Monday, 24 June 2013

A Tale of Two Rooms

 

I’ve been working from home for the past few years and I truly love it.  I am much more productive and less distracted so I can get more done from home.  I am the type of person who works all day, every day,  so having my “stuff”  around me here is a great benefit.  Up until the last year I had my office and my studio in the same room and it tended to get cramped and very messy at times.  The office is right off my master bedroom and you can see it from there so I like to have it neat and tidy if I can.  So, after my daughter was gone at college for three years I decided to bite the bullet and take over her bedroom as my new art studio. 

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Now I have plenty of room for my sewing machines, fabric, art supplies and everything else.  It is still very much a work in progress.  I am looking forward to putting up some Jackie Von Tobel drapery hardware from Helser Brothers soon so keep tuned. 

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I did this room on a serious budget of $100.  I used all existing furniture that I had.  ( Yes, I can be a pack rat and had a lot of stuff in my garage including some old furniture I had made for my husbands office that he outgrew)   The only thing I bought was a few gallons of white paint and a couple of unfinished doors to serve as tabletops.  I slapped a coat of white paint on everything, including the floor, and called it a day! 

 

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My favorite piece in the studio is a rolling cart that my sister Trudi gave to me.  I can roll it out into the center of the room and walk around it 360’ or I can tuck it neatly under my larger table so it’s out of the way.  I am also filling the walls with my kids art that they did as little ones.  I would much rather look at that than anything else.

 

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I have tons of storage plus a huge closet that is far to messy to show you.  I’m sure I will fill it up in no time.  My office helpers above are hard at work fighting with each other!   Just like the real thing…..

 

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This is what they can usually be found doing.

 

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I love working in the new room.  It is so bright and sun filled and most of all it’s a constant reminder of my beautiful girl.  I left her yellow paint just as it was, warts and all.  It makes me smile every time I walk in there. 

 

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You would think with all this new studio space that my old office would be perfectly organized and never messy but here is my desk today.  It’s just as crazy as ever but that’s how I like it.

Friday, 17 May 2013

Ready For Surtex!



For JackieVT-flatThe last collection is finished and all of the artwork is off to my agent!  I’ve been working like a mad woman for the last few months creating new art for Surtex, the Surface and Textile Licensing convention in New York.  I won’t be going this year because my brilliant son Geordie is graduating from Film School the same week, but my lovely agent Jan Drahiem will be there with her company, 
Drop by and see my new work at booth # 717.  

Wednesday, 24 October 2012

Monday, 22 October 2012

Wednesday, 10 October 2012

You're Invited - Let's Party in High Point



We are throwing a party with the help of our good friends at Minutes Matter & Studio at High Point Market.  We will be showing off my new hardware line and serving wine paired with gourmet chocolates. 
Visit the Minutes Matter booth at The Suites at Market Square G-4029 (first floor - disregard the booth number on the invite - its wrong)

We will be popping the cork at 2:30 and serving goodies until the cows come home so please come by and see us. 

Tuesday, 2 October 2012

~ SLIPCOVERS ~ Home Décor Idea Book

 

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Does it seem to you that life comes at you in fits and starts?  For me its either sheer boredom or everything happening at once.  That’s what’s going on around here right now.  After two years of preparations and delays my third book, SLIPCOVERS,  is finally almost ready for its debut next Spring. 

It’s all dressed up with a new, fresh look and format as well as a nice, durable,  soft cover so it wont weigh 8 pounds like my other books.  I have a new editor and book designer for this one so I am really excited to see what they come up with for the interior design.  I will share it with you as soon as I get the previews. 

Thursday, 27 September 2012

Jackie Von Tobel for Helser Brothers, Inc.


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Greek Key finial

It’s finally here!  The Jackie Von Tobel for Helser Brothers, Inc drapery hardware collection. After many months of development the line is ready for its closeup.  The entire collection is in stock and immediately available at the "made in the USA", Helser Brothers, Inc. plant in Phoenix Arizona. 



french knot V with JVT for HB logo fullFrench Knot finial


When I first began talking with the fabulous Helser Brothers about a collaboration it became clear to me that this was a fantastic opportunity to create a fresh new line that would address the versatility required for todays window treatment designs.  It was a chance to think out of the box and design hardware that would be able to be used in many different configurations rather than having each piece be pigeon holed for one use. 


Shield in whiteShield scarf holder ~ available with or without tassel


Helser Brothers gave me carte blanche to design new, interchangeable elements that can be used in a multitude of applications just by changing the bracket to fit your needs.  Finials can be used as tie backs or swag holders.  Tab holders can be used as rod brackets and some can be connected together to build cornices.  Individual,  free hanging, “tassles” can be integrated into the window treatments designs themselves as trim or can be ordered attached to rings for a fun embellishment to your design.
 

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Javelon finial with rod
 

My goal for the collection was to create simple transitional designs that would work just as well in a modern setting as in a traditional one.   Each piece in the collection was inspired by classic motifs and familiar shapes with clean lines and sharp angles that give each design a rich simplicity.  Each design looks dramatically different depending on the finish you choose.  


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Arrowhead, Trophy finials  shown in liquid silver finish


Crafted from cast zinc, this hardware is lighter than typical iron products and has a sleek smooth finish that looks great in metallics as well as Helser’s beautiful hand painted finishes.  The new “liquid silver” finish is a favorite of mine. 


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Exclamation Point finial


The new JVT line consists of: 
8 finial designs
6 decorative medallions
2 free hanging tassel designs
2 ring designs with attached free hanging tassels
7/8 round rods
1 1/4 round rods
1 3/4 round rods
7/8 square rods
25 ingenious hanging brackets options that can make almost any installation possible!
25 spectacular, metallic, and hand painted finishes
and much more………

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Pagoda finial with tassel


To request your free “to the trade only” catalog and finish samples please email Helser Brothers at Frank@helserbrothers.com
just ask for the JVT catalog!

for Press or Editorial  inquiries please email me at jackie_vontobel at msn.com