Where Bloggers Create 2011

I just did a complete reorganization of my own studio space this month, and posted it here on my blog.  You can find it in the post right below this one or by clicking on my studio tour on the side bar.  I look forward to picking up some more great ideas on this tour but I'm  going to have to wait to implement them at least until I've lived with my present arrangement long enough to know what works.

For more inspiration for your creative space, starting on July 15th, you'll want to visit lots of  the featured studios at Where Bloggers Create 2011.  You don't have to rush.  Karen Valentine from My Desert Cottage, the event host, keeps the list posted all year. 

Studio Reorganization Number ?

I love organizing my studio!  I have no idea how many times I've tweaked it in the past 3 years but I'm sure this won't be the last.  I get an idea in my head for one small change and before you know it the whole room is upside down and I'm as happy as a pig in mud!  Maybe this time I'll let it be long enough to remember where I've stored everything.

View from the hallway.

Pottery, mosaics and stained glass.  The stained glass is in a unit that stored old LPs and singles at the local radio station where my husband was a DJ.

This big drafting table is one of the few pieces that has stayed in the same place through every reorganization.  The area in the corner is for my encaustic work.  It's higher so I can stand while I work and the window allows ventilation.

Ice cube trays from the Dollar Store make great storage for all my little charms, brads and beading supplies.  This shallow drawer unit is from Ikea.

Old pop caddies are perfect for keeping tools accessible.  Plastic cups help contain smaller items.

Wet zone for soap and paper making and dyeing fabric.

These map files hold my pressed flowers, larger sheets of paper and stamps.

This old microfiche cabinet was an auction find and it currently holds all of my different paints as well as batik, bookbinding, printmaking and silkscreen supplies.  Can you believe I once gave it to my husband to use for his tools!?  He wasn't surprised when I asked for it back.

Books and other reference materials and packaging supplies live here.  The armoire holds canvases and frames.

Now that my space is all organized and I have the whole summer ahead of me, I'm ready to create!  I worked on this encaustic piece while I worked on my studio.

Birch 2 - Encaustic - 12x12 on cradled wood panel

Join the party!

It's time for the 2nd annual "Where Bloggers Create" party, hosted by Karen Valentine from My Desert Cottage.  Hang out here for a bit and take a tour of my studio.  I have to admit that I spruced it up a bit for the party.  I hope you pick up a few ideas for your own creative space.

This is what I'm pretending my desk looks like when I'm working on my art.

Please come back and visit after the tour.  At least once a month, I'll offer another free art or craft tutorial.  I enjoy a wide range of interests and I love to teach so it felt right to use this blog to share what I've learned .  I don't anticipate running out of material for quite some time.  And in between, I'll share some other bits and pieces of my world.