Monday, June 29, 2015

Using Pants/Skirts Hangers in Your Studio

I think we have all seen these hangers, either using them in our closet or inexpensively offered at garage sales, discount stores or flea markets.  If you have more space to hang items on a shelf, back of a door or in a closet for instance, these make great organizers.  I have displayed them as they might be used in a sewing or quilting room, but they would also work for paper crafting, jewelry etc.


My first example is using the pants hanger with hooks to organize a project.  I have, for illustration purposes, clipped bags containing buttons, beads, ribbon, and floss as well as larger bags to hold the pattern and fabrics to be used in this project.


The hangers with bars, especially the hangers that easily slip into and out of a loop on the end and will pivot forward to add or remove the spools.  I could really see this being used ribbons or for beading threads and wires as well.  Lots of possibilities with this hanger!  You can actually leave the spools of thread on the bars as you use (crochet, tat...) the threads if you have a spot to hang it that is close enough to where you work on your project.


Below is an example of hanging together smaller scraps of fabrics in coordinating colors.  You can see at a glance what you are looking for or just be inspired.  It is also a good way to audition fabric combinations for a project.  I find I am inspired when I see the fabrics in this manner and actually thought to myself that the green and lavender would be a great combination.



As an artist I love having all possible supplies easily visible, don't you.


I hope these ideas will be of use to you, especially if you are out of drawer space or just tired of digging through drawers to find those smaller pieces.  I love your comments, so please share your thoughts!

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Refurbished and recycled suitcase

Recycled Suitcase

I bought a small suitcase at a sale for $1.00.  It was in pretty bad shape so I figured I couldn't hurt it.  First I spray painted the entire outside of it with white paint.  I then painted a floral bouquet on the top using acrylic paints.


Inside before photo

I removed any loose paper on the inside along with the old pocket on the top/inside, replacing it with a lightly quilted fabric which I had used a few years as a tree skirt at Christmas.

Inside top with newly created pocket


I will use this for some of my craft items but haven't decided what for certain.  I have about 30 of the little mint tins shown below.  Thirteen of them fit nicely together as shown.  These could be used for buttons, beads, or any number of small items and a label could be added to indicate the contents.

Inside bottom of suitcase showing tins
 
What would you use it for?



My watercolor palette fits perfectly, but I would really have to make sure it was clean before I put it in the suitcase so I'm thinking that won't work so well.



At this point I'm actually thinking I will use it for whatever current project I am working on.  I can keep everything I need inside the case and if we go somewhere I can easily close the lid and take it along, knowing I have what I need with me.