StarLitStudio

armature wire storage hooks

1/8 inch diameter armature wire - create any size hook needed for hanging storage in the craft area.

I wrapped armature wire around a sturdy cylinder (I used an old Prima bottle that held mulberry flowers) and folded/tucked the raw end as shown using flat jewelery pliers.  You could use needle nose pliers too.  By making this little loop you are protecting your hands from getting scratched over time when reaching for the item on the hook...and it adds a finished look to the hook.

If you're wondering how I got these armature wire hooks to hang from the shelf support brackets....the little metal loop insert is part of a binder clip:

 

I have these wire hooks in other areas where I work - very helpful.  Happy organizing!

three aviary notebooks and ink pad storage peek

idea-ology French Industrial papers, along with some old Crafty Secrets cardstock/images.  idea-ology findings: bird cage, knob, filmstrip ribbon; pearl flourish - Zva.  Pleated sheet music - Bazzill. Verse is Stampers Anonymous. Pencil is to show scale. Finished size: 5 x 8 inches.

More Crafty Secrets and French Industrial papers; feathers; Prima nest, birdcage charm, idea-ology filmstrip ribbon, knob and baubles; hand-dyed seam binding.  Finished size is 5 x 8 inches.

Same ingredients as the above two notebooks - this one uses old Graphic45 papers instead of idea-ology French Industrial; finished size 5 x 8 inches.  Upper left charm is Cash Key. These sold quickly at the market yesterday.  

Above is a peek at the project Bob finished up this past week - adding more storage space (the 16 pad shelf on top) to include the whole Distress Ink Palette.

I previously stored the additional 12 Distress pads in a vintage A-Treat wood crate.  This was not an effective use of space for me.  Will hopefully highlight the studio in a future post - always loooking to improve/streamline the production within this room.

More snow on the way tonight here in New Jersey - kids are excited!

new studio shelf and altered tags

Bob built another cabinet I designed to hold products I use frequently, making them simple to locate.


Here's the Distress Wrinkle-Free technique - process of altering tags with color - just add water and presto!

Heat tool was altered a few years ago with Ranger alcohol inks then sealed.  I love this tag progressing...


add sparkle with Perfect Pearls mist.

all dried and so purtty and sparkly...


I love edging tags with Brushed Corduroy...


Any ink left on the craft sheet is re-spritzed with water then sopped up with white seam binding - traditionally I heat set and fluff and scrunch - sometimes I just let it air dry.


end result - 5x8 notebook (October Afternoon Apple Cider)


more 5x8 notebooks (October Afternoon Milk Money & Apple Cider lines).  Hey it was up to thirty degrees Fahrenheit today - heat wave goin' on!  

die storage and organization

Wanted to share how I now store my dies - the wafer-thin, steel ones.

I designed this cabinet around my crafting needs.  Drawers feature full extension slides - soft close style.

Magnetic drawer inserts are from Master Magnetics - Mary Sisemore was very helpful in getting the exact power of magnet sheet that I needed, and had them all cut to size to fit the drawers.

My handyman and local cabinetmaker Bob Deichler, or Bob the Builder as my kids refer to him, built the cabinet to coordinate with the cabinets he built previously in the room.  My studio is a standing studio - I prefer not to sit when creating.

It's awesome to put it mildy.  No more going through magnetic books or bins.  Ready at my fingertips, at a glance.

Several months ago I converted my desk/computer area to a standing workstation.  Will update with before and after photos soon. Merry Christmas!  

s-pea-cial thanks

My ten-year-old, Abbie, had been at a neighbor's house and tried wasabi peas, and liked them.  Abbie is a foodie at heart...anyway the neighbor delivered Abbie her own container of wasabi peas the next day.  All I could think of was 'yes! good excuse to use the new pea die!' ha.

Memory Box Mango card base (cut with Spellbinders large scallop square); Bazzill Card Shoppe Easter Grass and Juicy Pear.  Finished size:  three inches square.  Thanks for stop-pea-ing by!

studio reveal

Desks are from officedepot.com - Bush brand; spectrum/pewter color - we used the tops of these.

Purging...organizing...

A local glass place made the top for the center workstation - this is a dream to work on.

New drawer towers (corner of room - from Chandler Creations; black center table is from them as well - shelves on the center table are adjustable, unlike Pottery Barn's Bedford version) house wood-mount stamps and embellishments.  Before these were housed in Sterlite containers on shelves - heavy and unattractive.  Desk tops (love them - thankful we could use them) were removed and added to custom cabinets, made by my neighbor, handyman and wood artisan, Bob Deichler.

I sew on paper frequently - the sewing machine is positioned logically for me.

Standing with my back to the windows - lots of natural light in this room.  All lighting fixtures use color correct bulbs.

My kids' elementary art teacher accepts donations and I started delivering boxes last week.  Stamps, paper, inks, you name it.  My mission was to surround myself only with what I adore, and therefore, ultimately use.

I'll take a video sometime showing the organization of this area.  For me it is logical, and I am much, much more productive now.

Bob (my kids call him Bob the Builder) created this small ribbon shelf based on an email post by NIchole Heady, in which Nichole showcased a desk-top ribbon storage device her husband, David, built.  I admired the way David utilized the crown molding, and asked Bob to fashion an elongated shelf with a piece of elegant crown.

Ribbon shelf post here.  Bob created this a few years ago.  The computer area naturally remains desk-top height.

Pull out shelves house Memory Box envelopes...

...and frequently used paper punches.

I still need to paint/touch up/spackle...maybe next week, after I've played a bit. If you have questions regarding sources please feel free to email me - best wishes for a great week.  Today my mother turns 70!  Happy Birthday Mom!