Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Studio table reveal

Seth Apter from The Altered Page asked us to reveal our studio messes.  Well, I admit.  I did NOT clean up for this "photo shoot."  I simply do not have time to do so.  But as I warned Seth, I don't ever get truly messy, because of my small work space.

Although Bleubeard isn't allowed in the studio (cat fur is NOT mixed media fodder), he and I welcome you to the studio.

I suspect Seth wanted us to show our tables first, but I'm sure you want to look around. 

I have to stand on a stool to see this view because I'm so short.

If I stand back against the opposite wall, I get this view.  The door on the left in the photo leads to the "loo," which is handy for getting water for my art.  The door on the right in the photo is the one we just entered from.

Moving around the room, you can see I use every inch of space

A mirror adds much needed light in the room.

Everyone can use these over the door shoe holders.  They hold SO many supplies.  

I have one on the inside of the door, too.   It holds even MORE goodies.

Moving right along, this is what I call "mail central."  I have everything I need in or near this desk, to send packages and envelopes, although much of the free space has been taken up with gifts from friends.

Something new.  And there is next to nothing in it, either.  Right now, it's housing my cardboard "canvases" for the 30 paintings project.  My friend Sally was taking it to the thrift store donating it, and I asked for it.  She warned me the various bins would fall out of their metal holder.  When I got it home, I agreed.  I have to find my hex keys and tighten the "screws."  Then it can be filled to the brim with goodies.

Next to it is my bottom cabinet holding my old door (turned into a desk top) in place.  Above it is a night stand that matches the dresser I use as a mailing center. I've moved all those drawers in the white cabinet around.  Now only the bottom one won't shut properly.  Before, I had three that wouldn't!

My dear friend Kathy gave me her old Big Kick when she inherited her sister's.  Unfortunately dies are expensive and I have only one.  Not much you can do with a fancy tag die.

On top of this brown night stand that holds ribbon, rick rack, and bias tape, sits what I call "sewing central."  I genuinely try to keep like items together.   And if you have no room on your floor, go up!

This area is always a mess.  I have bits of thread everywhere and only remove them once it gets too inconvenient, or they start getting in my projects.

You can see what tight quarters I work in.  Now you know why I have to keep things spotless.

I have to pull out a 2-step step stool to reach the items on these shelves.  I can't believe I did this myself (and to myself).

But I know you came to see my work table.  It's obvious I didn't clean, or I would have changed the red rosin paper that sits on top of the old shower curtain covering the table. Right now I'm working on today's abstract.  I've nearly finished it.

These paints won't be out long, either.  In fact, I resisted putting them away because I wanted to have at least something showing on my table.  Yes, I stand to make art.

This is the view you would normally see when I'm working and making art.  I limit your view because I don't want you to get too distracted by WOYWWendy, my "selfie" doll who can be seen in the two photos above this one. 

I'm not sure that Seth wanted us to show our entire space or just our desk,
 but I hope you got a quick look around, anyway.  BTW, how many rocking horses did you count?  Thanks for visiting and I hope to return the favor as soon as the links go up.  And thanks Seth for hosting this event.

I need to warn everyone on G+, I can't leave comments unless I join, which, until Blogger forces me to, isn't going to happen.

36 thoughtful remarks:

Helen said...

Fabulous tour, Elizabeth! Not seen some of it for a while on a WOYWW day, perhaps Julia has a rival in the building?!

froebelsternchen said...

I love your studio Elizabeth! Hope to have such a studio soon when our renovation will finally be at the end.... meanwhile I have to craft here on my kitchen table .... and clean up after every single project and put all materials back on their place ...

sheila 77 said...

What a fantastic tour, I'm exhausted now! Loved all your coloured papers in the second picture, it's an amazing collection.

Leslie said...

Thanks so much for the tour! I really enjoy seeing how others work and organize their space. Yours is very inspiring!

Craftymoose Crafts said...

I like how you use every available space and go up when there is no more room! As you know, I share my craft room with the washer and dryer which are good for "table tops" but my supplies are more spread out.

Carolyn Dube said...

Check out all those papers - took my breath away! Wow!!

Unknown said...

thank you so much for the shoe organizer tip. Now I can mess up my doors too

Jomama said...

You sure are organized!

Nancy said...

You've made great use of the space! Those shoe pockets are a great idea and clearly they hold plenty. The painted papers in the first photos look awfully inviting.

BLockHEad said...

Love!

Kathryn Dyche said...

What a fantastic space and I love the way you have the papers and paints displayed. Very cool.

Krisha said...

It might be a small space, but you have utilized it well!

The cart you inherited from Sally is notorious for the drawers falling out, so keep the wrench handy. I finally pulled out the drawers, pulled off the top and threw the rest away. That's how mad I got at the darn thing! Hope you have better luck.

Rebeca Trevino said...

hi e!
i just left a comment on yesterday's post, which was meant for todays tour . . .you know what i mean.

Dog-Ma said...

I am envying your paper organizer and all the cool papers! Thank you for sharing

pearshapedcrafting said...

Ooh! Elizabeth if I stand on the seashore with a fluffy towel after you have swum across here for a play will you do the same for me? Oh! Whoops! That won't work - I can't swim! Darn!! Love your space anyway!! You really are so organized! Hugs, Chrisx

Jo Murray said...

You are definitely organised...and I lust after that neat stash of coloured papers. Yummo.

Halle said...

I'm always amazed at your organization. I also saw the purse I made for you so long ago hanging on the door knob. Glad it gets it's use. :)

Anonymous said...

YOu have fantastic storage Elizabeth. Love all those papers by color, I want to go rooting through your world. I would have such a good time. xox

TwinkleToes2day said...

I really enjoyed having a snoop around your studio Elizabeth and I'm pretty sure I saw 10 rocking horses. I don't think I double counted any ;)
I love the look of those papers, are they all handmade? They have that look, to me.
Have a great weekend :D

Tracey FK said...

That was an awesome tour... Such organisation... And I was drooling over the pigeon holes of papers... Simply amazing...

Unknown said...

Wow I loved that grunge edged paper stashes organized according colors, is it paper at all, seems so much organic, and of course I loved all the colors you have! Thanks for the amazing tour!

Robyn Hood Black said...

This is such a fun blog hop! You've made such creative use of available space - very impressive. I love those over-the- door organizers too, and the old metal filing cabinets of any shape or size. Thanks for sharing!

CERULEAN said...

That´s a nice peek inside your studio. Love the colors in the cat fight piece - eric

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the tour! Close spaces come with a totally different set of restrictions. I appreciate the time you took to share it all with us, the organized and the work in progress! :)

Bill said...

Well this pushed me over the edge. So many wonderful supplies! So much wonderful storage! So much wonderful everything! :-)

Sharmon Davidson said...

Fantastic space - I love how you use every inch of it!

cHim-prints said...

Ok... The view of all those color coordinated papers was breathtaking. What a joy for the eyes to behold! Your studio is wonderful. Thanks for the tour.

Anonymous said...

Great worktable. I love all your shelves of paper stacks. Nice to meet you! Ann

Laney said...

I have a small space too, and I have to keep it organized or I feel overwhelmed by "stuff". I like the shoe keeper on the door. I have one of those - I may have to put it on the inside of my closet door. Thanks for sharing your space!

GalleryJuana said...

I love the shelving ideas and the industrial-vintage file drawers you have throughout your studio. And what a great idea to use an old shower curtain and a protective cover. thank you for this wonderful studio tour and your visit to my blog!

Cindy McMath said...

Thanks for the tour! I loved seeing all of your organizing - since mine is what used to be called the dining room in a fairly open concept townhouse I don't have any doors to hang stuff on in my "studio". Oh well - everything will just have to stay on the table! :)

kate blue said...

cool pics- I so need to utilize my closet a lot smarter!

Annie Coe said...

Thank you for your comment on my blog. I love your studio, I need all those drawers! xoxo

Anonymous said...

lovely space - I TRY to have separate work areas - but I often find things have migrated. Thanks for sharing everything! I am really enjoying getting to peek into everyone else's studio.

Shells said...

Very organised and I'm very jealous of all that paper you have.

Jackie PN said...

Great space Elizabeth! I was drooling all over my keyboard as I browsed at your supplies- color yummy color- paints..mmmmm! l love them! Thanks for sharing!