Organize My Craft Closet

I started putting items I never or rarely use into a BIG blue tote and making a list of those items that I can tape to the box so there’s no question as to what’s in there.

Will work on that more today. I can then only put important/frequently used items on my shelves and in the carts.

This might actually get wrapped up soon! Yay!

My boy helped me with this last night- he’s such a good helper! I did a small task with him, but every bit gets us closer. We undid some old beaded ornaments, and put all of the beads in a cup. Then I threw out the wire. I was so impressed with how well he listened, followed directions, and didn’t make a mess with these tiny beads!

:)

I wrote out some more labels, going from memory of what kinds of things I have left to sort yet.

Small step, but it is progress nonetheless.

I moved all the scrapbook stuff and the baby book onto my craft table. Now I have almost two empty shelves in the closet to tinker around with! And lots of empty containers, too.

Will keep at it… and will be thrilled to be organized!!

Every so often I have a good idea for this that takes me a step closer. Last night, I took an empty tote and filled it with my LARGE pieces of felt. Well, the lid doesn’t quite close, but I got it all in there! I’ll just have to set stuff on top.

Now, I have a whole empty shelf to use for things I use more often! I mostly use smaller pieces of felt anyway, and so no sense having the large pieces out taking up valuable space.

Next move will benefit this goal, and two others—I am working on putting all of my scrapbook supplies on my craft table (and also my son’s baby book). With that stuff out of the craft closet, I can really have some space to work with! And, having all that stuff out in one place will make it easier for me to work on those items on my to do list.

I hope to do that step tonight. We’ll see!

I worked on this last night for about 15 or 20 minutes while hubby read to our boy. I was actually rather productive. It made me realize that even when I don’t have large amounts of time to devote to this, it’s worth putting in a few minutes- especially when my mind is ‘focused’ and I’m not having ADD issues.

I plan to work on this EVERY day for at least 12 minutes until it’s accomplished because it’s my top-of-the-list goal right now, and I’ve got a good start going.

I’ve labeled most of the tiny drawers in my little organizer, and almost completely cleared off my desk, and emptied one tote. I feel like I’m at a standstill but maybe the mood will hit again and I’ll fly through it. Too many other things going on lately. But, this is well on its way to being done.

I’ve started thinking of the office as a studio now, and keep using the word. It sounds more legitimate somehow. I do share it with Jason, and the cat, and of course my son, but it’s largely my workspace, and has a ton of untapped potential.

I worked on it some last night—didn’t get as much done as I had hoped/envisioned, but I’ll keep plugging away at it.

I also shot a lot of new photos of my currently listed items with some interesting backgrounds. I have to determine if they help draw attention, or if they overwhelm my products. Will see…

I also worked on a current custom order, and finished a prototype that I made for my son’s room and so I can get it listed so people have a finished example to look at. It turned out pretty well- I learned some things that I can do better, but that’s all part of the process, eh?

I am feeling good about the progress I am making on my studio, and my side profession. I am really starting to take this seriously (but in a fun way!) and even have plans to put myself through ‘independent study’ in arts/crafting/business (meaning, I define what I need to know, and start teaching myself all sorts of things… the next step is to define some areas and specifics to study!)

This goal is really not titled properly—I’m not just organizing the closet, I’m organizing my half of the office- no easy task!

But, it feels good to work on this because it just took a shift in my thinking—I’ve been reading up on other Etsians that run their businesses as full-time jobs (a dream of mine!)and one piece of advice that really struck me is this: (paraphrased, of course) There will always be people that won’t take you seriously or consider working for yourself selling your handmade goods as a ‘real job’, but never downplay what you do. If someone asks what you do, say something like: ‘I’m a designer, and I run a successful online store’ It sounds much more ‘legitimate’ and gives you much more credibility than saying ‘I sell crafts online’.

So, anyway, I am now organizing all of my stuff with the idea in mind that this is a legitimate business, and not just a hobby. Right now, it’s ‘on the side’ but down the road a bit it’ll be much more than that.

Last night I did a ton of work on this. I plan to keep plugging away at it each day, but must leave time to work on: being a Mom, tending to the house, and working on my products, as well as being a wife! Whew! This will get easier the more we can streamline our family routines. Baby steps! Although, right now it feels like we’re making great strides! Soon, I will have Fridays off so I’m hoping that will allow me much more Etsy time (and of course Mommy and wife time, too!)

Tonight I had a bit of time to work on this, and it REALLY needs to get done once and for all. Still a lot to do, but I moved the book shelf that I am going to use into the room and moved the monstrous piece of furniture where the bookshelf was in the dining room. The bookshelf should help me organize a bit better. I plan to keep at this every day until it’s done.

I have a custom order that I need to get a move on, and then it’s back to streamlining and creating new items to hopefully get business to pick up again. It has been slow, but it’s a good opportunity to stock up on good inventory that I can list in the coming weeks, or even months.