Inspiration and tips for organizing your craft space

The better organized and pretty your craft space, the more you are going to get out of it.  Below are a few tips for getting it back in shape and lots of eye candy full of inspiration. These are coming at you from BHG. My additions are in italics.

Clean Out Clutter.

Test all the craft supplies you own, including paints, markers, and glues. Do the same with tools such as scissors, staplers, and punches. Toss everything that doesn't work. Put similar items in clear plastic containers with handles.

Storage for Small Gear.

Hang a clear vinyl shoe bag inside a closet or behind a door. Slip small parts, supplies, and tools into the pouches. If you have no door/closet in your work space - try a small rolling cart with lots of little drawers.

via Amazon

Hang Fabric.

Drape fabric scraps and swatches over rubber-coated hangers intended for multiple pairs of pants. Hang from hooks on the back of a door. Different fabrics need special treatment - even draping velvet over a hanger can damage it This post from Entirely Smitten has great storage ideas, which includes creating your own little minibolts, to using storage boxes originally intended for CDs and other items.

via Entirely Smitten

Organize Ideas.

Purchase eight to 10 sturdy letter boxes and fill with inspirational materials from books, magazines, photographs, and online searching. Organize and label boxes by topic, source, or project. Stack near a chair or desk and use an extra counter, end table, or resting spot. I organize my inspiration and ideas in binders. I fill the binders with clear page protectors and slip my inspiration in the sleeves. It is a really fast way to literally flip through my inspiration. I have a binder for graphic design, hair and makeup, workouts, packaging design, etc.

Here is some great craft and work spaces for inspiration:

so gorgeous!  But I hate when they take cords out of shots - where is the lamp cord?
 Regardless, the cube shelves provide great storage.

This is a dream space - tons of storage drawers, a cushy window seat!
3 above via BHG

via Curbly

via Ikea

via Pinterest

A cabinet with tons of tiny drawers is great if your projects require lots of small tools and materials.
via Pinterest

Elegant and welcoming entryways...

I don't have an official entryway in my apartment, but if I did, I'd make it look like one of these beauties...

stunning
via Elle Decor

via Rue Magazine

great wallpaper

Love the giant clam shell
2 above via High Gloss

via Pinterest

have a great weekend everyone!

Mini makeover for my home office

As some of you know I work from home - well, at my parent's house - while I'm getting my web design business off the ground. Since I'm limited in how much I can alter the appearance of the room since the space and the furnishings belong to my parents, I focus on keeping it as organized and functional as possible. I was lucky enough to be contacted by the folks at Command products from 3M asking if I'd be willing to test out some of their adhesive hooks, picture hangers, and other goodies an organization junkie like me goes gaga for. Of course I agreed and below you can see how I completed two office projects.

On a side note, I was surprised when I found these chic metal hooks! White plastic doesn't always fit into everyone's decor, so they were smart to create these stylish options.


Okay. So the two projects I needed to do were to find some solution to the absolute mess of cords on my desk from my speakers, backup drive, and extra monitor, and to hang my inspiration board.

Below: My cords


The 3M Command problem solver, medium cord clips


First thing I did was bundle up any cord slack and secure them with white twisty ties. (Most of my cords are white so I chose white). Make sure you leave enough loose cord to reach the electronic or outlet it's associated with.

Plan carefully and mark with a pencil if necessary where you'll place the hook. Wipe down the surface of the wall or furniture with rubbing alcohol, and allow to dry, before applying the hook.
Another thing I never knew about the adhesives is that before hanging anything on them, let them set for an hour.

My results aren't particularly pretty, but much more orderly. Now I need a table skirt to hide the cords!

The cord clips work great!

The next project was to hang my inspiration board. I decided to use these Damage Free Hanging Strips, which are similar to velcro - but much stronger. They have an adhesive side that go on the wall, and an adhesive side which stick to the frame.




I've wiped down the wall, marked where the board will go, and applied the hanging strips.


I then mounted and pressed the board to the wall. Unfortunately it fell about 30 mins later. In all fairness to the strips - I made a few mistakes that I'm sure affected the results. I didn't really read the directions thoroughly, and didn't press firmly for a full 30 seconds - completely forgot to wait an hour before hanging (I'm sure this was what did me in), and I didn't apply the strips to the frame at all, but attached them to the strips on the wall. Also, this wall is actually has a plaster texture, so the surface wasn't completely smooth.

Good news is, I used another hanging product -
I followed the directions to a T and it did the trick!

As a whole, I think these no-damage Command products are ideal for renters who don't want to put holes in walls, or those who want the option to move things around without having to patch holes. Also - don't make my mistake - read the directions! Also, save the packaging or go to the Command site for removal instructions.

See some pretty and practical inspiration at the Command site.


Disclosure: I received these Command 3M products as a sample

Organization inspiration and tips

When it comes to pretty and practical organization, nobody brings it like Martha!

Her kitchen

A shelf over a door creates instant extra storage.

I love the homey feel of this office

If your fellow inhabitants don't really believe in sorting mail, atleast you can avoid stacks of it be designating an entryway organizer for everyone.

I love this medicine cabinet, just find some thin metal sheets at a hardware store, some magnetic containers (these are very popular and can be found at places like Bed, Bath, and Beyond.) Just make sure that if you mount anything inside the door that you can close it.


cylindrical vase= snazzy t.p. holder


we really need a boot tray...

A simple shelf that folds down is a great way to extend window sill surfaces. *tip, this is also a great idea to ad on counter space *

mount grow light underneath a shelf, and you can have flowers year round.

these following images are just for gratuitous prettiness...




If only I had such great light!

via marthastewart.com

Lots of great ideas for making the most of your space

Awhile back I posted some photos for making the most of small kitchens, and now I'm continuing that with some more general inspiration to use throughout the house. Lots of good ideas here- both big projects and little projects!

Not that many of us have extra closet space, but if you're lucky enough to have some, take off the doors and turn it into a small home office.

A cabinet nightstand will give you more storage opportunities than a table.

Use the inside of doors to store materials, I put spice racks on the inside of my cupboard doors and they're super handy.

Radiators can be huge space-wasters, install a shelf for instant surface space. I have one in my bedroom, and I couldn't be without it!

These benches have been stacked to make shelves, and they can also serve for extra seating or a coffee table in a pinch.

Drawers under the bed are a great storage solution - put them on casters for even easier storage
via Martha Stewart

If you own the space and have the budget, utilize high ceilings by creating this very cool scaffold style bookshelf
via Jac de Villiers


via James Merrell Photography


Even narrow spaces can accommodate furniture like this half-table


Get two-timing furniture that doubles as storage
via AT Casa

Even odd nooks are put to good use.

If you have major carpentry skills - or access to them, this Manhattan apartment dweller created a swiveling tv stand, which can totally flip around depending on if he/she is in the bedroom or the next room.
via Point Click Home

If you have weird angled walls (like many old apartments), find small furniture and make use of the space

Make your rooms multi-task. Keep your bookshelves for storage, and install a sliding curtain when in need of a less cluttered feel.


Use bookcases and keep your wall space by hanging art from the shelves.
via Domino


These console tables are great because they have shelves or rungs that act as storage.
via Joe Schmelzer

You can keep your crafts in the living room - just choose a storage solution that can camouflage supplies, and ties in with your decor
via Easy Living


Images via Briger and Briger

Image via Sunset Magazine