Kathy by Design Studio Tour 2021
Hello, Friends! Welcome to my Kathy by Design Studio Tour 2021! It’s been a while since I last invited you into my crafty space. Since I have so many new followers, I thought it might be fun to give you a little guided tour of my happy place.
My Work Station
The above photo is what I call the “heart” of my studio. This large work station is about 4 1/2″ square. The work surface is an old butcher block kitchen table top that I salvaged from our old house. (We downsized from our big family home to this cozy little ranch about 5 years ago.)
Since my room only measures about 11×11, I knew I wanted a peninsula style work station to maximize the space. I also knew I wanted a stand up desk so that I can move around with ease, and it’s healthier. My clever husband and son anchored the butcher block into the wall, then added PVC style legs (using toilet flanges to secure them to the table top, no less!). The height is customized to my preference, so I am very comfortable while working. The end result is a table that is super sturdy and secure.
Since the space under the table is open, I am able to store my Iris Carts (with the wheels removed) and other storage pieces all around the sides. I store seasonal papers in Iris boxes under the table…and trust me, I use every square inch!
My Computer Desk
The wall opposite my work station houses my computer desk. This is a simple office desktop that we snagged at Habitat for Humanity Restore. It had a lovely desktop, but no drawers or storage. This was perfect for me because again, I could fit my Iris carts beneath it. Then my husband built some little shelves along the back side of it to house my planners, journals, devotional materials, and additional small storage units. I really only sit here if I am blogging or editing videos. I much prefer to work standing up.
This wall also houses my printer and floating decorative shelves. My husband also built the little shelf unit that surrounds another Iris cart. This is where I store all my cream, white, kraft, black and grey cardstock for card bases. The Iris cart holds my monthly project kits for The Button Farm Club.
My Sewing Station
Now, y’all, I only sew on my cards and album covers. I am so NOT a seamstress! But I do love to add machine stitching to my mixed media projects. So I wanted a spot to keep my sewing machine set up and to use. This inset window provided the perfect spot for another “floating” table top. I have baskets of burlap, canvas and ticking stored here. You’ll also find various laces and trims. It makes sense to keep these things where I will be using them. Little storage cubbies are easy to find at yard sales and thrift stores. They make affordable storage for spools of thread, and I can store my few remaining wood stamps on the top. I also have a nice view out the window and good lighting, which is crucial.
Mixed Media, Buttons, and Ink Storage
I store much of my mixed media in this tool turnaround and the white cabinet on the wall behind it. The tool turnaround is a gift from my BFF, the amazing Ginny Nemchak of Polly’s Paper Studio. (Check her out HERE….you will not be sorry!) The revolving metal bins tool came from Harbor Freight. I tried to find it online, but it seems they no longer carry it. The white shelf was a yard sale purchase.
This is where i store all my shaker elements and lots of my buttons. It’s actually a CD rack that I picked up new and in the box at a yard sale for $2.
This antique printer’s tray holds all my Distress re-inkers and alcohol inks.
Ribbon Storage
The two rolling carts on the front of my work station house my Really Reasonable Ribbon. These are wound onto 1 1/2″ x 3 1/4″ pieces of mat board and secured with quilting pins. Then I sort them by color families and put them in the tops of these rolling carts from Michaels. The grid was already built into the top, so they were perfect for ribbon storage.
This ribbon rack is a little messy, but I actually like it this way. To me, it looks like one of those shabby chic ribbon banners that people make. This is where I hang a lot of my Reneabouquets trims and laces along with other vintage trims that I’ve collected over the years.
Hanging Storage
In a small studio, you have to use every bit of space. My sister bought me three of these clear pocket shoe organizers to hang on the backs of my doors. This one holds my Reneabouquets Beautiful Board and my Little Birdie Chipboard along with a few dies. I have another of these hanging behind the door to my studio and my other closet. They hold Spellbinders and Amazing Paper Grace dies.
The Infamous Closet of Shame
This room has 2 small closets, one on either side of my sewing station. One closet holds my Heartfelt Creations stamps, dies and papers, Tim Holtz Idea-Ology stuff, and Prima papers. The other holds all my Authentique papers. I like to use these Totally Tiffany paper storage boxes to keep my papers organized and neat.
Studio Tour 2021 on YouTube
I hope you will enjoy this little studio tour on YouTube.
I’m always looking for ways to improve the use of this cozy space. The space is never really “finished” as I change it to meet current needs. But one thing is constant…I love being in this room! (You can view an earlier studio tour HERE to see how I’ve changed things up.)
Thanks for visiting me today!
Cheerio,
kathy
Wonderful set up. My craft room is a work in progress. Still moving stuff from our previous home and trying to figure where to put everything.
Kathy, what a great way to spend all my spare minutes throughout this Sunday! I really enjoyed the tour, and I’m tickled pink you are standing to create all those wonderful makes! Watch out for those varicose veins! So many great tips; thanks so much for sharing! Only 11 x 11 ft! Ha! You’ve used every square foot perfectly! Big hugs from Wilmington!
So you at least have your closets organized, so they really aren’t shameful at all!. Love how you have got your space laid out and a place for everything and everything in it’s place. I wish I had a space like yours. I almost fell off my chair too when I saw my little simple fairy card! Thank you for putting it in there. 🙂 It makes me feel like we are not that far away from each other. Lovely space and yes very welcoming. Thanks for the tour Kathy, for the tour and you are absolutely right when you say, if it’s out of sight you won’ use it. Now that my son is helping me organize a space for crafting, I am finding stuff and it’s like Christmas only better! lol Much love and big hugs.
Insurance value, Kathy? My husband would freak out if he knew how much I’ve spent on craft supplies!
Dear Kathy, I really love to sneak a peek into other craft rooms and I really like yours. It looks different to mine, but the structure is quite similar, indeed. You are very well organized – I always try to be, too. And your final passage could have been quote of me. 😉
Thank you for sharing your wonderful creative place!
Hugs from Germany
Anka
a.k.a. HirschEngelchen
Hi Kathy ~ Thanks so much for sharing your new studio with us! You’ve given me so many ideas for organizing my small space that’s full of so many goodies. I love all the things you’ve repurposed along with all the things your husband and son have customized for you.
I loved the tour of your “happy place”. I hope to have an organized room like yours, too, some day. I will need to start going to more garage sales tho. lol
Oh, Kathy! I just love your studio and how organized you are!!! Thank you so much for sharing such an important part of your life with us. Hugs, my sweet friend!
You are amazingly organized. That makes working so much easier and it shows in your work. Well done Kathy.
Kathy, so enjoyed you live craft room tour. Happy to see the “closet of shame” but it didn’t look too shameful to me. Nice to know that a successful woman/crafter doesn’t need to have everything storage match.
You’ve given me inspiration to reorganize my room which is about the size of yours.
Keep on crafting and inspiring us all.
Thanks so much for sharing your space with us!! Would love to just sit there and watch you in action!! I love it!!!
I was so happy to see your crafting room/happy place.You certainly have made the area work for you. Kudos to the hubby & son as well. I don’t have either one, so I’m doing what I can with what I have for now. But, plans are to move to a senior community & that means less room! I may just tough it out where I am now. Need to consider the winter shoveling that I’m having problems with. Be safe & TYFS
Kathy, I’m thrilled to see your Girl cave! I love the way you have re-purposed so many things in your work space. Boy what I wouldn’t give to have your organization skills! Well I can get vicarious thrills from your photos. LOL I can just imagine you in that lovely cozy room creating so many spectacular projects. Thank you so much for sharing! Hugs!
So fun to see your work space…yes, you are truly organized, and it shows when you are making your projects via videos…you are so easy to understand and so efficient! Thanks for sharing all the great ideas for storage!
Kathy, you are so organized!! Could you please give me some of that skill-LOL!! I love how you store your BBoard and you definitely make the most of your space. Here is to a Crafty New Year!! xoxoxo
I’ve been a follower of yours for years but I love your updates. I get so many great ideas. We also moved to a small rancher about 6 years ago so I’m always on the lookout for creative storage ideas for my craft supplies. I never thought of that idea for all my RRR! Thanks so much!
Oh my Kathy! What an awesomely amazing room! You are so organized and everything looks to be at your fingertips reach! Luv all your new, cute wall fixtures that hold your specialty supplies! Your room is so functional and adorably cute …plus neat and tidy! What a dream room to work in! Congrats to you and all you’ve accomplished in your beautiful studio! Thanks for sharing! Now to find time to redo and organize mine …hmmm. …off to babysit. Big hugs, Suzy Q
You are so organized it puts me to shame. I like the way you can move everything to an area where you are working. How do you know (remember) which dies/stamps you have to be able to grab that perfect one for your project? I would appreciate any hints there. My new mantra is if you cannot see it you probably will not use it! You are so lucky to have a handy husband and son too. Thanks Kathy enjoyed the tour