A Time of Celebration and Calm

written by guest bloggers Marly and Angie of STUDiO 28

December is a month of contrasting rhythms. The first three weeks are spent busily preparing for Christmas. Shopping, staff parties, get-togethers with friends before the gatherings with family, open house and studio show preparations, in our case, decorating, food shopping, cooking for Christmas eve and Christmas day.

A Christmas Show in Campbellville

Our 3rd Annual Studio Sale and Open House

Decorating the Garden Entrance with Christmas lights

Aaahh, and then, the glorious week between Christmas and New Year's Eve arrives. For many people, if they are lucky, December 26th until January 1st is a time for calm reflection. Yesterday, was the beginning of our retreat time. Whether its staying in our jammies until noon, putting on the second and third pots of coffee, finishing that great book, sitting beside the fire, or bundling up and going for walks, we revel in this new found freedom to slow down the pace and enjoy the quiet moments.

A Walk in Waterloo Park

It's a time to remember highlights of 2010 which include a spring adventure to Santa Fe in March to learn new metalsmithing techniques, camping and music festivals and visits to the cottage in the summer, an opportunity to learn from Celie Fago and visit with friends in Vermont in September, and both of us being able to create full-time for STUDiO 28 this fall. One of the best memories of this year was Ruth's visit in August. What fun it was to show her our house and studio here in Waterloo, and to spend time creating, laughing, and dreaming together. Ruth has become such a dear friend and mentor to both of us. As this will be our last post as guest bloggers, we both want to thank Ruth for the opportunity to share stories and ideas on this blog and for giving us the inspiration to start our own. We hope that Ruth may want to be a guest on our blog from time to time and we invite all of you to follow us at

"In and Around STUDiO 28." We have posted some new workshops for the winter months and hope that some of you can join us by the fire in the studio and share in our creative adventures. We wish all of you much joy and happiness in 2011.

Here's to a peaceful 2011