Craft Room Organization with Before and After Photos

Let me start off by saying I'm nowhere near done with this, but I promised y'all an update on the craft room and I don't want to disappoint.
There was definitely a bit more progress in there this week than last week, when NOTHING got accomplished.

**Before I start with the before and after pictures, I'd like to remind you of the warning I gave out yesterday about the nature of these photos. If you are prone to anxiety over lack of organization and neatness, please look away. This may be disturbing to many blog visitors. If you ARE interested in a better look at these images, you should be able to click on the photos to make them larger.

This week, I focused on the are where I do most of my work. In the first post about the redesign, I only showed you a bit of it. It looked something like this

Let me take you deeper into my realm and expose what those sections REALLY looked like and what I've done to improve them.

First is my craft desk. It started off in total and complete chaos.

While it's not quite done yet. . .it's SO MUCH better now!

These cubes of wire shelving are against the wall behind me when I work at my craft table. I store a ton of supplies, materials, and tools in and on this unit. Here's how it started off.

And, here's how it looks now. I'll admit that this section really isn't done either. I'd like to get some large containers (preferably decorative) to slip into each of the cubbies and hide the jumbled mess. However, another option I'm considering is a long dresser in place of the wire cubbies altogether. That way, all the mess is hidden inside drawers. I just have to find one. . .Like I said yesterday, the thrift stores are just not doing me right presently.

Next to the wire unit is a three-drawer plastic storage unit that was just PILED with miscellanea.

All I really had to do was find a new place for the items in that crap-stack.

Now for the most drastic improvement.
This is my side table and yet another plastic drawer system. Both of these areas were simply exploding with materials.

Below the table is the bulk of my beads.

Above it is my wire storage and a metal/magnetic bulletin board.

There was a lot of going through items, putting away some things that have assigned places, throwing away trash, and building a new tabletop storage system. I knew that going up was one of the few options for adding storage in this area.

SO MUCH BETTER!! Like all the rest of the "cleaner, more organized" areas I've shown off today, I'm sure there will be changes. But, I'm really happy to see it all coming together.

Well, that's the latest tour of the changes in the craft room. I'm anxious to get it done so I can get back to creating rather than just sorting. Hopefully soon! I'm aware that since I cannot find the furniture pieces I desire, I might just have to hold off on the re-design for a little bit while I continue to search for the perfect accent pieces. At least there'll be some organization to it. Please bear with me as the search continues. I will have another update next week as I would like some opinions on paint colors for some items.

OH! A simple pair of earrings were placed in the shop this morning.

Planets Aligned Earrings

Have a fantastic weekend and remember to celebrate and honor your mother.
I plan on spending some special time with two of the most spectacular and strong women I know, my mother and my grandmother. I hope you get to do the same.

Thrift Scores, but Also Delays

What is up with the thrift stores lately?
I just haven't been able to find the things that I want.
Sure, I often DO buy SOMETHING. But, I never can find just the items I'm looking for. Of late, I'm been searching for a few furniture pieces. Namely an older 4-drawer metal filing cabinet (preferably in a nice chippy-funky paint color), a sturdy bookshelf, and possibly some other storage pieces so I can get rid of the cheap card table, plastic carts, and cardboard storage unit. Of course, a few months ago the pieces I wanted were all I was seeing. Now that I want these items. . .they're NOWHERE to be found. Sigh.

While I continue to envision these items in my head, let me share with you what I was able to bring home after the latest ventures instead.

Bright Zippers

A stash of buttons and a few thimbles

These buttons are so neat I have to make sure you see their awesomeness

A large spool of vintage lace, a big daisy pin, and a lamp topper (I thought it would be neat to work it into a piece)

Lastly, a collection of glass jars and canisters for storage in the craft room

I also scored some goodies from Lori Anderson of Pretty Things in her BeadFest giveaway. I got the package in the mail today!!

The goodies from My Elements are so fabulous. The entire shop is just full of bright eye-catching supplies. Here's a few peeks at what Lori sent me from their shop.

Awesome, right?

Before I head out, I listed these dainty earrings today.

Fantasy Earrings

Come back tomorrow to take a peek at the progress that has been made in the craft room, if you dare. . .
I only say that because I'll be unveiling some 'before' pictures that are pretty gruesome. Be warned if you have any OCD neat-nik tendencies that the pictures tomorrow may be hard to stomach. I'm just sayin'

Bead Table Wednesday

As I am still in the middle of my craft room overhaul, you can find me working from the dining room table. The surfaces in the craft room are just not conducive right now. While I wouldn't exactly call the dining table a "bead table" since it's not seeing any beading action, it is functioning as my current work surface. Of course, there are a few beads on the table since I just received a package in the mail. So, I figured I'd share that with you for Bead Table Wednesday.

Stacerella and I have been Twitter friends for some time now. I'm pretty sure that she's no longer blogging, but quite active on twitter and always willing to answer questions. A few weeks ago, she informed me that she had some beads she wanted to send me. . . FOR FREE!! I couldn't refuse. The package came in the mail on Monday. . .all the way from Canada!

Everything was wrapped in bubble wrap and weighed a ton

Here's just a sample of what she sent.

That's just SOME of the loot! I'm so very appreciative for crafty friends out there. Thanks Stacerella!!

If you want to see what's on other bead tables, Check out the BTW Flickr Group

Bead Table Wednesday

In other news, there's a fantastic new bracelet in the shop.

Twilight Sky Bracelet

And yet another pair of earrings in the Sale section

Flight of Fancy Earrings - 20% Off

Instead of working on the craft room this afternoon, I'm hoping to get out to do some thrifting for organizational supplies and furniture FOR the craft room. My luck in this has been pretty sad lately. Here's hoping it turns around this afternoon.

Getting it Done

Not to toot my own horn too loudly, but I'm pretty proud that I finally, actually got some tasks accomplished yesterday! Hurray! Here's hoping today is as productive.

Since it is Tuesday, let me share with you some of the cool stuff I've found on Tumblr this week before I get to anything else.

Rainbow Buttons

Ways to Stay Creative list

Tea Can Magnets

Minimalist LOTR Movie Posters

Patchwork Curtains

Make the Best of Everything

Harry Potter Themed Jewelry

Speaking of jewelry (wink, wink), there are some new earrings in the shop

Feather My Nest Earrings

And this necklace is now ON SALE

Off Balance Necklace - 20% OFF

Don't forget to check out the "Circles and Dots May BNR Treasury" from the Alabama Accents Team. There's some beautiful pieces in it!


Just to let you know, I think Pat had a nice time of his birthday yesterday. We went for dinner on the water

and then for drinks at The Wharf.

As you can tell, it was a bit overcast yesterday evening,

but still a good time was had.

Now, to get some lunch and bust a move on some chores and the craft room re-do. I still haven't made it to the messiest, most worked-in area of the room. THAT'S going to be a BIG TASK!!! I'm still just trying to go through stuff and purge the items that I've had sitting around without use. I've yet to find many items to help with the redecoration/reorganization of it. But, I'm letting the ideas flow for now. I'll share the progress later in the week.

Playing Catch Up

I'm glad THAT's all over.
Time to move on and try to catch back up.

I'm so VERY far behind on housework and most other tasks that I'm working with my timer in the 30 minute intervals to make sure I actually get something done (and not just play around online all day.) I've got clothes in the washer and have started on the bedroom. It's a start!

Of course, today is also my dear, sweet, wonderful husband's birthday. I want to extend to him a thousand Happy Birthday wishes. We weren't able to celebrate over the weekend and have a few more busy weekends coming up, so I am going to do everything within my power to make sure he has a fantastic day and week!!

To start with. . .he has his choice of what we are having for lunch and dinner today. So, those slots on my meal plan are open for him. Here's the whole menu for you, since it is Menu Plan Monday. You can see a ton more over at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

MONDAYB: Toast
L: Pat's choice
D: Pat's choice

TUESDAY
B: Bagels
L: Bean burritos
D: Lasagna, salad

WEDNESDAY
B: Breakfast parfait
L: Ham sandwiches
D: Hope out, Pat on own

THURSDAY
B: Cereal
L: Bagel pizzas
D: Cauliflower soup (from freezer), bread

FRIDAY
B: Bagels
L: Soup and grilled cheese
D: MEXICAN out!

SATURDAY
B: Muffins
L: Hope out, Pat on own
D: Chicken Alfredo, broccoli

SUNDAY
B: Bacon, toast, eggs
L: Ham quesidillas
D: Spiced Pork, green beans, potatoes


Before I head out, I do have TWO business-related things to share.
First, since it is the beginning of a new month; the Alabama Accents Team has a new BNR Treasury and I'm included!! Remember that BNR stands for "Buy and Replace."  Basically, if you buy one of the items on the treasury, an item from your shop will be used to replace that piece. Complete rules are included on the treasury page (below all the pictures.)

The theme for this month's treasury is Circles and Dots

Alabama Accents May BNR Treasury

I'm finally getting back to listing some items in the shop. Here's the newest pair of earrings, listed this morning.

Sparkle and Shine Earrings

Now, back to work for me!