On occasion, readers have asked what my studio looks like. I hesitate to show it because:
#1: It’s usually a complete disaster
#2: It’s not “pretty”
It doesn’t have the wood floors I so desperately want, I haven’t painted the walls yet, etc. It’s not like my old studio. In some ways it’s better because it’s bigger and I have more storage. But most of all, I am just thankful that I have my own space, because I could NOT do what I do without it. But, I’ll show you today, because I recently tidied it and there should be proof that I have done so..
Here’s my computer and miscellaneous notes all over to myself. Coffee, lip balm, hand lotion, etc.
This is the big drawing table, right behind my computer next to the window. I usually swivel my desk chair around and raise it up to work there. The stool is for my sons when they come visit the studio to do a project along side me. The walking stick and feathers laying there are the start of something…most likely a project from the Crafty Crow… Felt and fabric in the elfa bins on the left.
My sewing partner, Bernie. She’s on the other side of the window from the drawing table. I flanked the window with both tables so I could look out while I work…
Look, right over the spool of thread and out the window…that’s the park behind our house. (wow, the thread matches the grass, how funny!) The park is raised up on a slight hill, so I have a pretty good view of the kids from here. Problem is, now that the leaves have come in, my view of the play structure is blocked! Oh well, I just open the window and listen for them…
Opposite the sewing table is a small cutting table (out of view here) and the floppy futon couch. This operates as a place for small people to plop while they think up elaborate projects for us to do together and generally distract me from my work. It is also where sick little people can snuggle close by on days home from school. Since this room is really a spare bedroom, house guests sleep here as well.
And for the finale, the storage closet! Just a small peek into the mania that is mine: felting with recycled sweaters. The “clear” mesh bins are from the Container Store and house scraps, sorted by color. The big bins at the bottom are more sweaters. Thrifted fabrics in the middle. Top shelf, cashmere sweaters, more felt, roving, etc. There is another closet this size to the left of this shot with my boxes and other shipping/packing materials. Plus there is a small door into the eaves, which is sadly, almost my favorite part of my studio…more storage! Lots of sweater stuff in there. Believe me, you don’t want to go in there….
Missing from these shots: several bulletin boards, a dry erase board, and a clothesline, all of which I use to pin up/display inspiration, thoughts, pictures, magazine tear sheets, etc.
So there it is…my day to day universe. It works for me!
thanks so much for the tour into your universe! what a great space, my studio isnt ‘pretty’ either!i dont do ‘pretty’, too much energy and time needed!
Looking at all that wool… Do you ever have moth problems? It looks like yummy moth heaven. I moved into a house where the moths are well established and have a hard time getting rid of them. Looks like a nice place to work.
hey you! stopping in to say back!
your studio looks GREAT good and functional! Mine isn’t a “pretty” studio either but it works!
xxxox
i hear you on the disaster part! it does feel good to straighten up though, doesn’t it?
Nope, no moth problems! All of my wool is washed right away when I bring it into the house, so even if there were a little freeloader hanging out in there it’d be gone by the time it reached the rest of the stash!
I have had moth problems in a different house, but they were in my clothes, not my studio! 🙁
it looks so cool, comfy and colorful. all are pretty and very organized for me 😀 i love the boxes for your wool, your big apple monitor, and your placement for your thread *thumbs up!
i guess it’s a good thing to have a white interior for the studio room, so it wont be dark and dirty. love your home betz 🙂 cheers!
Great space! I move often so it’s been hard to get my crafty space just exactly how I want it.
I just got your book and finally found a sweater at a thrift store – I washed it and it shrank from an adult medium to a child small … then my daughter thought it was hers and she’s been wearing it. I got it back from her today so hopefully tomorrow I can get into making something.
🙂
I also have a Bernie that has been my constant companion for 17 years. My father in law bought it for me when my first child was born, he is going off to college, but my Bernina stays with me!
Congratulations on MS#2, complete!….and thanks for the studio tour. Mine is always just a bunch of toppling woolly piles. Must aim for your tidiness here. Love the bright, sunny room.
It’s a great studio, I’d love to dive right in and get to work there. I love it when my studio is neat, but it doesn’t happen very often.
Thank you for sharing this interesting tour into your creative world!
Saludos desde Barcelona!
Do you mind if I ask where you found your beautiful drafting table?
Hi c.e.r.,
The big drawing table was my husband’s work table all through college. It was originally his grandfather’s, who was a draftsman. Ain’t it a beaut?
Betz
I love it! Wish I had a place all to myself. 🙂
Thanks for sharing.
Wow, thanks for the tour. It looks like a sunny, happy place to create. I just love seeing other people’s studios. Yours is very peaceful looking!
It’s way better than my space. Of course my space is really only a corner of the living room couch with storage for supplies in no particular system all over the attic.
It looks great to me. Mine is always a mess and people want to see it that way. It’s embarassing but hey, it’s my work space.
I actually don’t know which I’m more jealous of…the park out the window, the Bernina, or the storage space! Its perfect!
Thanks for the peek into your studio, it looks such a bright, cheerful and well loved space – fab 🙂 I don’t care for those ‘pretty’ or ‘perfect’ rooms – they never look real to me, I like creative spaces that look lived in.
Thanks for the peek into your workspace. I love to see how other people organize and where they work. I’m also having a little envy over your drafting table. I’ve been looking for one too.
hi. i’m new to your blog, and i’m already loving my stay here in your blog 😀
nice space btw! i wish i have space like that…mine is too cramped! love your drawing table too! 🙂
Lovely work area. I wish I had a room to myself but it’s impossible now! For now, the dining room is my part time studio. 🙂