Studio Clean-Up and Tour

I usually try to change the table cloth on my studio work table at least once a year ... the places where I work a lot get inky and worn, and I want to keep the wood protected underneath ... yesterday was the day.

I took every thing off the tables, cleaned them, and rotated the one where I work the most (the edge was showing a little wear) and put on a new red table vinyl table cloth.  I usually try to pick-up bright summer patterns, but I haven't been able to find any, so I went with solid red this time.  My work tables are two 48" square standing height dining tables.

The first step was to put the lamp back in the center of the table.   My studio is one half of what was formerly an attached two car garage.  You can see one of the light fixtures on the ceiling above (there are four in the room).  They light the room well, but leave the center of my work table pretty dark.

We thought about hanging a fixture from the ceiling, but ultimately I found the tallest desk lamp I could, so it would spread light over the entire table (and not block my view of the TV at the other end of the room).

However, when we got it home, it still wasn't quite tall enough, so I went through my book stash & created my own lamp pedestal.

The next step was to put my main pieces of equipment back in their usual places.  After years of working in this space, I have figured out where most things work best, including my awesome Genesis paper cutter.  The light on the right makes it so easy to see exactly where I'm cutting ... especially when I'm trying to line-up and cut very close to sentiments or images.  I was buying a new paper cutter every year or so before, but I've had this one over two years and it still cuts perfectly.

I sorted my washi tape by color in my Revolving Bin from Harbour Freight.

I also finally took the time to sort my Spectrum Noir markers by color families.

I've had my spinning ink holder for years ... with my large table space, I work from both side, so things that spin work the best.

Cleaning off the table, also got me to file away all of my cardstock paper scraps ... I keep them in the crate on the left in hanging file folders by color (with metallics and specialty papers at the back).

The other end of the table is where I do a lot fo my stamping.  I have a ledger-sized foam pad that I cover with a piece of ledger-sized paper.  When the paper gets to inky, I turn it over, and then eventually replace with another sheet.

I also clean my stamps at that end of the table, as well as heat emboss ... and to the left is my CuttleBug and dry embossing station.

Another rotating bin I found on my travels that holds tools, scissors, paint brushes and my smaller hole punches ... and my beloved pink 3M tape gun is always close at hand.

Here are the tables once everything was back in its place.  I have two chairs that sit at the end.  One holds a bin with my newest purchases ... the other holds a trash can so I can scrape all of the scraps from my paper cutter.  I sit in one occasionally, but find I really work best standing and moving around.

I hope you enjoyed my little studio clean-up tour.

Comments

[Stacey Schafer]

great tour, Stef! thanks for letting us get a peek into your world:)

[Gran]

Well, you are one organized gal....you did not get this gene from your Gran!!!!
Your studio is beautiful and I can see you really do
enjoy it. Love you, Gran

[Stacy H-W]

Amazing! Thanks for the tour!

[Gabby]

You have a lot of supplies and it sounds and looks like you have found the perfect way to organize them. I especially like your HF washi tape spinner and I want your paper storage racks! Hee. :)

[Trena in Naperville]

Great creative space Stephanie! No wonder you create such beautiful projects!

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

[leslie (crookedstamper)]

LOVE the tour!