Studio Space?

[Former_Member]

How's your studio space? Do you have a great one? Wishing for a better one? How are you organized? Any great tips on what works for you?

I work out of small bedroom that seems to be getting smaller each time I bring in more fabric. I have another and larger sewing machine on lay away. Don't know where I'm going to put it! My immediate solution is buying clear bins at Costco and it is really making a difference. My long term solution is to move to another house, put most of my stuff in storage (for a couple of years) and use the living room for a studio while I get my biz more established. My dream is to add a couple more tables, including one for photo shooting and packaging orders. My lease will be up in a couple of months and I'm both excited and anxious about finding a house, the move, etc.

[Former_Member]

Hi I'm Mechelle. I live in a 2400 sq ft house with my husband and dog. They have the man cave upstairs and I have the downstairs. All 1200 sq ft. miinus a few tools here and there. They'll be out by summer. I bought him a temp garage things 10'x10' so he'll be moving soon. I have furniture that I'm gonna recover one of these days, wall to wall on metal shelves. Some in plastic bins, some in boxes and others just laying on the shelf. I have 1 embroidery machine, 2 sergers, 3 zig zag sewing machines.My basement has a wood burning fireplace and I had cable installed so I don't need to go back upstairs until end of day. My work hours are 9am to 6pm. Bankers hours. I love it. I'm a retired nurse so working weekends was a must. But not now. I shop on weekends. My studio will be going through some renovations because I'm adding kitchen cabinets for better organization and to declutter my space.

[MyMarkStudio]

My studio is bags broken down by project and stashed by type of project all over my apartment.
I went and got a Google Chrome Tablet and Verizon mobile internet thing so that I can do office work on the go.
The only thing I can't move with me from location to location is the packaging supplies.
I prefer to work wherever I am at.
The sewing will become stationary when I can afford to replace my now dead sewing machine.
But for now is mobile as well, in theory. I hardly ever leave my apartment with sewing. Moving and pins do not mix well.

[Former_Member]

Mechelle, clearly you have planned wonderfully for retirement to now have a great studio space. Sounds like a fabulous place just to hang out.

I just picked up an interesting magazine at Jo Anns called "Studios." Lots of examples on other artists and crafters have laid out their studios and with some practical ideas.

My workspace focuses on function b/c it's so small but it recently occurred to me that I should add (when I get new space) a corner that focuses on inspiration, such as paintings, a library of books and magazines, and magazine/internet clippings on a board.

[Former_Member]

Sounds like a good idea. I need a book corner with a comfortable chair where I can sit and look out the window, watch tv. sleep and dream. My space is still quite cluttered. I have a pattern corner where the computer is also, cutting table in the middle of the floor so I can walk around it, wall to wall shelving of fabric. I just added curtain rods to hang me finished projects up and out of the way. My problem is not having any space for photo shoots.I guess I'm gonna have to reclaim one of the bedrooms back just for photo shoots.

[Former_Member]

So glad to hear these ideas, guys! My space is currently just my personal room, as the house is quite full--hopefully my new business will eventually enable me to afford my own space! But I am so very grateful for what I have.

[Former_Member]

I have a nice little built in cubby with shelving to hold my supplies. Unfortunately, everything is stacked up one on top of another....and of course...whatever I want at the time will always be on the bottom!

I do have a lovely, sunny room to work in, and though my work and storage spaces aren't perfect....they're suitable..... but horizontal space is at a premium!