Category Archives: Simplify

Yesterday I told you how I turned my dining room into a dual-purpose dining room/studio.  It works perfectly for me, but your situation may be different.  So here are some random thoughts to keep in mind.

When deciding what creative passion to pursue, it’s a good idea to keep in mind how much space it will take up and how much space you have.  For example, I love pottery, but looking at my situation clearly, realize I have no room at all for the supplies and equipment required, to say nothing of the time needed to learn and practise.  So instead, I satisfy my love of shapes and textures with papier mache.  It takes up much less room, needs no specialized equipment and can be made to look like almost anything.

Of course, if you’re lucky enough to have a garage, or even a small shed, you can take on more demanding projects. It might take a weekend or two to get the junk out.  And to convince your car that it’s OK to sleep on the driveway, but it’s totally worth it.  For some amazing inspiration, head on over to Shed Working to see some of the amazing things people have done.

What if you want to cook extravagant meals but your kitchen’s the size of a shoe box?

We’ve been faced with similar problems in a few places we lived.  Mostly I just whined and ate out a lot. But a more positive approach would be to move the fridge into an adjoining space, where it can plug into a regular outlet and put a counter or table next to it.  And, of course, the space that it once took up in the kitchen can also be outfitted with a worktop, or storage, or both.

I’ve had friends set up entire production kitchens in their basements so that they could sell their baked goods at local farmers markets and specialty food shops.  They need to be inspected by the health department and there are some tax and legal considerations, but they make a decent living from something they’re passionate about in their own home.

I hope I’ve got the wheels turning for you, and that you’ll tell me what you’re dreaming of.

I’ll post some final thoughts tomorrow with a few of the people I find inspiring.

I mentioned briefly in last week’s tirade that I’ve opened an Etsy shop.  Right now it’s stocked with some of my handmade art cards.

I’m starting to realize just how much I need to learn, but it’s a wonderful motivation for me to get back to my art.

I thought you might be interested in seeing how I’m setting things up to be able to do that.

Alan and I live in an apartment.  It’s a little less than 850 square feet – plenty big enough for two people to live in.  But without a spare room, making my cards and whatever else I come up with and not letting it take over requires a bit of thought.

I needed a bit of room to be able to spread out my supplies and some good natural daylight to see what I’m doing.  Fortunately, our dining room has both.  But it’s also the place where we do a lot of entertaining. How to make it work for both?

Good storage is the key.  Boxes and suitcases and things with lids so that, at the end of a good work session, I can put everything away, throw a cloth on the table and be ready for dinner.

I’m lucky enough to have a little nook, into which I could slide a wire display case.  I just need to make a curtain I can pull across and it will be perfect.

I’ve also decided to leave a few hints to the room’s other life on show.  I think my vase full of paintbrushes is attractive on its own.  And I’ll add other bits and pieces as time goes on.

Tomorrow, I’ll share some of my thought processes in designing this space, so that you, too can make space, both physically and emotionally for creativity in your life.

And just so you know?  I define creativity very broadly, so if making cards or painting doesn’t interest you, don’t worry.  I think I can inspire you to make room for whatever it is that lights you up!