Well hello there!
I'm Miriam
After 3 decades in corporate finance, I began a journey to "follow my folly". I started Baldur Studios in 2013, the Arizona Artisans Collective in 2016 along with the Grotto Gallery, and recently a new lifestyle and design brand called The Whiskey Porch. All my focus now is about creativity, art, and design - my passions. I live in northern Arizona with my amazing husband Michael, our yellow lab Ibis, and Nellie the cat in a tiny 1924 craftsman bungalow called Juniper Hill Cottage. Our four kiddos are grown and off chasing their dreams! I wrote a blog post about my windy path ...
baldur studios
Baldur Studios is my small art studio located in historic downtown Prescott in the Bradshaw Mountains of northern Arizona. Here I craft original, often bespoke, artwork specializing in metal, glass, and wood. I've always been an artist of sorts and am completely influenced by my heritage (some blog posts I've written explore my Inspiration). Only in the last couple of years have I had the privilege to setup a truly dedicated studio and it's my refuge.
Life is still a bit hectic but we are settling in to our little mountain village and I will begin dedicating larger portions of my month and then week to creating in my studio with my hands and heart.
I invite you to Explore the Marketplace.
Arizona Artisans Collective
I came to know very personally after 2013 that there were countless resources dedicated to building various technical crafting skills in every possible medium, but virtually nothing focused on how to build and market a viable brand. So I took into my own hands.
I started the Collective, a professional fellowship of Arizona Makers & Artisans, with the goal of helping emerging local artisans and creatives tackle the business of being an artist.
Shortly thereafter I opened a resource center in downtown Temp on the ASU campus, and then expanded the space to start the Grotto Gallery where I was able to feature and help market talented local fine artists in many mediums.
The Business of Art
Focused on building a community and bringing targeted resources and content to local artists, the Arizona Artisans Collective supports art-repreneurs build viable brands. If you are a serious maker or artist in Arizona, we are here for you.
Grotto Gallery
Begun in 2017 in downtown Tempe on the ASU campus, our mission is to feature and market a thoughtfully curated catalog of local Arizona artwork through interior design representation, an e-commerce solution, and exhibitions and events.
arizona makers & artists
Over the years we've worked hard to market local art but more than that, it's vital to share the story behind the artwork and the inpsiration of the artist. That takes time and effort beyond just hanging a piece of art on the wall.
The whiskey porch
Nordic Bungalow Lifestyle & Design.
Cultivating contentment & possibility in a smaller, simpler & more beautiful lifestyle. Starting here in northern Arizona. Offering resources, local goodness, and exceptional home & garden design services.
This is my latest venture, and where I currently spend the bulk of my time. Doing what I love and incorporating art and handmade goodness every step of the way.
Explore The Whiskey Porch !!
local goodness
Local for us means Prescott, Arizona. A smaller and simpler lifestyle means connecting intimately with your local community.
services
Get help and support to make your bungalow dreams come true. Consulting, design, documenting.
Give us a Shout
Thanks for reading about all our adventures. If you have any comments, suggestions, or questions about what we do we would absolutely love to hear from you. Send us a note or give us a call: contact us.