Mixed Media is the “hot new trend” in art- the new form on the horizon…..But what I want to know is- has anyone prepared their studios for such an influx of materials?

It’s tough having a Mixed Media Studio. It seems you are forever searching for one more niche to smash something into, and occasionally, the entire Studio has to be revamped!

For me, now is one of those times.

I came home from Adorn Me, having taken Mary Hettmansperger’s “Books, Doors, Lockets, Hinges” class, where we cut and fired copper sheet metal in an wild patina adventure, then learned different types of hinges and attachments. This class was Awesome! Wonderful! But now I need a new corner just for playing with copper!

On top of that, my boxes arrived home from the event, holding all types of waxes and supplies that are supposed to fit right back in place, and my suitcases unleashed a virtual parade of supplies, that one can only wonder in astonishment how it all fit in there in the first place!

First thing I did, to revamp, is make a list of order of importance. When was the last time I used each of my supplies? What am I currently obsessed with? Where can I store my extra piles?!!! Why am I still hanging onto that?!!!

Then…. Make a list of work stations and a list of storage spaces. I listed mine- they were:

Work Stations:

1)   Encaustic

2)   Assemblage

3)   Photography

4)   Sculpting

5)   Casting

6)   Metalwork

7)   Sewing

8)   Office

Storage Areas:

1)   Encaustic Supplies

2)   Vignette Supplies

3)   Bead Supplies

4)   Paints and Surface Treatments

5)   Casting Supplies

6)   Hardware

7)   Tools

8)   Fabric

9)   Art Book Library

10) Office Supplies

Now make a map of the room and try to make it visually fit, adding and subtracting tables and shelves as you see fit.

Then, clear out one little area so you can begin a Rubik’s Cube Shuffle toward organization.

I decided to kick out my office, since I had working mostly at my laptop at the kitchen table, so that kicked out one whole congested area, including a table! But I still had to find a shelf to host my papers and files. Ok, deal.

My huge central work table would host all types of work stations that would have to break down after projects. They would need to go onto shelves as well, during interims.

Shelves proved to be the key, so I am thinking I will have to kick out the interiors of a two beautiful pieces: my armoire and my antique glass book cabinet. They went against the rule of when was the last time I used this? Also, I think I’ll relegate my vintage wooden cabinet that is currently jammed with linens, to perhaps all my collage papers, downgrading the linen scraps to a giant lidded tub in the basement. These linens are being saved for future projects, that I just haven’t been able to get to yet. I don’t know though with a giant lidded plastic tub, I might lose breathability and end up with a problem in my material. Maybe there is a breathable tub that can be stored in a basement. I know- it’s called a box! Ha! But that can’t be the best solution either.

Well, I’ll just start sorting and see what happens. Maybe it’s a Spring Cleaning? Come to think of it, my floor does need a good mopping and I’ve been meaning to freshen up the floor paint! I will bravely post a before photo once I have an after photo- since it would be too discouraging to see just one side of the story!

Will you be joining me? I’ll meet you back here in a few days! See you then!

–Linda