My Studio

This weekend I added a new storage tower from Sam's to my studio.  It required a bit of rearranging to fit it in, which as often happens, led to a lot of rearranging, sorting, and cleaning.  A reader recently asked to see a picture of my studio, and I realized it had been several years since I had taken any new pictures.  So since things were (for the moment) relatively clean and organized, I thought I'd share a few shots (click through the photos for larger views).

My studio is one-half of a room that was once an attached two-car garage.  the other half is our family room, so I can see the TV, watch movies, and listen to music all from the comfort of my studio table.  I work on a dining room table that I cover with plastic table clothes for protection.  I buy lots on sale at end-of-season, and when one gets too gunked with ink and glue, I change it out for a new one.  

My inks, scissors, glues, etc all sit down the center of the table & I usually work standing from both sides, although I sometimes sit down if I'm coloring or doing detail work.  I have a standing height table in the back left corner where I use my embossing gun and any cutting that requires a healing mat.  I have two stackable paper racks (8 1/2" x 11" on top & 12" on the bottom) that are sitting on top of a piano bench to make it a more usable height.  In front of it is another small TV table that holds my light table, a hanging file folder crate full of ephemera and specialty items, and my sewing machine.  I also have a two-layer Clip-It (on the right) on top of one of the drawer cabinets that holds stickers and gems.

On the far left corner of the wall is my Nestability holder that my Dad helped me make.  The tie dye butterfly fabric hides a non-working fireplace that sits behind the dresser.  The notebooks and cabinets are sitting on top of the mantle.  On the left end of the mantle is another parts storage container that holds small punches.  I punched out the shape of each punch inside and glued it on the front of the clear drawers for easily locating what I need.

 

The cabinet on the right (next to my computer desk) was the latest addition.  I thought I was buying a stacker similar to the ones I already had, only with clear drawers.  When we put it together, we realized it actually has 12 inch drawers, which is even better.  Next to that is parts storage shelving unit with 18 bins that are large enough to store 8 1/2: x 11" papers, tall enough to stand up my spray inks, and sturdy enough to hold lots of heavy punches.  The bins are easily movable to the table if I want to work out of one.  

In the china cabinet that goes with the dining room table I store background stamps, buttons, books, etc.  The baskets on top store my Hero arts stamps and 6" paper pads.  To the left of that is the fabulous hanging punch holder that my Dad also helped me make (I love when Dad comes to visit).

This is the chair where I usually sit and work.  On the left is a foam pad that I cover with a ledger size piece of cardstock (I got a damaged ream cheap from a local print shop).  When it gets all inky, I turn the paper over and use the other side, and then eventually discard and replace.  The "give" of the foam layer underneath is perfect for good stamping.  The colored drawer cabinets primarily hold wood-mounted stamps, although they also have drawers for rub-ons, stickers, embellishments, etc.

The dresser was a great find at an estate sale.  The drawers are perfect for holding my rolls of ribbon and stacks of felt.  On top is a 12" square basket that hold paper scraps and next to that is a hanging file folder crate that holds all of my cardstock scraps in folders by color.  The folders are easily removable and brought over to my table to compare to my project if I'm looking for a very certain shade of a color.  I have positionable ceiling lights and a rechargeable Ott light on my table to for additional lighting.  

I often work on top of my 12" tonic paper cutter.  A small trash can sits in the end chair, so I can scrape all of the paper scraps from the cutter right into the can.  My Scor-It is always out on the other side of the table for scoring.  I also have plenty of room when friends want to come over and create with me. 

I am truly blessed to have such a great place to create ... it is my favorite place to be.  

Comments

[Dawn T]

what a fabulous space for creating Steff. You are very lucky to have so much storage space

[de]

OMG Stef, I have room envy! LOL! So amazing!

[Ed AtKisson]

It is certainly a different use for the dining room set than when it was in our home. I am very glad that it is a tool for pleasurable creativity for you. Sue would have been glad to see how well it has worked for you. She always liked to have friends and family gather around the table. --Love Dad