Got Crafty Spaces? Let me see...

[khill]

Hey Guys & Gals,

I need ideas (pics pls) of how to carve a craft space out of nothing. If you've got a cool space for your craft projects, let me see! I'm trying to combine an ideal space for the following:

-sewing
-calligraphy
-illustration
-decoupage
-light construction (rehab old furniture)

and desperately need some inspiration. Don't have a dedicated craft room yet:( Thanks in advance!

k.hill

[flying_babyb]

if you go to completed projects and type in "show my your craft space."there is a whole thread on this

[khill]

cool, thx for the tip!

[flying_babyb]

this is my old craft  room:

[Beachgardengal]

Help!  With the new year here, one of my resolutions is to try and organize my craft space a little better.  How do YOU organize your space?  Personally, I have a large desk (with 6 drawers), a wicker shelf unit, another shelf unit with plastic bins, and lots of plastic storage boxes.  I'm still lost though!  I hate to get rid of anything it seems!  The crafts I like to do are jewelry, mosaics, a little bit of paper craft, resin craft, and whatever else I run across that strikes me as fun.  Maybe that is part of my problem....I want to do TOO much!  Anyway, how does everyone else organize?  Boxes, bags, bins???  Thanks for any tips!

[trinabrielle]

I just organized everything yesterday! I'm a knitter, so I had yarn piling up. For Christmas, my boyfriend got me some under the bed storage bins , so yesterday I filled them up! I have one full of balls of yarn, one for all my finished objects I have for sale, and one with scrap yarn balls and fabric. I also have a tote filled with purse handles, magnetic snaps, buttons, etc, and my needles are on a bookshelf. It took me hours to organize everything, but I'm so happy I did!

Since you have so many crafts, I think labels would be a good idea! Separate everything out by craft, and give each one it's own drawer or two. Organizing your things will let you see everything you have again too, which is always fun.

[Beachgardengal]

I did label my bins and my smaller desk top unit of jewelry findings. That does help, but a lot of things aren't even a category.  I guess it would be MISC.  You know, trinkets, OOAK items, etc. I also have quite a bit of yarn, but it is still in a very large plastic bag.  I think I may go get more of the clear storage bins and then I will have to stay up all night, the next day, and the next night.... days and days.......but oh, such fun to see what is there!

[Sansa]

I will start by saying that I am only partially organised. My room looks good, but only since I actually tidied it yesterday.

The important thing is to analyse the way you search for things and file them that way. I quilt (although I am being sucked into bag making by the dealers on this site. Four bags doesn't make a new craft does it?) I used to sort my fabrics by colour and was always turning the whole room upside down. Then I read an article where the lady sorted her 30s fabrics together, her Asian fabrics together etc. Lightbulb moment. When I'm making a quilt and run short I need fabric that goes with the rest, not a specific colour.

When you reach for your one of a kind items are you looking for an angel themed thingie or are you reaching for something between one and two inches? Or does it have to be green? Whatever you normally look for, then that is how you organise.

My other tip, which I have yet to follow, it to make it visible without having to take it out of the container, or at least without having to empty the container. Mine is all stacked vertically in a large bag and it I want something, out it all comes. Sigh.

[Beachgardengal]

I agree about the visibility - I always buy clear storage boxes.  But the organization is still as clear as mud to me in some respects.  I see what you are saying, and it makes total sense, to store items based on how you would normally look or search for them.  I guess since I sometimes don't really know what I am searching for until I find it (you know, altered art), that is my problem.  I've got to get my mind organized first!  Thanks again for the great tips!