4 minute read
Local Spotlight
Special Place of One’s Own
Alyssa Macchia I'm a happily married mother of two. In my spare time, I make handmade jewelry and sell it worldwide on Etsy. With the love and support of my husband, we have built a nice little studio on our property. This is where I can get lost in my creativity. I call this my "Dream Job" (AKA - cheap therapy), where I can turn the day off and branch my passion into art.
I've been making jewelry for years - I started with stringing and wire wrapping. I then took many classes working with other mediums and fell in love with metalwork. I recently trademarked a very unique jewelry line: making gems out of recycled beer, liquor, and wine bottles. I bezel set them in sterling silver creating a “one of a kind wearable drink.” This collection is called “booze bottle jewelry” and will be introduced to the public soon.
Thoughts of teaching metalsmith classes have crossed my mind. I would love to share my experiences and techniques with others that have a true passion for the art of jewelry.
We asked our readers to submit photos of their she sheds, and we selected two especially wonderful examples to share with you.
Our featured sheds were each created for a different purpose and both of them are beautiful. We have one that serves as a creative workspace for an area jewelry artist and one that is a peaceful retreat for the owner and, not infrequently, her friends. Enjoy!
Lynn Bailey The building was purchased in 2003 and was originally used as a garden shed. I emptied and decorated it last summer.
I’m hoping to finish the loft and add some shutters this summer. It is a cozy, quiet space I use as a reading nook. I also have girlfriends over for what I call, “Whine and Wine after Nine.”
Make your home stand out while adding the value it needs!
Uniquely designed concrete can make your house stand out in its neighborhood and give the value of your home the boast it needs.
Spring is finally here and with the warmer weather comes the sprucing up our yard needs from the long cold winter. One sure way to give new life to the exterior of your home is through a new concrete driveway or patio.
On average, a new 2-car concrete driveway costs anywhere from $3-$6,000, which makes this type of an investment pretty significant.
If you are planning on selling your home, Buller Driveways say “... only 44% of prospective buyers wanted a garden while 84% said that they would not buy a house without a driveway.” Whether you want to sell your home this season or spend more time in your outdoor space this summer, a concrete patio is a huge positive. It can add such a ‘wow’ factor giving your family a beautiful outdoor living space to spill over into.
How the exterior of your home looks is the way you welcome others to your home.
Concrete can be poured in a variety
of patterns. Stamping tools allow concrete to have the look of stone, cobblestone brick, basketweave, hardwood floor and reclaimed timber. Curved or straight patterns allow for the personality of the homeowner to come through.
Create even more of a unique look with the addition of color with dozens to choose from ranging from terra cotta light to mocha deep creating an almost infinite combination of styles and hues.
With an up to 50-year lifespan, new concrete is an investment which will last, and with only minor maintenance it can look as good as the day it was poured for years to come. Concrete’s durability, low maintenance and longevity not only make it ideal for giving the value of your home a boast but for giving the look of your home a boast as well. A concrete driveway
or patio will be the last driveway or patio your home will ever need.
Quality concrete can help create the perfect look you’ve always wanted. Give your house a fresh new look and feel with the addition of a beautifully patterned concrete driveway and a durable and custom concrete patio.
And what better place to purchase concrete than from Becker and Scrivens because ...”[they] strive to make every job go as smooth as possible,” says owner Aaron.
Have your contractor call 800-641-3808 for your next project!
