I’ve see it! This space has held creativity and I’ve watched it ignite. It has been the backdrop to that spark that flares in the presence of an aesthetic challenge.

Jump ahead to see 2 sites every creative person will love!

It boggles my mind and can drain my enthusiasm at times, but my happy little garage has played the part of storage container, she-shed, party room, studio, and even garage…sometimes in frighteningly fast succession.

Covid-19 surreality, is a mental, political, logistic, economic, and health crisis that we WILL overcome. Still, nearly everyday I catch myself planning things that would tempt fate. Craving to create with others safely has launched JOE’S Garage into a studio evolution.

But gone are the days of quaint rafters and bare sheetrock. No more elbow to elbow crafting under one big fluorescent light. Social distancing brings a new opportunity to clean up and reinvent.

It has taken several false starts to settle into my current more open floor plan. The drawing board that I kept returning to was not a figure of speech. I rearranged every post-it note fixture over and over. One plan allowed 8 students spaced out along the walls, one allowed a car.

It started with a fresh coat of paint. I wanted a sky of tiny rice lights against a comfy blue ceiling, while still able to flood the work areas with excellent lighting surrounded by a clean and friendly glow.

I removed all non-essential everything, and replaced many buckets and stacks with cupboards and drawers. The result is wider passage and happier tools. Tim finished off a hidden mystery door into a anteroom for canvases and my own fuse box—very convenient. I have added wheels to several pieces allowing flexibility, too.

I settled on 2 work stations, plus my hutch bench, with wiggle room for more.

Yes, I’m breathing easier now, with my studio’s cosmetic upgrades, and from my new extractor ventilation fan moving over 400 cfm! I have been wanting this for some time. We can comfortably and safely solder all winter with the garage door up or down.

You will see most of my CLASSES listed as before. What has changed is class size. Think intimate: small groups of one or two, and each class will be individually scheduled, so you can choose a time that works for you.

Today JOE’S Garage is more inviting than ever, safer than ever, and open for business! 🇺🇸

I will continue teaching through Community Ed, and utilizing ZOOM, and Youtube to reach those beyond my studio.

You have been my light at the end of this tunnel. I hope you will find your path through with the help of creative outlets, from the support of other humans and the comfort of furry friends, and from the confidence we all feel from level-headed doers who jump in and care for us, or protect us, or plan for our safe and secure future.

I’ve felt your support over the past months. Know that I am here for you, too! Thank you especially for Kim York, who supports me on Patreon; Ali Ecklund, Deb Haar, and Nancy Hurley for helping me feel the creative love whenever that spirit calls, as well as Andy Bacharach for that and all the ways she keeps my studio producing and populated! And I am thankful for Sioux Falls Community Ed (and Melanie Erickson—remember the Bead Co.?), that shines above all my twinkle lights to spread healing to our distance-weariness.

I’m also thankful for these creative roads less traveled that never disappoint. These websites always take me somewhere I never imagined, and leave me contemplating something new. MyModernMet and Christies.com

I’d love to hear what you’re thankful for!

Stay well, my masked crafters!