Sorting, Crafting, Organizing, Etc.

Well, that craft show actually put me in a "I don't want to do anything else" mood.  Guess all the making and preparing and doing of it wore me out a little.  Thankfully there were some sales from my Etsy shop at the beginning to middle of December.  I've made a few things...but lately I haven't done much.  I just finished this embellished key the other day.  Found the chain at a local antique mall and just knew it would go perfectly with the vintage jewelry piece, and it all went together quite nicely (it's in my shop HERE).

Otherwise, I've been working on my taxes so that I'm not overwhelmed with them next month.  Taxes stress me out a little, so I decided to organize all of my paperwork at the end of each month this past year so that once January rolls around there would be only a few series of 12 numbers to add up rather than hundreds!  I got a little behind this fall so had to catch up on October and November's figures. 

I've also been organizing my craft room...my "studio" as it is affectionately called.  It really became a disorganized mess before my craft show, so slowly it is becoming more organized.  It has been amazing to discover, well, rediscover,  the things that are in that room, things under other things and long forgotten. 

We're getting more snow--more in the forecast too.  I guess it is December, and that is to be expected.  I'm looking forward to a fresh, new year coming up in just a few weeks.  Happy New Year!

Where I Create

Actually, I create in many different places--in the car, at the doctor's office, outside while watching the kids....well, you get the picture.  However, there are some of my creations that I need to actually spread out to do.  It used to be on the kitchen counter.  My husband knew it was time to move me and my "stuff" when I sort of took over that counter...and then some.  So, he built a room downstairs.  That room became the project room/den/library/craft room/office/catch-all room.  I affectionately call it "my studio" even though my area is officially only a corner of it.  It isn't fancy.  It isn't organized.  It isn't glamorous....BUT it is "my place", and I'm thankful for a spot to putter and work and design and think. (I can also leave it, not pick it up, and just close the door when company comes.)

This is my table on which are several projects in various stages of being done.  It takes me a while to think through and plan my items.  It also takes time for glue to dry.  This long white table is where all of that work is done.

The walls are a soft green color on the top with wainscoting on the bottom pained a creamy ivory.  My vintage jewelry bits are organized in the containers on the right.  The chair is old and comfortable and just the right height thanks to my husband shearing the legs a little.

My "studio" has a window that lets in the bright morning sun, so all morning long I can sit and work.  I do much of my color matching and fine work in the morning with this good light and while my children are doing their homeschooling not far away outside the door.  I'm right there to answer their questions and help them when needed which is convenient for us all.  This wreath is a project in the process of being completed.  I keep vintage pearls and beads in old sewing machine drawers.  The drawers are a pretty way to help keep them organized and on hand when needed.

This clock was a gift from my grandmother.  The colors match my studio perfectly and tell me when it is time to take a break from my work and have a cup of tea! 

I'm hoping to join the "Where Bloggers Create 2012" blog party.  So be sure to go to the link to check out where others create as well.  Thank you, Karen, for hostessing this!

Organizing

This hasn't been an overly productive week as far as creating goes--although I have finished some pretty sets of pushpins that I'll take pictures of and list today.  I've mainly worked on organizing my workspace.  Sometimes I get creating, and at the end of the day it looks like a whirlwind swept through my little work room.  Well, multiply that "end of the day" times two months...and...you get the picture.

I've acquired many strands of vintage beads.  The really pretty sets in good condition I've listed in my Etsy shop and have sold.  Other strands are beautiful, yes, but I don't think they will sell really.  I thought of selling them as a big lot, but decided to keep them for future projects (like more wreaths).  They needed a place to be kept organized and clean. I decided to store them into one of my old sewing machine drawers.  The drawer keeps them visible and untangled...and I love the drawer.  I'm working on finding some other pretty container for my pearl strands (and bits of strands).  I'll keep organizing this week while creating a thing or two on the side.