Open Door Studio : Door County

Original oil on board by Martha Layton Smith

From our inception in 2008, Open Door Studio has had presence both online, as well as  at shows in the Midwest and in Door County.  Although we are not in the "BIZ" right now... Our hope is to, one day soon, open a little Co-op studio in Door County and feature our original art pieces, some vintage finds as well as works from other local artists.  Our vision is clear but we will wait until the timing is right.  For now, we have our LLC featuring our name, that has been registered in the state of Wisconsin for quite some time.
Keep us in mind and follow us into the future when we are finally able to settle in the spot we love, in Door County, Wi!
     Fondly,
 Martha and Tony 

Naperville's Washington Street Holiday Market

Last weekend, between preparing for the show and sliding Thanksgiving in on Thursday... it was a hectic one for OpendoorStudio.

Campy Style... bed, Red Cross Pillows, handmade pennant pilloss too.

Mark from Room 363, a beautiful home decor and lifestyle shop in downtown Naperville, IL, had invited us to set up at his show.  This was our second year and what am amazing group of sellers he had chosen to show there wares.

The setting was the old Restoration Hardware building in downtown Naperville.  Several months ago, when chatter about the location began,  Mark suggested the idea of having "Miss Mabel" ( our little travel trailer...if you don't know that by now) indoors,  to add to the ambiance... and be a focal point for the show.  We were excited and hoped she would fit through the front doors.  After careful measuring and a few prayers, scrapes, sighs and centimeters... she made it in! It was from there we continued our "campy" theme,  Mark allowed us to set up right next to her...in the front of the Pop-up!  We began by setting up a camp tent with all of the Northwoods, glampy trimmings! (all that was missing were the Northern lights! ah... maybe that will be NEXT years inspiration! ) 

Martha, putting on the finishing touches minutes before the doors opened

Martha's vision was to create the feel of a vintage cabin in the woods and I would say ... we achieved just that, complete with a deer mount (Tony's personal collection and contribution) pheasant, duck and even two vintage (1920's) bearskin rugs.

Flannels and Bearskin rugs and Deer.... oh my!

Friday night, when the doors opened at 4:00,  the line was literally snaking out and around the block.  A steady stream of buyers entered for over 20 minutes without a break in the line.   We have NEVER seen anything like it at a small venue like this... Mark and Sue along with assiatant Maria, really know how to create excitement and grow a crowd.

OpendoorStudio goodies for Christmas

There was something for everyone.  Beautiful florals from Little Luxuries, jewelry, vintage finds, herbs, clothing, sweets and appetizers... and  so much more, to delight every senses.  Santa and Ms. Claus even popped in for some photos in a beautiful sleigh, adorned with real fresh cut cedar trees, snow and warm woolen blankets.

Vintage Christmas Finds and some old skis too!

After three days of  life, laughter, friends, customers and collectors... the show closed (4 pm Sunday) and by 8 pm, the old space was empty... like a dream.  a beautiful imagined wonderland.

The show was a success.  Wouldn't you agree? and be sure to mark YOUR calendar for next year... the weekend after Thanksgiving, in Naperville Illinois.

You will be so glad you did!  Did you attend the show... or were YOU a vendor there?  Be sure to post a link below to your blog post or photos.  And, be sure to check #room363popup on instagram for more views of the show!

Miss Mabel and Camp OpendoorStudio

OPENDOORSTUDIO IS HAVING A SALE !

Opendoorstudio.etsy.com is having a

SALE!

Everything must GO!

please share my link with anyone you know that loves vintage... 

( hubby lost his job and we need the cash!)

 thanks all!

Viva's Vintage Market July 2013 a look back

Ok, so I have been without a computer of my own, for months.... still without one that works properly...but I thought I would add some views of this wonderful show!

Angie, former owner of Viva la Cottage in Sister bay, is the promoter of the show... it is a delightful group.  When we arrived on Friday night, they were not only allowing us to set up our spaces, but they were also setting up for a concert on the lawn.  We worked around them.  I had tons of help unloading.. some wonderful friends helped haul things from my truck and helped set up my tent ( could not have done it without them) 

Working the Americana and Campy theme... 

This sale takes place in Door County on the Baileys Harbor Community center Lawn.  Mid July... Watch for it next year! 

Hoop Art ... How to.

I have been gathering vintage muslin and old embroidery hoops now for a while, always with the intent that I would someday create something with them.  

Gathering my old embroidery floss, muslin pieces, embroidery needle, pen, hoops, backing and my own creative thoughts... I started my project.  

My intention was to recreate a small version of a larger piece I found years ago, tucked away in an old trunk.  It is a detailed map of the USA.  In fact, it is an educational map and oh so cute.  The problem: it is very large and will not fit in my little travel trailer with room for other wall hangings.  

First things first,  with a pen, draw your illustration or the words you would like to embroider... think about varying your lettering, some large, some bold, others small and using small broken stitches... be creative.

I chose to draw a map of the US... freehand.. I didn't refer to a map so I am sure the scale is not exact and the Great Lakes are not properly placed... but that's ok... In my opinion, that is what makes it charming.  I thought to make the little dotted lines and arrows to show some of my favorite locales... as a matter of fact, those that I chose are places I have spent with family over the years.

 I chose to add a heart where we live, next to Lake Michigan,
* I added a little arrow to our favorite spot up north... you guessed it, Door County, Wi.
* I added arrows to the shore in New Jersey (Ocean City)/ East Coast...where we have spent countless summers with cousins, grandmas, aunts and uncles and friends.
* Florida: (thinking of Grandma and Grandpa Cleary) and trips to Disney World with family. And where Grandma and Grandpa Smith spent their Winters as snowbirds.
* Arizona: where my father and mother had a summer home in Pinetop... and my mother lived in Scottsdale after my father passed away... and now my nephew lives in Phoenix.
* The Rocky Mountains: where I spent my summers at Camp St. Malo, it was a magical place,  I was thrilled to have a chance to and take my children there several years back.
* California: where I was born and took the children in 2007, traveled to a family wedding first to Northern California, where i lived for 7 years... and visited Aunt Elaine's old property in Sonoma on what is now... Ravenswood Winery (so I guess I truly can call it my old "stomping grounds") Meeting  family  in Southern California. Touring wine country there with Tony and staying with loved ones in Lajolla.
 I have traveled to almost every other state in the Union... but have not had the attachments I have in those mentioned above.

Here, I added the Golden Gate bridge in California, a beach umbrella by the shore.... and embroidered a black border around the little pink heart near home.

As a companion piece, to hang in our little travel trailer... I thought to create a "See the USA" hoop. Here you can see how I created the design with a pen... and used the floss on the needle to outline and fill in the lettering.

Above was the finished product... before adding the backing.  I decided to add the Florida Keys to the map.  A place I would love to visit someday!

 I thought the USA would look cute in the red, white and blue floss.  Hmm... to line it in black or not?

 A little close up of my work... ok, so it has been a while since I've worked on an embroidery project.

 Both complete, outlined USA and ready for the final step, adding a felt or fabric piece as a backing.

I used pinking shears to cut out the colorful printed felt ( Michaels... such cute things they are making now!)  I used tacky glue to adhere the backing.  I will hang them from the little springs that are used to hold the hoop together at the top.  

They will look so cute in my little camper.  I can't wait to add little vintage pennants from antiques shops and roadside sales along our travels... They will add some fun to our travel wall, just inside the door of our little get away on wheels.

Please add a link below to YOUR project.  Flickr, or instagram links work well!  For MORE "hoop art" inspiration... click here !

oh... and for more vintage finds and to see our  ongoing "Travels in Vintage" ... or some fun and creative things I am working on...  follow me on  instagram  with  your smartphone.  @Opendoorstudio 

Cheers! 

        Martha

A View of Na-da Farm's Spring Sale 2013

WE had a delightful time setting up at the Na-da Farm sale this weekend.

Preparing months in advance...by renovating our 

little vintage travel trailer, 

we were almost ready to go.

Mabel, the name we have chosen for our little camper, paying homage to my husband's mom of the same name.  She was a camper and outdoors woman at heart.  Although my husband thought we should do the interior in denim and flannel, I overruled and decided to go with a brighter, bolder look.

an overall view of our display Saturday morning.

She looked so cute as our back drop and escape from the westerly winds.  Despite the gathering storm, we continued to set up our outdoor space, collecting a few things that had blown down during the afternoons set up.  ...with the large crowd gathering, we put the finishing touches on the booth.  

We stole a moment to admire some of our favorite shops in the BARN... before the crowds engulfed it!

Anne Marie's delightful Nada FArm Homemade "shop" so many yummy baked goods here!

Cracker Jax had some cute clothing. Aubrey found something there she LOVED.

Above, Jen from FRESH Vintage has such a bright and colorful style!

Jeanine from Chippy Shabby has a beautiful presentation and tons of beautiful vignettes.

Stacey from Cottage industry delighted with some darling, whimsical  pillows and embroidered creations. 

At the END of the day... we all had a wonderful time, sharing stories with customers, getting to know one another better and taking in the beautiful vistas from the farm!

    The End.

'RED between the lines' by opendoorstudio

Treasury tool by StylishHome.