Dropping in today to share a peek at the cozy slipper DIY that I created for Simply Sewing issue 24. Something to keep you warm through the cooled months. Issue 24 was available on newsstands across the UK and Europe November 30. You can usually find copies in Barnes and Noble or JoAnn Fabrics here in the US – and all patterns are given in both metric and standard measurements.
I’m not sure if there’s much in this world more inspiring than a clean and well stocked creative space with a project waiting to be made. I spent some time yesterday spring cleaning my space, and went a bit deeper this time – giving myself permission to let go of things that I’d been hanging on to in hopes of one day getting back to them. I’m hoping I’m not the only one who does this…
These past few years have seen the closing of some doors, and opening of lots of other ones, mostly just through the natural ebb and flow of life. It’s good to take the time to let go of the things that belong with the closed doors. It frees up space for the things needed for the new ones that have opened.
Looking at my creative space now, it’s easy to ask myself why I didn’t do this sooner, but I’m sure I wasn’t ready. Everything in it’s time. But I can tell you that I love being able to slip into my creative time so much more easily. The space is there, waiting and welcoming, instead of buried under a pile of things that I need to move to find the space to actually create.
Cheers to spring cleaning! PS., this is also a peek at the new scarf camera strap collection coming to the shop!
One of those big things I’ve been working on lately is the ability to speak up for myself confidently. It’s never been a strong suit for me – I’m an extroverted introvert – you know, I can relate to people, but my natural habitat is curled up with a book, joking around with one or two friends, or sitting behind a computer screen typing a blog post.
Busted.
These past few months I (and we, as a family) made it our mission to get out and about, connect with people, chat, talk, CONNECT. Along with all of that connecting comes the inevitable, dreaded question: “so what is it exactly that you DO?” I’ve gotten better about formulating an answer for this questions, but I still have lots to learn. This even came up when I attended quilt market. I actually met the creative director of my favorite fabric company, and I blew it.
Yep. I stammered a bit. (Unusual for me.) I hemmed and hawed and generally made a fool of myself. Sigh. I’m normally very self possessed and assured. But not this time. And it got me thinking about why.
I had actually started reading Show Your Work by Austin Kleon on the plane while I traveled. Unfortunately for me, I hadn’t gotten this far. Had I come to these few pages, it might have saved me from making an absolute goob of myself.
See, it’s important for you to value your work. And part of that is to speak up for yourself.
I struggle with this myself.
But as I’m branching in to different fields of work, art, and study, I’m learning the importance of being able to “make a pitch.” I’ve got tremendous value to offer, and the only way it will ever be tapped is if I learn to present it to others. It’s kind of like cupping your hands and filling them with a big pile of beautiful things your are, and have, and do. If I stand and hold them, people may pass by and show interest, a few may inquire, but I will never tap the full potential of what I’m capable of. I don’t have to stand on a soapbox yelling. I don’t have to throw them at you. I just need to look you confidently in the eye, and say, “This is worth it. And I’ll prove it to you.”
Please, please consider picking up this book. I’m only beginning to understand the impact it’s having on me. I feel inspired and encouraged. The author, Austin Kleon, has a great interview here sharing the importance of self promotion as an artist – the topic of Show Your Work.
{the view as you walk in door of our home}
I’m back! Things got super busy this week – I received a last minute commission from Mollie Makes magazine for an article and project for their June issue, and with wrapping things up in the studio remake, and coming down with a nasty headcold, um, blogging fell through the cracks. Which I dislike. Greatly. Because I love posting. But things are sliding back into place after a bit of chaos, and actually, since the studio space got a bit more finished in the process, I’m definitely coming ahead (or maybe just catching up?) – wonder of wonders!
I’m sharing my studio space on the jbs inspiration blog today. If you want to see a peek at what it looked like before I started the update, you can check out this post here. It was such a mess. So overstuffed with – well… stuff. I still have a very small pile of things that I’m sorting, purging, and dealing with storage for, but overall, I’ve gotten rid of a TON of stuff. And found out that I didn’t really need it. One of my goals for this year is to really streamline and clean up my process for doing things. I want to become more efficient. As time passes, we’re only becoming more busy as a family, and being able to keep my work manageable is really important to me. (Isn’t it for everyone? Ha!)
My studio space is located in part of our largest living area of our home. It’s a really large, and odd shaped room – the closest shape I can liken it to is the number “7”. Turn that “7” one rotation to the left, and the little elbow corner is where my studio space is found. The longest arm has our living room, and the shorter portion has a small dining space and my printer.
The space above my standing work counter is reserved for a rotating series of handmade artwork and inspiring quotes. There are definitely days when this help me push through to get the things done that I need to!
Everything is very well lit – with one wall of the entire room being floor to ceiling, wall to wall sliding glass doors – 24′ by 8′ high. I made the decision to hang curtains for privacy at night, but I love the natural light so much, that I pull them open and loop them together during the day.
To the very left I have a small desk space where I keep my laptop for blogging, website stuff, photo editing, and shop management. I absolutely adore the change from the latte tan color on the walls to white. The contrast of the espresso brown furniture with the white makes my heart happy.
And the raskog cart from IKEA matched the curtain on my standing counter perfectly, even though that counter has had the curtain for years. I guess you can tell that’s one of my favorite colors! The cigar box may look funny, but it holds all of my cords for electronics. It’s the perfect way to neatly tuck them away when they’re not in use.
My standing counter is used for packaging and shipping. And when I have scrapbooking projects or artwork that I’m working on, I love to stand when I do it. The curtain hides several supply boxes, my camera bag, and a rolling tote for scrapbooking. I’ve also got finished stock for my etsy shop stashed away.
I’m super happy with the change here, as well – this counter is another favorite piece that I’ve had for around, oh, 15 years? Previously it was a light, stained, blonde wood.
Just to the right of my standing counter, you’ll find my vintage cabinets and sewing station. I have spray paint all picked out and waiting to change the cabinets to a lovely, light, aquaish blue. The weather just didn’t permit this past two weeks to get them finished in time for this post. Oddly enough, this time of year is usually very dry, but we experienced regular downpours the last month.
All of my scrapbooking papers are in organizers on the shelf, with punches in a basket on the lower shelf. Embellishments are in boxes to the right, and office supplies are stored in the cupboards. I debated getting rid of the cabinets for something new, but I really do love them, so decided to just update the color a bit.
My sewing station is a simple camp table (shh! Don’t tell!). I’ve covered it in a tablecloth made from heavy home decor fabric from IKEA. The extra long sides help me to hide other things under the table out of site. We have a huge, dark brown basket that holds all of the boys’ school books and a few other supplies. I have looked at other long wooden tables, but I really need something kind of small, and love that I have hide things below with the cloth. I also keep my Silhouette Cameo on the table here, and just carry my laptop over to connect when I need to.
Across the room, behind the dining table, you’ll find the wireless printer and a storage shelf with lot of fabric. I have another storage shelf like this (only twice as large in our master bedroom). This wall is STILL waiting for it’s new white color. Now that I have almost everything sorted out, I can easily pull these furniture pieces away from the wall to add the new color.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this little tour around my studio/work space! And maybe gained a few ideas for your own. I’m a really big believer in starting where you are with what you have. Make the best of everything you have. Most of my space is very simple and inexpensive, with a sleek, chic finish. Just the way I like it. It’s a comfortable and inspiring space now that I’ve cleaned out the excess.
And don’t forget to stop by my previous post and leave a comment for a chance to win the set of Jenni Bowlin studio stencils!