2020 was an unpredictable, chaotic year. Even with all the chaos and negative news though, there were happy, positive moments. I had my new house renovated and moved in, but within a few days was working from home. Between 60+ hour work weeks and getting my house set, I was swamped. One silver lining of the extra time at home was being able to spend time perfecting how I set up my craft room. I had time to be very granular in how I organized, which has paid off immensely.
The renovations on my house, from January through February, included having my kitchen completely redone. Luckily, there were enough usable granite counters and wood cabinets from the original kitchen to repurpose for my craft room. We were able to create two excellent work/storage areas in my craft room before I even moved any other items in.
That fall, I adopted an adorable, energetic 3-month-old puppy. So, in the latter half of the year, I focused my time/energy on getting him settled in and trained.
Still, I regularly made time to mail out cards to friends/family for birthdays, encouragement, and of course, Rakhi. However, with everything going on – I couldn’t craft. Instead, whenever I felt inspired, I jotted it down or drew out a sketch. Having my ideas all in one place was helpful. For example, as soon as I found out my (now) brother-in-law was going to propose, I had dozens of thoughts for a meaningful wedding memento that I jotted down. While browsing some projects on the Spellbinders blog, I saw Becca Feeken’s 3D Vignette Mini Album collection, and my design quickly came together. Throughout the time I worked on the album, I frequently referred to those initial sketches and notes.
Designing my Craft Space
I moved in the first week of March, but before I could even start unpacking, we were in lockdown. There were several ‘big ticket’ things I still wanted to be done, including installing shelves in the closets and cabinets, hanging organizers on the walls, and getting additional furniture. With the pandemic, I wasn’t comfortable bringing in a handyman, plus, many items I wanted were out of stock. I focused instead on designing what I wanted my dream creative space to look like and sorting/swatching my craft supplies.
Before getting my house, I never had a dedicated craft area and was used to keeping everything hidden away in under-the-bed organizers or stacked on a single bookshelf. The thought of having my supplies organized and visible was exciting, but I wanted to make sure I maximized how I used the 9′ x 9′ space.
I started by figuring out “stations” based on how I craft. When I don’t already have a project planned out, I like to start by either die-cutting something or using coloring mediums. If I have a plan in mind, then I usually start with die-cutting. I sketched out my craft room on graph paper (including the cabinets), then noted general categories i.e., paper, ink, embellishments, etc. This helped me figure out the main areas and which supplies I wanted near each. I decided on three main sections – one for die-cutting, one for using coloring mediums, and one for everything else. Over the past 2 years, I’ve slowly turned my design and organization plans into reality.
My craft space design is meant to make it, so I easily reach the supplies I need for whatever stage I’m working on. Then, when I’m ready to move on, I move to the appropriate area, without having to stop and make space. This way when I’m on a roll, I don’t fall out of my creative mindset because I need to pause to clean. Also, since everything has a home – when I finish, I can quickly clean up and put everything away. Two years later, my craft room is heavily used but stays the cleanest space in my house.
Sorting Supplies, Buying/Installing Organizers
The field I work in was heavily involved in pandemic response so even my craft supply organization paused from April through June while we all worked 60+ hour weeks. Thankfully, I was able to get back down to a manageable workload in the summer. I even found time to organize my embossing powders, Nuvo sequins, and texture pastes in various organizers.
Once I adopted Ollie in August, all my non-work time/energy was dedicated to him. Completely worth it though – he’s adorable!
With everything being so hectic, all the cards I sent out were from my stash. Thankfully in previous years I always make a few extra whenever I made Rakhi, Birthday, and Encouragement cards. I also have a small container of cards without sentiments and added a “Happy Birthday” or “Thinking of You” die-cut or stamped greeting to those later in the year when I was running low.
During Black Friday sales, I picked up various containers, pull-out drawers, and pegboard supplies. Sadly, my paternal grandmother passed away at the end of the year, so I was focused on spending time with my family for the rest of Winter 2020/2021.
In Spring 2021, I was fully vaccinated and felt comfortable bringing in a handyman to install the drawers in the cabinets, put up a pegboard across one large wall, hang the media/ink organizers on the walls, and install the shelving unit in the closet. The Alex drawers I wanted also finally came back in stock, so I was able to pick those up too. Over the rest of 2021, I slowly managed to put together everything as I planned and make my craft room an inspiring space, I want to create.
Organized Craft Room
Diecutting and Embossing
The die-cutting area was the easiest to decide on since I knew I would need to access the outlet for my laptop. When the contractor installed the counter, they had made a hole for wires to easily go through to the outlet underneath. I decided anything needing power would also be on or near this side, including embossing and foiling supplies. My pegboard would be installed above the die-cutting table, with my embossing and stencil media shelves secured in the gap. While I waited for that, I sorted, swatched, and labeled the supplies I wanted on/in them.
My stamps, dies, and stencils are to the right of the counter on a short, narrow bookcase. The folding bookcase is easily one of my favorite furniture items. It was easy to carry up three flights of stairs by myself and holds a lot! I use the Jennifer McGuire system and all my 4″ x 11″ and 5″ x 7″ storage pockets fit perfectly. I originally used clear bins, but they quickly became too heavy and difficult to manage. I recently switched to the Spellbinders Assemble and Store containers. These are much easier to lift and shuffle through as I can fit 4 per shelf. I organize by theme since I usually have an occasion I’m creating for. For dividers, I use clear plastic cutting boards and cut them to fit my containers, then label them with my label maker. With the narrow space, I keep my 6″ x 8″ and 6″ x 6″ storage pockets in two larger mesh containers on the counter.
My embossing powders/glitters (and 1 glaze!) used to all be on the wall rack. Originally this was a cassette tape organizer that my Mom very kindly changed to hold my embossing powders. As I’ve added more colors and types of embossing powder, I’ve had to start keeping some on my blue shelf. The blue shelf was fully custom built by my amazingly talented Mom about 7 years ago. This holds my various texture mediums (mostly used with stencils) as well as my Tonic Nuvo Sequins and Confetti (for shaker cards).
For the pegboard, I planned out which frequently used supplies I wanted to hang up and what types of hooks I needed to get. But until it was installed, I used my Tonic Studios’ Table Tidy. The Table Tidy still stays attached to the counter edge but now I use it to hold supplies for the project I am actively working on. The top section of the pegboard now usually holds refills. In the middle area (currently empty), I usually pin something that will inspire me while I’m crafting.
For the cabinet under the counter, I had to install pull-out drawers as they are pretty deep. I kept my 8.5″ x 11″ patterned paper and Recollections cardstock in magazine holders in the bottom pull-out sections so I would reach for those first and use them up. On this counter, all the way to the left, I keep my cardstock scraps (organized by color) in clear, plastic envelopes. Sometimes when I’m watching TV in the evenings, I will cut a bunch of sentiment or alphanumeric dies to use up the smaller scraps.
Two of the most useful organizers in my craft room were designed for the garage to hold nuts, bolts, etc. The top one has 64 small drawers and the bottom one has 32 small drawers and 12 medium drawers. These types of organizers come in all different configurations, but this works out well for sentiments and die-cuts. I separate unused sentiments by occasion/phrase into the top one. The bottom organizer holds any extra letters/numbers as well as larger die cuts. Then whenever I’m creating something, I can easily pull out the relevant drawer and have a bunch of sentiments or die-cut focal images ready to go. Everything is labeled so I can quickly find what I need and not waste time.
Cardstock and Coloring Mediums
My parents had an old dining hutch that I was able to repurpose as a shelving unit in the closet. A handyman was eventually able to thoroughly secure it to the studs so I could store my cardstock, vinyl, watercolor markers, and other mediums here, to protect them from direct sunlight.
Outside of my Ohuhu alcohol markers, I keep all of my markers (alcohol and watercolor) here. Next to them, I have all my Nuvo drops on a nail polish rack. On the other side, I have all my white cardstock. I keep these items on the top shelf since I reach for them often.
For 100# and thicker cardstock plus all my specialty paper, I’ve used the Jennifer McGuire system with job ticket holders for years. I had these already organized by cardstock/paper type, then alphabetically by brand/color name. Since I have these all swatched, it is easy to find the exact color I need.
My less frequently reached-for items (Silhouette, patterned washi, Tsukineko Dew Drop inks and vinyl) are all in here too but on lower shelves. On the floor, I keep 4 bins: one with all my organization supplies, one with anything that needs to be swatched, one with white cardstock scraps, and the last one for new craft supplies.
Projects, Embellishments, and Assorted Tools
The wall adjoining the closet was the perfect space for ink organizers to sit side by side at a reachable height. Since I knew all the ink would be up on this wall (once I bought the holders and had them mounted), I decided my other coloring mediums should be organized here too. I also knew I wanted to be able to do ink blending, water coloring, etc. while sitting down. I decided to get 2 Ikea Alex drawers and a tabletop so I could have a custom-sized desk that would fit perfectly. Plus, my white, black, Kraft and watercolor cardstock for card fronts would be within easy reach. In between the closet and desk, I ended up with just enough space to keep a rolling cart that holds bigger projects.
On top of the desk, I kept my mini ink cubes (including all of my regular distress ink) and Ohuhu alcohol markers in a Stamp n Storage organizer. These are the mediums I use most often so it made sense to keep them front and center. A clear bin sits on the left for me to put any dies/stamps/embossing folders/stencils I plan to use on upcoming projects. In the back right corner, I have a container that holds some backgrounds, card fronts, and other partially finished projects. In the left set of drawers, I keep watercolor supplies, lettering inks, distress re-inkers, and liquid pearls. In the right set of drawers, I keep embellishments like ribbons and faux flowers.
Next to the desk and directly opposite the die-cutting area, I decided to make my main work area. On top, I keep my MISTIs, paper cutters, WRMK envelope punch board, scoring board, and Sizzix Sidekick. All the rest of my tools are in a spinning caddy in the corner. I find it very helpful to keep everything I might need when finishing up a project in this one space. In the tall thin drawer, I had a pull-out drawer with two shelves installed, to hold all my adhesives. In the top center drawers, I have my stamp blocks and blending brushes. In the second drawer, I keep perfect pearls and blending foam/tools. In the last two drawers, I have all of my other embellishments, including flatback pearls, rhinestones, Trinity Stamp Baubles, Love from Lizi Peel Offs, etc. The drawer on the top right holds the few punches I have, while the cabinet beneath it holds 12″ x 12″ patterned paper and cardstock.
