![Simple Organization & Easy Use Strategies]()
by Nysha Nelson | Jun 16, 2016 | Building Studio, Calligraphy, organization, Studio, Studio Nysha
Organization is something that gets mentioned frequently when people visit my studio. Perhaps it is the abundance of matching 11 gallon bins, or 18 quart bins, or shoebox sized bins each with it’s own label? Searching for supplies when I really want to be creating is frustrating and kills the inspiration! My goal is to segregate each type of supply to it’s own bin and group bins by task or category. Designated areas house supplies and have space for a specific task. Calligraphy supplies for instance are on a table with additional space to practice calligraphy. Ironing happens at a specially topped station where all the related equipment and supplies are located as well as anything that is frequently used with an iron; starch, school glue, freezer paper, fusible interfacing, etc. Things are stored close to where they are used for easy access. Shoe box sized bins hold small amounts of things like cording, paint sticks, unfinished class projects, silk embroidery floss in one, wool embroidery floss in another. 18 quart boxes hold things that with a greater quantity like spray inks, paints, lino cut stamps, etc.. Large bins, 11 gallons each, hold any thing there is enough of to fill a bin of it’s own bin; class kits, upholstery fabric, sheer fabrics, tulle, batting scraps, quilted samples, hand dyed fabrics, unquilted patchwork tops, etc. All of these three sizes of bins were bought in quantities to fill the existing shelves. There is some specialized storage like 16 acrylic shoe drawers (from the Container Store) that hold my collection of Isacord Polyester Embroidery Thread. The cones are grouped by...
![Almost Completely Moved In!]()
by Nysha Nelson | May 18, 2016 | Building Studio, Studio Nysha
The studio move is complete — well, almost complete. The moving of stuff from the old studio in Bartlett is done. I even dropped off the keys and got my deposit back. The unpacking is mostly complete, very few boxes remain. Even the gallery space is hung with artwork. The organization of the space however is not finished! Will it ever be? One frustration of moving in has been the redoing of things once thought complete. The office was finished. Then more unpacked supplies were found in another space belonging there. Not a few items either! Shelved items carefully arranged suddenly had to be rearranged because a whole new category of things went there with them. Shelving needed reconfiguring — taking shelves from one unit and adding to another unit eliminating entire units without loosing actual shelving. (Yeah! Metro Shelving and it’s versatility!) The best part of unpacking so far is that the two items I thought were lost in the move have shown up. I had hoped the scissors lost in the last move three years ago would show up in this move. So far, no. [sigh] Looking forward to someday soon actually creating with paper or fabric. It is great to create the space, and while I enjoy decorating it is not my chosen job. I would like to get back to what I really love, creating in fabric and paper while enjoying the studio of my dreams!...
by Nysha Nelson | Feb 13, 2016 | Building Studio, Decorating, Lighting, Renovation, Studio, Studio Nysha, Tile
There is progress on the studio. The painters have given everything some paint, to return when everything else is complete for the final coat. Trim carpentry crew is almost finished, Electricians have started installing outlets and switches and soon lighting will go up. (Excited/Nervous!) Everything is beginning to really look great. It is difficult to not get too excited and therefore anxious to move forward. This part of the process is where it seems like things slow to a crawl. Some of these trades work while no other crews are around, trim carpentry and painters. We had a challenge with the tile — 3/4 finished with the tile and it looked like a DIY special. Not bad if I had done the work, not acceptable for a professional! Out came most of the tile and a week to wait for the replacement tile before work resumed with a new tiling crew; three generations of tilers in the same family (Grandpa logging sixty years as a tiler!). The second time around and the tile is beautiful! Other details like the stair were made months ago, before there was even drywall up. What balusters (spindles)? Which newel posts? This hand rail or that one? And then what colour are each of the components? If there is a colour change that is on my dime! Not theirs. [sigh] So getting it correct the first time is important! Lucky all white with black newel posts and hand rail looks great. A strong architectural look to the stair and balcony! Up next? “What height would you like this light fixture hung at?” More choices!...
