Today kicks off our new theme for January, Make Space for Crafting. It’s a brand new year and it’s time to clean up and get organized! To kick off your inspiration, we’ll be profiling key crafters who have been so gracious as to open their doors, cabinets, and storage boxes to show you how they keep everything together.
Kristin Roach of Craft Leftovers gives us a fantastic glimpse into her craft studio and explains how she manages her creative chaos.
CRAFT: What kinds of crafts do you do?
Kristin: Painting, drawing, knitting, weaving, crochet, embroidery (cross stitch and crewel), silk screening, photography, basket weaving, and sewing.
CRAFT: Where do you craft?
Kristin: Everywhere, but general in home in my favorite chair (which is so ugly, but it’s the perfect size for knitting in), in my studio on the floor, or in my studio at my desk. Oh and sometimes, in the garage, especially if it’s a messy project or a big project.
CRAFT: How do you keep all your craft supplies organized?
Kristin: Because I work with so many different mediums, it’s important to me to be able to find all the supplies I need for any one type of project. I keep all my supplies in plastic bins according to their craft type (all silk screening stuff in one bin, all sewing stuff in one bin). Then when I get inspired, I can grab the bin and create! Not being able to find something is the biggest inspiration killer.
CRAFT: How do you motivate yourself to keep your space organized?
Kristin: I have a weekly cleaning day where I make sure to put everything away. I’ve learned over the years that if I don’t keep my space pretty organized (not clean mind you, just organized) I feel cramped, and my projects reflect that. Remembering that cramped feeling makes me remember to put things away.
CRAFT: What’s one organization tip/tool/trick you swear by?
Kristin: Everything has a home. Seriously. There is really a place for everything in my studio, from my scissors to my scraps of yarn.
CRAFT:How do you feel when your space is organized? Unorganized?
Kristin: It’s like the world is full of possibilities, anything can happen, I can make anything, and then I usually do. Can I use the word elated? An organized space makes me feel elated. :) Unorganized, almost the exact opposite. A huge pile of creative chaos is exhilarating… it’s the next day that it makes me feel cramped, unfocused, annoyed.
CRAFT: Describe your dream workspace.
Kristin: Loads of shelves. Several long work surfaces that can be placed next to each other or separated to create a massive work surface, a big open floor to spread things out on. And peg boards, I really like peg boards. And then a whole wall of drawers to put little bits of this and that in. Drawers so high to the ceiling you need one of those neat library ladders to get to the top ones. And only I would know the secrets contained within!
CRAFT: How does the way your craft space is organized affect your crafting/creativity?
Kristin: For me it’s the other way around, the way I craft and create has affected how I organized my space. I was really lucky to move into a studio/office this past fall. I have an area for sewing, painting, and drawing. An area for shipping and paper making things. And an area for my “office” (computer, filing cabinet, desk, printer). All my supplies are in a cabinet, but my yarn and fabric are in open shelves so I can easily look and be inspired by them.
See all the photos of Kristin Roach’s craft studio.
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