Features
By
Smitha K.
Come behind the scenes at Smiling Colors for a #CraftRoomTour and see Smitha's craft studio in Minneapolis.
I love the white! I have purposefully and carefully chosen white items over the years for this space to make it feel larger and brighter. I love color too, so I've added pops of colors everywhere. I have the items I reach for the most out in the open and easily accessible, this helps ensure that I put things back where they belong. I also have a large painting on the wall above my desk, which I created a few years back and it always inspires me when I sit down to create.
Tell us about your space
My space is about 9 by 9 feet I think. It's a nook off of the family room, but everyone in the house knows that it is my desk. I share most of my art supplies with the family if they need to use it- but the rule is that they need to bring back what they take from my creative space.
I do all of my lettering, coloring and draw my hand illustrations here too. I chose my yarns for my knits here too.
I love having it so close to the kitchen and family room- I can easily sit at my laptop for a few minutes or start planning my next project when I get a few minutes spare time.
What have you done to make your space cosy, beautiful or inspiring?
For me, keeping my desk clear and neat is inspiring. For the longest time I have had my craft space in the basement and I would never clean up after myself so there would be piles on the floor everywhere and tons of clutter. Moving my space upstairs meant I had to keep it clean and also meant that I streamline my supplies. I tend to accumulate less and have only the stuff I really love on hand.
I always tack inspiring quotes onto the wall to keep me focussed and motivated. A lot of these quotes and illustrations are actually free downloads that I have on my blog.
How do you keep organized?
I have drawers under my desk- and that has been life changing! I have a drawer for my pens, a drawer for my sketch books etc. Having shallow drawers is a great way to organize your supplies.
I tend to collect colorful items- buttons, yarns, pens etc. So I try to organize them in white or open bins. I have my pens and color pencils in inexpensive white ceramic mugs. I keep my yarns in metal bins that I can see through.
Any tips & tricks for organising supplies?
Keeping organized is the name of the game! Over the years, I have come to know what I reach for the most- scissors, markers and glue. I keep most of the stuff out in the open and everything hast to have its own place. That way I tend to put things back in its place when I am done. And I create more because I am not spending time looking for what I need.
Which are your favourite possessions and are there any of your own creations on display?
I love to collect buttons. I sort my buttons in containers and I actually like to have them out in the open. They make me smile whenever I walk past them. I also keep my markers, crayons and pencils out in the open. The pops of rainbow color always make me happy.
I have a big canvas above my desk, a mixed media canvas I painted a few years back that I love. I also often tack drawings that my kids have made around my table.
How do you organise your inspiration and ideas?
Most of my inspiration are on scraps of paper, hastily sketched with whatever pen was in reach. When inspiration strikes you have to write it down! I also have a lot of inspiration pinned onto my Pinterest boards. But a lot of my inspiration truly comes from magazines, fabrics and books. If I am in a creative slump, I like to go to the library and flip through a stack of craft books.
Where do you look for inspiration?
When I am thinking up new ideas, I usually sit down with a book and pencil. I sketch out ideas, usually go off track and then end up going through old sketches and finding something that works. I often look for color combinations to spark a project. Color is a great spot to start something new.
If you had three wishes, what would you do to make it the dream space?
I am very happy and thankful for my craft space. But I do wish it had sunlight in the mornings! After 3pm in the afternoon, the room gets flooded with light and it is the most beautiful space to sit down and create. But,that also happens to be the time the girls come home from school, dinner gets made and after school classes happen!
Whose craft room would you love to explore? Send us a message!
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