Designing the Perfect Creative Space for YOU!

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi everybody, and welcome back to all things arts and crafts.
Today we are going to talk about a very important topic,
especially for somebody like me that likes a clean, organized space.
We are going to talk about setting up your creative space.
We have assembled your glorious, slightly chaotic collection of crafting supplies,

(00:27):
so now let's talk about the environment where the magic happens.
Your creative space. Forget Steryle Pristine's studios. We're aiming for
something more lived in, vibrant, and undeniably you think, less
minimalistic museum and more enthusiastic explosion of color and texture.

(00:54):
My own crafting spaces have evolved over the years, a
reflection of my change, projects and moods, homes, money, all
of the above. Early on, it was a corner of
my kitchen table or outside on something erected by my husband,
constantly battling for space with dishes and half eaten kid snacks.

(01:19):
Let's just say my culinary and crafting skills were equally enthusiastic.
There were times when I discovered a stray button glued
to the bottom of a castorle dish dish, or some
shells in my bottom of a cup weeks after its

(01:41):
initial accidental immersion. The memories were mostly good. Though the
kitchen table era eventually gave way to a dedicated corner
of my spare bedroom. It was functional but lacked personality.
A few shelves held my supplies in baskets, but it
felt more like a storage closet than a creative sanctuary.

(02:05):
Then came the moment of clarity, the epiphany that a
crafting space isn't just about functionality, it's about inspiration. It
should be a place that makes your heart sing, even
when surrounded by a delightful haze of glitter, stray yarns, shells,
and glue. My current crafting setup, well, it's an eclectic

(02:30):
blend of repurpose furniture and thrifted fines, a reflection of
my love for upcycling and resourceful minuteness and inexpensive fines.
An old, slightly wobbly writing desk holds my current projects,
a half finished patchwork quilt, and a stack of half

(02:51):
printed canvases. I swear if those canvases had voices, they'd
be complaining about the perpetual interruption of my ever shifting
crafting focus. Shells made from reclaimed wood display my ever
expanding collection of buttons, beads, and scraps of fabric. Each

(03:12):
item holds a story, a memory of a project passed,
or an idea for a project yet to come. And
speaking of stories, let me tell you about the time
I acquired that wobbly desk. It was a true Craigliss adventure.
I found the advertisement late one night, an old writing

(03:34):
desk described as rustic charm. The price was right, and
a picture showed what looked like a charming antique. However,
when I arrived, the desk had formed far more rustic
charm than I'd anticipated. One leg was shorter than the other,
and several drawers were stuck. But the wood was beautiful

(03:57):
and the design elegant, and I couldn't resist. Now, with
a strategically placed block of wood under one leg, it
proudly holds my creative chaos. It's the perfect example of
making something work and embracing the imperfections, adding to its
own quirky charm. My crafting space isn't always perfectly organized. Honestly,

(04:22):
it really rarely is, but it's organized enough. I have
designed containers for different supplies, jars for buttons, boxes for
yarn baskets for shells. The key is to find a
system that works for you, whether it's color coating, size sorting,

(04:43):
or a delightfully chaotic approach that only you can decipher.
The only real rule is that you can actually find
the thing you're looking for eventually. Lighting is critical. Good
lighting prevents eye strain and always allows you to see
the subtle nuances of your work. A combination of natural

(05:05):
light and task lighting is ideal. I have a large
window in my crafting area, providing plenty of natural light
during the day. At night, I use a bright desk
lamp to illuminate my work surface, and honestly, I have
a tiny string of fairy light straped across a shelf,
because sometimes a little sparkle is just what your crafting

(05:29):
soul needs. Ventilation is another important factor, especially if you
work with paints or other materials that produce fumes. An
open window or a fan can help to circulate the
air and keep your space fresh and breathable. You want
your crafting space to be inspiring, not a source of

(05:51):
respiratory distress. I once worked with a particularly potent fabric dye.
Let's just say it had a rather powerful aroma and
nearly caused an emergency evacuation. Now, I always remember ventilation.
Beyond the practical element, your crafting space should reflect your personality.

(06:13):
It's your creative sanctuary, a place where you can relax
by your set, be yourself, and let your imagination run wild.
Don't be afraid to ask add personal touches, whether it's
a collection of inspiring photos, a quirky piece of artwork,
or a plant that adds a touch of nature to
your surroundings. My space is adorned with postcards and fabric

(06:38):
scraps and miniature sculptures and quirky bits of things that
inspire me. There are random notes, en lists, sketches and
plans for various projects in various states of completion. And
the cat hair. Well, the cat hair is a given
in any space I occupy. Think about the overall mood

(07:02):
you want to create. Do you prefer a bright and
airy space or a cozy and intimate setting. Do you
find inspiration in order or chaos? There are no right
or wrong answers. The best crafting space is one that
works for you. You want to feel relaxed and happy

(07:23):
to spend time there. For those of you working with
limited space, don't despair a small corner, a tabletop, a
well organized shelf. These can all become your creative haven.
The key is to make the most of what you
have and to be resourceful and creative. Much like your

(07:45):
crafting projects. I started in a tiny apartment with my
crafting area built around a small folding table and the
space under my bed for storage. That didn't stop me.
It simply required more organization and a creative solution for
space management. Don't be afraid to experiment with different setups

(08:06):
until you find one that works best for you. Move
furniture around, try different lighting solutions, add accessories, and adjust
storage solutions. Try to adapt to new ways of organizing
supplies and adjust them as needed. Remember that your crafting

(08:26):
space is an ever evolving entity. As your projects and
interest change, so too will your creative space. This is
the beauty of the situation. It's a dynamic part of
your creative process, a fluid extension of your inspiration and
your personal style. It's all about creating an environment that

(08:51):
sparks your creativity and makes you excited to embark on
the next crafting adventure. So go ahead, create your perfect
crafting sanctuary. It's time to unleash your inner artist in
a space that celebrates your unique style and welcomes all
the wonderful messiness that comes with it. After all, isn't

(09:14):
that the essence of crafting, this glorious, wonderfully imperfect journey
of creation itself. And remember to share your space, show
the world what it's like to feel at home crafting
among your treasures. Next time, we are going to talk
about safety, making sure that when you are crafting, you're safe.

(09:39):
So we talked a little bit about proper ventilation, but
we're going to talk about a little bit about if
you're using things that are heated or even power tools,
because sometimes you need a really good staple gun or
a nail gun. But it's very important to be safe
when using these things. So make sure you tune in

(09:59):
when we talk next time about safety and crafty. Thank
you so much, have a great one.