Okay! Okay! It's true! I am an organizational junkie. I can spend hours in places like the Container Store. I Am helplessly drawn to the plastic box aisles of stores like Big Lots and Walmart. I have a label maker with 10 different colors of label tapes. So when I finally decided to redesign my craft room, it was no easy task to decide what I wanted it to look like. For starters the room I was targeting was a mess. It was a room that I shared originally with my partner as our home office. When I retired and he took the room over, it also became the room where things landed we didn't quite know what to do with. They say a picture is worth a thousand words...
Once I had my wish list complete, the demolition began. Step 1 was to remove everything from the room. Several car loads to the local thrift store later, the room looked a bit better - or at least emptier!
Major holes had to be repaired in the walls after the cabinets were removed. The old asphalt tile was removed and replaced with porcelain tile. Thew room got several coats of paint.
Here's the finished room.
I wanted the space to accommodate 8 people for classes, so I purchased a square table with a built lazy susan. The crafting area contains a computer screen I can use to show MDS demos, excerpts from the 3 years of Convention video sets I purchased, and it also allows me to connect my iPhone and play music.
Over the next few weeks I'll be highlighting some of the specific tool organizational ideas I incorporated into this dream space.
As part of my new organizational series of posts, I am also adding a service to any customers. I have created a swatch book with My Digital Studio similar to the Stampin' Up! Color Coach swatch book used for our Color Collections. But this swatch book is for stamp sets. When you purchase any stamp sets from me, Simply let me know my email and you will receive by mail a 2 1/2'' x 4 1/2'' card with the stamp set on it, the item numbers for both clear and wood mount, and the cost. Punch a hole in the corner and secure them with a scrap book post like our Color Coach, or just hold them together with a rubber band. It's a great way to keep track of what you have.
Mike, tfs your craft room! I love love love organizing too, so much that people say I should do it professionally - but I'd rather be stamping! Thank you too for sharing your stamp swatch idea, awesome. Looking forward to seeing you at convention again this year, 25 years!
Posted by: Erika Trowell | 02/15/2013 at 10:12 PM
Hi Joni,
The name of the company is Coaster Furniture. Heres the link to my table:
http://coasterfurniture.com/Item.aspx?ItemID=880501643ItemNum=100438
Mike
Sent from my iPhone
Posted by: Mike Funke | 02/10/2013 at 05:34 PM
Hi Joni,
The name if the company is
Sent from my iPhone
Posted by: Mike Funke | 02/10/2013 at 05:24 PM
Okay, I just have to say, not only do I love your room, the swatch card and all the other gorgeous touches, I would also like to know where you found that table??? I never would have thought of a square table like that one and the built in turntable is just up my alley! I do hope that it is available across the states...or at least in Texas! If not, I might have to break out my tools and see if I can construct one for myself. ;-)
I look forward to more great organizational tips!
Hugs, Joni <><
Posted by: Joni Kelly | 02/10/2013 at 05:12 PM
I am a bit behind in responding, but want to say that I love what you did with the space! The only things that I worried about were the clocks and the vintage looking lamp...silly me...the small things! I am very sure that your classes will love being in your new room and that you are even more creative in this lovely space with your organizational skills put to very good use! Looking forward to more pictures!
Posted by: Carol Carriveau | 02/03/2013 at 02:45 PM
Great job on the craft room remodel! I like the stamp set swatchbook idea! I am interested to know your organizational tips on how to keep track of punches, stamp sets, bigshot dies & framelits, etc, to avoid purchasing duplicates.
Posted by: Brenda | 02/03/2013 at 12:10 PM
Great room, Mike!! I, too, am interested in hearing about your organizational ideas. I'm always trying to find better ways myself. I love your swatchbook idea too. You should sell them-I would be first in line to purchase!!
Posted by: Sue Glass | 02/03/2013 at 04:34 AM
Love the new look Mike. I am looking for help organizing my clear stamps and ribbon. What did you use for your clear stamp cases and ribbon.
Posted by: Mary Jo | 02/02/2013 at 01:50 PM
The room is spectacular!
Posted by: Lucy | 02/01/2013 at 05:25 PM
WONDERFUL!!!
AWESOME!!!
You done good Mike.
Posted by: Terry | 01/31/2013 at 08:03 PM
mike, the room looks amazing! you did a great job. and i love the swatch book - you'd make a fortune if you sold them! if you decide to i'm your first customer!
Posted by: Jeannine | 01/31/2013 at 06:58 PM
Great job on the room remodel Mike! Love love love that MDS stamp swatch project you made! Brilliant!
Posted by: Patricia Willey | 01/31/2013 at 03:14 PM
Mike - we are so excited to see your room :) Great job ! From your Ribbon Roll Control team
Posted by: Trish N | 01/31/2013 at 01:34 PM
Oh, finally, pictures of your AMAZING remodel!
I love it! And I can hardly wait for the organizational hints!
I LOVE organizing my supplies, too! And I love that you have
ten different colors of label tape! I am still content with my white tape and black text!
Thanks, Mike!!!
Posted by: Suzie Cullen | 01/31/2013 at 12:54 PM
I love the transformation! I cannot wait to see your upcoming tips on storage. That swatchbook is a great idea, you have lucky customers!
Posted by: Sandra Conner | 01/31/2013 at 12:38 PM
Well you can crank out some fabulous cards in that space. Beautiful and so functional. Great job.
Posted by: Doris D. | 01/31/2013 at 12:20 PM
Great room! Isn't it amazing what a few coats of paint will do! I'm looking forward to your organizational lessons;-D I too am drawn to plastic bins and organizational do dads. lol If Don loses me in the store he can usually find me there or in the craft aisle! I think he's the one that's lost. LOL
Love the swatch book idea. It will make it easier to choose a stamp.
TFS Hugs, Jess
Posted by: Jessica | 01/31/2013 at 11:42 AM
Wowsers Mike, I know where you can organize next.... just need to come to the west coast...lol. What an amazing transformation. I absolutely love the new look. And very clever idea about the swatch cards....
Posted by: Mz Cookie | 01/31/2013 at 11:06 AM
Congrats on getting your room organized - mine is still in the procrastinate state. Love the idea you came up with the swatchbook. They look Great, should you decide to make and sell them, please post. I've tried the binder but it's not as portable as the swatchbook looks to be. Enjoy your new space.
Posted by: Barbara Taylor | 01/31/2013 at 10:59 AM
Great idea! I need to do this. My bedroom is 24 feet long and I want to organize one end for my crafts. I love containers. I found some bins that hold the clear mount stamps perfectly, and they stack! I find them at dollar stores, Walmart and big lots, too. I buy several more every time I find them, and I keep filling them! Lol I need to get to work, I retired last year, but I am the queen of Procrastination. Your room looks great! Good luck with the rest.
Posted by: Evelyn | 01/31/2013 at 10:02 AM
Mike forgot to say your room fantastic! I can soooooooo relate to the before and after, but of course my after is still a work in progress 3 years later! hugs.
Posted by: Diane Oliver | 01/31/2013 at 09:57 AM
OMG what a great idea. I don't think the pegs will be long enough for all my "stuff"! hugs
Posted by: Diane Oliver | 01/31/2013 at 09:51 AM
Beautiful space..looks very inviting. Love the idea of a swatchbook for stamps. Let us know if you decide to create an all inclusive swatchbook for sale. grin
Posted by: Debbie Flattum | 01/31/2013 at 09:03 AM
Nice MIke.....lovely space to craft in.
Posted by: tammy fletcher | 01/31/2013 at 09:01 AM
Mike, A great new space!
I love the swatchbook! I need to load MDS and attempt this. Any helpful hints for someone new to MDS?
Thanks for your wonderful ideas!
Posted by: Jan Butler | 01/31/2013 at 08:59 AM