26 February 2006
My craft room appears in pictures here and there, but I haven't really had a post dedicated to it. It's not a terribly exciting space, but I'm always very voyeristic when it comes to seeing pictures of others' work spaces, and I just finished tidying it up (which was WAY over due), so I feel I should capture the moment.
Click any picture to enlarge. Looking at these photos makes me realize how much stuff I have. I posted a similar picture about six months ago, and it looked much more sparse. Now I've got lovely little things from other people -- like the bird from Alicia and the little birdy painting from Tania -- and also knick knacks I've added myself, like the little horses I've brought over from America. Swinging to the left from that picture:
My inspiration board, which actually ends up being a showcase for a lot of the odds and ends I print. I like everything on there, but I might shuffle it around soon, just for interest's sake. I got that banner at the Frankfurt Book Fair -- imagine the size of THOSE letter blocks. That must be, like, 300pt! The sewing machine is, uh, my sewing machine. It's got a little iZone (?) photo of Jamal on it. I'd like a dedicated sewing table, but as it is, I just swing it around and plug it in when I need it.
On the next wall are my cabinets:
I love this Ikea fabric. I lined the glass doors of the first cabinet with it a while ago, and I made the curtains for the other yesterday. I wasn't quite sure if I liked them at first, but it really is amazing what a difference they make, visually blocking out all the clutter on the shelves. My fabric lives a very cramped life in the glass-doored cabinet, and my trimmings, etc are housed in the other one. You can see where Frankie and Ira do their thing, too. They used to be above the other cabinet, but they seem to like being closer to the window.
I like how it looks like there's a great expanse of floor in this picture, but I had to stand in the hallway to get it. The big black thing on the bottom shelf is a speaker; Rob hooked up an AirPort to my stereo/computer, so I can listen to tunes on the good speakers. My carving supplies are in the green boxes. The type drawer unit used to be on the floor until this morning, when I realized it could sit up high and have books on top. My guitar is to the left, and my letterpress and cabinet are to the left of that (just off the edge of the phoot).
This is one of my favourite little areas in the whole of the flat, especially now that the drawer unit is up there. I like how the two mismatched drawer pulls just happen to match the boxes I keep the carving supplies in. I take a lot of photos here because it's a convenient horizontal surface by a window, but it's always quite cluttered. I bought that cow creamer at an antiques store several years ago now, just because I liked the look of it, and suddenly there were reproductions of it in all the Crate and Barrels, etc. Neat. That Rough Guide to London book was a freebie we got for attending the Get London Reading launch last week. It's really interesting, but something I would have never bought for myself. This is why it pays to be in the book industry -- free things.
And that's it! One very small room and a whole lot of stuff.
Oh I love sooo much all these pictures you shown ! Thank you so much for sharing this intimate part of you ;o) ! I'm so in love too with your birds singing and your felt balls !! I need to try to make some too ! Can I ask you if you use some permanent ink on your ribbon ?? Last but not least : I wanted to tell you that it's always a pleasure to read each day your amazing blog ! Hugs from Belgium
posted by Sandrine (alias Didine!) at February 26, 2006 11:06 AM
Your space looks so wonderful, sunny, and inspiring. I really jumped when I saw that IKEA fabric and what you did with it, what a great idea. I have only recently discovered your blog thanks to friends like Alicia and I am now a regular reader. Beautiful things.
posted by Blair at February 26, 2006 02:37 PM
It's always exciting to see other creative spaces. I'm so impressed by how tidy it is, that's my fantasy idea of how I should keep my sewing room.
The reality involves a lot more thread on the floor...and everywhere else, perhaps I need finches who would pick it all up and nest with it.
posted by cally at February 26, 2006 05:05 PM
Everything is so beautiful. I love seeing your studio space! Right now mine is just a big mess and hard to even walk into the door. Ack.
posted by joleen at February 26, 2006 05:42 PM
Cally -- Well, this is at its absolute cleanest. It was getting worse and worse for weeks, and I finally broke down and tidied it up this weekend. I wouldn't have shown the internet what it looked like before!
posted by Anna at February 26, 2006 05:43 PM
what a great space! I love to see where people work too. thanks so much for sharing!
posted by stephanie at February 27, 2006 03:29 AM
what a beautiful space!!!! i love the banner from germany and all your other collections! thanks for sharing...
posted by risa at February 27, 2006 04:55 PM
I love your craft room. Mine is in the basement and is the only unfinished area in the house. I love it, but I need to take some time and dress it up a bit! I have been loving all of the letterpress things lately, I have been looking locally for various parts, even broken, for my clay, but no luck yet! You are such an inspiration!
posted by michelle at February 27, 2006 04:55 PM
Crikey!!! It's looks smashing!!! And brilliant!!! xo, a
posted by Alicia at February 28, 2006 05:13 PM