Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Studios


The September prize will be a drawing. The winner will get an autographed copy of the Fall Studios magazine featuring (among others) Karen Eberle's Orcas studio.

You can see her temporary Long Island, NY studio (see link in side bar) and her Orcas Island studio is one of the studios featured then the Fall issue of Studios Magazine.

Browsing through the descriptions and pictures of lovely studios in both the link in our own sidebar and those featured in the Cloth, Paper, Scissors magazine punched my "envy" button more than a little!

But, what if you don't have a dedicated space? Does that mean you can't be an artist? We certainly hope not. ggd recalls this question coming up years ago in an early art class. Students were complaining that they didn't have room to store their supplies. Nor did they have a place to work. The decidedly unsympathetic instructor stated, "You can create in the bathroom, if that's the only place you have to work!"

He put forth the challenge but didn't take it any further. We don't disagree with the statement but would have liked more information, suggestions about how to resolve the work/storage space issue.

These questions are primarily for those without dedicated studio space but we'd love any advice or information or suggestions from those of you with the good fortune to have well planned, designed spaces you work in.

• Where do you work?
• How do you manage your equipment?
• What is your best storage solution?
• What is most important in allowing you to work on your projects and with your favorite medium?
• Do space limitations affect your project choices?

We are sure there are many more questions which will surface as we discuss work spaces. Feel free to ask your questions, share your favorite solutions.

ggd's interests cover so many different areas that keeping track of crafts supplies is a major concern. This summer we had moderate success by combining all the materials for our "Summer Crafts Project" in one box. Scrabble/bottle cap and domino necklace materials were stored together. It worked well because there were four of us using the materials and everyone knew where to find what was needed. This was manageable because the materials themselves were small.......but there size could also have been a problem. Being so small, they would have been easy to loose!
Everyone was also conscientious about noting when materials were getting low so no one got caught "on empty."

Another help, in limited space...when there is not enough room to store everything together, notes again save the day. For ink pads....the basic pads are stored in a small drawer....with a note telling where additional colors, reinkers and stamp pads can be found. (What drawer? What shelf? What room?)

Over-the-Door and Under-the-Bed.............. 
are useful spaces that come to mind.

Sharon Currier starts us off with this suggestion:
. . . "space saving devices"-like one of those plastic pocket shoe holder "whatyamacallits", that can be hung up on the back of a closet door, but instead of shoes, you place tape, string, paint brushes & other craft tools in the pockets. You can see through the pockets because they are clear plastic on the front; so it keeps everything readily available & easy to find.
Thanks Sharon!


Under the bed is one of the few flat storage areas for larger projects

And....is there a "Studio" or "Work Space" anywhere that doesn't sport at least ONE Iris-type chest?


Send us your ideas/solutions. 


Thanks everyone.


ggd
Charlotte

=================
Sally Bowen wrote:

I got rid of tons (I do mean tons) of stuff that I don't use.  Some I donated to good causes, alot I sold on eBay.  It was obvious to me what I use and what I don't use...and what was hidden in the little cracks full of things I bought and NEVER used!  Admit it!  You have them too!  Anyway, so I got rid of all this stuff and suddenly there was room for what I DO use.  I am surrounded by drawers (I do have my own art room) and everything I need is ready at hand.  It's lovely!  And no more guilt while staring at the stuff and no more bumping into it!  It's a great way to open up more space for what you DO use!  Anyway, it worked for me.

Sally Bowen
Baltimore, MD

=================
Ideas from the comments at end of blog..... (If you forget to check out the comments you miss out on some really good "conversations.")

From Jennifer:
 well I have a whole house for a dedicated work space, there is the fireplace where my paper trimmer usually calls home. under the coffee table you will often find my drawer of markers and an old flat rate box stuff with various things in progress. then there is the corner of my bedroom that has numerous boxes of goodies, the desk I am suppose to work on and stacks of books underneath that have all kinds of cool things to make and do...and there is even more stuff in the basement.

shoot I have expanded to a building we recently purchased that has a large work area, moving a lot of my paper over there. eventually I would love to have the heat on over there so everything would be in one spot.

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From Audrey:
I have 2 of those coffe mug things that you hand on the wall and that is where I hang my ribbon. Looks colorful and keeps my most used ribbons handy.
I have my desk on one wall and my chair to the desk is basically in the middle of the room so I can just about reach anything I want. (my room is small) but it is my sanctuary.

ggd reply:
Would love to see a picture of your "ribbon rack." Sounds like great fun! And "sanctuary" gives the room and what's created in it so much more status. I simply MUST stop calling my dining room (work) table my debris collector!!! Thanks for the nudge.
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Plenty of space left for your ideas!



Don't forget to read (and add to) the COMMENTS below!
AND......send your address, in order to be eligible to receive a prize.
 

4 comments:

  1. well I have a whole house for a dedicated work space, there is the fireplace where my paper trimmer usually calls home. under the coffee table you will often find my drawer of markers and an old flat rate box stuff with various things in progress. then there is the corner of my bedroom that has numerous boxes of goodies, the desk I am suppose to work on and stacks of books underneath that have all kinds of cool things to make and do...and there is even more stuff in the basement.

    shoot I have expanded to a building we recently purchased that has a large work area, moving a lot of my paper over there. eventually I would love to have the heat on over there so everything would be in one spot.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As you move everything into your new area, please take pictures and share with us along the way.

      A "before and after" would be fun to see :)

      I find Amazon Boxes as well as the PO Flat Rate Boxes that you mention, great for storage...particularly as you are using them...for keeping an "in progress" project together.

      Delete
  2. I have 2 of those coffe mug things that you hand on the wall and that is where I hang my ribbon. Looks colorful and keeps my most used ribbons handy.
    I have my desk on one wall and my chair to the desk is basically in the middle of the room so I can just about reach anything I want. (my room is small) but it is my sanctuary.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Would love to see a picture of your "ribbon rack." Sounds like great fun! And "sanctuary" gives the room and what's created in it so much more status. I simply MUST stop calling my dining room (work) table my debris collector!!! Thanks for the nudge.

      By the way...don't forget to add your name (link in body of blog) and address, to be elgible for the September drawing.

      Thanks.
      ggd

      Delete

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