5 Tips for Art Studio Organization in a Small Space - Laney McDonald

Hello there! I’m Laney from Sugarplum Patchwork and it’s my day here at Cre8ive Klatch to share about organizing in your creative space.

My studio is a small room in our home. I’m an artist who likes to stitch and draw and paint – and all of that has to happen inside a room that is about 9 x 9.5 feet.  Luckily this room has a (small) closet and that is where I keep most of my supplies.

In an effort to make this small space work for a variety of activities, I have learned some organizing tips I’d like to share with you.  

Tip #1 - SHELVES

The tiny closet has a shelving system to take advantage of the space. I keep fabric and art papers on these shelves.

I rescued a three-shelf cart from the kitchen and keep this against the back wall to make more shelf space for works-in-progress, cotton batting and all those inspiring art magazines!

Tip #2 - BAGS, and BOXES

I keep less used paints in a plastic box on the floor just inside the closet door where it’s easy to reach. When I need those paints I just grab the box and bring it to my work table.

Soft goods like fiberfill stuffing and poly batting go on the floor on either side – kept clean inside plastic bags.

Tip #3 - DRAWERS

I have a large work table so I keep my sewing machine on one side and my painting board on the other. My frequently used sewing notions and scraps live in drawers under the table right beside the sewing machine. (You can read more about this on my blog.) My most used paint and craft supplies live in a small chest of drawers close to the painting side of the table.

Since my room is so small I don't have room for tons of stuff and I have to keep it neat or I feel claustrophobic in the small space, which brings me to . . .

Tip #4 - The trick is knowing what you really use and finding a way to have those items close by.

As long as you keep that in mind you can create a small space that works for you.

Need some more ideas? Want to see tons of inspiring photos? I have one word for you.

PINTEREST.

Tip #5 - PINTEREST

I love Pinterest. I have a Studio Organization board there.  Here’s the link.  I pin pins about studio layout, storage options, making use of small space, as well as design and decorating for your art/craft/sewing room.  Hop over and take a look. I hope it gives you some good ideas.

Thanks for visiting with Cre8ive Klatch! We’d love to see how you organize your creative space. Feel free to share on our Facebook page.

You can find me here:

sugarplumpatchwork.com

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Instagram

Pinterest

ARC Planner: Ideas by Connie Rawlins

I have been using ARC planners for several years now, and I love them!  They can be used in so many ways.  Just check out some of the previous posts on ARC planners here at the Cre8ive Klatch.  Lori Whether you're using your planner as personal or for a business, I want to suggest that you add your goals to the front.

Intentions are very powerful things.  It may sound elementary to say this, but to reach your goals, you have to define your goals.  And the ARC planner is the perfect place to document your goals.

Best way to define your goals is to write (or draw) them.  Vague goals, such as "make more money" are almost useless.  The more detailed the goals, the greater the likelihood of achieving them.  This doesn't have to be a long dissertation of where you want to be in five years -- although that might be nice.  List a few defined short term goals and a few long term goals.  The more detailed the better.

This is a page from my e-course "Counting Abundance" and you can download a copy here. That's the wonderful thing about the ARC system -- punch and add to your ARC planner.

If you're more visual, you might want to do a "vision board".  Here's mine from a couple years ago.

By putting your goals (written or drawn) in the front of our ARC planner, then that's what you see each time you open it.  The ARC planner even has some slots on the inside of the front cover.  Perfect for an inspiration card.

Wishing you the best in reaching your goals!

Website
Blog
Instagram @kontzie
Pinterest

Felted Soap Tutorial By Kelly Corso

Christmas is only a few weeks away and Kelly is here to show us a fabulous gift idea that’s easy to make! 

Have you ever heard of felted soap? It’s soap that is encased in wool, pretty cool huh? There are many benefits to be had from felted soap.

-soap lasts longer

- you have a wash cloth and soap in one

-exfoliating properties

- wool has natural anti-microbial properties

- it’s also darn pretty!

I'm going to teach you how to make cuties like these for yourself or for a great gift for someone you love!

Material needed:

-wool- any wool of your choice will work. A lot of people like merino. You can choose roving or    batting. I prefer batting because the fibers seem to felt together faster and easier.

- a bar of soap, your choice. Preferably in a shape with rounder edges

- a stocking or panty hose

- water and friction

Soap, wool, stocking and a container for warm water

Step 1- Put enough warm water in your container to dip wool in

Step 2- Tear off strips of wool and dip in the water, then begin wrapping the soap. Tearing is better than cutting. Cut edges will take a bit longer to felt together.

Begin wrapping the soap while smoothing the fibers on the surface of the soap

Step 3- Cover the entire surface of the soap while keeping the fibers as even as possible.

Step 4-  The fibers will still be loose at this point. Enclose the soap in your stocking or panty hose.

Soap enclosed in stocking

Step 5- Immerse soap in warm water to get it completely wet and begin rotating it gently in you hands as if your were washing them. Be very gentle at this point because the  fibers are still loose and need to begin to felt together. 

Do this for approximately 5 minutes. 

Step 6- Take the soap out of the stocking and the fiber should be                 interlocked at this point as pictured below. At this point you can continue to felt without the stocking.

Final Step- Continue rotating the soap in your hand for about 5 more minutes or until you can feel the fibers tightening around the soap.

Place on a towel to dry. 

Drying can take 24-48 hours

Bada Bing! There you go! Felted soap!

I hope you enjoyed learning how to make felted soap and give it a try!! It is so much fun!

Happy Felting!!!

Until next time-

Find more of Kelly’s fabulous felted creations at: 

Bird In A Tree Creations

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share your thoughts with our Facebook  group: 

Cre8ive Klatch

Mantra Mobile by Michelle Reynolds

What a wonderful project this one is! 

This project could also be a tree ornament, an affirmation for yourself or a friend, or just a beautiful mobile piece to hang anywhere! 

You’ll want to make lots of these!

Hi everyone!!

I'm Michelle Reynolds from www.shellsinthebush.com/ and the Cre8ive Klatch Team.

I'm here today to show you how I made my Mantra Mobile and to inspire you to create your own.

Here are the supplies I used but I encourage you to use what you have already or to check out your $2 shop for some special items.

Paper - gelli prints and scrapbooking paper, pencil, scissors, glue stick, alphabet stamp set and ink, hole punch, ribbon.

1. First of all you'll need a mantra - two to five words that resonate with you.  I've created a Pinterest board if you need some inspiration.

2. Decide which shape you would like your mobile to be - for example if your mantra is Live Laugh Love you might decide on a heart shape.

3. Choose some papers - I love gelli printing so I have a lot of gelli prints and I also have a stash of scrapbooking papers which are plain and patterned.

Choose a colour scheme - think of contrasting your papers - warm colours and cool colours, plain and patterened, or red/white/blue etc.

Your top layer with words on it should be plain enough so the words stand out and don't get lost in the pattern.

4. Cut out your papers - I have cut out three circles - using a round gelli print made the bottom layer easy to cut and I have already made up circle templates to use but look around your home - in the past I have used small plates and bowls and glasses to create a circle shape.

5. Use a glue stick to glue your layers together.

6. Put your words onto your top layer - I have used stamps, paint pens and gel pens. Another idea is to use words or letters from a magazine.

7. Then continue to decorate your mobile to your heart's content. You could use a paper doilly as one of the layers - see image below.

8. I punched a hole in the top and threaded some ribbon through.  If you feel your paper is too thin and not strong enough then you may have to glue some cardstock to the back of your mobile.

I hope you have fun creating your Mantra Mobile.  Please join our Cre8ive Klatch FaceBook Group and share your creations - I would be thrilled to see them and I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you.

Michelle.

PS If you would like to buy some gelli prints to use to create this mobile or in your art journal, for collage and mixed media art then check out my Etsy store for some great Gelli Print Packages.

Getting To Know The Cre8ive Crew: Cat Athena Louise

Please give a warm welcome to Cat Athena Louise!

She is from Auckland, New Zealand originally, and has been living in England for the past 13 years.... yes, she is a dual citizen! 

How exciting!

What kind of art is your passion?

I’m very eclectic (continually restless and love to change things up often) -- I have noticed that Photography lights me up, as does the fluid and bright marks only watercolor can make, and I’m crazy about collage and mixed media too!

How does it make you feel when you're creating something?

I feel alive and connected to something far greater than myself. I also experience a sense of peace and timelessness (transcendence) as I go into the ‘zone’

Describe your personality in three words.

Sensitive, Instinctual, Passionate

When/how did you realize your life had to have art in it?

I realised it very early on as a child, and when I was spending all my lunch

 breaks in college in the art room creating fervently, it became very apparent!

Has being artistic changed your life or outlook in any way?

Yes, I notice the tiny little details, textures and subtle nuances around me and I often smile at how things play themselves out, the irony of how life truly does imitate art. Artists often think they are creating something outside of themselves, but it’s all self-portraits. All of it. They are expressing what is inside of themselves. I find it very intimate and revealing.

Would you say your entire way of life is creative?

Yes, it feeds into every area of my life. I feel it when I pick up a camera, arrange items on an altar, strike a stick of incense alight... the kinds of meals I cook, the bicycle I ride, the crazy way I stack dishes in Dr.Suess-like piles for washing up, the kind of jewellery I wear.

Whats your superpower?

Intuition is my superpower. I’ve been told that by too many people now to ignore.

If you could hang out with any artist dead or alive who would it be and why?

Oh my goodness, that would be incredible and naturally I’m struggling to name just one... Pablo Picasso would be a total firecracker to spend time with -- he has such a wildly eclectic range of styles I could never be bored. He seemed very self-assured and confident in his approach. I’d also love to hang out with Ernst Ludwig Kirchner and his Die Brücke German Expressionist friends...I love their wild frenetic mark-making and fauvist colors. I’s be equally happy hanging with Annie Leibovitz in her studio and learning about her hyper-honest style of portraiture photography... Or navigating Andy Warhol’s ‘Factory’ amid the film-making, stencil cutting and screen printing. Bliss!

Which side of the bed do you sleep on? Can you sleep if forced to change sides?

The Left side and yes I do struggle to fall to sleep (at least for a few nights till I adjust) if I ever have to change sides.

Are you an introvert or extrovert? How do you feel about that?

I’m a perfect hybrid. I land right down the centre of the intro/extro spectrum...and that’s very true. I can be extremely zany and wildly expressive in how I communicate and also incredibly quiet, private and observant and need to be left alone...it all depends on my mood at the time and the company I am in as to which way that coin will fall.

 Whats your most embarrassing moment?

Oh there have been so many! One that immediately comes to mind was turning up for a job interview to find the front reception desk completely unattended, and only a sign on the wall, placed near a switch, saying ‘ring for attention’. Well I could see no bell to ring so clicked the switch (placed beside the sign) and suddenly..... all the lights in the building went off! Blimey, talk about instantly getting everyone’s attention...you should have seen them running out to find out what had happened!

Pick two celebrities to be your parents...who and why.

I think my inner-artist child would be in perfect company with Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter as my celebrity parents....I think creativity and self-expression would be encouraged in every possible way and from every angle in that household! Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer I reckon would also be awesome.

If we all came to your house for dinner what would you make for us?

Vegetarian Spaghetti Bolognese followed by an Indian rice pudding flavoured with cardamon pods and rose-water... It’s the rice pudding equivalent of turkish delight! Incredible. 

Those are great answers!

For more of Cat and her artwork please click on the links below:

Website:     http://www.catathenalouise.com
Blog:          http://www.catathenalouise.com
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/catathenalouisestudio
Instagram:  http://instagram.com/catathenalouise
Shop:         http://www.catathenalouise.comPinterest:   http://pinterest.com/catathenalouise/
Flickr:        http://www.flickr.com/photos/catathenalouise
Google+    https://plus.google.com/+CatAthenaLouise/posts
LinkedIn:   http://uk.linkedin.com/in/catathenalouise/

Getting To Know The Cre8ive Crew: Michelle Reynolds

Say Hello to Michelle Reynolds!

Michelle is from Perth, Western Australia and is passionate about gelli plate printing, acrylics and mixed media.

We asked her some other fun questions so we could get to know her better.

How often do you create?

I try to create several days a week, length of time depends on how much time I have - 30 mins to several hours.

 How does it make you feel when you're creating something?

Happy, I am totally focused on my art and don’t think about other responsibilities. I go off into my own little world.

When/how did you realize your life had to have art in it?

I have always been creative but found my passion in art in 2009.

Has being artistic changed your life or outlook in any way?

Yes, it has given me something to focus on other than my family.

How did you get started...who inspired you?

A friend encouraged me to take drawing classes, then I discovered acrylic paints, mixed media girls and intuitive layered paintings. Kelly Rae Roberts, Flora Bowley, Tamara Laporte.

If  you could hang out with any artist dead or alive who would it be and why?

Andrea Matus DeMeng

I’ve just discovered her work so she is my latest artist crush - her girls have many layers and vibrant colours.

 Do you believe that only some are creative or that everyone is creative in some way?

I believe everyone is creative or can be creative in some way.

Why?

Because there are so many different forms of creativity from gardening to cooking to decorating to carpentry.

If you could change your name what would it be?

Shells In the Bush or Shelly Beach.

Which side of the bed do you sleep on? Left Can you sleep if forced to change sides?

I don’t know.

If money were no object in what country, place, or on what planet would you live? ...and why?

Michigan, USA with my art buddy Lin so we can be arty together and go to Art Prize at Grand Rapids each year or France because it’s very beautiful and near several other beautiful countries or Portland, Oregon, because it’s very arty there or in a small country village in Germany with my Aunt and Uncle and cousins.

Are you an introvert or extrovert?

In the middle. I’m quiet when getting to know people but when I feel comfortable with them then I’m more outgoing. I’m quite happy to be on my own especially at home but I enjoy meeting friends for coffee.

Choose an imaginary friend who would it be and why?

Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice because I really like her. If I was a child I would say Laura Ingalls from Little House on the Prairie. 

For more about Michelle please explore her links:

Website: http://www.shellsinthebush.com
Blog: Shells In The Bush
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShellsintheBush
Instagram: ShellsintheBush
Twitter: https://twitter.com/shellsinthebush
Pinterest:http://www.pinterest.com/shellsinthebush/
Flickr:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/shellsinthebush/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+MichelleReynoldsshellsinthebush/posts

Getting to Know The Cre8ive Crew: Laney McDonald

Please give a warm round of applause to Laney!

She joins us from North Carolina. We asked her what her cre8ive passion is and she said, “Anything and everything colorful.  I really love stitching, by machine and by hand to create fiber/fabric art as well as crafting things to use such as bags, purses, aprons, pillows, quilts etc. I also enjoy curling up in the evenings with my sketchbook, markers and pens to make multicolored drawings.”

And we asked a few more questions so you could get to know her even better.

How often do you create?

Several  days a week unless it’s one of those times when I’m on a reading jag.  I seem to go in phases, reading for a while then creating for a while. I work full time so I am usually looking forward to the evenings and weekends when I can settle in create something.

How does it make you feel when you're creating something? 

Totally drawn in and time just flies by.  It’s also meditative and stress-relieving.

Describe your personality in three words.  

Quiet, creative, sensitive

How do you know when a piece is finished? 

It’s just a feeling I have. I just “know” – it is hard to explain.  Although sometimes I stop working on something for a while if I can’t figure out what it needs. Then later I may come back to it and know just what to do with it.

When/how did you realize your life had to have art in it? 

I have always loved everything creative and colorful since I was a little girl.  

Has being artistic changed your life or outlook in any way?  

I think being creative keeps me calm.

Give a couple of tips on how you stay organized. (This doesn't have to be about your art or studio, could just be life, office, kids...whatever) 

Making a list helps me keep organized and on track.  I like to make one at work every morning; I like to make a list if I have several things I want to get done over the weekend. It is very satisfying to mark things off the list as I do them!

What's your superpower?  

I love to find things when they are lost!

Do you believe that only some are creative or that everyone is creative in some way? Why? 

I believe that everyone is creative in one form or another.  There are so many ways to be creative – visual art, cooking, performing arts, home decorating, scrapbooking, gardening, etc.  The list is really endless.

Which side of the bed do you sleep on? Can you sleep if forced to change sides?  

Left.  Unless the cat is on the foot of the bed. Then I sleep on the diagonal.

If money were no object in what country, place, or on what planet would you live? ...and why?  

I have always loved the beach – there’s just something about the ocean and the salt air.

Whats your least favorite food? ...most favorite? 

The least favorite thing I have ever tried is snails; My favorite food is cake! (Unless it has nuts in it. Especially walnuts.  Although I love pecans in German Chocolate Cake icing). My favorite meal is steak, baked potato and a salad with French dressing.

Are you an introvert or extrovert? How do you feel about that? 

I am definitely an Introvert!  But I totally open up when I’m comfortable around people.  And I would say I’m happy about that.

More of Laney’s work can be found at:

Website: http://sugarplumpatchwork.com
Blog: http://sugarplumpatchwork.com
Instagram: http://instagram.com/sugarplumpatchwork
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sugarplumpatchwork
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/laneymcdonald/

Getting To Know The Cre8ive Crew: Kim Hyer

Say hello to Kim!!

Kim is from Southern California and here is what she has to say about herself.

Who you are?

I am me, just me. Well at least that is my view. It changes. Some days I feel like I am simple, others I think I am complex a multi-faceted. I like many things. I love a few things.  I am pretty principled and passionate about them. I also detest a few things. I am just like everyone else. Somedays I feel common too.

Things I love:

1.      Spiritual way of life.

2.    My dog. Yes I said my dog.

3.    My art.

Things I like:

1.      My friends

2.    Motorcycle riding

3.    Traveling with my dog.

4.    Dressing up like a girl (occasionally)

5.     Helping others.

Things I do not like:

1.      People (most of them anyway)

2.    Mosquito bites.

3.    Exercise

4.    Dating.

 Where you are from?

My parents.  That is a long story. It is about a meat cutter ( my dad ), a meat wrapper (my Super G ) and her daughter. The rest is history. Needless to say this un-planned bundle was born in Hollywood, Ca. circa 1967.

What kind of art is your passion?

Oh, I am really not that picky. I have played with many mediums. I can make stained glass windows, pottery, sculpt, jewelry and chain making, painting, journal, mixed media. Art is a passion, a view, changing anything from ordinary. It is all about your perception. You can see it or you can not. You can be taught to see it. I think it comes from the small stillness inside each of us. Either you hear it and listen or you ignore it and fight your life’s purpose. It really isn’t complicated. It is surrender to your self. So, I guess now that I am way out in woo woo-ville. My passion is trying to follow that small stillness inside that makes things more true and beautiful.

How often do you create?

I try to do something everyday. If not I am always coming up with ideas or trash from the ground to add to a piece. It is in the forefront of my mind. Example: Driving on the 405 fwy in traffic, I think I need to get pencils so I can sketch them in the grey, pink and creamy colors. 

How does it make you feel when you're creating something?

I don’t feel per se. I just listen and do it. It isn’t a struggle. It just happens if I let it. If I am struggling I stop. The past several years my art/mess has this flow to it. I do not know how to describe it with words. It is just something that happens.

Describe your personality in three words.

Okay this is a loaded question. I say that because If you’re a stranger it is different than a friend, than family than the Beene (my dog).

Stranger – Standoffish, Intimidating, Aloof

Friend – Honest, Steadfast, Trustworthy

Family – Loving, Generous, Dependable

Beene – Snuggly, Kissable, Fun (she gave me pizza crust to say this)

How do you know when a piece is finished?

It just is…….I cannot explain it.

When/how did you realize your life had to have art in it?

It has always had art in it. So, I do not know another way of seeing.

 Has being artistic changed your life or outlook in any way?

Creating has expanded my perception. This quote hung in my room for many years.

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”  Marcel Proust

How's has your view of life (art) changed over the last 5, 10 years? 20 Years?

It is not so much that my art has changed. I do not look at it as something I do. It is about expressing who I am becoming.

Would you say your entire way of life is creative?

Is there any other way to live? Oh wait there is I just choose to listen.

Tell us how your creativity blends over into the rest of your life?

It is the way I see things. The way I do things. It just is…

Give a couple of tips on how you stay organized. (This doesn’t have to be about your art or studio, could just be life, office, kids...whatever)

I love to be organized. To be able to know stuff, remember things. Find       what I am looking for the first time. Well, I have a little moleskin book for my life. When I am disciplined I use it everyday, make lists, add subtract start new lists. When I am not, well good luck and who really cares anyway? I don’t think my epitaph will read “She was so organized her life was wonderful”.  Some times I am organized some times it is beautiful chaos.

What is your normal (bad word, none of us are normal) day like?

Ha Ha Ha. Normal is the cycle on the washer that I use for towels and sheets. For me now? I packed a suitcase a months ago, loaded my dog, a small art stash, joined AAA and we are off. So normal today will be odd   tomorrow. We are on a road trip. No normal here boss.

What’s your superpower?

It is secret, sorry.

How did you get started...who inspired you?

The most Julius Forzano.  He probably saved my life.

http://www.artonegalleryinc.com/artists/julius-forzano/pieces?sold=true

If you could pick one tool or supply to do more experimenting with what would it be?

Okay, I am spoiled. Yes I am really. If I see something I want I get it and play with it.

If you could hang out with any artist dead or alive who would it be and why?

I like Matisse but, would want to have him & Julius in the same studio together.

What's the worst job you ever had?

Step-mother

Do you believe that only some are creative or that everyone is creative in some way? Why?

It isn't about doing, or making. It is about being. It is about listening. When I make something or paint something of sculpt something. My soul is singing. If you’re not doing something that makes that song inside of you play so loud, you’re missing the point of the whole trip.

If you could change your name what would it be?

Jayne

Which side of the bed do you sleep on? Can you sleep if forced to change sides?

The one side opposite the pitbull. Yes, I sleep where I am allowed.

If money were no object in what country, place, or on what planet would you live? ...and why?

I think I would not want to live any one place. I would want to be a gypsy nomad type. I have been a lot of cool places all over the world but, there is so much more to explore.

What’s your least favorite food? ...most favorite?

I am not a “foodie”. Truth? I eat because I have to in order to live.

Are you an introvert or extrovert? How do you feel about that?

It really depends on our relationship.

Choose an imaginary friend who would it be and why?

I don’t need an imaginary friend. I have a dog.

What’s your most embarrassing moment? (Please keep it clean)

Pass. I am 25 years clean & sober Oh the embarrassing stories… Nope.

What's was your worst haircut? Please show us a pic....

I am a self hair cutter.   The best ones are from my childhood when I trimmed my bangs.

If we all came to your house for dinner what would you make for us?

Reservations.  Someplace nice, don’t get me wrong.  I am over the whole cooking, entertaining thing.

Find out more about Kim:

Website: www.apaperaddict.com
Blog: www.apaperaddict.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/A-Paper-Addict
Instagram: http://instagram.com/apaperaddict
Twitter: https://twitter.com/apaperaddict
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/apaperaddict/
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/55976252@N08/