Today I'm back with another Creativity Coach video!
Today's topic is organization. The key, I think, is developing an easy personalized system. Watch the video for more:
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Thanks for stopping by!
Oh so agree with this. I had to label everything so I could find what I need and know what I have. More than once I’ve spent too much time searching for something I knew I had but couldn’t figure out where I put it LOL. I like to use baskets to store my stuff because most of my storage is by way of shelves up on the walls. And it makes it easy to pull down a basket of items that I want to use. As time goes on I continue to tweak my supplies to better meet my needs.
Thanks helpful to think about. I wonder about how to organize small spaces? And many different artistic passions?
Oh Julie! This is so timely, and of course, so helpful! I have been doing a complete household purge, and today is art supply day. I have all of my art supplies pulled out and in the middle of my office/guest room, and a guest is coming in 2 days! In the hopefully near future, I will have a separate studio in the back yard so that I will finally have dedicated space.
On another note, I have been a daily blog follower for years. Your blog is the only item in my inbox that I open daily (unless I don’t look at email that day, then I have a double bonus the next day). I was sad to see that your observation is that not many people are reading/responding to your blog, so I will make an effort to respond more. I do so enjoy seeing your smiling face and inspiration every (week) day, so I hope you will continue. If it isn’t plausible, I understand (sniff).
Ok, off to label my drawers! Thanks for reading! (and for everything else you do. Give your “boys” a hug for me)
Very timely for me too! My best friend is here from Missouri and we’re trying to purge and organize 25+ years of art supplies into a very downsized room. At least now I’m retired and can start using them!
Hi Julie! I also start my mornings with you almost every day, for inspiration & just your cheerful presence. So, thank you! And I totally agree with your organizing principles. The notion of organizing your art space like your kitchen has been very useful for me. I’m big on having “zones.” in the kitchen, I have a mixing zone where I keep bowls, measuring spoons, whisk, rolling pin etc. Then over by the stove is the cooking zone, where I keep pots & pans, tongs, oven mitts, a timer and the like. Similarly in my craft room I have a main collage zone — with papers, paint, pens and glues in arms reach — and a cutting zone, with a self-healing mat, my Scan N Cut, rotary cutter and rulers. Works for me!
Thank you so much for this video! Great tips for organization. Clear containers are a help for me too.
Good morning…I thought I was pretty organized until you mentioned how the brain works for ones own style. I’m all over the place in that regard especially when it comes to my hoard of ephemera. I know what I’m going to organize today. Plus it will be fun to see what I have that I have forgotten about…great ideas, Julie!!
Julie!
Thank you for this video! As I watched and listened to you, I could feel the smile creep across my face! I, truly, shop and collect as a hobby (i.e. obsession) and it has helped me to create an area that is, at the present moment, a total mess! Your ideas are wonderful and simple! Hug that little boy!
I used to live in NYC in a tiny apartment and I used the same organizing principles then that I do now. You have to get creative with space, but you can do it!
I appreciate that, Janet!
Yay!
Yes! Yes! Yes! Im a zone fan too! It makes a big difference!
I agree. I need to see it!
I think labeling will make a big difference for you, Joyce!
LOL! Have fun, Sue!
Will do!
Thank you!
You have such a talent for distilling things into core concepts. I need more labeling!
I too read your blog every day. For years it is the one email I always open. You are a part of my everyday life for many years.10 years? You only get better. If there was a comment button in the email I would respond more often but like many others I’m silently here every day. Many thanks for being one of my blessings.
Oh boy, do I need this video today! We moved over a year ago, and my art room is still not set up. The IKEA unit needs assembly, and my husband is making a better height art table for me. I have a lot of deep boxes for the EXPEDIT, which may not be the best thing. Biggest bugaboo is storing paper–I have a lot, different sizes, in different places.
I’ve also been following your blog a long time and would miss it if it were gone.
I continue to struggle with finding the right solution for me. At one point, I wanted everything to be ‘pretty’ and out of sight. But, I have found that if I can’t see it, I don’t use it. So, now I’m trying to figure out how to re-do yet again. I have too many passions in a small space – sewing, embroidering (and that Dream Machine is BIG) and the requisite ironing and cutting tables, then the more traditional art – painting (oil, acrylic, watercolor), and crafty stuff – collage foder, and the printing, the carving, the encaustic…Oy vey; I need an intervention!
I think that pretty is rarely functional. Its a sad truth. You just need more space, Ellen! 😉
I think I covered my paper storage in a monthly livestream, but file folders have changed my life. Make it so much easier to find all my papers!
Great ideas! I have almost finished organizing my craft stuff and used all of these ideas. Even sort of “zoned” my supplies and work spaces. Now my big thing is finding more time to use my neatly organized space.
Great tips Julie thank you x
Making the time is hard, but important!
This was GREAT!! I want to have everything in arm’s reach when I art. Alas, too many supplies. But your tips were helpful.
Thanks, Cat Your positivity is such a healing presence in these times.
Great tips, Julie. I love the one about making it as easy or easier to put things away than it is to find them. Brilliant! I’ve been tackling the exact same issues in my kitchen and closets but was a little too hung up on the idea of making art supplies hidden away or “pretty”. Thanks for the reminder: It’s supposed to be a WORKING studio. Thank you!
Exactly!
Julie – thank you for this. I had not thought of organizing for the ease of putting things away! This was a simple and helpful video and I appreciate you taking the time to film it and share it for free.
Based on your suggestions, I changed my paper organization from color coded to weight coded. Soooo much happier with it – and it highlights that I have too much cardstock and not enough painted deli papers! Thanks so much for these very helpful tips.
I just got notice from local wonderful art teaching studio re: some new classes on physical storage and archiving of art and supplies by Elizabeth Grab. Intrigued, I searched and found her wonderful site and a great blog post on some more resources on “Guide to Best Practices in Artists’ Studio Archiving” “Managing Personal Collections and Creative Legacies” (hope I typed it correctly) and its like going down the rabbit hole! There is a digital version of the book, an extensive bibliography, and even more links resources to additional information on inventory practices, storing, digitizing, and so much more!! I thought of you Julie as well as folks like me who just have fun to dabble. I love learning how you/others manage the stuff of creating! Thank you!!
https://elizabethgrab.com/artists-archives/artists-studio-archives-workbook/#more-260
Hi, Julie, thanks for the organizing tips. I am contemplating a change of location for my art activities and your top 3 is giving me much to think about.
I’m another long time follower, but I don’t say much.Your content —the blog, videos, Paperclipping guest spots, Make it Artsy shows, etc. have allowed me to enjoy arty insights and learn more about what it means to be a creative person, even when I wasn’t able to create. Today I am taking the baby steps of developing my own art practice. You are impacting more lives in more ways than you realize, Julie.Thank you. We appreciate you!
Gosh, Julie! I read and watch you all the time but rarely commented cuz you already have so much to do other than read my babble.(And I’m woefully behind on the year-long gelatin printing!) Just know lots of us are out there and appreciate all tips, hints, and info you provide.
This blows my mind, Karen. I would never think to organize that way. I’m so glad that it’s a system that works for YOU!
You’re so welcome, Michelle!
This reminds me of a lecture I went to with Judy Chicago where she talked about how important it is to create an archive of your own work.
I appreciate you, Karla! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!
Very kind of you, Sheree!
That’s such a nice thing of you to say. Thank you!
Thanks, Kathy!
Thank you for reading and giving me a bit of your time each day!
Yes! Continuing to tweak is the key to maintaining your system!
Love the wire drawers. Are they custom made or bought from a store?