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Thursday 22 January 2009

Ta Da - Here is my new CRAFTY space

So I have converted a cupboard (closet) into a craft space. This is in a room which we use as a study, but doubles as a third bedroom when necessary. I had the worktable hinged, so that the doors close it off completely, and I get a much bigger worksurface when it is unfolded. Here is the cupboard with the doors open, but the work table is folded down. There is another full length shelf above the one you can see, where I have put stuff I don't use on a regular basis. The light is a 3 bulb spotlight which I had fixed to the underside of the shelf. It gives a brilliant light.
Here is is with the work surface all ready for me to start work. The cabinets under the counter, with narrow drawers were a Homebase find, one has cardstock in, and the other holds wood mounted and acrylic stamps. I was going to have some custom made, but these are the perfect size, and this has always been about functionality not appearance.

I used over the door clear hanging pockets on the inside of each of the doors to take punches, coluzzle, adhesives etc. There is a deep recess on the opposite end of the worktable, which I am having fitted with shelves to take pots of primas, buttons etc. I also have some storage ideas for the blank wall above the worksurface. I am planning to put some poles there to take spools of ribbon.


Debkendra off the Cricut message board posted a link to a blog with this idea. Thanks Deb. I have lost the link, so can't credit the original genius who thought of this as I should. I got Mike to screw a tin baking sheet to the underside of the first shelf, then added a little piece of magnet strip to the bottom of each bottle of stickles. They hang upside down perfectly, like mini stalactites, which will eliminate bubbles, and also mean that I can get the last drops out. (It reminded me of the time we were on a boat tour around some underground lakes in Greece, the tour guide kept talking about stalactitties, which had my two boys, then aged 15 and 11 laughing so much that they almost fell out of the boat). So here are my multi coloured 'stalactitties', and very pretty they look too.
The whole idea of this was merely to give me a dedicated crafting space, one that I could shut away when necessary, hide the clutter behind closed doors, free up space on the dining table so that we can again eat in a civilised way, and somewhere where everything I need is within arms length. I haven't worked here yet, and I know that I will have to be disciplined and organised in my work, but that can't be a bad thing. I just know that this space is going to be great. What do you think?

72 comments:

  1. WOW ... Enfys, I totally love it! what a fabulous new work space!
    Hugz ... ♥Carol♥

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  2. WOW ... Enfys, I love it ... what a fabulous new work space ... really like the way the desk top folds out too. Great Job!!! Hugz ... ♥Carol♥

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  3. I'm soooooo.... jealous of your new craft space. I wish I could have somewhere that was so neat & tidy!! I'm going to have to keep working on my husband & show him your crafting space!! Mind you I don't think I would be able to keep mine so organized & tidy as you!! LOL
    Teresa xx

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  4. Love it, Enfys! I also have a craft closet and it works great! Enjoy it, I know you will!

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  5. It looks GREAT, Enfys!!! ENJOY!!

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  6. I just love how you have your craft space set up!!

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  7. Very nice...I love it!! It makes me just want to sit right down & start crafting.

    Thanks for sharing your space.

    Kris

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  8. wow fabby crafting space En...a place for everything and everything in it's place.
    Hugs Kath
    xxxxxx

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  9. Love your new space.
    Great Idea with for the stickles.

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  10. Awesome space Enfys!! It looks very functionable.....I really like the fold down desk top and the way you store your stickles. Thanks for sharing with us.

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  11. En, I think it's fabulous. What a great idea, and I LOVE the hinged table. And it all looks so neat and organised, it really does. That's genius what you did with your stickles, and it look so pretty.

    Ohh did I cringe when I read the bit about you eating in your dining room again. Red faced am I, and hanging my head in shame cos my poor lot had to eat their Christmas dinner in the kitchen, which admittedly is quite nice and very cosy, cos our dining room is uninhabitable due to the detritus that is my crafty stash. Poor things!! I've got a new storage thing now and it is much better. At least you can see the table now lol xxxx

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  12. Very nice!!!
    Peggy Estes

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  13. oooh fab fab fab love the hanging stickles and it looks soooo organised and tidy- now I feel totally ashamed mine is in a total mess!!!!
    AllisonX

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  14. Great space! That is such a great idea for others too. You utilized your space so well!

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  15. Enfys it's wonderful! It looks so cozy! Have fun in your new space!

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  16. Love your little craft space... you should totally use that blank wall to add some great vinyl lettering.. like a crafting quote or something...
    Love it!

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  17. Enfys, what a wonderful idea. It is just a perfect scraproom, you can just close the door and hide your mess (not that you would have a mess LOL). Love how you have the stickles upside down..

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  18. Enfys, you did such a wonderful job with the space! I love it! I especially like the folding feature on the front of the table. I also love the ingenious idea of putting magnets on the bottom of the stickles and hanging them up!

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  19. OK; that cookie sheet idea is INCREDIBLE!! Love it!

    Love your hippo card too; adorable!

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  20. Oh Wow Enfys, this is Brilliant. Great tips for storage, love the stickles that way.
    I'm feeling a bit green right now, lol, but happy for you.

    TFS

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  21. Wonderful work space, so organized and neat. Do you think it will stay that way for long, lol. Mine wouldn't. Have fun!

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  22. This is such a great use of space. I really like it. Hope it is ok to take the idea and make my extra closet over. Thank you for sharing this.
    Kathy

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  23. That is a WONDERFUL space!! NICE job!! And the trick with the stickles is perfect too!

    Happy crafting :)

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  24. Wow, you did a great Job !!!! I love the way you store the stickles, the desk oh just all of it is neat.

    Enabledtoshop/zrick
    cricut forum

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  25. Absolutely gorgeous!.. when I was in my closet, I wished I had doors that opened like that.. A walk in closet is really too closed in for me.. This looks awesome!.. enjoy that space..

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  26. I love it! You have a wonderful space and when you're done or when company comes, you can close the door and everything is hidden. Enjoy your new space!

    cyimbugbitten

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  27. A great work space and a wonderful idea for your glitter glues. Wow!

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  28. That's a great space. You made it really workable. The Stickles look so pretty, too!

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  29. i love your new space! great idea to hinge the table!

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  30. oh WOW what a great space!!!! Love it hun

    lotsalove

    Amanda xx

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  31. that is very nice you seem so organized, let's see what happens when you start to create in there LOL
    Hugs
    Norine

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  32. Lovely space! I hope you have the lids on tight on those stalactitties so they don't drip!
    Great seeing it, and sooooo neat!! Or is that for the photo? lol.
    Loved seeing where your wonderful cards are created, I can imagine you sat there making them now when I see them in the magazine!

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  33. I'm new to your blog but after looking around have to say i love it. You are also very lucky to have a fab crafting area. I can see I will be back on a regular basis.

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  34. What a great space! I love the cookie sheet idea as well. Thanks for sharing it with us.

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  35. Terrific use of space and you have everything so well organized !!! I love it to pieces.

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  36. Wow! great space and very creative too!!!!!

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  37. Hi Enfys,
    What a cleaver work space.
    Enjoy & TYFS!
    Lisa

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  38. Wow, so neat and tidy Enfys! Glad to see you back, missed ya!
    Have a great weekend.. Justine x

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  39. Your "stalactitties" comment made me laugh! My DD (12) told the the other day that she was part of the "Itty Bitty Titty Committee!" Isn't that a hoot? Anyway, I LOVE LOVE LOVE your new space! I am building a new office area and it will also have a craft area where I can case some of your fab ideas!
    Blessings!

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  40. OMG!! How fab is that?!! Where do you keep your bin?!

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  41. WOW, this looks fab to me, I have to scrap on a camping table beside my computer in the living room, as I don't want to take up space on the table that we eat at!
    XXXX

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  42. I think you have a wonderful craft space and some unique ideas. The idea for the stickles is brilliant! Have fun with your new space - it looks great!!

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  43. OMG Enfys!!!! You have made the best out of that lil closet, I love the fact that you have everything at hands reachand the way you have the stickles... awesome idea. AWESOME!!!! HUGS.SK :)

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  44. Oh Enfys that is so brilliant. My favourite bit is the stickles - they look like a wee cluster of glittery bats hanging upside down in a cave!!! You lucky girl - I lov it all!!

    Caryn xxx

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  45. Oh Enfys, it's totally fabulous and I'm pea green with envy! I'm a dining table crafter too and I do resent not being able to leave things out that I'm working on, this is a brilliant solution. The hanging stickles idea is a fantastic one, love it. I hope you enjoy yourself when you work there for the first time, it will be so lovely to have everything within easy reach. You should post this to Paula Pascale's crafty space blog, she's always looking for great ideas like your work area to put up. Have a great weekend. Chris x

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  46. Can i come over and play! Love the stickles idea!

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  47. Wow.. what a great place to work, my Daughter has a cupboard like that in her room and is talking of getting a flat soon! Thats given me some ideas, Thanks

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  48. Wahhhhhooooh!!!
    Wish I was that tidy!!lol........
    Enjoy your new found space Enfys:)~X~

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  49. What a brilliant idea for the stickles!!! That's is so clever! I'll have to look for a place to do that!
    Hugs!

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  50. Love your new space, it's a perfect setup. Enjoy.

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  51. You lucky lady, what a great idea, and everything is to hand! Love what you have done with your stickles!
    Sam x

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  52. O.K. so I'm soooooo jealous girl! I can't wait to someday have my own area! You enjoy yours, it's awesome!

    Hugs,

    Tammy

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  53. I must admit I have a fasination for crafty spaces but yours is hands down one of the greatest I have seen. It is something that even an average bear like myself could have. Love the organizational ideas, the stickles is awesome!!! tfs!

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  54. What an absolutely fab use of space! I love the idea of the stickles under the shelf. I might have to 'borrow' that idea when I get some more shelves up :)

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  55. That is pure genius..i wish my space was as neat and "locked away"..I am a messy worker though so I reckon I would overflow out into the bedroom and end off working on the bed..lol..lol..

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  56. LOVING the idea of hanging your Stickles upside down. Looks like a great space.

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  57. great space! and love ur blog., all your work is wonderful!

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  58. Great use of a small space. You mentioned rods for your ribbon. I had a friend cut me a circle of plywood mounted a small kitchen turn table on the botton. drilled holes to insert dowelling I used another circle of thinner plywood to thread the tops of the doels through to stablize and keep the dowells from swaying. Gives you maximum storage and makes the ribbon easily accessible andwhen stored upright keeps the dust off your ribbon. Ann Lind AKA wantitall

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  59. Some brilliant ideas here. How many of us live in modern houses with cupboards like this.

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  60. Such a clever crafting space ♥♥♥ Thanks for letting us see it!

    And you make the most wonderful cards!!

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  61. The absoute COOLEST idea is the metal sheet under the shelf with magnets on the bottles! An incredible way to save space, squeeze out every last drop of the 'good stuff'. Thank you for an enormous idea for those of us STILL trying to carve out our little space of heaven.
    Stay well,
    AnnMarie

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  62. wonderful idea!!! so much easier that what I had in mind for my stickles!! TFS!

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  63. What a great little space. Love the stalactitties storage indeed. heehee

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  64. Wow!!!!!!! THis is amazing your craft room. Wish I had that much space. I'm so jealous. It look so neat and organized. Great job, can't wait to get my craft organized.Just need to do some spring cleaning.

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  65. Soooooooooo cool! Don't you love when everything's so neat and organized... it begs to be messed up! Enjoy your new space.

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  66. wow love your craft space.it looks tidier than mine ,though saying that it is quite tidy at the moment.i love my craft room.its total heaven!!lol
    deb

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  67. Wow! What a fantastic crafting space - I love it and the fact that you can hide it away! I have a small but ever expanding corner of the lounge!!? xx

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  68. I love the Stickles storage idea!!!! Thanks for sharing this one...I have a few and adding more all the time. Cheers!!!! :o)

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  69. Everything is so neat, clean and efficient! I love the stickles magnets idea! Do you recall where you found that clear plastic 'shoe hanger' showing on your right door? It has large and huge pockets-or did you remove the stitching between the original pockets? My folks lived in Hudson from November to May each year, we travelled up and down Rt19 many times!!

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  70. Stumbled upon this post and wondering, now that you've put the new space to work, what if anything you might have done differently? I plan to do the same in a spare bedroom and would love to hear from you, surpriseartist at gmail.com

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I love reading your comments, thank you for taking the time
Enfys x