Sunday 27 April 2014

Creative Corners - Introduction

I'm introducing a new series today - and I couldn't be more thrilled. The idea for this series has been taking shape for an awfully long time, but I haven't had the opportunity or (more honestly) the motivation to 'make it happen'. All I needed was a little bit of focus - my One Little Word for 2014 - and now, happily, I can introduce 'Creative Corners'. 


Each Sunday, I'll be interviewing one of my favourite crafters, makers or entrepreneurs and will be asking them to share their 'creative corners', along with a little bit about how their creative process has affected the design and organisation (or complete lack of organisation) within their space, as well as learning a little bit more about them and their creative endeavours. 

What I hope will happen along the way is that you'll see 'creative corners' that inspire you to let go of the idea that your work space must be perfect, before you can create something beautiful in it! 

My Own Creative Corner 

I'm lucky enough to have my own little 'creative corner' - the smallest bedroom in my home. I set the room aside for crafting as soon as I moved in, but the room itself has been in a constant state of evolution.

Over time, I have come to realise that I work best - and can focus more easily - if I am in a calm, clean and clutter-free setting. This means that I have had to find 'a place' for everything! The materials and tools that I use most often are all stored on, or around, my corner desk. I adore the little 'cubbies' underneath the desk - and store my sewing machine, my packaging materials and some beading materials that I use often (but not quite often enough for them to sit on top of my desk.) 


While I'm beading, my desk is usually clear and clutter-free (but when I'm paper-crafting and it looks like all hell has broken loose) and I will have a small selection of materials to hand. The wicker baskets on the left-hand side of the desk contain my stash of pearls and fire-polished beads. The plastic boxes in the corner contain my selection of glass, ceramics, natural stones and gemstones. The little dish on top contains my small (teeny) selection of Swarovski crystal, stones and pearls.

On the right, my Beadsmith 'Bead Tower' stores all of my seed beads  (I still only have a small selection!) This is usually on the floor, just to the right-hand side of the desk, but it's handy enough to pull up and look through when I need a new size, shape or colour to work with.


My Creative Corner Essentials

There are a few things that I have come to value in my creative corner and excellent lighting is at the top of the list. The room is usually quite light and bright, but during the long evenings (and the endless winters) I use a Daylight Lamp for colour selection - and to extend my working hours. I would also be completely lost with my bead scoop and my Thread Zapper. Completely and utterly lost!


The most exciting addition to my creative corner has been my ASUS Transformer. When I'm busy creating, it sits on one side of the desk in it's 'tablet form' so that I can have instant access to all of my favourite music on Spotify. When I'm busy working on the not-so-fun stuff, like invoicing, I use it in it's keyboard setting, like a little laptop. It has totally transformed the way that I work within my creative corner - no more cables for a start!

For me, making my space work has meant putting function first and beauty second. There is nothing wrong with having a craft room (or an alcove, or a bookshelf) that looks pretty, but if it doesn't work functionally, you won't be inspired to actually use it!

Next week, I'll be interviewing the lovely Gail from Rocks For Frocks. I hope you'll join me for a little peek at her Creative Corners. 

19 comments:

  1. oooh interesting new series will look forward to seeing who else shares their creative corners

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  2. Your space looks so neat and tidy Clair! Love the idea for this series and looking forward to seeing more creative spaces :)

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  3. Ohh clare how do you craft so tidily my craft is always in a jumble but I always know where to find my stash of diffrent things made theee box cards yesterday and hoping to do a bracelet today

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  4. I love a tidy craft area too. Lovely to see where the magic happens :-)

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  5. Looks great - your working environment is the polar opposite of mine. (My family get worried if my crafting table is tidy!) Looking forward to this series, I love seeing how other people create!

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  6. What a great series. A sort of in depth What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday. I always love a good nose around somebody else's work space. Yours looks very clean and calm. Look forward to seeing more.

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  7. Great series - I love peeking into other studios. :D

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  8. Totally understandable! I cannot work in a clutter either. It seems that no point removing the tools as "I will need them again"... but I have come to a decision, that I need to put them away and take them out next time, because who knows what I will actually need and when :)

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  9. Sounds awesome! I wish I had a room devoted to crafting! I just take up one wall in the living room (okay, my STUFF takes up WAY more than one wall, but my desk takes up just the one!)

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  10. love the idea of this series and will make sure I catch up with you often to hear all about those crafty corners! your space looks good - useful, clear, organised and functional. I agree that this is so important. Always a work in progress too, in my opinion. What works this week might change the next. Great to have you back in the blogosphere!

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  11. It's going to be a great series to follow!

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  12. This series sounds great! I live in a tiny cottage and have beading bits and bobs stashed in every nook and cranny in the house! My coffee table is always covered in projects and beads lol

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  13. I love seeing creative workspaces! Yours looks so organized. Looking forward to this series!

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  14. I do all my beading on a small tray that travels with me between kitchen table and coffee table, and a bit of space and organisation is what I dream about! But if I had a workshop or a desk, this would probably be the messiest place in the house ;)
    Your new series sounds a good idea!

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  15. My shelves are pretty tidy....though overcrowded....but the area I'm working in quickly becomes a complete mess!
    I think that a daylight bulb is a great idea....I need to try that.

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  16. Sounds like a good weekly read. A great idea x

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  17. It's brilliant Clair, love your space. I think you are right about going for function. I've come to recognise that I only have a good work flow if my working space is functional, once it starts getting chaotic so does my brain! Looking forward to your new series :)

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  18. Great to take a peek at your creative corner! I like your way of storing tubes of seed beads.

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  19. Great read chill be checking back to see what's going on. Xx

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