Carte Blanche Studio... maybe...

jesnbec73 · #1 2024-02-09, 9:03am

My wife and I are about to inherit a little chunk of property and some pocket change to go with it. We're putting serious thought into setting up a full blown glass studio and essentially have maybe twenty thousand-ish to do this with, more if needed, less if possible.

We were thinking metal building, prefab with a poured concrete floor but at this point it is an absolute blank page but we want to try as much bang for the buck as possible. We'd like to have at least three work stations, one for larger pieces, one for beads and marbles, and one for my miniatures. Not sure we want to be open to the public, the insurance is ridiculous for that and not sure we'd want to run plumbing anyways for restrooms.

Kinda looking for ideas though, I know there's some fire code things we'd have to comply with like two exits and what not. For thirty years I've worked in a very small studio so the prospect of a larger studio is pretty exciting but I want to try to nail down a layout before we go shopping for buildings.

Eileen · #2 2024-02-09, 9:40am

I don't have anything near that size but I bought a prefab building that they built to my specifications as far as doors and windows and then delivered and set up where we wanted it. It has hurricane tiedowns and is warrantied for several years but I can't remember exactly the details. You might see if you have anything like that in your area. The one we got came with one light switch and light I think it was but we elected to not get that for a little discount and my husband wired it since he has that knowledge and I wanted outlets and extra lighting.

jesnbec73 · #3 2024-02-09, 10:19am

We're just now throwing the idea around, the big studio is my dream, I think the wife is gonna shave some off that though LOL

Definitely will have to be wired for electric, you were fortunate to have a husband who knows that stuff, good lord that gets expensive. One 220 for a larger kiln would be nice.

One of those prefabs would be awesome, but I don't know if they are going to be big enough for more than one work station. I'm going to have a look at as many other small glass studios as I can get my eyes on though over the next little while, we've probably got about a year before this becomes an actual thing.

Eileen · #4 2024-02-09, 11:36am

Mine is pretty tight but I do have one table with two torches on one wall and I have another door for cutting glass on the back wall and a potter's wheel and the other front corner lol I would love to have another few feet. We have another shed for storage that is I think 16x20 and I wish it was mine for my working building.

jesnbec73 · #5 2024-02-09, 12:27pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eileen

Mine is pretty tight but I do have one table with two torches on one wall and I have another door for cutting glass on the back wall and a potter's wheel and the other front corner lol I would love to have another few feet. We have another shed for storage that is I think 16x20 and I wish it was mine for my working building.

Where did you get your prefab building from, like a Lowes or something?

jesnbec73 · #6 2024-02-09, 2:07pm

Let's see... let's word this a little different and see what you guys come up with.

If you could design a glass studio dedicated to lampwork and maybe small scale (literally miniature) glass blowing, how would you set it up?

Eileen · #7 2024-02-09, 9:14pm

I got mine from a place called Superior sheds. They had an outlet in the next town over and we went over and looked at the models and then I wanted a couple of extra windows in mine and a wider door so I had to wait while they made it and then they delivered it and set it up. I got to choose the colors of the roof and outer walls and trim.
The one I got for my workspace is 12x14 which is like 11 x13 inside which I did not realize was going to happen. I wish I could switch out the 16x20 we got for storage with this one we got for me to work in but that's not going to happen because of the electricity. Mine had been there for a couple of years when we decided to get another for storage and the other one is even further from the house so my husband said he did not want to load that one up with outlets.
Please ignore the fabric that I accidentally got caught over top of the door. I use that to keep the morning sun out in the summer

jesnbec73 · #8 2024-02-10, 10:07am

That type of building would be ideal, maybe just a hair larger.

KJohn · #9 2024-02-11, 2:57pm

I love that Eileeen!

Jr, that's a good question and there are lots of different answers. Personallly for me, I would think more about what i want in terms of windows, lighting and storage. and the outside/area would need to look nice too. To put me in the mood!

It sounds like a fun project to imagine, enjoy!

Eileen · #10 2024-02-11, 4:22pm

Thanks. I really wanted one with a small front porch, but this one worked better for some reason I cannot recall...

jesnbec73 · #11 2024-02-11, 8:40pm

This is one of the ones we are considering. We like the standing room on both floors, but we'd need to put in the exhaust hoods etc.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Best-Barns-...42-ft/50429766

KJohn · #12 2024-02-13, 10:03pm

what size? That's a beauty! Folks can build a tiny house with that! A second floor with standing room especially is such a bonus. Lots of windows are good too

jesnbec73 · #13 2024-02-15, 8:07am

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJohn

what size? That's a beauty! Folks can build a tiny house with that! A second floor with standing room especially is such a bonus. Lots of windows are good too

16x32 if we get the one we are wanting, we figured the second story would be for packaging and shipping, computer, records and the like. It may be overkill but we also need some storage room for outdoor tools.

Eileen · #14 2024-02-15, 9:29am

Much better to have too much space than not enough, I learned that the hard way! That would be an awesome space, and plenty of room for both of you.