In Issue #7 of Cloth Paper Scissors, we asked readers how they stash all of their beloved art supplies. We received dozens of clever and resourceful responses, and we thought it would be fun (and helpful) to show you how some of our favorite artists stash their stuff.
Enjoy!
Monroe Township, New Jersey
"I have created my studio space out of a 12' x 9' bedroom. Bookcases for some of my books form an enclosure in which I am surrounded by work surface on two sides, light from the large window on one side, and an open space on the fourth side. The L-shaped work surface allows me to access my sewing machine and all my tools and materials without having to move around too much. I have painted the walls yellow and have inspirational pieces hung on the walls to feed my own creativity. Many of the items relate to angels whom have been sent to me by my close friends. In the corner of my work surface is my sound system for my music, which has to be playing when I am working."
Misty Mawn
Erie, Pennsylvania
"Here is where I could spend every minute of the day if I could. My studio is very small, but works for me. It's about 10' x 10' in a corner of our basement pottery studio.
It is perfect for my mixed-media work, matting and framing, and sewing. It also has a great spot for the little ones to explore their creativity while I work."
Virginia Spiegel
Byron, Illinois
"Intended as master bedroom, my 19' x 16' studio has the best light in the house and is used for creating all things textile and well as managing the paperwork needed for exhibiting/selling my artwork. The key is storage. I keep even the smallest scrap of my hand-painted/dyed fabric and when a bucket is full I put it in a large storage container and put it behind my sewing table or in the window seat storage. The Ikea dresser holds all yarns and fibers, found objects from Nature and large cones of thread. The “tower of power” holding my fabric has a flip-down cover of felt engineered by my sister. I don’t like to have TOO much visual stimulation, but I have things I love that have wonderful tactile and inspirational qualities: a Pamela Allen print, a set of looms made by my Dad, a Phyllis Moore cornstalk staff, an African drum, a vintage table, and my canoe paddle."
Maggie Grey
United Kingdom
"Here are two less-than-brilliant shots of my cluttered workroom. It measures around 18 feet by 15 but looks and feels much smaller due to the junk. I have also invaded Clive's [Maggie's husband] office next door and he is now squeezed in a corner. In my room you can see two machines busily stitching my designs -these will be incorporated into a larger hanging using free-machine techniques. Does the space work for me? Probably not but the thought of moving all that stuff is not to be considered. I always have to keep a corner clear for the cat, missing in this picture as she wishes to remain anonymous."
Dale Rollerson
Perth, Australia
"My in the house studio is a bedroom about 4.5metres x 4.5metres, highly cluttered but where I sew, draw, and play with mostly dry materials for my art to wear, textile stuff etc. All of the wet work I do - paper making, silk paper, felt making, any wet stuff , is done in the kitchen or in the garden or simply anywhere around the house.
"In my new, to-be-finished studio in the garden, I will be able to do everything as it'll have a separate wet area, lots of storage for paints etc and a good working table with plenty of storage. It is around 6.5metres x 6.5metres in size with plenty of space for thinking as well as working. Here I plan to stitch, to paint, to draw, to do all the experimental stuff I like doing, including offering small master classes. I am also planning to use the outdoor surroundings for my art-to-wear models."
Click here to see Patricia Bolton's studio on her blog.
"How do I stash it? Why, in Chinese take-out boxes, of course! My sewing studio is in a small corner of our master bedroom and I have utilized the space by hanging 5 inexpensive IKEA wooden peg rails one above the other up to the ceiling. Then I hung Chinese take out boxes on the pegs. I can fit 3 boxes per wooden rail and have one peg left over from which to hang interesting and inspirational bits of art. I labeled each box so I know what is inside. I have my threads sorted by color, zippers, bias tape, and assorted other ephemera stored there. Now when I am working on a fiber art creation, I have only to look up on the wall in front of me to find both inspiration and supplies!"
M. Olwyn Hughes in Vancouver, BC, Canada
"I recently bought small compartmentalized files which are fantastic for storing all the little bits, like art images, paper bits, etc. These are labeled on the tabs and also on the outside so that I can quickly see which I need. I have gone from many drawers to one bookshelf. I also keep all the bits as I am working on a project on a tray and then use these cards tags, etc. it works well because I am already in this color or design groove and can experiment further."
Julie Short in Modanville, Australia
"I use all types of semi-translucent plastic containers. I have small boxes with little compartments, meant for embroidery floss; these are for sorting beads and findings. Another I picked up in a hardware department. It has moveable dividers. Again, buttons, findings, beads and a longer slot for hat pins and needle cases. I have sets of drawers that are plastic semi-see-through with various sizes of drawers. Ribbons in one; cutting tools in another. Why semi translucent? So I can see what's in there!"
Sabine Scanlon in Ontario, Canada
"I use spinner bait bags from the local fish and tackle store. The wonderful thing about these bags is that they come with double reclosable bags (approximately 12). I have six of these bags. They are separated into various categories: alphanumeric embellishments, metal embellishments, buttons, etc."
Lauren Ferguson in Dacula, GA
"I wind ribbons and laces around old fashioned clothespins and store them in a biscotti jar. It's eye candy in a cookie jar!"
Jan DeBellis in Buena Vista, CO
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