Today's post is a continuation of my studio tour. This is part two!
I've created a little hallway into the room by my placement of the "play" desk. Here's what it looks like:
The desk is on the right, just out of the frame of the photo. There isn't a lot of space for storage. Even shelves would stick out too much, so I came up with a (relatively) flat solution!
I hung some metal grids (pieces of a cube storage system that fell apart when we moved) on the wall. My embellishments are all hanging from book rings, which are attached to the grid wall with little alligator clips (they're actually clips from the "Clip It Up" system).
Each of the book rings is labeled. When I'm looking for journaling spots or brads or rub-ons, I just grab the ring and bring it to my desk. It's an easy system. I love it!
Above the wire grid are two bulletin boards. I have a collection of Ziploc bags hanging from the bulletin boards.
The bags are full of fabric scraps, sorted by color. Here's a close up:
This is a very inexpensive storage solution. In fact, this whole wall is an inexpensive solution that doesn't take up a lot of depth.
This next space is one of my favorite spaces in the room. It's the space under the window.
The chair was in our last living room and it was going to get thrown away, so I grabbed it for my studio. It's super comfy and allows my husband or a friend to sit comfortably and chat while I'm working. It's also got a nice light above it, so it's great for curling up with a book too! Next to it is a folding bookshelf that I've had since college. I love that thing! And then you can see the little white stool I found in the trash several years ago. It works as a side table, storage, and a resting place for piles of books and magazines! Just out of the frame on the right, you can sort of see the ironing board. It hangs on the wall and when I need it, I take it down, but it's too big to leave out in the room. Let's take a closer look at that shelf….
Mostly, I use it to store my Prima stuff. If you're interested in my fabulously free storage units, I did a tutorial a while back on how to turn the boxes that come in the mail into crafty storage.
Paper, letters, felt.
Flowers sorted by color.
To the left of the chair is my typewriter/jewelry area.
You can see the TV on top of the filing cabinet, lots of drawers (labeled, of course), and shelves stuffed with goodies. I'm sure that people walk into this room and think that things are just a mess, but everything has a place.
I keep the typewriters covered to try to limit the amount of dust in them. The one on the left types cursive letters and the one on the right does regular typewritten letters.
The shelf directly above that area is filled with beads.
And that $10 clip lamp is my renter's solution to not enough light. I hung those clip lamps every three feet and put in those energy saver bulbs to keep the room from getting too hot. It makes an enormous difference and nothing had to get screwed into the ceiling or anything like that.
The drawers below are filled with goodies. Each one opens to reveal something fun.
Fabric! Such an addiction of mine. I can't stop buying gorgeous fabric!
A drawer full of UTEE.
And as I mentioned, I do label every single one of the drawers, so things are easy to find and easy to put away.
Is this your full
time job? Just curious, I still work full time but would love to have
this be my full time job one day.
Nope, not my full time job. Or I guess I should say, not my only full time job! LOL! I am also the Artistic Director of The Milk Can Theatre Company here in NYC.
I'm still
wondering- what is the toilet paper roll for?Posted by:
Kristina |
April
21, 2010 at 02:52 PM
Kristina, I love to stamp with my toilet paper tube! You can see an example of what it looks like here.
How about sharing more of your
tips and tricks on getting organized and staying that way like the
labels. I am constantly searching for something I know I bought last
week!!! 🙂
Posted by:
Carol |
April
21, 2010 at 04:20 PM
I love organizing! I went searching for an old post that I know I wrote on the subject about a year ago, but I couldn't find it. So, here are a few tips off the top of my head:
- Don't be at all concerned about your space looking pretty. Make it functional. Unfortunately, I don't think pretty and functional go hand in hand. Open shelving isn't pretty, but it works well. Neatly stacked boxes are pretty, but they just aren't functional. You're never going to bother to get whatever is in the bottom box.
- The foundation of your space is wickedly important. I think that sometimes people are "penny wise and pound foolish." Cute little containers are less important than a great set of shelves or drawers. But the latter are expensive and the former are cheap and easy to carry home. Before we moved into this apartment I spent a lot of time thinking through the structure of the room. I even geeked out enough to draw myself a ground plan and made little furniture units which I pushed around.
- Organize the way your brain works. Seriously, there is no "one system fits all" when it comes to organizing. We each have our own peccadillos, If you know you always start with cardstock and then go to patterned paper and then add embellishments, store your supplies in those groups and in that order. I like to have some overarching categories (paint, fabric, etc.) and then organize by color within that category.And yeah, the labels. I am a control freak about the labels. If I don't label every drawer, every box, every bin, I will lose stuff. Labels make it easier to put away and easier to find. I actually think that the secret to a great organizational system is the ease of putting stuff away. If it's not easy to put away, you'll never do it.
- That leads me to my final point: I love to make a mess. But I *always* clean up between projects and I purge at least 3 times a year. I do light clean up (clear off my desk) between projects and then heavy clean up (get everything off the floor, empty all those bags I've been meaning to empty, put those layouts into albums, etc.) about once a month. And purging 3 or more times a year really helps me keep track of what I have, what I use, and definitely helps to keep things tidy.
Join me tomorrow for the final installment of the studio tour! And do let me know if you have any questions!
Thanks for stopping by!
wow you have stuff
wow you have stuff
wow you have stuff
wow you have stuff
Got flowers much?
I love how you label everything Julie.
I need to make my system easier to use so that I put supplies back (too many of those cute little containers that are not so functional):(
Got flowers much?
I love how you label everything Julie.
I need to make my system easier to use so that I put supplies back (too many of those cute little containers that are not so functional):(
Got flowers much?
I love how you label everything Julie.
I need to make my system easier to use so that I put supplies back (too many of those cute little containers that are not so functional):(
Got flowers much?
I love how you label everything Julie.
I need to make my system easier to use so that I put supplies back (too many of those cute little containers that are not so functional):(
Yup, still jealous :o)
Yup, still jealous :o)
Yup, still jealous :o)
Yup, still jealous :o)
Thanks for the tips on organizing that is very useful! I love the on the wall hanging storage you created…and funny thing is that I also have an old sofa chair that I refuse to toss because it’s the most comfy, just sink into it spot in my room 🙂 BTW, I can’t believe this isn’t your full time job…you do so much!
Thanks for the tips on organizing that is very useful! I love the on the wall hanging storage you created…and funny thing is that I also have an old sofa chair that I refuse to toss because it’s the most comfy, just sink into it spot in my room 🙂 BTW, I can’t believe this isn’t your full time job…you do so much!
Thanks for the tips on organizing that is very useful! I love the on the wall hanging storage you created…and funny thing is that I also have an old sofa chair that I refuse to toss because it’s the most comfy, just sink into it spot in my room 🙂 BTW, I can’t believe this isn’t your full time job…you do so much!
Thanks for the tips on organizing that is very useful! I love the on the wall hanging storage you created…and funny thing is that I also have an old sofa chair that I refuse to toss because it’s the most comfy, just sink into it spot in my room 🙂 BTW, I can’t believe this isn’t your full time job…you do so much!
Wow,I think you actually might have more stuff than me. Great system for those wall racks, love that idea if you have the space on the wall.
Wow,I think you actually might have more stuff than me. Great system for those wall racks, love that idea if you have the space on the wall.
Wow,I think you actually might have more stuff than me. Great system for those wall racks, love that idea if you have the space on the wall.
Wow,I think you actually might have more stuff than me. Great system for those wall racks, love that idea if you have the space on the wall.
Thanks Julie for the organizing tips. Love the zip bags on the wall. That is an easy and cheap way to organize stuff!!!
Thanks Julie for the organizing tips. Love the zip bags on the wall. That is an easy and cheap way to organize stuff!!!
Thanks Julie for the organizing tips. Love the zip bags on the wall. That is an easy and cheap way to organize stuff!!!
Thanks Julie for the organizing tips. Love the zip bags on the wall. That is an easy and cheap way to organize stuff!!!
I have a lot of boxes from all my orders
from the usa (: I shall take a peek at
those tutorials and convert them in
future! thanks julie ;D
I have a lot of boxes from all my orders
from the usa (: I shall take a peek at
those tutorials and convert them in
future! thanks julie ;D
I have a lot of boxes from all my orders
from the usa (: I shall take a peek at
those tutorials and convert them in
future! thanks julie ;D
I have a lot of boxes from all my orders
from the usa (: I shall take a peek at
those tutorials and convert them in
future! thanks julie ;D
how can you not feel creative in a space like that? I love all your storage solutions – so fab! 🙂
how can you not feel creative in a space like that? I love all your storage solutions – so fab! 🙂
how can you not feel creative in a space like that? I love all your storage solutions – so fab! 🙂
how can you not feel creative in a space like that? I love all your storage solutions – so fab! 🙂
Thanks for the insight on the TP roll 😉 It does make for a great stamped pattern!
Your storage solutions have given me so many ideas that I want to incorporate into my scrap space, thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the insight on the TP roll 😉 It does make for a great stamped pattern!
Your storage solutions have given me so many ideas that I want to incorporate into my scrap space, thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the insight on the TP roll 😉 It does make for a great stamped pattern!
Your storage solutions have given me so many ideas that I want to incorporate into my scrap space, thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the insight on the TP roll 😉 It does make for a great stamped pattern!
Your storage solutions have given me so many ideas that I want to incorporate into my scrap space, thanks for sharing.
Ziplocks are highly underrated as a storage solution. I use them for my ribbon hoarding problem. Each color in it’s own huge ziplock. So happy to see them featured here. I’ve been loving your typewriter thing and think I’ll be seeking out one at the yard sales this summer. It’s such a great way of getting the journaling right where it needs to be. Thank you again for this real tour of your studio. Can’t wait for day 3.
Ziplocks are highly underrated as a storage solution. I use them for my ribbon hoarding problem. Each color in it’s own huge ziplock. So happy to see them featured here. I’ve been loving your typewriter thing and think I’ll be seeking out one at the yard sales this summer. It’s such a great way of getting the journaling right where it needs to be. Thank you again for this real tour of your studio. Can’t wait for day 3.
Ziplocks are highly underrated as a storage solution. I use them for my ribbon hoarding problem. Each color in it’s own huge ziplock. So happy to see them featured here. I’ve been loving your typewriter thing and think I’ll be seeking out one at the yard sales this summer. It’s such a great way of getting the journaling right where it needs to be. Thank you again for this real tour of your studio. Can’t wait for day 3.
Ziplocks are highly underrated as a storage solution. I use them for my ribbon hoarding problem. Each color in it’s own huge ziplock. So happy to see them featured here. I’ve been loving your typewriter thing and think I’ll be seeking out one at the yard sales this summer. It’s such a great way of getting the journaling right where it needs to be. Thank you again for this real tour of your studio. Can’t wait for day 3.
I love your Priority Mailer storage solution! I actually use those, too, but have never seen them used on their sides like you have. Great eclectic space!
I love your Priority Mailer storage solution! I actually use those, too, but have never seen them used on their sides like you have. Great eclectic space!
I love your Priority Mailer storage solution! I actually use those, too, but have never seen them used on their sides like you have. Great eclectic space!
I love your Priority Mailer storage solution! I actually use those, too, but have never seen them used on their sides like you have. Great eclectic space!
I am in LOVE with your space! What’s in the filing cabinet that the tv is on? I love knowing what’s in all the drawers too….lol.
I am in LOVE with your space! What’s in the filing cabinet that the tv is on? I love knowing what’s in all the drawers too….lol.
I am in LOVE with your space! What’s in the filing cabinet that the tv is on? I love knowing what’s in all the drawers too….lol.
I am in LOVE with your space! What’s in the filing cabinet that the tv is on? I love knowing what’s in all the drawers too….lol.
The grid wall idea for storage is a great idea. It does not take up much space and everything is in plain sight!
The grid wall idea for storage is a great idea. It does not take up much space and everything is in plain sight!
The grid wall idea for storage is a great idea. It does not take up much space and everything is in plain sight!
The grid wall idea for storage is a great idea. It does not take up much space and everything is in plain sight!
OMG…You have a whole ROOM and a CLOSET for your stuff? In MANHATTAN??? You’re my idol! 🙂
OMG…You have a whole ROOM and a CLOSET for your stuff? In MANHATTAN??? You’re my idol! 🙂
OMG…You have a whole ROOM and a CLOSET for your stuff? In MANHATTAN??? You’re my idol! 🙂
OMG…You have a whole ROOM and a CLOSET for your stuff? In MANHATTAN??? You’re my idol! 🙂
Hi,Julie. I just found you on you tube which led me here. I so so so love your studio so much more than the pictures I’ve seen of other studios that have lots of knick knacky stuff in them. This is my kind of studio. Love your vids.
Hi,Julie. I just found you on you tube which led me here. I so so so love your studio so much more than the pictures I’ve seen of other studios that have lots of knick knacky stuff in them. This is my kind of studio. Love your vids.
Hi,Julie. I just found you on you tube which led me here. I so so so love your studio so much more than the pictures I’ve seen of other studios that have lots of knick knacky stuff in them. This is my kind of studio. Love your vids.
Hi,Julie. I just found you on you tube which led me here. I so so so love your studio so much more than the pictures I’ve seen of other studios that have lots of knick knacky stuff in them. This is my kind of studio. Love your vids.
u r so so so so talented Julie! when i do, i spend hours going through your blog without knowing where time went by..how do you manage to do it all??! i love crafting but unfortunatley cannot take it as a full time job yet. it saddens me a lot trust me. do u ever get stuck? or do you feel you are unsure of something? it happens to me a lot, i think so much about doing it perfectly that i end up messing it. how do i solve this problem. i keep feeling afraid my client wont like it or it wouldnt look good, even if everyone else adores my work. i have got a little blog http://craftwings.blogspot.in/ where i put up whatever i can, but there is so much to do and so less time. i am a full time digital marketer too.
u r so so so so talented Julie! when i do, i spend hours going through your blog without knowing where time went by..how do you manage to do it all??! i love crafting but unfortunatley cannot take it as a full time job yet. it saddens me a lot trust me. do u ever get stuck? or do you feel you are unsure of something? it happens to me a lot, i think so much about doing it perfectly that i end up messing it. how do i solve this problem. i keep feeling afraid my client wont like it or it wouldnt look good, even if everyone else adores my work. i have got a little blog http://craftwings.blogspot.in/ where i put up whatever i can, but there is so much to do and so less time. i am a full time digital marketer too.
u r so so so so talented Julie! when i do, i spend hours going through your blog without knowing where time went by..how do you manage to do it all??! i love crafting but unfortunatley cannot take it as a full time job yet. it saddens me a lot trust me. do u ever get stuck? or do you feel you are unsure of something? it happens to me a lot, i think so much about doing it perfectly that i end up messing it. how do i solve this problem. i keep feeling afraid my client wont like it or it wouldnt look good, even if everyone else adores my work. i have got a little blog http://craftwings.blogspot.in/ where i put up whatever i can, but there is so much to do and so less time. i am a full time digital marketer too.
u r so so so so talented Julie! when i do, i spend hours going through your blog without knowing where time went by..how do you manage to do it all??! i love crafting but unfortunatley cannot take it as a full time job yet. it saddens me a lot trust me. do u ever get stuck? or do you feel you are unsure of something? it happens to me a lot, i think so much about doing it perfectly that i end up messing it. how do i solve this problem. i keep feeling afraid my client wont like it or it wouldnt look good, even if everyone else adores my work. i have got a little blog http://craftwings.blogspot.in/ where i put up whatever i can, but there is so much to do and so less time. i am a full time digital marketer too.
Still jealous – do you ever feel cramped in their or is a feeling of coziness? What does hubby think of this space? Did he get a space of his own as well?
Still jealous – do you ever feel cramped in their or is a feeling of coziness? What does hubby think of this space? Did he get a space of his own as well?
Still jealous – do you ever feel cramped in their or is a feeling of coziness? What does hubby think of this space? Did he get a space of his own as well?
Still jealous – do you ever feel cramped in their or is a feeling of coziness? What does hubby think of this space? Did he get a space of his own as well?