14.5.06

My new digs

Well, I've finally gotten it done! It took me a couple of evenings after work last week, and pretty much all of this morning, but I've finished my little studio revamp. It all started when I read "The Superhero Guide to Desiging a Creative Business" over on the delightful Superhero Designs site. The first point was all about creating a workspace that feels nourishing and creative - filling your space with the things that bring you joy. When I looked around at my messy, bland studio, I didn't feel any joy. My starting point was creating this paper rack, with the help of my live-in handyman. It's basically just two lengths of chain with dowels suspended in the links hanging from some curtain hardware. The whole thing cost maybe 20 bucks, and would have been less if I hadn't insisted on the fancy silver Umbra curtain hardware. The rack replaces my antique clothing rack paper thing, which I loved - but took up way too much room. Another clever little innovation that I created were these magnet boards. Well, I didn't create them, I just picked them up off a clearance table at my local hardware store for 4 bucks each. Then, I took those nifty little watchmakers tins from Lee Valley, stuck magnets on the back and filled them with little bits and pieces. It keeps my worktable clear of lots of little things - I've even got a silver case filled with pens and pencils on there! I also made some magnets from beach glass and broken porcelain. I've left lots of blank space on the boards, as I'm sure I will think of lots more things to put up there in future!
I cleaned up my inspiration board a bit, and also added some new items, but plan to cut out and collect everything that I find interesting/inspring and stick it up there from now on.
Finally, I strung a line of paper lanterns up, just because I love them so much! I also replaced the ugly light fixture with a big paper globe. There's lots more I'd like to do, like get big drawers for paper storage and add more artwork on the walls, but I feel like this is a very good start! If you want to check out more photos of the room, head on over here to my Flickr thing. The only bad bit is that I am so tired from completing all this work, that I haven't made any books in my studio this weekend...

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

That looks amazing. I love how your paper and ribbons hang - like in a shop! May you make a lot of amazing books there!

mishka said...

*envious*

Your room looks so great and comfy and inviting and perfect for creating your books. I love the paper rack, and the magnet boards! I have those Lee Valley tins too, and this is such a great idea.

*dreaming of having my own space for crafting*

trudi said...

Thanks for your nice comments! And Mishka, those little Lee Valley tin things would be perfect for all your beads and findings! One really cool idea that I read in a magazine was to paint your wall with that magnetic paint stuff, then paint over it in your regular wall colour. Imagine a wall covered with tins of colourful beads! It's an art installation - you could have it in your living or dining room!

Anonymous said...

i know i commented on flickr but really, you have a lovely studio!!! your paper rack is mouth watering! and what a slick idea for the ribbon!!!!!!!

deb said...

just drooling over here at your papers and ribbon. love the colors!

krissy said...

i love your little studio...it's so clean and pretty! such ingenious ways of storing things too. i feel inspired to do something pretty with mine now.