Every year at back-to-school time I think, this is the year I will get everyone in my home organized.
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| Wall pocket storage by Bonnie Ferguson keeps art studio supplies handy and off your worktable. |
Every year but this year. This year, I didn't even try. The remaining child at home will be 16 in a few days and my husband and I have been married almost 23 years. If I haven't been able to get them to stick to an organization plan by now, there's no hope.
However, I can still control my own actions (for the most part), and I know that I am better at putting stuff away if I have an attractive place to put it. I'm starting with the only place where I'm in complete control: my home studio.
I love these Embroidery Hoop Wall Pockets by Bonnie Ferguson, originally seen in Stitch magazine. You just need embroidery hoops, fabric for the backs and the pockets, and a little straight stitching, and you've got a place to store those art studio supplies. You can make them in the morning and have your art studio organized by nightfall.
Embroidery Hoop Wall Pockets
1. Measure the diameter of the hoop and cut 2 circles of fabric (matching or coordinating) and 1 piece of fusible fleece slightly larger than the diameter of the hoop.
2. Fuse the fleece to the wrong side of the background circle.
3. Fold the other fabric circle in half, wrong sides together, and press. This forms the pocket.
4. Align the raw edges of the folded pocket piece with the bottom of the background piece. Pin and baste the pocket in place, then stitch through all the layers ¼" from the raw edges.
5. Measure, pin, and mark (with removable fabric marking pen) the segments in the pockets and topstitch.
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| DIY doll house cabinet from Christina Nellman's art studio, shown in Studios Fall 2012. Photo by Lorie Marie Daily |
6. Sandwich the fabric between the inner and outer rings of the embroidery hoop, making sure the wing-nut fastener is at the top. Hang and fill with supplies.
There you have it: Pretty, practical craft studio storage. For more ideas on how to store and organize your art studio supplies, make sure you get a copy of Studios Fall 2012. There's a whole section on shelving options to buy, plus DIY solutions from the featured artists.
P.S. Do you like to keep your craft studio tools on your work surface, on the wall, or someplace else? Tell me in the comments section below.