooooooooh my goodness!! What a lovely lot of treasures, you lucked out big time!!! Looks like it was a really great weekend. I am going to drool over those pictures some more...

[Cindy]

What a fun weekend...I bet you are tired. Shopping, creating, photgraphing (and uploading, editing)...You sure packed in a LOT over a few days. The doll on top of the vintage teapot is so sweet. I've never seen a teapot like that. Glad you had fun (and I enjoyed visiting all of the links in this post!).

[Sandra]

i love all of the paper dolls and all the goodies. looks like you had a great time. how fun.

[AscenderRisesAbove]

ohhh for those tiny little flat files!

[Michelle]

All I can say is SWEEEEET!! Love it all right down to the bird cage! When you wrote you will never guess who was vending I groaned...."NO!" lol Have fun!

[sherry]

I'm laughing at this gorgeous bird cage ALMOST hitting the curb for pick up!!! Seems like this was a great group to spend the weekend with and the art was flowing. Lots of inspiration from your shopping trips and from being in Stephanie's studio (and her home).

[Christine Damm]

My husband would be staring down the barrel of a 12-gauge if he tried to put my beloved vintage birdcage on the curb--well, that is, if we had a curb! My sister has one and she has threaded colored tissue paper through the bars and put a light inside! Lots of possibilities for fun with these! Adore the paper dolls and the class looks like a ton o' fun! Thanks for sharing, Deryn! almost like being there!

[Erin Prais-Hintz]

That looks like a blast. The class looks like a fun time was had by all and so very creative! But the shopping..oh the shopping! When, Dear Deryn, will you lead us on a shopping excursion of your favorite cities? I, for one, would sign up for that (even in 103 degree heat!). Enjoy the day! Erin

[sharon]

Your trip looks absolutely amazing Deryn! I'm soooooooo envying you, but soooo glad you shared the photos! It looks like a wonderland of a place!!