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Ask Marney Column by Marney Makridakis It amazes me that you get so many things in so many different media accomplished. I, too, have many interests and ideas, but can’t get organized enough to actually get very much accomplished. I have writing, different media art supplies, pc supplies, magazines for inspiration, plus projects in progress, finished projects, drafts, etc, & lots of objects both for use in painting and collage all mixed together in a small space, which leaves me no room to work and it’s draining my creative energy. I am one of those people who can’t choose just one media to concentrate on , and I have to have several projects going at once, so when I get stuck or bored on one, I can jump to the other. How do you organize everything and keep it that way when you work in so many different things, often combining them all in the same projects? What’s a good organizational system? Dear Reader: This question came in at a great time, because I just finished presenting two teleclasses with Diane Armstrong, who is known as "The Queen of Plan Be", and who specializes helping people de-clutter their spaces. Our class, now available as a workbook and audio recording, looked at the meaning and metaphors hidden behind cluttered creative spaces in order to bring forward some "ah ha’s" that make the difference between talking about decluttering a creative space and doing it. The link for the workshop is http://www.artellawordsandart.com/workshops.html#Clutter. But, as your inquiry suggests, even when the "internal" work is done, there are still some questions about creative spaces that are essential when it comes to organizing materials. In my studio, I aim to organize supplies in a "tiered" system that is governed by supply type, rather than by project type. In other words, I don’t try to keep all the stuff for "altered books" in one spot, and "fabric projects" in another, and "home decor" in yet another. Rather, I sort supplies into general categories, such as:
Then, I’ll create subgroups in each of these categories; again by the type of supply, rather than what the item is used for. When it’s working :-), my organizational method looks something like this: paper:
Also, when storing things in this way, I don’t have to know EXACTLY what I’m looking for when I go on a treasure hunt. If I need some kind of 3-D embellishment, but I don’t have anything particular in mind (or, most likely, I’ve forgotten what I even have!), I’ll go hunting in the drawers of buttons, beads, and charms. They are all together, so I don’t have to hunt around looking through all the options in multiple locations. If working on a specific project, and I’ve already selected materials to use in it, I’ll store all those materials together. I usually put them all together in a "current projects drawer", but I recently read a great idea, which is to store all the items for a particular project in a large freezer bag, so that all the items are cotained and can easily be picked up, as a whole, when you want them. I’ve found that storing things in clear containers is very helpful, but don’t feel that you have to go and spend hundreds of dollars at The Container Store, immediately. Start by using what you have, whether that is shoeboxes, baskets, or jars. Little by little, add more storage receptacles to your space, as you come across them and as you can come afford them. As you build you storage "menagerie", pay special attention to clear containers. Also look for containers that are unified-looking sets. It’s amazing how a "set" can make something look so much more organized. In fact, if you are a person who is inspired and stimulated by an organized environment, you can even make your own "sets" out of just about anything, by covering non-matching items with similar paper or fabric. A bunch of shoeboxes wrapped in matching wrapping papers, or old baskets covered in coordinating fabrics, can turn a haphazard shelf into an inviting, organized space! In addition to Diane's and my "DeCluttering for Creatives" workshop, I also would like to recommend Vickie Enkoff’s zine, "The Organized Studio", as well as Faith Harper’s eBook, "At-Home Studios for Artists and Crafters", both of which are full of wonderful ideas and tips. -Marney back to Index |