SPEED ROUND ~ Day Dreaming

SPEED ROUND ~ Day Dreaming 

Why do we come up with cute, self-deprecating names for our crafts and our craft space? Why do we not take ourselves seriously?

Several years ago I realized the only thing holding me back from taking my work seriously was me. How could anyone else take me seriously when I didn't see my self as a serious craftperson?

I’m “only” a scrapbooker but I’m a scrapbooker who has been developing her talent for over 20 years, who has taught others, who has written books on the topic . . . so why wasn’t I taking my skill seriously?

I started ordering my business cards with my title, Paper Artist and Blogger. And my crop room became my studio. I may never become rich or famous but that doesn’t change the fact that I am an artist and what I create is very serious and very important to me. 

Organizing your creative space should be taken seriously too. Constant clutter will block your creative energy and keep you from doing your best work.

So it is time to do a little day dreaming. What would your perfect studio look like? How would you improve what you currently work in? Start jotting down ideas and making sketches. Go through some magazines looking for ideas you think would be perfect for you. What do you need in your creative space to make you enthusiastic and and yet content?

Take a look at the seating in your room. Are they comfortable to sit on for several hours of crafting? Do you want your seating to be on wheels or stationary? Do you have enough seating?

Take a look at your tables and other work surfaces. Is this enough space to craft? How about the height? Is everything at a comfortable height for me? Is there storage available as part of your work space or under your work tables?

Lighting? What kind of lighting do you have? Is it enough? How can you improve the lighting in your room? I personally prefer white light bulbs. Most light bulbs give off a yellow light which can skew your colour choices.

What about electrical outlets? Are they close to where you need them to be. Will you need extension cords or multi-plugs? How can you set up your space to take full advantage of the electrical outlets available?

How do you feel about the wall colour? If you can, paint your room using colour schemes that suit you. Unfortunately, I live in a building where we are not supposed to paint the walls. Yep, six rooms of beige. So I hang up art . . . only pieces that make me happy or give me happy memories. I have two Clark McDougall prints hung in my studio that bring me joy every time I look at them. And, of course, I’ve hung up some of my own art. My solution to the boring beige walls is art.

Look for your problem areas. Think of ways you can solve the problems. Take notes. Make sketches. Don’t think about costs yet. Don’t buy anything yet. That comes later. Just day dream . . .