The Big Reveal

Well, the room is the same. But thanks to a new desk/art table and some time cleaning and organizing, the art room has become a little more manageable. Not too much less cluttered. But more manageable!

My friend Jan was replacing her office furniture so I was excited to buy her L-shaped desk, a new bookcase and a drawer unit from her this summer. Getting it moved was a challenge, but thanks to my friend and photographer/artist Michael Maurer Smith (who has a truck), we got it over and into the garage -- where it sat for about six weeks.

You know the story -- too tired to do it in the evening and summer weekends on the road. And of course I had to unload the old desk (filled with things in and under) and art table (with all those baskets of must-haves) and bookcase.

Let's just say if I'd had company during that time, they would have been in my bed and I would have been down the street at Rick's or on the couch!

When finally making the change, I vowed that everything that came into the room had to have purpose -- something for an art project, a book that could be useful, art itself -- my own and other people's, or things that made me happy -- photos, collections, etc.


Which isn't to say it wouldn't be cluttered. (This corner still sort of scares me!) It would just be cluttered with things I liked or were useful.

Now, I'll be working on organizing and tossing out things for a long while. But I've made me progress.

My favorite part -- the desk! When open, a great place to work, complete with bulletin board and sorting bins.

Of course, there is room for the Executive Assistant.

When closed, a perfect art table!

I always enjoy seeing how people store their stuff. I like these small jars from Ikea, as well as old spice jars for buttons and bits.

Scissors go in Mason jars.

Markers go into one of those extra mugs we all have!

For inspiration, an inspiration board...

...and a wonderful tree made by blogger Beth long ago.

Tall wastebaskets hold tall papers.

Elsewhere, things that make me happy.

This yard sale find has storage within!

More bits, glues and Goldens go here.

I won't show you the closet door behind the desk, but it has those shuttered doors, perfect for hanging completed knitting projects.

Now, it really isn't done because I don't think it will ever be. There are corners (and closets) to clean, more to sort through. But you get the drift! And I have to say I feel much better coming in here, and that in itself is worth something!

(NOTE: On Chopsticks and String, a look at the book "The Paris Wife.")