I feel in the mood for a little interior inspiration, how about you? Today I want you to come along with me to visit the red and aqua blue home-based craft studio of mixed-media artist and mom Karen Andersen in Hervey Bay located on the southeast coast of Queensland, Australia.

Karen sews, quilts, embroiders, and creates jewelery, “I just cannot have idle hands — I am always making something!”, which is one reason why she just launched her new etsy shop to sell some of her wares – to satisfy her need to create. Currently, she has glass tile pendants but in the early part of 2010 she will expand her selection to include some of her original art, prints, beaded jewelery, totes and pouches, paper goods and more. Here are some things that she has made an a glimpse into her studio space.

How did I find Karen? On Flickr! I was looking at her inspiration journal set and then noticed that she had photos of her studio and I had to contact her to ask if I could show a glimpse of it here. I also asked Karen which artists inspire her, which she has so nicely answered below (thanks, Karen!).

Karen is inspired by many things, one being, “Independent artists/makers who are living their dreams of creating for a living”, like Elsie Flannigan, Rachel Denbow, Kelly Rae Roberts, Mati McDonough and Lisa Congdon. Also Australian artist Ken Doneis her all-time favorite. Thank you Karen for sharing a corner of your world with us!

(images: karen andersen)

42 Responses to “Crafty Studio in Australia”

1 My Owl Barn commented:
December 16th, 2009 at 1:59 pm

Aqua has just become my new favorite. I love all the bright colors against the neutral walls.
My Owl Barn´s last blog ..Scarf+Chocolate
2 Nuit commented:
December 16th, 2009 at 2:49 pm

wow! this workplace is presh!!!!! the colors really sing to me = )
Nuit´s last blog ..Holiday Chic
3 Lydia, Clueless Crafter commented:
December 16th, 2009 at 3:03 pm

My studio at the moment consists of a footstool that has a box inside. Yup, that’s it. But, hubby just got me a sewing machine for xmas and I found a vintage desk on the New York streets that will become the very beginning of my studio.

I feel inspired by these women who create meaningful spaces of their own! It’s a process; I’m loving it!
Lydia, Clueless Crafter´s last blog ..Don’t Be Tardy for the Party
4 Brandi commented:
December 16th, 2009 at 3:13 pm

I love that inspiration board! I’ve been on a search to find the perfect one. And that just might be it.
Actually, I love everything about this workspace.
Brandi´s last blog ..East Coast Sadness
5 lindsey commented:
December 16th, 2009 at 3:40 pm

Love this workspace. The colors are so vibrant and fun!
Thanks for sharing,

{ Lindsey }
greatfullday.blogspot.com
lindsey´s last blog ..Folk in Frames
6 Lisa @celebrate CREATIVITY commented:
December 16th, 2009 at 3:43 pm

Love the mood the aqua color evokes. Great looking room to create things in and nice crafty details here and there.
Lisa @celebrate CREATIVITY´s last blog ..The Pleasure of Poinsettias
7 cristin @ simplified bee commented:
December 16th, 2009 at 3:55 pm

what a fun, colorful studio. Thanks for sharing.

xo,
cristin
cristin @ simplified bee´s last blog ..DIY – Inexpensive, Handmade Gift Wrap Ideas
8 Lori commented:
December 16th, 2009 at 4:02 pm

Oh, I love the sewing machine cover. So pretty.
9 Sandee commented:
December 16th, 2009 at 4:23 pm

Hey there!

Congratulations for making into the Times Online – best pick of design blogs!

http://property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/property/interiors/article6953167.ece?token=null&offset=36&page=4

Yay!
10 suzanne cabrera commented:
December 16th, 2009 at 4:39 pm

Thanks for taking us off the beaten path and into Karen’s studio. It’s a real delight! Looks like such a lovely place to work.
11 Camilla @ Hygge Nook commented:
December 16th, 2009 at 4:59 pm

The cone garland is just gorgeous. I love the homespun quality of her craft space from the fire engine red chair to the crochet blanket.
Camilla @ Hygge Nook´s last blog ..Christmas tree skirts
12 laura trevey commented:
December 16th, 2009 at 5:14 pm

this is my kind of post ~~ bright and beautiful!!
laura trevey´s last blog ..Joy, Original Watercolor, 5 by 7, Colorful Home Decor
13 jilly commented:
December 16th, 2009 at 5:22 pm

oh la la! want for inspiration archive: now how to save one image without saving the whole bunch???
14 evieandme commented:
December 16th, 2009 at 5:32 pm

Hi Holly – just spotted that you are number 6 in the 50 best interior blogs (timesonline.co.uk) – CONGRATULATIONS!
15 Courtney @ nesting instincts commented:
December 16th, 2009 at 5:36 pm

how can she NOT be creative in a space like that? I literally feel inspired to go create now that I’ve looked at these photos. Thanks for the inspiration – from both of you!
Courtney @ nesting instincts´s last blog ..more is more…and a merry Christmas :-)
16 CommeUnPiou commented:
December 16th, 2009 at 5:42 pm

Hi,
I really love this blue desk on the fifth picture !
Love the contrast with the red elements and the christmas garland is a very good and smart idea !

Hope to see her next creations on etsy very soon !
17 NYCLQ commented:
December 16th, 2009 at 7:00 pm

Hey Decor8!! CONGRATS on making into the Top 10 of the Top 50 Design Blogs on TIMESONLINE UK(http://property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/property/interiors/article6953167.ece?token=null&offset=24&page=3) !!!!
I’m a newbie (just started in November) and you will be my inspiration!! although… I do recall seeing you post on my spaces on RateMySpace (??) Beautiful Blog!!

Mine is: ::: FOCAL POINT ::: at http://nyclq-focalpoint.blogspot.com/
Come by and say hi!!
:D Lynda
NYCLQ ´s last blog ..Form Meets Function
18 natalie. commented:
December 16th, 2009 at 7:35 pm

so cute. congrats on being in the top 50 design blogs too – so well deserved! =)
19 Angela Furlong commented:
December 16th, 2009 at 8:21 pm

I loved this story… all that wonderful colour! How could those images not inspire happiness!

Hope you have a lovely day,

Angela
Angela Furlong´s last blog ..Desks & Stuff
20 The Office Stylist commented:
December 16th, 2009 at 8:23 pm

I absolutely love the bulletin/clip board! Such a cute studio!
21 Yvonne commented:
December 16th, 2009 at 9:27 pm

Love this space…basic white with lots of colours! I would be so happy creating in a room like this!
Yvonne´s last blog ..Peace
22 jacqueline commented:
December 16th, 2009 at 10:44 pm

Such a cozy gorgeous work space! Loving the colors you use and how she display her spools of gorgeous threads. Have a lovely merry happy day and love to you!
jacqueline´s last blog ..Bias toward the Pretty
23 Patricia Torres commented:
December 16th, 2009 at 10:56 pm

oh my gosh… I’d love a space like this… Amazing!! wow!! wow!!
Patricia Torres´s last blog ..Random red & gold
24 elsie commented:
December 16th, 2009 at 11:10 pm

thanks for the mention, Karen! i love your studio!!!
25 Regina @ Margarita Bloom commented:
December 16th, 2009 at 11:12 pm

That is my kind of crafty room! Bursting with fun and color and polks dots, oh snap! :)
26 Etincelle commented:
December 17th, 2009 at 4:24 am

I really like the mood of the aqua color (my favorite color), just like Lisa above… but most of all it is your selection of photos and how it is nicely all put together. You are so talented!!
Etincelle´s last blog ..FREE SHIPPING – READY TO SHIP – UNIQUE linen dress with sequins and vintage lace – Size 9-12 months ONLY
27 Creative ideas commented:
December 17th, 2009 at 5:13 am

You studio is totally amazing!
28 Meredith from Penelope Loves Lists commented:
December 17th, 2009 at 11:54 am

I love the concept of the Inspiration Journal. That appeals to me on such a deep level. It combines two my favorite things: notebooks and pretty photos.
Meredith from Penelope Loves Lists´s last blog ..Martha Does Christmas Cookies: and, Why I like Martha Better Post-Prison
29 Jessica commented:
December 17th, 2009 at 8:38 pm

This is my favorite color combo. I made a Flickr gallery dedicated to it. It is also dominating my living room. This post makes me feel so happy. Off to Flickr I go!
Jessica´s last blog ..Artist Profile: Rachel Austin
30 LindaS commented:
December 18th, 2009 at 12:36 am

Lovely! Would love to know where she got that spool stand (Im in Australia too).
31 rachel denbow commented:
December 18th, 2009 at 1:05 am

Karen! So happy to see her on here. She’s a doll and DOES have a great space. And it made my day to see she mentioned me. BLUSHING.
rachel denbow´s last blog ..May I Recommend…
32 Karen M. Andersen commented:
December 18th, 2009 at 8:34 am

Oooooh YAY!!! I am so beyond excited to see my humble little studio on Decor8 Holly! Your post is AMAZING and I can’t stop looking at it. Thank you so much for featuring it/me :D

Thank you to everyone here for your beautiful comments – I am thrilled that you love my space and that it inspires you!

Linda, the spool stand is actually 2 spool stands stacked on top of each other. I bought them from BIG W, would you believe…cost me all of about $3 each. I NEED to have my threads out for me to see, and it stops them from getting tangled up, too. Glad you like it! Now, go to BIG W and buy one (or 2 ) for yourself :)

That’s okay Elsie and Rachel – and I mean what I say too!

Thanks again Holly!

Karen xx
Karen M. Andersen´s last blog ..Glass tile pendants/necklaces
33 Eliza commented:
December 18th, 2009 at 12:20 pm

Karen- Your space is so lively and fun! What a cool workspace…gives me something to aspire to in my own creative space!
Eliza´s last blog ..Leaves and Feathers: A Winter Giveaway
34 LindaS commented:
December 18th, 2009 at 11:17 pm

Big W?! Madness! Im off there asap! Thanks for the tip!
LindaS´s last blog ..Second Birthday
35 Zemphira commented:
December 19th, 2009 at 1:32 am

Oh my – how lovely! That is where I want to create!
36 Karen M. Andersen commented:
December 20th, 2009 at 6:47 am

Thanks Eliza and Zemphira! And that’s okay Linda – hope you find a couple of those thread stands for yourself too :)

Karen xx
Karen M. Andersen´s last blog ..Glass tile pendants/necklaces
37 Lois commented:
December 20th, 2009 at 11:15 am

Absolutely charming.

Just as simple as that.
38 Robin commented:
December 20th, 2009 at 11:56 am

Oh, this is beyond delightful. Thanks so much for sharing!
It makes me want to stop sewing and decorate my sewing nook.
Robin´s last blog ..Daniel’s shirt is finished (yay!)
39 Martha commented:
December 20th, 2009 at 2:11 pm

Did you make the sewing machine cover yourself? I’d love to buy one! I don’t see any on your etsy page.
40 cassandra commented:
December 20th, 2009 at 3:08 pm

i would like the same “atelier “(don’t know the word in english) for sewing too! Beautifull!!!!!!!!!
41 cassandra commented:
December 20th, 2009 at 3:09 pm

and the sewing maching cover is so pretty!!!!!
cassandra´s last blog ..Zara Home invité de La redoute
42 Farmgirl Susan commented:
January 13th, 2010 at 9:41 am

What a cheerful studio! Love all the colorful details. :)
Farmgirl Susan´s last blog ..Tuesday Dose of Cute:You Shouldn’t Take Chances with the Food Supply

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