Wednesday, March 2, 2011

now that's better!

So here's the problem, in a nutshell. I clean my craft room. I enjoy it for a while. Then one day I slip and don't clean it up after a project. Then another. Then I abandon the craft room for the kitchen table. Then the kitchen table craft and all its supplies are relegated to the dining room table. Another day, another kitchen table project and all its supplies are moved unceremoniously to the dining room table. Repeat as necessary until one day in a mad dash to clean the dining room, I dump all of the dining room table craft projects and supplies and anything else that might've landed on the dining room table (which, by the way, is never used for actual dining) into the already messy craft room. Maybe that happens two or three times, to the point where even passing through the craft room is an impossible task. Oh, and then to make that mess even worse, when I go into the room to retrieve craft supplies, I do that in the messiest possible way, all the while shooing Alfredo out of the room because it is so dangerous in there.

I am really hoping this time things will be different.

Here's how I'm hoping to change things:

  1. All supplies and tools have proper homes. 
  2. I craft only in my craft room. However, if for whatever reason I craft outside of my craft room, I will return the project and all its supplies immediately to the craft room.
  3. When a project is complete, I will replace all supplies in their proper homes.
  4. Every Friday will be my cleaning day. 
Okay, so do you want to see the fruit of my labors? Here's the tour:

Smack in the middle of the room is my main work area. I bought this workbench from Costco probably at least ten years ago. It's a great height and size. But you know, I would love to get giant casters for it...wouldn't that be fun? It came with a vise on the side but I'm not sure where it is now. For a few years this workbench was in our family room and was the extent of my crafting area. (There's still a paint spill on the carpet to proof it!) Someday I hope to cover all those drawer fronts with vintage wallpaper...

I covered the top with scraps of inspiring papers and had a glass cut to fit on top.

Whenever I'm painting, gluing, and glittering, I pull a piece of paper from this butcher roll to make clean up even easier.
And that blue cabinet? Do you remember when I got it? It was about 5 years ago. I got it from a local ebay auction and I think it was only $300. It's huge! I mean huge! It used to be in a pharmacy in Loudoun county...it even has trays that pull out that still smell of sulfur & chemicals! And you can't really see it in this photo but the whole bottom part is drawers! Drawers, drawers and more drawers!



I love this poster by Katie Daisy...it makes me so happy. 






This is a little cabinet of flat drawers...
I'm using it as a holding place for projects-in-progress and special bits that I want to use.

I found these lockers and file cabinet at the cottage in Leesburg. The locker store glue, paint, glitter, etc. and the file cabinet stores paper.
I have a LOT of vintage suitcases, as you can see. They take up a lot of room and make a tower too tall to be safe. So I decided to "stack" them using industrial shelving. This makes it ever so easy to get to, say, the bottom suitcase. I need to make labels for these so I can remember which holds vintage lace and which wool felt without opening all 9 of them! Mostly these cases store fabric and trim but one holds Christmas crafting stuff. That one and two other rarely used ones are at the tippy top.
One thing that made a HUGE difference in the craft room was putting in these blinds. Previously the windows just had sheers on them and I felt funny crafting at night in my pjs. I was sure the neighbors across the street were looking in and saying "What is she doing NOW?" while eating popcorn. Now I can craft all night long with crazy hair and in my pjs without worrying about peepers.

26 comments:

Sharon Stanley said...

what a fantastic space amy...i think i shall move in and hide there just so i can stare at all those jars of crafty goodness and be....inspired! i so saw myself in your description of how your room gets cluttered because i do the very same thing...pull out a project, work on it, then another, and another and suddenly, it looks like a craft goat exploded all over the house! thanks for giving us a peek into your crafty world!

Elizabeth Moon said...

I recognize the geographic locations you mentioned! I had no idea you live in the Northern Virginia area! Is there any chance you have plans to do classes or workshops? I would totally be there!
Your blog is one of my top favorites.
:)

Dawn said...

squeeee!
Another look-see!!!!

Cherie Wilson said...

Thank you for sharing your happy space! The before and after pics are great. Mine looks like the before picture right now~yikes!
I especially love the part where you said something about your neighbors thoughts... "while eating popcorn". You are sunshine to my day, funny! Enjoy that clean space, but don't keep it too clean Amy!

Lataina said...

You have such a wonderful space! Of course, anyone would want to stand in front of the blue cabinet and just take it all in. There's so much to enjoy. I love, love, love all of your vintage suitcases. Is that beautiful dress something you made or was lucky to come across? =)

Leanne said...

I wish you luck with your good intentions! I am terrible at clean up! My daughters always ask why I get to break the rules...

Gail said...

Oh my land, I'm laughing so hard at your description of how you craft.....didn't know I had a twin and we were separated at birth!
It's a blessing and a curse to have a dedicated craft space, that's all there is to it.
Yours is yummy, thanks for the peek inside....:)

Gigi said...

Re: your good intentions. And I mean this in the most loving, supportive way-
Good luck with that.
I have craft room envy.

Whosyergurl said...

AMY! What a fantabulous craft room! Oh my, oh my, oh my! I craft in the dining room and ever so often if I move into the kitchen dug will say "oh, are you going to take over in here, TOO?" ;-)
xoxo, Cheryl

Donna said...

I love the clear glass jars and the suitcases. I have started collecting both of these things for my craft space.

Unknown said...

Amy, Your craft room looks fabulous. And, your description of how your craft room gets messy and what subsequently happens to the rest of your house is EXACTLY what I do...

My craft room door only opens about 4 inches right now because of all the stuff that was stacked behind the door has fallen over...I thought I even heard a little noise in there when I was peering in earlier today berating myself for being such a messy person...made me wonder if a little mouse was living amongst all the vintage papers, flowers, and treasures....

amy in Texas said...

Ummm...that's how I create too. Glad to know I'm not the only one. Love your space especially that wonderful blue cabinet. What a find!

Blooming Soul Arts said...

oohh...how gorgeous is that cabinet! and that craft table..I adore it!!! I wish I had my own room. I did once, then hubby took it over for a home office..so I am relegated to a corner of my girls playroom! I NEED to get organized...again...I can totally relate to the "dumping" issue! your space is just so sweet!

Teresa said...

Oh it's so festive, cheery and "fun" looking in there!! Just like you. Applause Applause!! Thanks for sharing Amy!

P.S. If I lived next door, I'd be the one munching on popcorn peeking through the window from my window exclaiming "What's she doing now?!!" :) xoxo

mIzZ (hONeY) bEe aka Marlene said...

ohh Amy...

I have a vision of "inspireco creating fairies" dancing through your room...all the colors, the unique ways of storing things, the ADORABLE treasures, and the blue pharmacy shelves (to die for) are pure sweetness for ones soul...

love your list of how to keep on top of the creative mess beefore it happens ~ I think I might have to copy this for sure...

thank you sooo much for the tour...I had my share of eye candy for today which will last me a very long time & gives me a few ideas for my art room...

have a honey of a day ~ may sweet things come your way! peace joy love & many blessings 2 U, Marlene

Patti said...

Thanks Amy I have been checking your lovely blog for a while and not commenting just enjoying your talent, but it's time to say thanks. I loved the posts. The Inspired Ideas was great also. Thanks enjoy the clean studio. Patti

Vickie said...

Amy,

You have a beautiful studio...I love the scrap papers on the work table...a great idea.

Lana Manis said...

Oh, I know EXACTLY what you are talking about! I have a large craft studio (converted garage), but it stays so messy! I blame much of it on lack of cabinets... most everything is in tote boxes and that makes it hard to find things and then it's not as fun to put things back where they should go. I love how you have yours set up and love the cabinets and work table. Thank you for sharing! :)

Mary said...

Just LOVE that blue cabinet!

Nice job. Enjoy using this beautiful space. I'm still in the middle of mine. One day I'll finish. Enjoy!

Lisa said...

Looks great Amy! I tend to spread out my craft messes too and I definitely need to be better at putting stuff away.
Can't wait for the next issue of Inspired Ideas!

Paper Dolls said...

Wow, what a wonderful space! I love the blue cabinet! If it were not a sin, I might be envious!! I love reading your posts and hearing about your darling little boy!! What a great family you make!

tina said...

What a fabulous craft room! Since moving to Casita Contessa my workspace is small (but cute) and completely open to the rest of the house..... you pass through it frequently. Ahem. I've taken to working in the basement and have begun decking it out. Not as cute but I can close the door on it when I'm on a roll!

Susanne said...

That blue cupboard is to die for!

Breesmimi said...

Hi Amy,
I'm new to blogging and your blog is now TOPS on my list of faves! Thanks for sharing your workspace and telling the tale of the messy craftroom. Love your island cart, and what a great idea to put glass on top! Rollers on the bottom definately are the way to go. My cart (kitchen island type) has rollers making it easy to move around. Thanks for your lovely site. And here's a tip I use to help me clean up: use a kitchen timer set for 10 minutes after each project to put away your tools and clear your workspace. It really works! Happy crafting!!

Dominique said...

Wow! Your workspace is so inspirational. Really, just amazing. Right now, I live in a small apartment in the city and at certain times in my life have been known to relocate the bed into the diningroom and commit the entire bedroom to craft tables... It is a dream that someday I can have a big space, full of items I love. Thankfully, my cute little city space is very well lit by natural sunlight so no matter how cramped it always feels airy and calm.
Keep bloggin'!

mambus said...

Reminds me of myself. Don't you love to look at it all when it's all in the right spot? Why can't we think of that when we are too lazy(me) to return it to the right spot? Keep the photos coming!