studio saturday?

Finally! I have been working on this post for about three days!!! Our computer was being completely uncooperative and unreliable and wasn't letting me load pictures and log on, the little bugger! Today it seems to have settled down and is letting visit with you! :-)

I am so excited about this week's Studio Friday and even though I'm late, I still wanted to play! This week's topic is something near and dear to my heart!  STORAGE/CONTAINERS as suggested by Alex. 

How do you store your arts and crafts supplies in your studio? Where do you store them? Do you have enough space for it? Maybe some of them are even unusual??! And how abot that space under the bed...?!

Oh be still my heart! This is the Studio Friday that's has my name written all over it! I am a storage and container lovin' girl! There was even a point about two years ago when I contemplated taking a part-time job (in addition to working full-time and going to school!) at Storables just so I could get the 40% employee discount. I am always dreaming up ways to store or display things and am always bringing new containers home, despite the fact that I have no more desk, shelf, or wall space. For instance, this followed me home from Art House a few weeks ago during their Sidewalk Sale.

It's a cutie! Not sure what I'll put in it since all my bits, beads, bobbles, and what nots already have homes. I'm sure I'll think of something though.

I have realized that as far as storage goes, function is not a priority. Things just have to be visually pleasing and that's it. Function only comes into play when I've run out of room!

There's quite the wide variety of the containers I use to store things. Baskets, cigar boxes, trays, tins, jars - old and new, plastic boxes, pegs, hooks, shelves, and bags.  Whatever looks the prettiest!

I'll share some examples of how things are stored around my crafty room...

This is a shelf unit that Glen built for me when I first moved into my craft room. My vision was that all my rubber stamps and spools of ribbon would live on these shelves...HA! That was before I went on a Making Memories acrylic paints binge! Those paints are just so yummy and HAD to be displayed. Then I discovered the fab Martha Stewart jars at K-Mart, and then came the tins and well, as you can see, rubber stamps now only occupy about 1 and 3/4 of shelves.

Some more fun storage...

Those awesome drawers I found at Monticello Antique Marketplace. Last week or so when I was there, they had more but I resisted buying them out again!

I think I've finally broken myself out of the habit of buying metal drawers when I'm out and about. While I love 'em and they're pretty AND functional, it's always hard finding the right spot for them.

You can see that my storage solutions don't necessarily mean that I keep out things I'm likely going to use any time soon. It's just what's pretty.

And then lastly, these are the shelves right in above my desk. This shelf gets rearranged proably once a month. That little blue tray currently holds my growing collections of cool business cards and MOO cards! It's all about what makes me happy at the moment. :-)

Hope you enjoyed this virtual tour of how my supplies, collections, and obsessions are stored in my little crafty space!

I have some real fun stuff to share with you over the next couple of days. I received some FABULOUS mail art from Stephanie and I also received my Silver Bella Inspiration Swap from Kari! So don't run off too far...come back and see me real soon!

Cheers!

Comments

[Lilli]

On this subject you and I are two peas in a pod! I love my containers so much, for their intrinsic qualities, and their potential to organize my stuff. Often I end up with more containers than I know what to do with! They are all cute, though :)

[Malou]

OMG, just seeing your things makes me happy!!! I need organizing stuff like yours w/the stuff I have.

[isay]

ohh i enjoyed looking at all the pictures and i really like some of your containers.you've got so much to store and you managed to arranged them neatly.

[Emilia]

oh, Michelle, I love this post! It is so many things to find out from your craty room. I envy you!
I love the "Hold Dear" sign on the shelf there!

[Gina]

Those photos brought a tear to my eye! That is pure loveliness...a sight to behold and I envy you...(sob)

[alex]

well if there was a storage queen title I think it would go to you!

[Mizsmoochielips]

Oh gosh, just juicy! That's what I have to say. All the storage and eyecandy is juicy!!

[s.patel]

i love the variety of storage that you have! i wish there were some cool antique places around here to find things like those metal drawers!

[tricia]

wow! can i come over and play? : )

[Bejeweled]

I was hoping you would post at sf this week :) I've loved the little glimpses of your craft supplies and their houses you've posted previously and was dying to see more :) Your storage containers are so creative and so awesome! I think your studio must like a candy store with lots of sweet treasures to find and nice surprises to be amazed by in every drawer!

[GMa Jean]

Michella Bella is the Queen of Cool!

[aka R'acquel]

Storage containers. YUM!! =D

[Melissa M]

When I am out and around I am always looking at storage containers and other items that can possible become storage containers. They are a wonderful thing. Love your photos of your craft room.

Melissa

[AscenderRisesAbove]

will you come and arrange my things? (I am trying not to look at my storage in the corner right this very minute)

[Jeanne]

I just love seeing other artist's workspaces. Yours is great and very organized. Thanks for sharing it with us!