After my last post, I headed back to the studio to clean up a bit. And I went to the thrift store this weekend to pick up some baskets, bowls, and glass jars to help with the reorganization. Some are shown, some are in the kitchen to be washed. By the way, I realize I should have taken a proper "before" photo showing the extent of the mess and clutter, but it completely slipped my mind. Sorry!
It's a work in progress, and by the time I'm finished I may have changed things completely all over again, but here's what I've done so far.
And the other side of the room? It's still piled high with everything else, including most of my own sewing and craft stuff. I've gotta purge some and find a home for the rest. As I said, it's a work in progress...
Some thoughts:
- I'm trying to make most of the supplies more accessible and/or more visible to Maia.
- I need a step stool in here so she can reach the third shelf better, and possible the fourth.
- I'm thinking the green metal bins may have to go since they conceal the contents and I'd rather have them more visible. Although, on the other hand, they help keep it from looking too cluttered...
- I have a bunch of small squeeze bottles which I'll put tempera paint in so Maia can access the paint herself. The paint is currently in one gallon containers which are too large for her to use.
- I wish I had a nice natural wood table in here. The bright blue one is getting on my nerves. It has some sort of laminate top that is very easy to clean though, so will be hard to give up. But here's what I'm thinking. If I can find a wooden table for cheap, I might staple some oilcloth to the top to to make it more washable. Have any of you done this? I'm wondering how well it works.
- I put a basket of white paper on the table for now, but I'm considering attaching a large roll of paper to the table like this. Or maybe just using something like this.
- I'm happy with the drying wall, but think we need some flat drying surfaces as well. We currently use the table, the floor, and the top of the washing machine for drying artwork horizontally (for example if the paint is thick and will drip otherwise) but it would be nice to have something dedicated and out of the way.
- Clean up can be a hassle, especially since there's no sink in the studio. I'd like to keep a squeeze or spray bottle full of soapy water next to the basket of rags so Maia (and I) can clean up paint messes more easily and quickly.
Any other ideas for the space? I'd love a collective brainstorming session!
