Tinker Studio

Written by Elizabeth Burbee-Patterson & Photography by Daniel Patterson

Summer Issue '24 - Online Shop

Morning

Opening the door to walk into Tinker Studio on this sun-drenched Friday morning, I am greeted, as I am every morning, with a paraphrased quote from T.S. Elliot painted above the entrance to our creative space:

“We will arrive where we began and know the place for the first time.”

I love this quote. It is a poignant reminder of embracing the present moment while honoring where you have come from. To tell the story of Tinker Studio now is to reflect on its origins and make space to imagine its ongoing evolution, all deeply rooted in family. A flash of a memory of my mom; Tinker Studio co-owner Mary Kay Burbee, up on the ladder stenciling this quote comes to mind, and I smile.

These first few moments of my day are among my favorites. Walking around the gallery to turn on the lights, I think of my dad; Tinker Studio creator/owner Rick Burbee, and his creative lighting installation that illuminates the large table at the center of our gallery. His long career in visual merchandising has helped to shape some of the most memorable aspects of Tinker Studio. From the lighting to the Tinker Toy card wall, his ideas have anchored this creative space. 

I walk over to turn on the music, setting the stage for the guests who will come to Tinker Studio today. 

I notice all the reclaimed materials that we brought with us when we moved into our larger space two years ago. My memory takes me back to my wonderful husband, Daniel Patterson, diligently working late one evening to build one of our displays using pieces of wood that came from our old space. 

I reflect for a moment on the absolute joy that comes with working in a family business. As the creative director and gallery manager for Tinker Studio, I am privileged to work with my parents so closely. We are lucky to have the support of my husband who graciously offers to dedicate his free time, away from his full-time work, to occasionally help us with a myriad of assorted tasks and events. 

You would be forgiven if you thought that Tinker Studio was a relatively new business, joining our neighbors, Old Mission Distilling, Mission Proper, and Kindred Mission Beauty at the lovely Seven Hills community hub on Old Mission Peninsula, opening up just last summer. In fact, some of our guests these days are discovering Tinker Studio for the very first time as they come to Seven Hills to enjoy brunch or a cocktail. But the truth is that Tinker Studio is quickly approaching our ninth anniversary. We’ve grown and evolved in the years that we have been in business, but the core of what we have always been about remains intact: art, creativity, and community.

It’s 10:00 am, time to open for the day, and I look ahead to see what is on my calendar.

I have two artist appointments set up for this morning. I am privileged to know each of the artists that we work with and enjoy the opportunity to meet with them as I am thinking about the visual direction that Tinker Studio takes from season to season. I celebrate each sale of locally made art as I think of what it will mean to the person that made the beautiful piece that is finding a new home. 

Shopping at Tinker Studio is an opportunity not only to support a local, family-run business, but also a chance to choose to support the original and inspiring work of local makers. What started in 2016 with the art of my mom, dad, and just a handful of other artists (many of whom we still represent) has grown now to include a roster of over fifty local artists and artisans. 

Our gallery is filled with fine and functional art in a wide variety of mediums. We’re proud to offer a range of prices that allow art lovers with varied budgets to find something perfect for their homes. You’ll find the names of several well-known artists in the area mingled with emerging artists that you may be discovering for the first time. We represent the creative voices of artists ranging in age from 20s to 80s. Our inclusive atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and allows our guests to enjoy art on a “come as you are” basis. 

Peppered in among the original art you will discover books that strike a chord of inspiration, and supplies to foster the inner artist. Our selection of jewelry and accessories is designed to add an artful finishing touch to any ensemble. Creative gift ideas and small batch greeting cards round out a thoughtful purchase for a friend or loved one. We stock items that we have a deep connection to and that we can stand behind; fair-trade, women-owned, and ethically sourced are descriptions that you will find with regularity at Tinker Studio.

Sometimes when I am behind the counter, people ask me if I am also an artist. 

“What do you make?” 

It’s a tough question to answer. Yes, I am an artist, but I don’t display my work at Tinker Studio. Being the creative director of Tinker Studio is a little bit like conducting a visual orchestra. I work to ensure that the experience strikes the right notes, offers opportunities for each player to shine, and ultimately creates a fun, cohesive, and inspiring experience for our guests. I like to think that I “make” the Tinker Studio experience, and my goal is to ensure that it is a happy one for everyone that passes through our doors.

Afternoon

It's early afternoon, and my mom, Mary Kay, has arrived to set up the classroom for the creative workshop she is teaching today. I reflect on how lucky I am to have the opportunity to work side by side with my mom on a shared venture like Tinker Studio. 

There is a palpable energy in greeting guests filled with excitement and anticipation about taking one of our classes. Mary Kay is a skilled instructor and talented artist in her own right. Her greatest gift though, is generosity. She shares what she knows (which is considerable given her decades-long teaching career) freely, and delights in sending people off on their own creative journeys. Watching participants emerge from class a few hours later emboldened with new skills, and having fostered connections and friendships with the other students enrolled in the class is nothing short of a joy.

At the core of Tinker Studio is a sense of community. We love being the host of this creative cross-roads where our guests blend to create a vibrant tapestry. Our collaborative weaving project that launched in early June at our first artist reception of the summer season is a visual reminder of this community-centered mindset. It illustrates the ways in which each of us, with our unique perspectives and experiences, are bonded through shared love of art and creativity that weaves together locals & visitors alike.

As the primary person behind the counter, I am happy to be able to greet many regular clients by name and to share in some meaningful conversation during their time at Tinker Studio. As the day comes to a close, and I think back on my interactions, I am struck by how we all seem to need this connection to each other. In a simple transaction, I am often witness to the joy of an upcoming celebration, the weight of a loss, the uncertainty of a life-transition, or the lightness of a funny moment. Offering to adorn the bag with some tissue paper and ribbon to make gift-giving easy delights guests and this shopgirl equally. Sometimes, it really is the little things.

This sense of community has only been enhanced by gaining our wonderful neighbors at Seven Hills. This little enclave on Old Mission Peninsula hums with creative energy and invites guests to linger awhile, to experience all that these unique local businesses have to offer, and then soak up the joy of being outdoors in the lush, green community space.

Evening

The day has ended. It’s 5:00 pm, and time to close up shop.

Tomorrow is Saturday, and in the morning I will return early to share the other part of my professional self as a yoga instructor leading class on the green lawn at Seven Hills. This outdoor summer vinyasa flow class is a new addition to the Seven Hills experience, and allows me to share my enthusiasm for yoga, mindfulness, and meditation with a wide range of guests. I discover ways to integrate this part of myself into Tinker Studio. Yoga & art class collaborations co-taught by my mom and me are one of the newest additions, and I am excited to see how these worlds will continue to blend as we evolve. 

For now, it’s time to head home. 

As I turn off the lights and pull the door behind me, I wonder what tomorrow will bring as I return to where I started, and know this special place we call Tinker Studio for the first time.

BIO

Elizabeth Burbee-Patterson is the creative director/gallery manager of Tinker Studio and a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher through Yoga Alliance. In the summer, you’ll often find her with her hands in the dirt in the garden she shares with her husband, marveling at plants they enjoy growing together in their backyard, and smiling at their Scottish Terrier, Sarge, as he expertly soaks in a sunbeam. Travel excites her and fills her up with new perspectives. Home grounds her in the comfort and joys of life in Northern Michigan; family, friends, cooking, nature, beaches, and making it home in time to catch Jeopardy!

Summer Issue '24 - Online Shop