Studio Recovery

Ok, I let my studio get into a total state of chaos!! For weeks, I just let it sit there...piles of random supplies strewn about the floor. Projects started and unfinished...supplies haphazardly stuffed into paper bags all around the room. Ugh! It got so bad, I was dragging supplies into the dining room and taking over one corner of the table. I know we've all been there.

Inspired by Chrysti Hydeck's video tour of her studio and organizational tips (thank you!), I decided something had to be done! I don't know if it's the nesting instinct finally kicking in or the fact that we were housebound due to the rain. But I finally mustered the courage and energy to dig my way out of the mess! It all starts with baby steps. If you've found that your studio is starting to look like a rat's nest or a tornado swept through it, just sit down in the middle of the chaos and start making little piles of things that go together.

I started with whatever was on the floor and went from there. I sorted things into like piles and then began to store them from there. I also put two grocery bags nearby: one for trash and the other for recycle.

After about two days of digging and sorting...voila! I could see the floor and I could locate any item in my studio without grumbling or frantically searching through endless piles of chaos! Maya helped celebrate the "new" studio with a little mosaic project while I flitted about the room, putting every last little thing where it belonged. (It helped that I already had somewhat of an organizational system in place)

Baskets and drawers for little things all grouped in some kind of theme (adhesives, inks and other misc stuff in the baskets...brads, eyelets, small punches, etc in the drawers)

I picked up this wire rack at a thrift store and used my pretty Cavalini folders to store my collage sheets and clip art. I labeled them by their source (ex: Artchix, Paper Whimsy, Crafty Individuals, etc) so I can always go back and order more.

I love these magazine holders...most of them were purchased real cheap at IKEA. Some come from Target (on clearance ONLY...don't pay more than $5 each for these!) I use them to store magazines and craft books.

My table could use a little work still...(looks cluttered, but there is still plenty of room to work. Right now, my daughter's mosaic frames are drying in the middle there). I keep some pretty ceramic latte bowls full of colorful things just for inspiration. (You can pick these up in all sorts of colors for just $4 at Anthropologie) I've got empty spice jars filled with buttons, ribbon scraps, colorful staples, etc.

My wallpaper lady can breathe again! She is my muse and watches over me while I create. (I made her last September at a 2-day class with Anahata Katkin).

So don't lose hope if your creative space has turned from inspirational to intimidating. It is possible to dig your way out! And it's not as bad as it looks. I thought for sure I'd be shoveling through crap for DAYS before I saw any progress, but I could see the floor within minutes. So if you're in the same boat, just jump in, crank up some of your favorite tunes and go for it! It's worth it in the end. Now I can't wait to get back into my studio and start making more messes! This time, I might learn to put things back when I'm finished and try to clean up at the end of the day (hard lesson to learn...even at my age!) ;)

I would love to see photos of your studio in a state of chaos, in-between, or totally fabulous! Please feel free to share.