My Home Studio

Waldorf Doll Giveaway: All entries must be in by 11:59pm Eastern  February, 5th 2010. There is still time to enter!  

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Taking a peak into other artist's studios and satisfying my curiosity about their work spaces always inspires me to make the best use of the space in my home. Sometimes that just means making sure I have a designated space for my supplies and equipment. It almost always means I need to put things away and straighten up so that I can work without too much clutter that could hinder my creative spirit.

When our three children were growing up, I had a small doll business I ran from my home. Back then I used the kitchen table, stored stuff away in closets throughout the house, piled boxes of finished products in a corner of our bedroom and diningroom and claimed a small space in our family room to work. Now that our children are married with homes of their own,  I thought you might like to see how I have turned one of the bedrooms into my studio where everything has finally all come together in one convenient spot. I spend some of my time each day creating my dolls, toys and fiber arts in this space. Maybe you will get some ideas that you would like to incorporate into your own home work space. I would love you to be inspired by what I have learned from my experiences as an artist, so welcome! Come on "in"!




I have always enjoyed working in a wrap-around style work space. This allows me greater reach of everything within my work space. My printer is right there on the left as you enter the room. My hubby bought it for me for Christmas. It is a great scanner, copy, fax, printer...and best of all? It is WIRELESS! YAY!
All my business is conducted on my laptop. When I am not feeling well and need to lay in bed, the laptop comes with me and I can print patterns, orders, etc. from the other side of the house! I love it!!!

 In the past 20 plus years this space in our Hudson Valley New York, USA home has had many happy uses: a bedroom for each of our 3 children at some point, a guest room, play room, my husband's office, a storage room and now it is where I create Waldorf inspired dolls and toys and create art items with wool and organic wool products.

It is very healing to be surrounded by gorgeous natural textures and organic materials. Color and design inspire me and soothe my mind when pain in my body threatens to take center stage not only in my body but also in my head. (I suffer with RSD / Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, a chronic pain disorder.)



Organization of my supplies, books and equipment allows me to create anytime: when an idea comes to me,  when I am feeling up to it or when time allows here and there. While engaged in art I am able to tolerate pain much better, often becoming unaware of the unrelenting pain in my left foot for short periods of time. Pain medications become more effective or can be reduced when I am fully involved in the creative process! To keep me engaged and interested I always have more than one project going at the same time and in this space there is room for it all!  I feel gratitude for this magical, happy space.

Across the hallway from my studio is another bedroom I have converted into our library and  TV room. My husband and I enjoy spending time together reading, watching TV or talking in our cozy, intimate space. I have learned to do all sorts of fiber arts related things in the recliner with my foot elevated.  I also spend some time each day working from my bed - with my left leg straight out in front of me and my foot elevated high on a stack of pillows. That's where I am right now and where I log in my computer time, blogging, shopping, checking facebook, e-mail and tweets. I love how technology keeps me intouch with the world around me while also giving me easy ability to search European blogs and online stores, for all things Waldorf. Logistically, I do all this balancing my laptop on my tummy or I stay connected with my wireless iPod Touch when the laptop seems too cumbersome. 



So, while I am all over the place in my house creating my artwork, my home studio is the hub: where I have a place for everything and sometimes have everything in it's place! Another day I will show you pics of myself working in these other spaces in our home.

For more pictures check out my set on Flickr:       My Home Studio - a set on Flickr 
blessings,
~debbie :)