Two weeks ago I was lucky enough to be featured on the Prima blog! Here's the post:
Hi! My name is Julie Fei-Fan Balzer and I live in New York City – Times Square to be exact!
(Sorry for the blurry photo, but that's NYC — always in motion!)
On my street (pictured above) there are two Broadway theatres, Roseland (a famous nightclub/dance hall), lots of restaurants — including two that specialize in Russian food and homemade vodka, a hotel, four apartment buildings, a theatrical scene shop, a garage, a bank, a large office building, and a defunct subway stop.
This is the view, at night, from the other end of my street looking down Broadway:
If you were to turn around you'd see the Ed Sullivan theatre where David Letterman records his TV show plus lots more theatres and restaurants and enormous office buildings!
My husband and I have been married for four years…
…and together we live in a two-bedroom apartment in the sky (okay, it’s only the seventeenth floor). But this is our vertigo inducing view down to the street:
Bet you didn't know that street corners are actually round in NYC!
And the view from our terrace looking out towards the Hudson River on a particularly lovely sunset:
When we moved in to this apartment my sweet hubs told me to take the master bedroom as my craft room. What a nice guy, right?
(By the way: It never looks this neat. Most of the time it's full of piles and piles of stuff!)
And this is my best storage solution ever:
I hung a bunch of those grids from those cheap buildable wire cube things you get at Target and then all of my embellishments are grouped by category (journaling spots, border strips, etc.), hung on giant book rings, and then clipped to the grid wall. I can see what I've got and never have have to go hunting!
I'm not a native New Yorker. I grew up outside of Boston (and still root for the Red Sox and against the Yankees!) I moved to New York City to work in the theatre – I’m a theatrical director – and have directed plays all over New York for the past eleven years. But 2011 is a new beginning for me. I am happily transitioning into doing more and more art and craft work!
And, of course, I love teaching live online classes for Live with Prima every month!
As you can see, I like to paint, spray, and stitch whenever I can. I was shocked and delighted when Prima took a risk and made me and my off-beat style a part of this design team.
I have so enjoyed being a part of the Prima family for the past two years! I particularly love all the fun alterable products that Prima makes like this cool canvas camera bag:
Please visit my blog: Balzer Designs to see more colorful painty fun! I post ideas, projects, and tutorials daily and I have a new online course in mixed media stitch called It's Sew Easy starting at the end of this month!
Thanks for letting me share!
It was great learning more about you. The pictures with your husband are lovely (and yes, he is great by offering the master bedroom, wow!) Prima is lucky to have you and your so authentic and original style as part of their design team.
Thank you for sharing!
It was great learning more about you. The pictures with your husband are lovely (and yes, he is great by offering the master bedroom, wow!) Prima is lucky to have you and your so authentic and original style as part of their design team.
Thank you for sharing!
It was great learning more about you. The pictures with your husband are lovely (and yes, he is great by offering the master bedroom, wow!) Prima is lucky to have you and your so authentic and original style as part of their design team.
Thank you for sharing!
It was great learning more about you. The pictures with your husband are lovely (and yes, he is great by offering the master bedroom, wow!) Prima is lucky to have you and your so authentic and original style as part of their design team.
Thank you for sharing!
Julie, thanks so much for sharing this. I’ve always wondered about your “world” and what your life in NYC is like, and this does NOT disappoint!
Julie, thanks so much for sharing this. I’ve always wondered about your “world” and what your life in NYC is like, and this does NOT disappoint!
Julie, thanks so much for sharing this. I’ve always wondered about your “world” and what your life in NYC is like, and this does NOT disappoint!
Julie, thanks so much for sharing this. I’ve always wondered about your “world” and what your life in NYC is like, and this does NOT disappoint!
Oh wow, how neat to get a peek into your environment! Wowzah – New York City! It makes where I live kinda dull… Love the photo out of your window (17th floor? We don’t even have buildings that high in our city – well, maybe a few) Your craftroom is to drool over!
Oh wow, how neat to get a peek into your environment! Wowzah – New York City! It makes where I live kinda dull… Love the photo out of your window (17th floor? We don’t even have buildings that high in our city – well, maybe a few) Your craftroom is to drool over!
Oh wow, how neat to get a peek into your environment! Wowzah – New York City! It makes where I live kinda dull… Love the photo out of your window (17th floor? We don’t even have buildings that high in our city – well, maybe a few) Your craftroom is to drool over!
Oh wow, how neat to get a peek into your environment! Wowzah – New York City! It makes where I live kinda dull… Love the photo out of your window (17th floor? We don’t even have buildings that high in our city – well, maybe a few) Your craftroom is to drool over!
AMAZING photographs..I love your artwork & style! Lovely to have a peek into your world. Good Luck for 2011. I hope all your dreams come true.
Gez.xx
AMAZING photographs..I love your artwork & style! Lovely to have a peek into your world. Good Luck for 2011. I hope all your dreams come true.
Gez.xx
AMAZING photographs..I love your artwork & style! Lovely to have a peek into your world. Good Luck for 2011. I hope all your dreams come true.
Gez.xx
AMAZING photographs..I love your artwork & style! Lovely to have a peek into your world. Good Luck for 2011. I hope all your dreams come true.
Gez.xx
Fabulous! Wow, you once did say you lived in NYC, times square area and I wondered how the heck you can craft in a NYC apt. But awesome that you have 2 bedrooms and get to use the big one! Love to see spaces. Good luck this year with all that you do, love visiting your blog for inspiration! I don’t live far outside the city maybe one day I’ll pop into one of your classes!
Fabulous! Wow, you once did say you lived in NYC, times square area and I wondered how the heck you can craft in a NYC apt. But awesome that you have 2 bedrooms and get to use the big one! Love to see spaces. Good luck this year with all that you do, love visiting your blog for inspiration! I don’t live far outside the city maybe one day I’ll pop into one of your classes!
Fabulous! Wow, you once did say you lived in NYC, times square area and I wondered how the heck you can craft in a NYC apt. But awesome that you have 2 bedrooms and get to use the big one! Love to see spaces. Good luck this year with all that you do, love visiting your blog for inspiration! I don’t live far outside the city maybe one day I’ll pop into one of your classes!
Fabulous! Wow, you once did say you lived in NYC, times square area and I wondered how the heck you can craft in a NYC apt. But awesome that you have 2 bedrooms and get to use the big one! Love to see spaces. Good luck this year with all that you do, love visiting your blog for inspiration! I don’t live far outside the city maybe one day I’ll pop into one of your classes!
you are a rock star.. one day I would love to visit NYC.. it looks amazing! hugs xo love that storage solution.. I will hv to remember that…. now if only i had some free wall space.. lol hugs
you are a rock star.. one day I would love to visit NYC.. it looks amazing! hugs xo love that storage solution.. I will hv to remember that…. now if only i had some free wall space.. lol hugs
you are a rock star.. one day I would love to visit NYC.. it looks amazing! hugs xo love that storage solution.. I will hv to remember that…. now if only i had some free wall space.. lol hugs
you are a rock star.. one day I would love to visit NYC.. it looks amazing! hugs xo love that storage solution.. I will hv to remember that…. now if only i had some free wall space.. lol hugs
Nice to meet you, a fellow New Yorker as well. I live on the Island though and work in the West Village as a nanny. Love your work and look forward to seeing more and more of it:)
Patty
coloredsprinkles.blogspot.com
Nice to meet you, a fellow New Yorker as well. I live on the Island though and work in the West Village as a nanny. Love your work and look forward to seeing more and more of it:)
Patty
coloredsprinkles.blogspot.com
Nice to meet you, a fellow New Yorker as well. I live on the Island though and work in the West Village as a nanny. Love your work and look forward to seeing more and more of it:)
Patty
coloredsprinkles.blogspot.com
Nice to meet you, a fellow New Yorker as well. I live on the Island though and work in the West Village as a nanny. Love your work and look forward to seeing more and more of it:)
Patty
coloredsprinkles.blogspot.com
What a great post today! Thanks.
mac
What a great post today! Thanks.
mac
What a great post today! Thanks.
mac
What a great post today! Thanks.
mac
Loved having a peek into your world. Do you find living in the heart of NYC gives you more inspiration? I truly enjoy what you have to offer.
Loved having a peek into your world. Do you find living in the heart of NYC gives you more inspiration? I truly enjoy what you have to offer.
Loved having a peek into your world. Do you find living in the heart of NYC gives you more inspiration? I truly enjoy what you have to offer.
Loved having a peek into your world. Do you find living in the heart of NYC gives you more inspiration? I truly enjoy what you have to offer.
Thanks for the glimpse into Julie’s World.
I love it. Great post.
Cheers!
Sara
Thanks for the glimpse into Julie’s World.
I love it. Great post.
Cheers!
Sara
Thanks for the glimpse into Julie’s World.
I love it. Great post.
Cheers!
Sara
Thanks for the glimpse into Julie’s World.
I love it. Great post.
Cheers!
Sara
The next time I come to NYC to visit my daughter can I come over to your house and play ????????
The next time I come to NYC to visit my daughter can I come over to your house and play ????????
The next time I come to NYC to visit my daughter can I come over to your house and play ????????
The next time I come to NYC to visit my daughter can I come over to your house and play ????????
oh wow
i was wondering where you were based, that layout looked very city ish last night, but wow! new york, new york, it looks wild compared to my little peaceful near-city neighborhood here… no kookaburras on the trees outside for you, or possums clambering over the wire and galumping on the roof. Looks very urban and stylish, what a playground, and place to be finding inspiration!
Well all our places are full of great ideas, we just have to be open to them really I guess.
thanks for a look at yours…. that is a buzz! i like your storage wall too, thanks for the idea.
R
oh wow
i was wondering where you were based, that layout looked very city ish last night, but wow! new york, new york, it looks wild compared to my little peaceful near-city neighborhood here… no kookaburras on the trees outside for you, or possums clambering over the wire and galumping on the roof. Looks very urban and stylish, what a playground, and place to be finding inspiration!
Well all our places are full of great ideas, we just have to be open to them really I guess.
thanks for a look at yours…. that is a buzz! i like your storage wall too, thanks for the idea.
R
oh wow
i was wondering where you were based, that layout looked very city ish last night, but wow! new york, new york, it looks wild compared to my little peaceful near-city neighborhood here… no kookaburras on the trees outside for you, or possums clambering over the wire and galumping on the roof. Looks very urban and stylish, what a playground, and place to be finding inspiration!
Well all our places are full of great ideas, we just have to be open to them really I guess.
thanks for a look at yours…. that is a buzz! i like your storage wall too, thanks for the idea.
R
oh wow
i was wondering where you were based, that layout looked very city ish last night, but wow! new york, new york, it looks wild compared to my little peaceful near-city neighborhood here… no kookaburras on the trees outside for you, or possums clambering over the wire and galumping on the roof. Looks very urban and stylish, what a playground, and place to be finding inspiration!
Well all our places are full of great ideas, we just have to be open to them really I guess.
thanks for a look at yours…. that is a buzz! i like your storage wall too, thanks for the idea.
R
I am so envious!!! I would do anything to live in NYC, especially Time Square! Thanks for sharing a bit of your city life!
I am so envious!!! I would do anything to live in NYC, especially Time Square! Thanks for sharing a bit of your city life!
I am so envious!!! I would do anything to live in NYC, especially Time Square! Thanks for sharing a bit of your city life!
I am so envious!!! I would do anything to live in NYC, especially Time Square! Thanks for sharing a bit of your city life!
what a great post. so wonderful to learn more about you, your inspirations and life in NYC.
what a great post. so wonderful to learn more about you, your inspirations and life in NYC.
what a great post. so wonderful to learn more about you, your inspirations and life in NYC.
what a great post. so wonderful to learn more about you, your inspirations and life in NYC.
What a lovely, lovely post! Thank you for giving us a peek into your life! You’re always such an inspiration!!
What a lovely, lovely post! Thank you for giving us a peek into your life! You’re always such an inspiration!!
What a lovely, lovely post! Thank you for giving us a peek into your life! You’re always such an inspiration!!
What a lovely, lovely post! Thank you for giving us a peek into your life! You’re always such an inspiration!!
Great post and I especially love the photo from your floor looking down! Never a dull moment for you in NYC I’m sure.
Great post and I especially love the photo from your floor looking down! Never a dull moment for you in NYC I’m sure.
Great post and I especially love the photo from your floor looking down! Never a dull moment for you in NYC I’m sure.
Great post and I especially love the photo from your floor looking down! Never a dull moment for you in NYC I’m sure.
Wow! Thanks so much for sharing with us a little peek into your world…I love it! Times Square…Letterman…all I can say is WOW!
Wow! Thanks so much for sharing with us a little peek into your world…I love it! Times Square…Letterman…all I can say is WOW!
Wow! Thanks so much for sharing with us a little peek into your world…I love it! Times Square…Letterman…all I can say is WOW!
Wow! Thanks so much for sharing with us a little peek into your world…I love it! Times Square…Letterman…all I can say is WOW!
uhhhhh I am soooo coming to visit you one day!! I am officially putting it on the bucket list!
uhhhhh I am soooo coming to visit you one day!! I am officially putting it on the bucket list!
uhhhhh I am soooo coming to visit you one day!! I am officially putting it on the bucket list!
uhhhhh I am soooo coming to visit you one day!! I am officially putting it on the bucket list!
What a nice bio! You make living in NYC look so cool.
What a nice bio! You make living in NYC look so cool.
What a nice bio! You make living in NYC look so cool.
What a nice bio! You make living in NYC look so cool.
I’ve been to the work room lately, and TRUST ME, it is NOT THAT NEAT!!!!! LOL
I’ve been to the work room lately, and TRUST ME, it is NOT THAT NEAT!!!!! LOL
I’ve been to the work room lately, and TRUST ME, it is NOT THAT NEAT!!!!! LOL
I’ve been to the work room lately, and TRUST ME, it is NOT THAT NEAT!!!!! LOL
Just too, too perfect a world you live in! Thanks for all of your inspirations, talent and sharing a bit of your world…it adds to the interest of YOU.
Just too, too perfect a world you live in! Thanks for all of your inspirations, talent and sharing a bit of your world…it adds to the interest of YOU.
Just too, too perfect a world you live in! Thanks for all of your inspirations, talent and sharing a bit of your world…it adds to the interest of YOU.
Just too, too perfect a world you live in! Thanks for all of your inspirations, talent and sharing a bit of your world…it adds to the interest of YOU.