the studio...

so here we go... in the next few days, i want to share some pictures of my studio and show you some ideas of how i stay organized.  i get asked all the time about the space i create in, where do i find inspiration, and am i organized???  well the key to my creative world is my studio (which used to be the master bedroom), some call it their craft room, maybe you call it your dining room table, wherever you create, that's your place and you have the right to call it what you want to and embrace your space...

i like to stay organized, even though my art is an assemblage of all types of things that often resembles chaos - let's just say it's organized chaos.  so how do i describe my organizational style?  i am a digger, i'm not the kind of person who likes to have every little thing in it's little drawer or little box or divider by every little color, i like to dig!  i think sometimes it inspires me to find things or come across things i may not  originally set out to use, but by digging thorough things, i find inspiration.  now that doesn't mean i have one big pile of stuff, i do have categories of my supplies (ribbons, punches, adhesives, rub-ons, etc.).

i figured i will take you through areas of my workspace and what things work for me.  the main wall in my studio is lined with wire shelving.  these shelves were purchased at Costco, they are heavy duty, can handle 800lbs. and i love the ability to see everything through them.  the fact that these shelves are adjustable means you can fit anything you want into them so you have many options.  next i added some wire baskets and wire drawers that are from the Martha Stewart Collection at K-mart.  you can also find wire things at Linens & Things, Ikea, Target, or the Container Store.  i use the wire bins for things like rub-ons, foam stamps, book kits, fabric scraps, and various trims.  the sliding drawers allow for things like paper trimmers, punches, and other tools to have access to slide out and get what you need.

these little hanging baskets are from Ikea, i like the way they can just hang on the side of the shelving.  these baskets normally hang from a rod you can have directly on the wall, but i liked using them here too.  the convenience of being able to just lift the basket off the shelf and work from it on the table is also a plus.  i store things like stipple brushes, wire, brayers, ink tools, and hand punches that i use the most.  i have also taken advantage of the shelf behind them with more wire baskets.  if i need to get to those, i just slide the hanging baskets aside and pull the basket off the shelf.  there are also options for a storage system like this from Cropper Hopper called the "Rail System".

i tried to take advantage of every space on the wire racks and I need a place for my ribbons.  now i've heard of using rain gutters from the hardware store, or even ribbon boxes, but again i like to be able to see what i have.  so i bought a metal draw rod from Ikea and insert it through the spools of ribbon.  then i hung the rod from simple S-hooks (you know the ones that just look like an "S").  i then fed the ribbons through the wavy part of the shelves and it keeps them separated and works great!  well there you have it, just a start of how i try to stay organized.  keep in mind that your space is all about you, it doesn't have to be fancy, it just has to be comfortable, and inspiring to you.  i like to take simple things and make them work for what i need them to do.  so what works for you?  share some of your ideas and post them on the blog.  the more you share the more i will share - fair enough?  we must never lose sight of the fact that we are in an industry of sharing ideas, being creative, and enjoying the moments - that's what it's all about...

-t!m

Comments

[Tigger]

You have lots of stuffs. Looks GREAT. LOVE the wire idea... I guess I need a real scrapbook room first though, eh?

#1... ((hug))

[Hillary]

I LOVE it!! What is your lighting like. The pics seem dark, is the room dark?

[Angela]

oooh I love your ribbon storage idea :) Mine are all shoved in a paint can and then it takes me an age to untangle them all to use them... I am so untidy, but I totally agree with you on the "digging" thing being good - so many times when I am hunting for something I have lost I come across something that will be amazing in my project! I find it so hard to be organised, but am looking forward to seeing what else you use :) I can't wait til Ikea opens here in Northern Ireland so I can get some more affordable storage. Thanks for sharing with us!

[reflections:0)]

Great room! The lighting does seem a bit dark... I have an issue with this in my own craftroom and would love more ideas about lighting... And where do you now sleep seeing as how this is your master bedroom?

reflections:0)

[Denise Morris]

Oh -- My -- Goodness !!!! I have had people make fun of me for years for being so over the top organized but to see that another human being and a man no less be the same way makes me want to shout for joy!! I knew I loved you for a reason Tim and not just for the creativeness - you are a man after my own heart!!

Denise (Beer?)

[Rachel Greig]

Great space! I need something like that for my ribbons. Currently I have them in one big box like a milk crate, and just dig through until I find what I need. Not many of my ribbons are on rolls though, they're just offcuts and bits and pieces, so the box way seems to work. But it would be nice to have them more easily accessible.
Love the wire racks!

zrvnhuvuiughhikjhkhyuhtl///l;/.[0i. (that's hi from Zoë)

Thanks for sharing!

[Rachel Greig]

Oh and the photos aren't dark for me - nicely exposed! The bright window in the first pic makes the room appear darker to the eye, but that's only because our eyes are adjusting to the bright window. The room itself would be quite nicely lit I imagine?

[Lisa]

OMGosh, Tim!!! Will you come organize my space? Your studio is awesome!

[sandie]

I love the shelves of stamps, my best storage solution of ribbons, i put them all on a cork board (im up to 2 boards at present) they hang on my wall and i can see all my colours ... most of my ribbons are bought by the metre, this looks great as well as makes my room look real crafty...

[Maggie]

I am in the process of organizing my scrap space- it will soon move to another room, so it's in limbo right now. But I have been loving everything from IKEA. (We just got one here in Orlando last week!) I am envisioning something more along the lines of Margie Romney-Aslett's scrap space (though not *quite* as pink as hers.) She has her studio pics on her blog. Right now I have 6 of the Crop In Style Modular cubes. Thanks for all the great ideas!