Wednesday, July 27, 2011

WOYWW: Craft Cleanse Edition!

I am happy to report some significant progress since making my commitment to organize and inventory my art and crafting spaces!
{My desk Before}


{My desk After}

In addition to having neater spaces to enjoy, I also have “like” supplies all together in one place, and a list of what I own so that I will not go out and purchase duplicates.








I didn’t go crazy with the inventory list, though. I chose not to list all my books because it’s not that hard to walk over the bookcase and see what I have.  I did shelve them in sections, though--art journals, collage, mixed media, painting, drawing, handwriting/calligraphy, scrapbooking, altered art, sewing, and, of course, "miscellaneous".
{Bookcase After}

My "Before" photo keeps disappearing as I prepare this post, so I'll just leave you to check it out here.  It's not tremendously different!  I just made sure to "find homes" for the papers and books that used to lie horizontally on top of my books.










I didn’t list individual colors of ink pads or paints in my inventory, either, because I didn’t have the patience.  Plus, I don’t mind just peeking into the box and seeing what’s there, as opposed to consulting a list. I DID inventory things like adhesives, varnishes, and fluid mediums, because I’m more likely to buy duplicates of those sorts of things without realizing what I already have.
{Left Cupboard Before}
{Left Cupboard After}








{Right Cupboard Before}

{Right Cupboard After}













These cupboard photos don't look as dramatic as the change to the cupboards FEELS.  Everything is now labeled.  Items that are of no immediate use have been sent down to the basement.  Everything is now accessible, without having to pull out a dozen items in front to get to something in the back.  Of all of the organizing I have done so far, this part has been the most satisfying.

And one final Before and After:
{Shelves Before}


{Shelves After}














Not bad for a week's work.  I started work on the armoire, but not yet on my dining room sewing materials.  All the Before pics can be seen here.  And then comes the BIG project: the basement! I will continue to post updates as my progress continues!

***********************************

In the spirit of complete honesty, I violated my commitment to abstain from all craft-related purchases for 30 days. My local Borders was offering its magazines for 40% off during its Going-Out-Of-Business sale, so I picked up the latest edition of Somerset Studio, along with two clearance books (one about fashion drawing and one about coloring mandalas) that were an additional 10% off. My “sins” cost little more than $10, and didn’t add appreciably to the “mess” I am currently trying to contain, so I don’t feel TOO bad about my transgression!

***********************************

I wanted to let you know about a fabulous-looking eCourse being offered by Regina of Creative Kismet. Her focus is the Art of Giving, and she is helping participants create a daily practice of gratitude, in part through making beautiful things. Some of the projects she describes include blessing banners, gratitude beads, altered board books, and daily gratitude journals. Check out the two videos about the course she has posted on her blog on July 6 and July 18!

***********************************


Two other places to visit: 
1.  Julia's Stamping Ground for more photos of interesting art and crafting workspaces on this WOYWW, and
2.  Crafty Moira, hostess of our great Craft Cleanse effort!

22 comments:

DottyA Cards & Things said...

Oh my what a lovely Play area you have... you keep eveything so nicely arranged. Thanks for stopping by my blog and the kind words too!

Hettie said...

Any time you feel you want to tidy my room you are welcome to pop over!! The problem is lack of space for all my stuff so though it looks a little messey I do know where stuff is!! I think!!
Thanks for your kind words.
Hettie

Anonymous said...

It's quite cathartic to have a good clean up, as you say, it feels different even if it isn't physically much different. I keep meaning to call in to a local Borders but keep forgetting too!

Hugs
Brenda 73

Theresa Plas said...

Excellent Job Organizing all! So many neat personalized touches in your space! We share alot of the same books - yours are MUCH tidier than mine at the moment:)

Carin Winkelman said...

Oh, I did this a few months ago, when I reorganized my house into an artsy house and made a sewing room upstairs and a journaling table out of my dining room table. I love looking at art spaces and I love looking at your bookshelves even more. We have a lot of books in common, but I also see some titles I may check out on amazon ;-)
Good luck on further organizing things.

Sarn said...

What a great post!

Happy WOYWW.

Hugs, Sandra Take a peek at MY DESK here

Helen said...

My, you have been organised! So many crafty books - I am jealous!

Jo.C said...

Great job of decluttering - I am always impressed that people can put this on as I don't think I could. When I'm messy I'm really messy!! :0) Thanks for visiting

VivJM said...

Wow, great organising! I love nosing at other people's bookshelves too, so this was a dream post for me lol x

Anonymous said...

You've made a really good job of it - I wish I could get my books under control!!!
Happy WOYWW!

Jingle said...

You are making some great progress!

Harborough Dad said...

A list of all your craft supplies so that you don't buy duplicates - fab idea, love it!! Thanks for sharing. xx

sarah lawrence said...

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog....to add to the list of things our kids will not experience.....having only 2 channels on a black and white TV and no remote!
and getting 2 postal deliveries a day!!I can only just remember this in the early 60,s here in the UK

storybeader said...

I went to borders too and bought a Somerset Studio magazine - but I don't consider magazines to be art supplies... they are inspiration! Shelves look great! {:-Deb

Di said...

Oh wow! That's a brilliant tidy up - and such a great idea about the inventory. It's the things like glues and tapes that I lose track of and then buy too much of - I'm gonna do just the same today! Thanks so much for the idea! Di x

peggy aplSEEDS said...

good job on your tidy up! i'm impressed and i'm sure you'll enjoy having your materials organized.

Erika said...

Can I book you to come and sort me out? Lovely tidy craft space, mine just never stays tidy for long.
Erika.

April said...

Ooh you have been doing well with all your tidying and organising, that it something I definately need to do put all my "most liked" stuff together in an easy place to get to, everything is mixed up at the mo and I forget what little treasures I have! Thanks for sharing.

scrapwordsmom said...

Your space turned out lovely!! Thank you for sharing all your goodness. I always enjoy stopping by:)

Neil said...

Hi there, Thanks for sharing your desk this week! I'm dashing around this week like the white rabbit; places to go and things to see! Hope you have a lovely week. Good luck with getting organised, I try but it seems to mess itself up again!

sandra de said...

What a beautifully organised desk space. Don't worry about your little purchases, can anyone say no to a little transgression. I have just returned from visiting your lovely country and I am sure we passed through Springfield,PA. Can't wait to come back next year. But for now I will just have to visit on woyww.

milkcan said...

The reorganization looks great! I hope you are enjoying your beautifully clean space!