Balancing teaching and the studio refit took over and I have a 9 inch pile of admin to deal with on my desk and a blog that has been seriously neglected. So much for documenting the transition :-(
I am so sorry. It fell by the wayside.
I finished at half past eleven the night before the opening. No new year celebrations for me. But it all paid off with our opening on 1st January going to plan - in fact everything ran really smoothly. I was quite emotional in the first few classes. When you put your everything into a project and you have nothing left to give and no time for it anyway, the stakes are really, really high.
I didn't do it alone of course: Steph, Ruth, Gareth, Sam, Caroline, Danielle, Veronica, Eluned, Elaine, Sheila and Mike all helped with painting or making eye pillow covers and every hour that they gave of their time ensured I opened on time. Richard was just incredible giving of his time in the studio to paint but also crocheting the super cute hand towels and passing onto me all the kitchen equipment I would need. Thank you doesn't seem enough for this wonderful, generous man. Honesly, without everyones support and help, I would still be in a building site right now! The most thanks goes to Steve, my husband, who has been the most immense support and help. He is my rock and strength. I love him so much for helping me bring my dreams alive.
Of course I had a phenominal team of professionals around me. If anyone wants a builder I highly recommend Phil Jones and his two sons Keiran and Harry. They transformed the image in my head into the reality that it is. They worked to such a tight timescale and were so creative with their solutions. Ed the Spread my plasterer was an artist, Andrew Gardener Electrics were fast and efficient, Darren Burrows and Joel blew me away with their incredible carpentry and flooring, Budgie sorted my heating and Andy from Cardiff and Vale Roofing were all incredible and I cannot recommend enough.
I hope you can come down and try one of the classes soon. Have a look around and ask to see a glimpse of the past in my loft - the only area other than faint court markings on the studio floor that shows the building as it was when I took over - a derelict squash court now transformed into the most wonderful space.
~ Stef x
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