Studio Explosion

You know those posts of gorgeous studios that belong to creative bloggers?

This isn't one of them.

Nope.

This is a post about my studio. My studio that looks as though Hurricane Katrina has been resurrected within its walls. As though my studio has regurgitated upon itself.


My studio December 18, 2016


I remember when my creative space was tidy and organized (I posted a tour here).

And pretty.

My studio a year ago.



Then a creative lightning bolt struck and I needed additional stuff to bring all my ideas to fruition. And before long I ran out of room to store all my stuff in total. Because, you know, my room is 9' x 10' and there's only so much a girl can do to fit her abundant stuff in a tiny space.

”Around Here, However We Don’t Look Backwards For Very Long. We Keep Moving Forward, Opening Up New Doors And Doing New Things… And Curiosity Keeps Leading Us Down New Paths.”
Source:QuotesJunk.com

This past Sunday Anne at My Giant Strawberry blogged about the re-arrangement of her lovely studio and gave a tour here. As I commented to her, it was a timely post for me to read. Expanding creative endeavors have made my original studio design obsolete, and I feel stymied by the clutter. 

Image result for where did all this clutter come from meme


I've got a new plan for my studio. It's going to take awhile to get it just the way I want it, but at least I've taken a crucial step. I moved my counter-height table away from the corner, opening up a wall for more storage space. Before I go any further I need some storage bins that are currently stowed away in our white shed. I wasn't up for trekking through 18" of snow at frigid temps to fetch them. Maybe today, as it's supposed to warm up. 

So for now I'm still moving things out of the way to get to things that are too far away because I don't have the right things for my things to be close to my things.

Did you get that? 







26 comments

  1. LOL! The reason for the studio is so that "a creative lightning bolt" has a place to strike ... and isn't that what we ALL crave?
    My muse seems to be hiding under the bed these days. I'm ignoring her in hopes that she will come out on her own. Until then, I'm enjoying the 'quiet'.
    I look forward to your new and improved artistic space, Nancy.
    Cheers!

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    1. I think times of quiet are restorative and good for the soul, Sue. Our batteries need recharging from time to time. xo

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  2. My sewing room (NOT a studio by any means) is small, but functional. It can become cluttered, but it still works for me. I'm looking forward to your solution to see if I can borrow some ideas.

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  3. ...but with an organized mind clutter transforms.

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  4. I'll follow your progress with great interest :)

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  5. Yes - real life! You think it might be messy - but I see organization and things folded:) Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thanks for the encouragement, Karen. I hadn't noticed the "folded" fabric. I guess I'm neater than I thought. LOL

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  6. Looks like real life lived daily through creativity to me. Clutter sure, happiness yes! Wishing you and Dennis a very Merry Christmas.
    xoxo

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  7. I have heard the messiest studios are the ones that are home to the best artists! I am anxious to see what you are planning to do with it. Maybe yours will inspire me to get mine cleaned up and better organized, Christmas always leaves me with a big mess :)

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  8. I got it and am living it! I have almost fallen a few times trying to get through my back room where all my Etsy stuff is and also whatever needs to be put somewhere behind closed doors. Maybe I will have the strength to get through it in the new year :-) Please encourage me with a picture of yours when it is done!

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  9. Oh, that last sentence has my head swimming, LOL. That is the way we all feel when your things are everywhere except where we want them. It has never been easy for me to be organized, I put on a good front, but truly there are times when I search forever for some little something that I put up in a really safe place. I took your studio tour of last year, it looks so charming. The thing is we never know how we want our space to work until we have had a couple of years working in it.

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  10. I don't have a studio, Nancy, but boy would I love one. Even a messy one. My latest crafting endeavor exploded all over the house last night. The kitchen floor was covered with moss and beads and the kids were looking for an empty space to eat their dinner! Ha! I told them that creativity knows no bounds and a messy space is the sign of genius at work! ;) Just like your studio!!

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  11. Oh, do I understand, Nancy! My studio is only about 9 x 10 as well and that is why I write in the CLOSET of this room. Since my "craft" is writing and photography, I don't have much to store other than books that sit overhead in the closet. But having the limited space has challenged me to keep things to a bare but INTERESTING minimum, as I know you are doing! Well done, great plans, and have a fun 2017 making your plans become a reality! HUGS and happy holidays my dear!

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  12. It looks like you actually use your creative space, Nancy! Best of luck with your organization plan. It always feels good to get that stuff in order.

    Merry Christmas!

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  13. What a great post Nancy! Just yesterday I looked around my little space where I create and also do my blogging, etc., 6'x8', and thought it looked a disaster area also. Materials, threads, beads, ribbon, felt, yarn, etc. It looks a wreck for sure, but is a happy space. Once Christmas is over, I'll straighten up again, so that I can start fresh on new projects in the new year.

    I look forward to seeing what you do with this space. I did notice that your fabrics were folded nicely. Happy rearranging to suit your needs.

    Have a lovely Christmas with Dennis and may you both have a great 2017.

    Love & hugs ~ FlowerLady

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  14. I'm chuckling, not at you but... with you?
    I understand completely! You are brave to give us a peek! I couldn't do that!

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  15. Hi...WonderFul post..my guess is..those other well organized studios probably look like that..just before the photo an not long after..and I bet more of us have a studio that looks like yours..with a ton of things..needing to go in things..so things are tidy..LOVE that Disney quote too..I'm a girl all about going through that open door..hopefully this door will have me in my own bakery by spring..
    ..have a very Merry Christmas an a Fabulous Next Year~~~~~*

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    1. Oh, Wendy! You're own bakery? How exciting! I'll be praying that becomes a reality for you. Merry Christmas!

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  16. I see order in that "clutter" mine normally looks the same, if not worse. I look forward to seeing your new plan come to life but remember, it probably won't stay that way. I read a book on organizing, truth be told I read a lot of books on organizing. My home and office desk were always a cluttered mess. This book however helped me learn that I did have a form of organization to that clutter. I found that I am a perceptive person. As long as someone doesn't move anything I can find what I want, but move one thing and I can't find a thing. That is why I always had my secretary put things in an in box for me. That is not to say I still get the bug and organize things neatly once in awhile. LOL I also read that we creative types are more in the perceptive group. Looking forward to seeing your new set up to get ideas for my new room when I move in January.
    Merry Christmas to you my friend. Debbie

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  17. Thanks for the shout out, Nancy. My studio looks cluttered a lot of the time, too, but it really does help to know that everything has its place and that the chaos doesn't have to be a constant state. You'll get there, though when we're in the middle of projects there's always going to be messes. That's simply the nature of creating!

    So glad that you're actually using your space for lightning-bolt-type creating! Enjoy the process of shaping and nurturing your space.

    xo

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    1. A constant state of chaos is what I'm trying to avoid, Anne. As I believe you are well aware, it can often suppress imagination. You've always been an inspiration for me. Shine on, my friend!

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  18. Oh, yes, I definitely get it... and I'll need to be really creative to design my creative space in our new house. The workroom I left behind in our big old house was BIG with room for laundry, crafting, sewing, blogging, tv watching, and shipping (back when I had my Etsy shop)--and lots of storage. But the times are a'changin', and I'm hoping my creative juices kick in to get my next space right for all of my needs. It sounds like you have a plan, so that's a great start! Good luck implementing it.

    Merry Christmas to you and Dennis. May this holy season be a blessed one for your family.

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  19. Your studio looks like a special place with lots of creative future endeavors. I know you will come up with some great ideas to make the storage better for you. I cannot wait to see what you do with your sweet space.
    Kris

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  20. I got it . . .
    In the meantime . . .
    Merry Christmas . . .

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  21. Those are the same problems I have in this terrific little apartment. I get one corner organized only to realize I have juked up another. It's not always easy but it take more than a little clutter to stop crafting.

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  22. A creative space can't be too tidy. My home office is a mess! I wish you the best for the new year!

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