All photos by Leah Verwey
Artist Jill Bliss was one of the first crafters I connected with years ago when I first started working for CRAFT at a time when she still lived in the Bay Area. Now based in Portland, OR I asked Jill if we could take a peek inside her new studio and see how she works.
Read on after the jump for more photos and a Q&A with Jill!
CRAFT: What kinds of crafts do you do?
Jill: I make paper goods and fabric accessories, sewn by hand or on a machine.
CRAFT: Where do you craft?
Jill: I’m spoiled – I’ve taken over the living room and the dining room for my studio!
CRAFT: How do you all your craft supplies organized
Jill: I try to be meticulous about drawers, boxes and containers and label everything. “Try” is the key word!
CRAFT: How do you motivate yourself to keep your space organized?
Jill: I can’t work in a messy space, so I’ll tend to clean up everything once a week.
CRAFT: What’s one organization tip/tool/trick you swear by?
Jill: Put it back where it belongs as soon as you’re done using it! Easier said than done when you’re busy!
CRAFT: How do you feel when your space is organized? Unorganized?
Jill: When it’s organized I can think and work, when it’s not I can’t! That’s when I move my project to another room or space if I don’t have time to clean the studio.
CRAFT: Describe your dream workspace.
Jill: The ground floor of a house/building with one wall of floor to ceiling windows leading out to a garden, and the other wall with built-in storage shelves. my apartment would be above.
CRAFT: How does the way your craft space is organized affect your crafting/creativity?
Jill: Everything must be labeled or in plain view, or I forget I have it and won’t use it!
CRAFT: How do you organize your craft space to allow for quick pick-up-and-go crafting? (Possibly for workshop teaching?)
Jill: boxes + checksheet lists
CRAFT: When you have to craft on-the-go (while you’re traveling, in the carpool lane, at family activities) how do you organize your craft supplies?
Jill: Depending on the project, i’ll have either a box or a tote bag containing all the ingredients i need!
ADVERTISEMENT
