Studio Redo - Finally Done!

Except for one wall that needs a coat of paint (I want a second color), here is the studio now finally finished.

We now have 3 work type tables and a display area in the room.  The first table here is our beading and finishing table.  I finally made room for my sewing machine so I wouldn't have to pull it out from a cupboard each time I want to use it.  The photo light box is on the table I showed earlier at the one end.

This is the main clay table.  The little bookshelf to the left holds more containers full of canes and other stuff.

This is our second clay table with the glass top.  We use the front half as part jewelry display.

Another view of the 2 clay tables from the entrance of the room.  Also a mini display area that can be easily taken apart to use in any shows we are in.

The white wall showing is the only one I didn't paint yet.  Still deciding on the second color -- most likely a type of burnt orange or green.  All this is in a 11' x 11' room so is amazing what can fit!  It may appear a little crowded when in fact it feels quite open and there is a lot of room to move around.  Dave and I feel we can both be together in there and not trip over each other any more.

Studio Redo - Tidy Up!

I've been sharing a couple of pieces from Ikea we have been using in our studio and while googling a few things I came across some "banned" Ikea commercials.  Some of them I can understand why but there were a few good funny ones...



I sometimes feel like the girl in the commercial -- Dave says it is maybe a good thing I didn't have any kids of my own!  ha!  I recently purchased a new bulb for one of my Ott Lights.  I put the light away for safe keeping until I reorganized the studio.  The place must be really safe as I cannot even find it now!  I'm sure it will show up some day when I'm not even looking for it and searching for something totally different.

Anyhow, I thought I would share a couple more Ikea pieces we have that work great in our studio.  We had this cabinet in our other home but I quickly laid claim to it for our studio when we moved.  Because it is so tall and narrow it takes up such little space yet if fits a ton!  What I like about it is that it comes with all these shelves that are adjustable and of course I happened to have more baskets that fit perfectly!   A plastic drawer storage unit fits perfectly into it as well and I can keep all sorts of junk in there!

I also love the two drawer units on wheels that fit under the countertops.

We use one for storing our handcrafted jewelry so it is nicely organized when we need to find something or someone comes to visit.

The other drawer unit is for storing our bead stash.  We have these bead trays we purchased from a bead store which are great and didn't cost too much.

I found though I like the stacking plastic containers that screw together from the dollar store much better.  Instead of stacking them, they work really nice in drawers (or baskets) as little dividers for your beads and findings.

I will leave you with a link for another fun Ikea commercial!  Another favorite of mine!

Spaghetti --- Tidy Up!

Studio Redo -- Improvising

Our clay table is a little unusual but works for us.  We placed a formica countertop (from Ikea) onto two metal wire shelf units.  We inserted pieces of nonslip shelf liner between the poles and countertop to prevent it from moving and adjusted the shelves to fit some baskets we purchased from the dollar store that work like drawers.  We had several rubbermaid type drawer units that fit perfectly as well.  Voila!  Instant desk.  Because the counter is formica I can use it for claying on and don't need a special mat or glass board.

Here is how I store my mixed clay colors.  Each one is wrapped and then kept in snack size ziplock bags and tagged with the color number that coordinates with my color recipe book.  Dave teases that there is a little of Mr. Monk in me and I think he is right! lol!

We were in need of a proper table to hold the photo light box we purchased a little while ago.  I then came up with using the same idea as our clay table.  Fortunately the same shelves were on sale at half price so was good timing.   We just placed some particle board on top this time which I will probably cover with some cloth later on when I have more time.

I then added more baskets and drawers below for more storage.  We can keep our camera accessories and photo props close at hand.

Studio Redo -- Storing Canes

When we moved to our new home we bought a new table from Ikea for the studio which is my favorite piece of furniture.   I use to store all my claying accessories under the glass but decided they work much better in the new drawer units on our clay table and we are now using the space for storing some of our clay canes.  They are arranged on trays that slide out like drawers (I glued little felt dots underneath them).  The canes are a little messy right now and need to be reorganized but they do look so colorful under the glass and show off well.

Studio Redo -- More storage Ideas

I found these storage drawer units in the hardware department in Walmart and they were just what I wanted for the clay table.   I can have all the little pieces I use for claying handy and organized.  I use them for holding all my rhinestones, shaped cutters, small moulds, templates and such.  They can be stacked on top of each other or placed side by side which makes them so versatile.

The drawers even have removable dividers so you can fit more than one item inside.  This storage unit would also work great for storing your canes since the plastic doesn't react (I tested it) but I found a different home for those -- will share that with you tomorrow...

Studio Redo -- Storage Bins

We have been busy with rearranging and practically redoing our studio this past week.  When we moved into our new home almost two years ago the studio seemed just perfect for us.  You can see a posting of it here.

We are getting more visitors now and need the extra space so we can fit more than two people without bumping into things.  Before we unveil our new room, I thought I would share with you some of the new storage and work area ideas we came up with.

I found these cool bins the other day at Home Depot.  They are so versatile as they can be stacked or  hung on some of the wall brackets provided.  There are eight in a package and I liked them so much and found more uses for them we went back and bought another set.

  

We hung some of them on the brackets under some shelves along the beading and finishing table.  They are perfect for organizing pieces that need sanding, buffing, glazing, etc.  These replaced the yogurt containers we use to use that would sometimes pile up everywhere.

The other set of eight are in use at my clay table.  They fit perfectly on some adjustable stacking shelves and I have some of the necessary items close at hand like my stamps, inks and textures, etc.

Tomorrow I will show you some more new ideas we came up with ...