I came home today to a wonderful surprise awaiting me on my front porch! My dear friend HOPE sent me a fabulous bday present!!!!
and after you see this post.. you'll know why and HOW bad I wanted it...
She bought me a book I've been wanting for a while now.. Organizing your Craft Space by Jo Packham 
I couldn't have been more thrilled.. or surprised!!!!
I will probably regret this.. but I at least owe it to Hope.. to show her just HOW bad I need this book! See my "art" area is located in a corner of our 1926 home's unfinished basement. Honestly it's a perfect little hide-away.. but one that needs a lot of TLC to get it looking somewhat decent without a lot (if any) money. I think the biggest problem.. isn't the unfinished basement part.. but ME! I am totally disorganized (yes I whole heartily admit it) and would love to whip that part into shape.. but it is such a big job.. I don't even know where to begin (THIS BOOK WILL HELP!)
There is minimal light.. which I have attributed to feeling somewhat depressed when I come down to create (shouldn't have to feel that way when doing something I love!).
Being as it's a basement.. majority of my little hide-away is cement. The ceiling is short, but tall enough for my 6'2" husband to stand up straight and has exposed beams boards, rafters and (more recently installed) minimal recessed/can lighting (which is 100x better than the 1 florescent hanging light that was there when we moved in).
My "plan" was to paint the walls and ceiling (rafters)..white (or another very light color)... but every time I think about it I realize how contingent it is.. to getting things organized so I can move out.. to paint it all.. just stresses me out to even think about it.. and besides the fact who has the time! I have a lot of rearranging/organizing to do before I can even attempt this.. and this BOOK is JUST what I need.
So HOPE.. here you go.. this is the BEFORE.. and hopefully... by the (lets just be brave and say) end of summer... I will have an AFTER!
(If I had the money.. I would hire someone to come in and do it..HEY.. I wonder if those home shows would come in and do a studio re-vamp???)
I am ashamed to even show these... but here you go! (Stacie's Pile of Crap--good crap though)
The blue (ick) was an honest attempt to spruce things up.. but 1/2 way through I gave up.. mainly because I hated the color but hated the existing grey even more! (gee.. just like the Pacific Northwest's weather.. blue and grey-mostly grey!) It has been years now.. and the blue (and grey) still remain..1/2 way done..
Another problem I have.. being as most of the walls are cement..I can't hang anything from them.. no shelves or pretty hangers with art displayed! I have managed to slip a few nails in the cracks in the brick that houses the chimney.. but other than that I resort to my mini cork-board for little bits of things I like!
So there you have it.. WHEW..Makes you stressed out just looking at the pictures doesn't it? I want one of those studios that I have seen SO many people have.. nice.. organized.. clean and pretty! 
The good thing is at least my area is not a site where visitors see and I CAN leave all my stuff out! I am thankful for that!!! It's the RARE few that actually get to see the INSIDE of it...that probably want to run.. as fast as they can!!!! (including my husband!)
SO.. if you read this.. and feel sorry for me..and feel so inclined to submit these pictures and my post to a home show.. HEY.. have at it! Feel free! :)
Hope you had a wonderful birthday! Did you get my card yet??
Posted by: Jana | June 05, 2006 at 04:00 PM
OKay not I want that book! I will have to look for it-not sure if we have it up here in Canada yet! Good luck with your project girlie-the amount of supplies you have astounds me!
Posted by: Lelainia | June 02, 2006 at 07:42 PM
Looks fabulous and fun to me! Didnt know it was your b-day! Hope you have a wonderful day! Brandi
Posted by: Brandi Powell | June 02, 2006 at 03:05 PM
yay for sharing your space!
you'll get it together girl!!:P
Posted by: kristen | June 02, 2006 at 07:40 AM
You know i'm in love with your room,honey! I was drooling over it when i came visit! :D
Posted by: céline | June 01, 2006 at 04:27 PM
wow - it looks a dream come true for me - I just want to come over and play in there!! Looking at the photos I am more into ooohing and ahhhing over what I see than if they are organized or not. And besides, I bet you knwo where everythign is! Thank you for showing me - and if you DO get on a home show for remodeling - you have to have them fly me out for it!!
Posted by: thesoulofhope | June 01, 2006 at 11:04 AM
W0W Stacie!! I see lots of fun stuff!! I know what you mean about being organized....I try, but then if I put things away, i forget about them!! Outa site, outa mind! I just started a blog nataliehansen.typepad.com.....I will try to post some pics of my studio by next week. Then you won't feel so bad!!! Natalie
Posted by: natalie | June 01, 2006 at 10:27 AM
Wow you have lots of treasures in there and also a lot of potential, I'm sure you'll have a dreamy place by the end of the summer :)
Posted by: sofia- La Fée Coriandre | June 01, 2006 at 12:54 AM