a good question...

Kathi asked a good question in response to my last post.  Here's what she asked:

"With your supplies all packed away like they are--how do you know what you have and how do you determine what you will use in your projects?  I find that when I pack my stuff away, I don't use it, but I hate having everything out because it looks so messy.  Just curious what your process is."

Here's the process:  I'm a very visual person and I love having everything out where I can see it.  That being said, my circumstances really don't allow me to do that.  I share studio space with my family room and it's the first thing someone sees when they walk into the front door of our house.  When I'm in the thick of creating for classes or publication, everything in that area becomes messy and my friends and family understand and just live with it (or they don't understand and just keep their mouth shut, don't know which :)).  When we're entertaining or when I'm just tired of the mess, I do pick up everything and put it away.  I have three very large armoires that line one wall (our family room is big and has high ceilings so I can get away with some massive furniture), and they house a good portion of the little stuff that really can clutter up a studio.  The armoire that I posted earlier has a lot of clear jars or open basket type of containers that allow me to see at a glance what I have.  That really helps me in the visual department.

                              

This guy has a glass front and sits between its two solid fronted mates.  Because of the glass front, I need to keep the top interior tidy and uncluttered.  I use tins which I bought from IKEA and separate all of the embellishments and supplies into micro categories so that I can easily find things.  For example, one of the tins contains nothing but brads and they are sorted and stored in little containers according to color, which keeps it simple. 

I  lose track of what I have...and it's definitely fun to open one of those tins and see something I had forgotten about...like going shopping all over again...without emptying the checking account!

Speaking of organizational stuff and emptying the checking account, I just ordered some fun things from here.  I love Vintageweave Interiors...just wish I had more room for some of their flea market finds.  Here are a few things I did order...

A wire mail basket to hang on the wall...a fun way to organize collage elements like old papers, labels, etc.  In the center, a reproduction of a vintage silver tray...great to hold all of those pesky little elements like buttons and brads that get lost while I'm working on a project.  And, more locker baskets.  These are actually reproductions of original vintage ones, which suits me fine.  The original ones that I brought home last summer went through some major Lysol treatments...who knows how long those girls left their gym socks in there before taking them home to be laundered...oh my!

So there's my long winded answer to Kathi's simple and short question! :))

Hope you have a fabulous holiday weekend!

Comments

[Velvet Brick]

o k - let's give a nod to the wondeful photo / new masthead... awesome composition and lighting, Carol!
Great explaination of how your organize...and very helpful links and suggestions! Thank you for the sharing! I think you live near me... we seem to frequent some of the same places (Sunflower Market, Ink It! : ( sad they're gone, tho) I live in Lago Estancia. Thanks for the pics and info! VB
www.velvetbrickspot.blogspot.com

[Nancy]

What an inspiration you are!

[Debbie]

I need to get that organized with my art supplies. How inspiring to see your neat space.

[paige]

oh i love how you are so organized. i currently don't have a great space to keep all my projects laid out either..bummer.
love the ikea tins
love the vintage mail holder & the vintage locker bins too!!

[Judy Bidwell]

Masthead is blood oranges, right? Great! Great pic!

[Kathi in San Diego]

Thanks for answering my question Carol -- love that it rated a whole post!!

Take care
Kathi