Two years ago it seemed like a really good idea to move my entire art/craft studio up the street to our Real Estate office. I'd become like a bad Cathy cartoon; shlepping around in my bunny slippers, not being successful at domestic or creative chores. Separating the two seemed to be the answer. Coming from the 8x10 parlor in the front room of the house, the office space seemed vast. For a while. I immediately set about just filling it up with stuff. Shopping for supplies took precedence over actually using supplies. The front office, the other room that was formally the studio, the kitchen. The only reason I didn't kick John out of his office room and fill it with stuff too was because he actually makes money when he works in there. Every time I saw something remotely cool, say at the dollar store, I'd get six of each. It got to the point that between product overload and being at home raising Caleb most of the time, I'd go months without making anything paper-related. So, after long consideration, I recently moved the whole operation back home. To this little 8x10 parlor at the front of the house. Yegods. With the way my stuff grew in volume the room seems more like 3x4 now. I had to do some serious trimming, which was a good thing. Well, here's pics of how it stands today. I recently bought the book organizing your craft space...didn't get a whole lot of ideas from it for my particular space but it sure is full of good eye candy. I think my fav find for the room is that tall corner cabinet. It's a top and a bottom component from Target's closet organizing line. And what's best is those black cd boxes I found online that fit SO perfectly into what is meant to be shoe containers. My second fav find for the room is the rubber stamp holder. A local kitchen store went out of business last month and they sold me this display piece for 20 bucks; top and bottom. The top is on a lazy susan and has the shelves for all my wood mounted stamps on all four sides. The bottom piece door opens and has a shelf. I have about 25 Target $spot document boxes with all my unmounted stamps in there.

Looking at these pics I see a few things I still need to do/change, but for now I'm already busily working on a project that I need to have ready for my granddaughters first birthday a month from now.

Comments

[Barbara]

What a great space!!! I so need to trim down (but then I'd be lookin for what I got rid of)! I keep talking to Mark about trying to find ways of organizing my stuff. I am trying to do better about "using my stash", so maybe that will help with the clutter. Of course when I am working, it gets even worse. Yikes. Love seeing your creative space and I especially love all the beautiful things on your wall!!!

[Kris]

Jen...I love your new work space. Seems so clean and organized. I have wanted to trim my room down recently. It is out of control. You have helped to inspire me. I'm glad that you are working back home. I hope we see more "paper" creations from you. All of your work is so great.