Where is "Away?"

Where is away? You know – “I’ll put it away.” But, where is away for you? To some of us it’s out of sight-out of mind, or maybe it’s “in there,” hiding, competing with the dust bunnies. There is a difference between, clean and unorganized and neat and organized. Know the difference. Are you up for it? Stick with me as we’ll go a little at a time to give you time to contemplate, evaluate, and perhaps try a tip or two that you think may help you get your studio in order. Although these tips will help your general organization, commit to one area at a time. Start small. Let go.

We’ve spent a couple of weeks exploring and enjoying different kinds of eye candy for our artistic souls. I hope I didn’t intimidate or scare you away, but instead inspired you.

Sorting Piles of Paper By Color

Before you go ahead with a major reorganization, run a quick check. Divide everything into essential items for accessible and non-essential items (this is not the time to go through those favorite Life magazines or re-read old love letters to jilted lovers).

Nancy P. tip:

I have a stack of in/out trays stacked in a closet for whole sheets of colored paper (sorted by color). Then I have those small plastic drawers that hold an 8 ½ x 11 paper for the smaller-than-full-sheet scraps. Those are what I use all the time. They are sorted by color, too. I also sort pictures or “stuff” by type or season.

Remember the rule: what you need today, what you need tomorrow, and what you may need someday. Part with duplicates or extinct hobby items. Be realistic and be brave. Set a budget if you’re investing a monetary value. This should keep you busy for a while. Get going and get your piles in order because we're moving on.

Fran J.'s tip: She keeps her storage desk with stamps and various stamp making equipment in drawers.