Helen N. Hanson's Studio

What kind of arts/crafts do you do?

I make paper collages inspired by the inner journey and quest for enlightenment and expression. I use all non toxic materials because I am an artist living with a form of vasculitis known as Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (formerly known as Wegener's). I have chosen to use the limitations brought on by the disease, including extreme chemical sensitivities, as a reason to dedicate myself to making artwork. For me, it is a way to be still and learn to see with the eyes of truth.

Where do you do your art/crafts?

My studio is a safe zone where I can control the materials I bring in and how they get used to avoid triggering reactions in my immune system. On the other hand, the studio is a universe of exploration, which is never completely safe, always risky in some way. I am fortunate to have dedicated space to work in my Montana home, where I live with my husband and two children. We garden and keep horses on the property, which people tend to agree has the look and feel of a mountain resort. I enjoy having guests, but privacy and quiet is more conducive to art making. It’s all about balance.

How do you keep all your supplies organised?

Papers are grouped by texture and size. Natural materials (e.g., bones, nests) are on display for inspiration. Inks and pigment pearlescent powders are arranged by colour  Gel Mediums and Acrylic paints are kept in a certain part of the studio.

How do you keep yourself motivated to keep your space tidy?

My disease limits my energy on a daily basis. I am naturally motivated to keep things simple, so I can find what I need, when I need it.

Any tips for how to keep art spaces tidy or organised?

Make set-up and clean-up into rituals that feed into your creativity. Setting up can be an incantation of sorts, inviting creative spirit into the space, cleaning up can be a prayer of thanks. An artist can maintain a spiritual connection to his/her tools by treating them respectfully and with dignity.

Do you get stressed out when your space gets in a mess?

I cannot afford to become overwhelmed. For me, allowing a mess in the studio is self-defeating. Human energy is finite, precious, and not something to waste.

If you could have your dream space tomorrow what would it look like?

Every day I hope to wake up and have the energy to do what I want to do in the studio. When I look out over the Montana mountains and see the beautiful light pouring in, I feel content. My dream would be to be able to blink my eyes and be in the heart of a vibrant urban area, then be transported back here in an instant, to peace.

Is there any craft you would love to do but can’t due to limitations of your art space?
I must keep the studio well-ventilated due to the very real danger of dust in my lungs. I would love to have a high-power air purifier which would keep that danger in check, so I could focus in a more relaxed way on my art making.

What is the next big thing on your wish list for your art space?

A maid! LOL, seriously, anything that will help keep down dust and remove particles from the air.

Is there a website for people to see or buy or art/crafts?
I invite people to view and purchase the collages on display in my Etsy shop. 

Etsy.com/shop/nontoxicspiritart

I also make and sell speciality papers for other artists to use in their work, and have a few one-of-a-kind handbags for sale. 

Finally, I have written a book on gifts humans receive from animals, Meditations with the Animal Kingdom, that is available for downloading to Kindle-compatible devices at:

www.amazon.com/dp/B005PYI4R2

Emily Jeffords Studio

What kind of Art/Crafts do you do?  
Oil paintings, collage and assemblage artwork

Where do you do your art/crafts?  
In my home studio in Charleston, SC

How do you keep all your supplies organized?
I have a room dedicated to artwork which houses two tables (for creating, drying, and displaying) two book shelves (full of supplies in boxes, artwork on display while in my online shop, and supplies for art shows), several drawers, and my inspiration and to-do list wall (ideas, lists, images and artwork hung with washi tape)

How do you keep yourself motivated to keep your space tidy?
I work in there all the time.  My work table is white, and I love watching it go from completely clean to full of supplies, and then completely clean again.  Every night before I stop working I make sure that I leave my space neat - ready for a fresh day tomorrow.  

Any tips for how to keep art spaces tidy or organised? 
Delight in the appearance of your studio.  Decorate it.  Make it the most wonderful space in your life.  Then you'll be upset when it is messy or dirty.

Do you get stressed out when your space gets in a mess?  
No, because I know it only takes 30 min to put it all back together.   In my case, a bit of a mess it a good sign.

If you could have your dream space tomorrow what would it look like?  
Huge windows, hardwood floor, overlooking a quiet down town.  Preferably, right over a coffee shop.  

Is there any craft you would love to do but cant due to limitations of your art space? 
Welding.  I think it would come in very handy in my life.

What is the next big thing on your wish list for your art space?  I just remodelled my studio, so I'm quite happy with it.  

Is there a website for people to see or buy your art/crafts?  www.EmilyJeffords.com

Thanks to Emily for the taking the time to photograph and take the time to answer the 'Where People Create' questions, thank you! 

Amg-Arts Studio

What kind of Art/Crafts do you do?
I am a Mixed Media, Textiles and Paper Crafts Artist. I am also currently studying a BDes (Hons) in Textile Design in National College of Art and Design.

Where do you do your art/crafts?
At the moment the Art Studio is based inside the house, in Co. Meath, Ireland.

How do you keep all your supplies organised?
With lots of drawers, shelves, and storage boxes, everyday tools that I need I have hanging on clothes racks over the desk so I don’t have to go in search of them.

How do you keep yourself motivated to keep your space tidy?
I guess with running my blog ‘Where People Create’ and seeing all the beautiful and organised spaces gives me the motivation to clean the art room and have it looking presentable. I love House and Home magazines too so if I see a study area or craft room picture in it I like I clip it out and keep and when I need that ‘kick’ to clean the room I look at the picture and get to work making it look as good as the picture.

Any tips for how to keep art spaces tidy or organised?
I find that the large plastic drawers are good so you can pull out the complete drawer and bring it over to the floor/desk where you are working and when I’m finished just slip the drawer back into place. Keep all your items grouped like all your textiles stuff together, all your paper crafts bits and pieces together that way your not running around your studio too much when working on certain projects. 

Do you get stressed out when your space gets in a mess?
I hate clutter guess it’s my O.C.D and if it’s too bad I can’t work, I clean and reorganise the studio a lot every few months it’s the only way to find better ways to organise and have the studio work to its full advantage for you. 

If you could have your dream space tomorrow what would it look like?

Floor space and lots of windows or skylights. 

Is there any craft you would love to do but cant due to limitations of your art space? 
Yes, limited to size of work I can do but hopefully in the near future will be moving to a bigger space. 

What is the next big thing on your wish list for your art space?

Can't think of anything at the moment, but can always yes to new fabric :)

Is there a website for people to see or buy your art/crafts?
http://www.amg-arts.com/

http://www.facebook.com/AmgArts 

The Bettyoctopus Studio Space

What kind of Art/Crafts do you do?
Felt creations: artwork, brooches, bracelets, hair bands, cards, keyrings and very cute felt clocks.

Where do you do your art/crafts?
At home, my craft space is my daughter's playroom by day and my office at night.

How do you keep all your supplies organised?
I previously had a corner in the living room where all my supplies were piled up. When it became apparent that I needed more space (and a desk!) I thought carefully about how I worked and what I needed at
hand etc. I found some cute metal filing drawers in Ikea and each drawer houses something I use regularly.

How do you keep yourself motivated to keep your space tidy?
I find it really easy now that everything has it's own place. My husband works from home and can borrow my desk when I'm not there but he's under strict instructions to tidy up after himself!

Any tips for how to keep art spaces tidy or organised?
Have everything you need on a regular basis at hand - keep scissors/pens/pencils in pots on your desk. I have all my findings (brooch bars/keyrings/brads etc in an art organiser in a drawer so I always know where everything is. I keep my metal die cutters on a magnetic knife rack on top of my metal filing cabinet, so I can access
and store them away easily.

Do you get stressed out when your space gets in a mess?
Yes! It's been great having my space in the playroom too because it's taught my daughter to tidy after herself too.

If you could have your dream space tomorrow what would it look like?
I'm very lucky and have my dream space now, but I'd LOVE a cutting table and huge rolls of felt. And a better view.

Is there any craft you would love to do but cant due to limitations of your art space?
Not any more. I make felt clocks and desperately needed a desk to build them but I have that now, so I'm crafting much more than I could before
.

What is the next big thing on your wish list for your art space?
I have a blank space at the moment so I want to decorate with more artwork and prints.

Is there a website for people to see or buy your art/crafts?
www.bettyoctopus.com

A BIG thank you to Jess, for answering my questions and sharing her fab studio photos with us! Thank You!  

Judy Levin's Studio

What kind of Art/Crafts do you do?
I am an artist that works in a variety of mediums. Currently I'm re-visiting one of my very favorite mediums, watercolor. I also paint with oil and acrylic. Clay is another medium that gets pulled out often at Lot 5 studio.  I sculpt and create functional pottery, both wheel thrown and hand built.

Where do you do your art/crafts?
My studio is in the basement of my home in Northern Virginia. I feel very fortunate to have my workspace so close as I can go to work in my pajamas if I like and or stay up all night if the creative juices are flowing.

How do you keep all your supplies organised?
Organization is a constant battle. One way I discovered that forces me to put things away is to contain them in an attractive manner. I like to use vintage containers as well as modern plastic containers that wipe clean easily. For some things having a clear container makes all the difference as I can see what's in it and not have to pull it out to find what I'm looking for. In a clay studio having lids helps too, clay dust gets into everything. I love finding the perfect old chest of drawers at a yard sale that will hold my paints, or a metal rolling cart that moves around the studio and be where I need it as I move around. 

How do you keep yourself motivated to keep your space tidy?
The Perfect thing to motivate is to invite people in to see my space. Who doesn't clean for company ;) Twice a year I participate in open studio tours & also have an open door policy. Not knowing when or if someone may pop over for coffee and an art chat forces me to keep the creative chaos to a minimum.

Any tips for how to keep art spaces tidy or organised?
I learned this one from my mother as a child. I could only have three toys out at once and if I wanted to get out a fourth I had to put one away. It works for art too.  Also the phrase "a place for everything = everything in it's place" is very true. Find a home for whatever materials you bring in immediately, that way things don't pile up. Also there's not such thing as too much shelving and pegboard is a gift from the creative gods that will make anybody's life easier ;)
 

 Do you get stressed out when your space gets in a mess?
Only if I actually can't move around, then I get a little nutty. When I'm in the middle of a project the clutter doesn't bother me, but I can't seem to start anything in a cluttered space. One thing that does get me stressed is if somebody else has been in my space and moved my tools around so I don't know where they are. I'm not going to mention any names ;) 

If you could have your dream space tomorrow what would it look like?
Open and white, clean floors and lots of electrical outlets and windows. Actually I would just be happy to have drywall and shelving right now ;)

 
Is there any craft you would love to do but cant due to limitations of your art space?
I think I'm very fortunate that I will try anything that my imagination throws at me. If there is something that proves to be difficult, I'll figure out a way to be able to do it. Isn't that part of being creative :)

 

What is the next big thing on your wish list for your art space?
I've been coveting the Billy cubby shelving system from IKEA, something about those white shelving cubes stacked to the ceiling just make me drool. I also want to paint the cement floor, then expand my wall/shelve and drywall and more electricity. 

 
Is there a website for people to see or buy your art/crafts? 
Yes, I have an etsy store http://www.etsy.com/shop/lot5studio?ref=si_shop a web page lot5studio.com and am on facebook, https://www.facebook.com/Lot5studio stop by and say hello :)

Thanks to Trudy for talking the time and effort to answer my questions and take photos of her studio, Thank you!

Diva Gone Domestic's Studio

What kind of Art/Crafts do you do?

I spend most of my time creating various paper crafts and wedding stuff.  I love scrapbooking, card making, etc.  I also love home décor projects.  But lately, I have been designing lots of wedding stationary collections.

Where do you do your art/crafts?

I am so lucky to have my very own studio.  (I say studio because it sounds so much more grand than craft room! J) In the summertime, I tend to take over the back yard with various home décor projects.

How do you keep all your supplies organised?

Recently, I purchased a lot of the storage cubes at a local craft store.  Everything has a place and is labeled.  If I don’t have a specific place for it, then I find one and make sure that I label it accordingly.  The great things with the storage cubes is that they look attractive, can be relabeled when you reorganize and can grow with your arts & crafts!

How do you keep yourself motivated to keep your space tidy?

When working on a specific project, I don’t worry about how disorganized and messy things get.  I may make a complete mess out of my room but create something wonderful! BUT, one thing I have learned about myself is that in order to start a new project – I need to have a blank slate. So my room is always clean and organized before starting a new project.  It’s kind of like an artist starting with a blank canvas and fresh paints.

Any tips for how to keep art spaces tidy or organised?

Before my craft room re-do, I had a couch/futon with a coffee table and I spend my time crafting on a board.  I did this for about 4 years.  I loved it but then one day I realized that I get a project or two done but spent most of my time surfing the internet and watching tv.  I had all of my supplies tucked in various boxes or in my closet and it made it difficult to find anything.  I rearranged my room A LOT but couldn’t figure out why I wasn’t happy with it.  Then one day I realized that I didn’t have the workspace I needed and I couldn’t find anything.  So my big tip is to play around with different room layouts and organizing methods.  Eventually you will find one that keeps you sane and motivated!

Do you get stressed out when your space gets in a mess?

No. Not if I am able to come up with something spectacular in the process of making it a mess!  Since my reorganization, I have not bought double supplies or lost an important tool like I used to.  I think that being disorganized stressed me out but not making a mess.

If you could have your dream space tomorrow what would it look like?

So glad you asked!  I have been BEGGING for a craft cottage when we get a new house (which should be in a year or so).  I would love to have my studio separate from my actual house.  Something like a guest house or a large loft apartment above a detached garage would be perfect. I would like to actually have a printing room/office for my designing and craft room for scrapbook crops.  Of course, a small kitchen so that I can store snacks wouldn’t hurt either!

Is there any craft you would love to do but cant due to limitations of your art space?

My husband is so sweet when it comes to my projects.  If I need space to do something, he generally gives up his wood working area or part of the garage.  I’m pretty lucky.  But I think I would have a lot more tools to make things easier to mass produce a lot of my items if my space was larger.

What is the next big thing on your wish list for your art space?

Other than my craft cottage itself, I truly can’t think of anything I would need at this time.  My husband bought me an amazing DSLR camera and letterpress machine, his parents got me an professional color laser printer and my parents got a large guillotine cutter for cutting multiple sheets of paper… my wish list was wiped clean for Christmas!

Is there a website for people to see or buy your art/crafts?

Website: www.divagonedomestic.com

My Blog:  www.divagonedomestic.blogspot.com

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/divagonedomestic

Twitter: http://twitter.com/DivaGoDomestic

Thanks to Tara for taking the time and effort to answer my questions and take her lovely studio photos, Thank you Tara! 

Star Hitched Wagon Studio

What kind of Art/Crafts do you do?

I guess the easy answer is mixed media artist…I am a jewelry designer, a creator of bath and body products, a scrapbooker/paper crafter, and I love playing with clay and paints as well!!!

Where do you do your art/crafts?

What was once designated as a formal living room, connected to our formal dining room, on the main floor of our home. 

How do you keep all your supplies organized?

Lots of different fun pieces!!  I love to mix new with repurposed vintage pieces to store things.  For example: Tart tins to store my beads.  An old metal kitchen cart to hold baskets and tins of messy art supplies, my sewing machine, and my big shot.  Old tool boxes to store even more supplies.  Harlequin tea cups to hold small olds and ends.

How do you keep yourself motivated to keep your space tidy?   

Well since I am in the space that was once designated as a “formal living room” and because it sits right off our front door – that’s about all the motivation I need.  I want it to look like it’s a part of the house – not just some messy chaotic space.  If I keep it tidy between projects then I won’t have to worry about the mad scramble to organize/clean before company arrives….

Any tips for how to keep art spaces tidy or organized?

For me it’s a place for everything and everything in it’s place…I’ve spent a lot of time over the last couple of years searching for cool storage pieces so that everything is easily found and then can be easily put away.

Do you get stressed out when your space gets in a mess?

No!!!  As long as it’s a creative mess – that doesn’t bother me at all.  Now if I am just being lazy and not picking up between projects then yes I might get a little stressed because there would be no room to create!

If you could have your dream space tomorrow what would it look like?

I have to say I really love my space right now – but if the sky was the limit…I would want just a little more space.  I’d have stamped concrete floors.  I would love a sink with stainless steel counters and built in cupboards/storage.  I would have a table for paper crafting, one for jewelry design and another large table for messy projects like painting and working with clay, and then I would have a jeweler’s bench for working with metal.   My dream space would also have a very large closet for storing finished bath and body products while they wait to be shipped or sold at a show.  Lots of fun art work on the walls and antique pieces for storage.  Sounds pretty perfect to me!!!

Is there any craft you would love to do but cant due to limitations of your art space?

I get to do everything I want to do…for messy silver projects I have a small space at our work bench in our garage.  So I am very lucky!!

What is the next big thing on your wish list for your art space?

A large armoire for storing supplies that don’t need to be out on display!!!

Is there a website for people to see or buy your art/crafts?

Yes!!!  http://www.starhitchedwagon.com

A Big thank you to Stacey for answering my questions and taking the time to photograph her FAB space! Thank You!