On a previous blog post you graciously asked questions about me & my art. I am still going through them and putting posts together. I lumped them into categories that made sense to me so i could answer them easier. Today's post is about organization.
I was wondering whether you set aside some time specifically for scrapbooking, journaling, and etc..?
Yes & No. I admit organizing my time is one of my weaker areas. I am getting better at it and have really tried to keep track of my time. What i like to do is plan out my week. I see what deadlines are coming up and then plan accordingly. I do need to add in a specific day for scrapbooking but haven't done so yet. I do set aside time to art journaling because it's for me. If i don't, i won't. I have to put me time on my list.
how do you stay so organized?
Keep in mind to me organization is different from tidy. I am not always tidy but i do feel organized. So let's talk about organization. You have to find something that works for you. I purposely used open shelving so i could see what i have and use it. I do have lots of drawers and they are organized by product. I am also willing to change something if it just isn't working. At one time I had my paper organized by manufacture in a 12 x 12 drawer. It just wasn't working for me. So I switched it to sitting on my counter, organizing it by color. Perfect for me and i haven't looked back. I am willing to try out new things too. I still pin ideas and inspiration onto my "Studio ideas" board. I am currently hunting down the perfect way to store my pens. They really should be on their sides and not up & down. I don't want them tucked in a drawer and would prefer to have them on my desk without taking up too much space.
I want to know if you prefer to create in the silence of your studio or with music?
I rarely create in silence. I actually notice it when it's too quite. I usually have music playing. I have created a variety of playlists to match my moods and whims. For example i have my easy going playlist, moody playlist, current music, pump me up music (sometimes i dance & create), etc. Sometimes i will play a Pandora station. Occasionally i have the tv on with movies or shows i have seen more than once so it's more like background noise but still entertains me. Mostly though it's my music.
How big/small is your space?
It is rather large. I started out on the dining room table when i first started scrapbooking, pulling out stuff and then packing it all away. My house now has a dedicated "studio" or "craftroom." It has lots of shelving and a 14 ft desk to me to share with the kids, the hubby, or friends. Emily can be found sitting there quite often. I also am blessed to have a sink in the room. I cannot even begin to tell you how useful that plumbing is. I designed the layout and type of cabinets while Andy and my father-in-law Phil built it all. This come after years of many different types of organization and spaces. I am truly blessed to create in such a space.
how do you keep it so tidy?
It's not always tidy. Trust Me. I start creating and pull out lots of supplies and products. i make a mess. i shove things aside and sometimes fail to put things back in their places. and then i get a bit cranky. See this post about my messy desk. When the room/desk becomes too messy, i have to stop and clean. Otherwise it impedes on my creativity. I have gotten better about letting the mess get too big. I have actually made myself clean up every week. it's amazing how much more effect that has been for me to keep my room clean.
what time of day you can work better? Morning, night, afternoon?
I like mid-morning. I've had my cup of tea. I have done some computer work. I have answered emails and printed off pictures i need. it's seems to be the perfect time to create. However i work from about 8 - 5 during the week. Of course household stuff happens throughout my day, laundry, grocery shopping, cooking, errands. But i try to stick to my schedule so that i have my evenings free. I have a teen boy who still needs shuttling from here to there. We both need that time together especially with Andy gone. Anthony is sometimes gone on weekend nights so i will create then as well.
Also what day of the week is your favorite if you have one that is.
Strangely enough i do. I like tuesdays. It's not a monday which always seems like catch-up day. I have my game plan for the week and the rest of the week holds so much possibility that i don't feel stressed to "get it all done." Tuesdays!
I wondered if you designate specific times to creating art journal pages vs. mini albums and scrapbooking or do you just sit down and have fun and see what inspires you. I have so many different paper craft areas that sometimes its hard to decide what I feel like doing.
i've partially answered this question above but would like to take a look at the other part of this question/statement. First off having so many different ideas is such a blessing. I usually write down my ideas so i don't forget. If you are having a hard time deciding what to do, then schedule yourself. Sometimes we need that motivation to just start creating. There is nothing saying it is set it stone but you might find it helpful to get going on something rather than nothing.
Do you do the painting, spraying, & messy things in your studio or do you go to another room where messy is easier to clean up?
I do almost everything in my room. I have pizza boxes from Cocoa Daisy that sit under my desk. I discovered using these for mists a long time ago and completely love them. I will add in paper towels to soak up the spray ink. Those even get used in other creations. See this post about using them in art journals. The paint splatters i do in the box as well. These boxes are also great for travel. I take them along when i go cropping with my friends. I recently added a white desk pad to my area to help when i create & paint. I have this cool Chai tea jar on my table with water in it for my brushes. When it gets too murky i rinse it out in the sink that's across the room. (See the above picture with it on the table) The only thing i won't do in my room is spray paint. It needs a well ventilated area so i go outside when i use spray paints.
