Having a craft room is priceless

[MichelleMermaid]

A few weeks ago my co-worker showed me a list of the expenditures of a Merril Lynch big wig who revamped his office for a mere million or so. One of the things that sticks in my mind is the commode he bought for about 30 grand...truly amazing!

I had to laugh, as I had just completed arrangement of my craft room - on a dime! And I love it so much.

My little room measures in at exactly 99 square feet and has room for everything I need. I furnished it with a bunch of leftover furniture I either already owned, bought cheaply or borrowed.

The architect's desk is a remnant from my college days. It has a newish top wider than the original, but it works great. It gives me a wide plane for working and because the smallest side is up against the wall I can work sitting on my chair and then walk around to the other side to work on something else, which I do quite often. One of my rotary mats works great right there on the desk top where I can easily measure out a length of thread or fabric and cut with a rotary wheel as I please. The lamp I bought at Walmart for $20. I bought the lap loom from a friend who owns a quilt shop for $60.

Behind the desk sits a chest of drawers purchased from my quilter friend for $50. In it I store my fabrics and the top holds some UFOs, including a king size quilt headed, hopefully sooner rather than later, for my bed.

Here is my little corner where I can iron, sew and serge without having to get up.

It took me a while to put this ensemble together, but it works great. The bookshelf is also a leftover from early days. The Babylock sewing machine was a gift from my mom for 8th grade graduation, I think, or somewhere around there. I've had it forever. The serger is at least a decade old, but still seems new to me. Nothing you see here has been newly purchased.

I am particularly proud of this number, our old entertainment center that was headed for the curb but, as you can see, I gave it a new life as a storage unit.

I wasn't sure if it would work for this purpose, but, surprisingly, it really does. The big gaping hole where the tv sat holds this three-drawer plastic chest really well, with room on the side and top. I bought the chest at Walmart for $23. I'm also proud of myself for organizing its contents: the top drawer has embroidery thread, the middle holds carded ribbons and trim and the bottom drawer holds laces and appliques.

I really love the space on top which holds a nice bright lamp and my computer and speakers. I am in absolute heaven when I can stitch while listening to a book downloaded from the Kansas library. When I have a story going and needle and thread in my hand I am in a state of bliss in which the hours fly by and, really, the entire world melts away.

The relationship between my craft room and I has been a marriage of the best kind. So, it seems fitting that I also have something borrowed that also happens to be blue.

This glider was sitting in my mom's garage and she kindly let me borrow it. I wasn't sure if it would fit, but I scooted the entertainment center...excuse me, storage center....over and it slid in just fine. You can't see the little drink stand, but there is one. I like to sit here with a longish project. And my stitching books are conveniently located to my left on the bookshelf.

So, let's see what it actually cost to set up this room.

Desk: free (equals already owned item)
Lamp: $20
Loom: $60
Chest of drawers: $50
Sewing machine: free
Serger: free
Bookshelves: free
Iron and ironing board: free
Entertainment/storage center: free
Plastic chest of drawers: $23
Glider: free

Total cost of room? $153

Value of having my own space to create where I can shut the door: PRICELESS!!!

If you'd like to see more details of my lovely little craft space head over to my flickr account for a looksee.

[MichelleMermaid]

Hi everyone!
Yes, there are so many ways to get organized and it's easier than you think to put something together that works really well without spending too much. I guess I'm proof of that.
Yes, vertical space is a must in a small room, Diane. Your arrangement sounds great.
Yes, Wendy, don't sell that storage unit...use it! :)
Thanks everyone for your comments!
Dakotah

[Diane]

What a great idea to make use of the old entertainment centre. I think using up the height, would you call that vertical storage?, is the only way to go in a small room. I have a large bedroom in my condo. One wall has shelves from floor to ceiling which hold 12" x 12" x 12" wallpaper-covered boxes containing a variety of crafts and lots of material. There are 48 boxes altogether and keeps my stuff well organized.

[Wendy]

Your crafting space is nice. I like how you used what you have on hand. The storage unit is a great idea, I have one that I was going to sell in a yard sale but now will think about using it in my new sewing space when we move.

[sheila arthurs]

I am very,very impressed. I find the idea of making beauty andconvenience and comfort on a shoestring really appealing and you have achieved a really comfortable, attractive workspace. One day when mine is less like a tip I will post some pictures of it. It has been so cold these last few weeks that I have only used mine for really messy stuff and brought the portable bits in the house (my workroom is an extension to the house) so roll on Spring. In the meantime I will picture you,queen of all you survey in your lovely craft space. I will go look at your flicr page now.

[Liz in Kansas]

Way cool, Dakota! I especially like your embroidery setup - comfortable sized hoop and plenty of light!!

[Thelma Bradshaw]

Very nice craft room, and what a great cost. I love the idea too of downloading a book and listening to it as you stitch.

[Marilyn]

And we all would feel much more welcomed and at home in your little craft space than his new expensive office also. Looks a million dollars!!! I love how we can take a piece of furniture, and give it a new purpose as you have done here. Definitely priceless.

Marilyn

[Judy B]

Bet the big wig doesn't have as many friends who would want to visit his new office as you have who would like to visit you in your craft space! Looks good to me, and I wish mine would stay that tidy!
Judy B