Step into My Studio Where the Creations Happen - Year 2024

Over the years I have shared with readers my creative space in Clayton, California. Each year I enjoy making new changes to improve my studio. Since, 2021 I have been documenting my studio changes. Part of that process involves purchasing new equipment, tools and unique art pieces. Being in my studio is one of my favorite places on earth. Each day I look forward to walking upstairs to the studio and getting started on new creations. Working in the studio delivers a sense of peace, making my creative space ideal for new ideas. This year's studio updates centered around adding art, setting up an industrial machine and creating a more comfortable space to accommodate my ongoing physical pain. In this blog article I am excited to share with readers those changes. So, lets take a look...   

My New Pink Chopin Chandelier 

The Chopin Chandelier - The Palo Alto Festival of The Arts 

This year I wanted to continue the theme of adding more color in the MONOLISA Studio. The first art purchase was from one of my favorite art shows, the Palo Alto Festival of the Arts. I was so excited and honored to participate in the art show. When I arrived at the show I immediately fell in love with a hanging art piece. The whimsical art piece was surrounded by colorful chandeliers. My favorite piece hung above a piano with a sign that said play me. As I studied the spiral chandeliers swaying in the warm morning breeze they didn't appear to be for sale. The chandeliers where displayed to encourage people to play a song on the piano. The spiral glass looking chandelier designed in bold pink colors was calling my name. Its vibrate colors were infectious. I had to take this chandelier home with me and put it in my studio!

By the end of the Palo Alto Festival of the Arts show, my goal was to find out the talented artist behind the bright pink chandelier creation. As the hours went by at the show I asked one of the art show volunteers to find out who the artist was behind these incredible one of a kind Chopin Chandeliers. The volunteer didn't know, but offered to try and find out. By the end of the day, to my surprise, the helpful volunteer found the artist's name and cell phone number.

At 8:30am the following day I called the talented artist, Claudette Mannina. Luckily, I was fortunate to reach Claudette immediately. Our conversation included the details behind her beautiful "Chuhuly" inspired chandeliers and the lengths she went to create the chandelier collection. Claudette detailed her creative process of collecting over a thousand plastic bottles for the re-cycled chandelier collection. Her creative process made me love the chandelier pieces even more. By the end of the show I was the proud owner of the pink chandelier. I was so excited to get home and hang it up in the MONOLISA Studio. 

My New Simon Bull Art Piece Above Jewelers Bench

ADDING MORE COLOR IN MY STUDIO

My new Lafuma chair 

LAFUMA CHAIR ON WHEELS

Managing physical pain has been a big part of my life for over a decade. This year managing that pain went beyond my normal aches from my back, feet and hips. Unfortunately, I struggle with sitting on chairs and standing too long - which can be challenging. This year my symptoms got much worse. I started developing a new pain in my leg. To relieve my ongoing pain I was in search of a zero gravity chair. I had tried one recently and loved the pain relief it delivered. During my zero gravity chair Google search I couldn't find one to my liking - too costly and weighed too much. It was simple what I wanted - a light-weight zero gravity chair on wheels without breaking the bank. Easier said than done. My husband suggested a Lafuma chair. Its affordability and light weight design was attractive. I just needed to have it on wheels. I decided to purchase a Lafuma chair.

Lisa sitting on a Lafuma chair.

When I got it I immediately fell in love with the comfort and pain relief on my body. There was only one slight problem. Every time I tucked myself under my desk I couldn't get out easily. I needed to come up with a solution to fix this or I would risk falling trying to get out from under my desk. If only I could implement wheels on it that would solve the problem. So, that is what I did or I should say my husband did. We bought a piece of plywood and a small wheel dolly. Then we attached the plywood on the dolly and clamped the Lafuma on the wood. It worked perfectly. Now I have a zero gravity chair on wheels. I can easily get in and out of my desk and move it around my shop wherever I need it. 

My new  Techsew SK-4 Leather Skiving Machine

TECHSEW SK-4 LEATHER SKIVING MACHINE

"Thank you for taking the time to read my blog." 
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This blog post is written by California Designer, Lisa Ramos.

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Step Into My Colorful Studio Where The Creations Happen - Year 2023

Step into My Improved Studio - Where the Creations Happen - Year 2022 

Step into My Studio - Where the Creations Happen -Year 2021

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