Welcome to My Studio! Er... I Mean Office!

Maybe it's just me, but I love to see the spaces in which people work. What kind of tools do they use?
How do they make their space their own? Inspire their own creativity? Make themselves laugh in the middle of their workdays?

Give me a trip to Santa's workshop over a visit on his lap anytime!

I'd love to hear about your own space, so I thought I might break the ice by showing you around my workshop/studio/office. Ready for a tour?

First of all I should remind you who I work for.
I suppose it's God most of all, but as Minister to Children at FBC Greenville, the work I do is all about ministering to/with great kids like these...

and their families.
Don't let the mustaches fool you- these kids aren't as old as they look!
I work with kids 1st grade-5th grade.

They're super fun and creative and full of ideas, and I want them to feel happy and comfortable in my office- it's a space made for them too.

So along with all the supplies and books, there's plenty of toys and other stuff to keep them smiling and not bored.

There's a bench for lounging and a rabbit and turtle that can always use a hug, if somebody's giving them out for free.










I also hang a lot of art that makes me happy.
Like this piece that I found amongst some Sunday school literature. It's probably about fifty or sixty years old. I love how it shows the child exploring her beautiful world, feeling God's presence.

We use the Godly Play approach in Sunday school (see my other blog The Wonder Circle if you're interested) in which the children learn to listen and look for God in the sacred stories from the Bible, but also in their own lives. I think this picture shows that same quiet reverence.
Plus I just love artwork from that time. It makes me feel good.

I love this too, Jesus calming the storm. Charles Pate, Jr. did it. Very powerful.

Karen Lucci, an artist friend, painted one of my favorite Bible stories for a postcard for Triune Mercy Center. It's the story in which Jesus appears to the disciples after his resurrection and makes them breakfast.

I've also hung a bulletin board full of pics of my sweet kiddos. When I first started it helped me learn their names. Now I enjoy looking at it and thinking of them.

A very important part of my office decor: the Jolly Ranchers!
It's a great way to get the kids to come in and talk with me!

Kids (and adults) seem to love the wind up toys. They'll stand there for surprising amounts of time, winding it up and watching it go.

This piece of art belonged to my friend Bev, who had my job before me. I love it--children all over the world, in a dance.

One of my duties is preparing the children's worship bags. Bags are always all over my office!

The kids seem to enjoy this piece, made by mixed media artist Jeannette Janson. They can't resist touching it as they try to figure out where all the parts come from. Father Time is written in the center. It's already made for some good discussions. If there is a Father Time, who is it? Why might he wear a crown? He's holding a key. Could it be the key to the kingdom? What might that be?










So that's my office!
Now what about you?
What's your favorite thing in your workspace? I'd love to hear about it.
Oh, and if you're like me and love checking out the studio nearest you, you might want to hop over and give a look-see to Where Women Create. It's a fun blog/magazine sure to inspire you!

Love, Becky