There is something seriously wrong with my inability to think in white rooms. I know some people can only be productive in a space that is clean/white/empty, and that’s great for them, but it doesn’t work for me. At all. I need a space that is “tidy-enough” to function, but messy enough to think. I need a cave of color and pattern. Textures. Photos. Sparkles. It’s as though be surrounding by things I affiliate with certain thoughts allows my brain some extra capacity to spend on new thoughts. New ideas. New room to absorb information. The stuff on my walls and in my drawers isn’t so much clutter as it is off-site brain storage.
As part of their Maker’s campaign, Michaels asked me to show you guys where the magic happens. Well folks, here we go!
That chair right there with the cardigan on the back – that’s where I sit typing this blog post right now.
Whoa – this got meta real quick.
Running theme in this room: easy-access drawers and tubs with labels. I’m not at all a neat-nick, but need everything to be labeled. This makes things easier when I go into a cleaning frenzy – there is no reorganizing or hunting around or shuffling to fit like objects together. Everything has a place because everything is labeled. Boom.
Those white tubs in the middle — this hold all of my craft paints, which is great, but I need a new system. This set-up was great when I was using the paints once a month, but I have recently gotten back in the painting groove and I’m rifling through them once a day. Looka here!
This binge started when I was painting gift bags for Christmas. Now the bug done bit me and find myself looking at flat surfaces and wondering what it would look like with turquoise polka dots.
So. As you can see, I’m keeping my paint situation busy. If anyone has any ideas on how to keep little bottles of paint organized without a lot of patience or wall space, holler.
This is the right side of my desk. Now, I know what you are thinking, “How can I get two possums to hang above my desk at all times like that?” and you would be right for wondering, because, obviously, everyone needs two possums.
And this is the left side of my desk. For a while I kept my client files in a tub over there but Lolabelle took over. Please note, I bought her that enormous cat tree on the left, which she won’t touch, so I gave in and just put a bed on my desk. Now she sleeps there all day. Sometimes she’ll wake up in a huff and bark at me long enough to pick her up for a cuddle, but mostly, it’s her sleeping space. Do you know how hard it is to be productive when someone is sleeping 14″ from your face?
This here is my pride and joy. I used to keep all my beads and crystals in little baggies, but then one day last fall my electricity went out and in a thrilling rush of anger driven organizing, I shifted everything into these little wall-mounted tackle boxes. Now I am using these items far more now that I can see everything at once. Love that!
Speaking of things I love…
This is another new-ish edition. It’s a wrapping paper rack (you can buy at Michaels (it looks like they are out of stock online at the moment, but I saw a hole stack of them at my local store last week!)). This is super handy. And honestly, past the holidays, it’s not like I am wrapping gifts all the time, but I use all these items for various projects and this stuff can be cumbersome to store in drawers and such. Keeping everything vertical, visible, and accessible in one touch (<<<that is the key for me), makes it that much easier to use what I have, instead of going out and buying more. It’s an investment. And I love it!
And, because because because because becccccccccause sometimes photos don’t cut it, I did a little video. This is big. I NEVER DO VIDEO. But yesterday I recorded it with my little phone, then edited and uploaded it all by my little ol’ self. You guys, I feel like a warrior. Or a wizard. Or a tech guru. Okay, I haven’t decided yet, but you have 12 minutes to kill and want to take an action-packed craft room tour, click play.
Please note, this is my first video ever. Like ever. Keeping sound and focus on point is new to me, and I’m crazy awkward on camera, but if y’all like this stuff I hope you will tell me so I might spend some time improving my skills. This is a new year and 2015 might be the year I finally conquer my fear of video. Stay tuned.
Thanks for dropping by and taking the tour! If you like seeing where creative people do their business (not that business) check out what’s going on with the other Michael’s Makers.
Your accent is the best!! So fun to hear your voice!
Your craft room is amazing! I love the color and organization tools. Pinterest has a lot of paint storage ideas that looks pretty easy to put together or use supplies you might already have on hand. Its one of the things on my ‘to do’ list. Thanks for sharing.
Great job! I just love your possum’s!
I use vintage wooden Coca Cola crates for my paint storage with the bottom of the bottles sticking out so I can see the colors. I have them stored in rainbow order with the crate on its side. Sits on top of my storage cubes where I can grab one when I need it and u can stack one on top of the other. They are fairly easy to find at flea markets. BTW I LOVE that big sunflower u have hanging!
A sideways crate is GREAT idea.
The Alex drawer unit from IKEA fits paints nicely – they fit in the bottom drawers standing up. Replace the cat tree Lola doesn’t use and put it there! You have to put the colors on top of the bottles to know what you have (b/c I have Martha Stewart acrylic craft paints and she doesn’t put labels on top of them).
I like that idea! Actually I used to use something very similar to the Alex but I had a hard time keeping the paints standing vertical — I take so many in and out on a daily basis, they just ended up jumbled up (similar to their current state in tubs). I’m a little hard wearing on my art supplies. This is why I can’t have nice things!
It’s so strange to hear your voice after imagining it for years! I love your studio, especially the possums! I hope this is the beginning of a new venture…!
That was the best 12 minutes of my day
Love it! My two year old kept saying, “Aunt Peaches, can you hear me?” and Ginny is totally jealous of your craft paint collection. Off topic, but I was wondering yesterday if you’re planning to do the Valentine swap again this year?
Awww, Hey Ginny! I still have your unicorn 🙂
Yes. Valentine swap is on — stay tuned for details. I’m just trying to iron out the format. Stay tuned!
That was awesome, and somewhat envy inducing. You’re lucky to have such a nice space to organize all that stuff. Also; nice to see your face and hear your voice which feel kinda creepy to say, but now I have a voice to hear in my head when reading your posts and that’s nice. I vote more videos.
Sweet kitty–isn’t it funny how cats just have to be right there! in the middle of it.
As a muse she’s doing her job quite well. Love your site–look forward to it every day!
girl, thank you so much for the shout out! you’re so good to me. aaaaand it kinda makes me want to do another swap. maybe i’ll make you a cat dressed as Inigo Montoya.
Your maiden video! You look great. I think people will like this. I vote for more videos, especially cat videos. Where did you get the second possum?
This is cool Peaches and I loved getting to hear your voice. I want to do the same for my craft area so I can actually work in there and lots of great ideas from you! I would like to see more videos.
When I finally get my own art space (not in the livingroom) I want to be organised like this! Paints….I saw this cool idea, which I am going to use when I get the room…… what they did was paint up metal cookie pans or serving trays in whatever colour you like and then on the underside of each bottle of paint, glue a magnet on that, and then you mount the pan under something (the cat tree would be used if it was me, because I never get rid of anything, I think they call it repurposing or upcycling, I call it hoarding lol)….anyway, you screw the trays on the underside of a shelf, etc, and then the magnetised bottoms of the paint bottles will stick to the pan. So they are hanging upside down. It looks pretty nifty and purposeful. It uses up the part of the shelves that are space consumers (the undercarriage). I hate wasted space (and time)… Make sure the pan can take a magnet first though. Some cant.
I LOVE that idea! I think I saw that over at Tatertots and Jello. I actually tried it myself — problem –the standard magnets from the craft store were not strong enough to hold a full bottle of craft paint. I found a place to buy stronger online, but each one cost more than the bottle of paint! Ha. Also, I’m going through paint crazy fast right now so it’s probably not the right thing for me. But it is still a very cool idea indeed!!
Hey! We totally have that possum also. He hangs out with the hedgehog and alpaca. Thanks for sharing.
Fizzyknit Friday!!!
Love LOVE the photos of your craft room!!! Wanted to share what I do with paint – I have mine hanging in a shoe organizer. Saw that idea online and it works premo. I’ve never since doubled up on paint cause I couldn’t find it. I’ve tried the upside down thing in bins, and that ended up in a hot mess when the lids leaked. Totally my fault. I use the lids as paint cups, so they never go back on the way they should. I’m also a button and bead hoarder which I store in all things glass (yes, even in the basement with concrete floor). It makes my heart soar to open a room in the “dungeon” to see my buttons and beads beckoning me to make something! Thanks for the tour!
SO — the shoe organizer – is it like the kind with pockets? Like clear pockets? Or the ones with like little shelves. I know you paint a ton so I know you know paint storage inside out.
Yep – it’s the cheapo clear pocket shoe storage. I used to have it hanging over the back of the door to said dungeon, but eventually we just hung it from the wall. To reinforce, we added a piece of wood behind the part where the grommets are, and nailed it up. Still serving happily after 3 years.
Excellent! Sad I just filled my door with another organizer…but if I find a hunk of wall space, I’ll know just what to do. Thanks Lady!
LOVED the vid Peaches!
Was also sweet to see your pretty face and hear your voice 🙂 I had NO IDEA what I thought you’d look and sound like but you are just a Doll! I’ve followed you for years and am planning an “Art Shed “for my backyard so all your storage ideas will be saved.
Have an awesome, sparkly 2015 and keep the vids coming! Don’t worry about getting all pro and $$. Just you and the phone camera are just A ok with this viewer 🙂
PS I have a Miniature Daschie that has a bed on my art table so I KNOW the importance of little pal care…
Thanks Rose! Glad to hear you like seeing the video. I’m not sure if/when I’ll do more, but I’m glad to hear you liked this one 🙂 Happy 2015 to you and the little Daschie on your desk. Hugs to all!
Whoo-whee! This place is cool. My mom and I have a saying we’ve used for many years: “I’m not messy, I’m CREATIVE!” A super neat work space is the sign of a not-very-creative mind, IMO. That’s why I haven’t seen the top of my dining table in over a year: way too many projects in various states of completion.
But my ultimate dream is having an extra room in my house that I could use as a craft studio because then I could spend copious amounts of time figuring out creative ways to get it organized so I could use it to its maximum ability. Kinda like YOURS! I love it. Thanks for sharing!
LOVE the video!
Maybe you could do some quick tutorials in the future?!?!?
And if you’re ever in New Orleans, holler.
I would LOVE to see some of your artwork as fabric!
LOOOVE IT!
I know I mentioned the possums before–but then I saw the pineapples and flamingos.
GURL!
We are kindred spirits.
Oh yes, my flamingos have been flocking 25 years strong!
Oh my gosh, this is yer first video?! How do you not look nervous at all? It is lovely and fun and listen up, silly little cute thing, you TOTALLY should do more!
Thanks, Michelle. It’s one toe in the water (of a very large pond)…we shall see! 🙂
After reading your blog for so long it’s really great to actually hear you!
Nice video! Your color cave is fabulous. 🙂
I want your craft room! What a fabulous creation space! I can’t think when things are too messy or too white and pristine. It has to be somewhere in the middle.
Love this! I’m pretty sure that you are officially my decorating spirit animal. I tried really hard for years to have a minimalist approach to decorating and recently realized that it just doesn’t work for me and that I really do thrive on what everyone else considers chaos.
With that being said, I have to ask.. is that a bag of shredded cheese hanging on the bulletin board to the lower left of the Dolly picture?
Ha! Yes. My friend Karen is crazy for mail art. She took an empty bag of cheese and filled it with orange paper shreds and some stuff, slapped a label on the outside and sent it through the mail. I’m sure my mailman was super impressed 🙂
Have you ever been to American Science and Surplus (sciplus.com)? You could actually go to one of their stores since they’re in Chicagoland! I’m mentioning it because they have tons of magnets, but man! A creative wonder like you could have a serious adventure there, I bet.
Oh yes, AS&S it’s one of my favorites. Their bottle situation is unreal. Their blow-out sales are like Christmas!