Studio Showcase: Kathie

Craft rooms can vary in size, from dedicated rooms to small nooks. Every craft room or space is different. This month’s Studio Showcase winner is Kathie with her Crafty Corner. We picked Kathie for her creative and innovative use of the space she has. Kathie’s craft area is shared with a home office and guest room. She beautifully organized her supplies using Stamp-n-Storage products to maximize her space yet not compromise functionality.

Kathie’s love for crafting began when she was a child. She tried a variety of crafts that involved using her hands to create something for herself or friends. Kathie, like many crafters, realizes part of the joy of crafting is sharing our creations with friends and family.

“In 2002, I attended my first card making class using stamps, ink, and paper. I instantly fell in love with it. With the ease of the stamps, some color, and a little creativity, I could make something for someone else to enjoy as much as I enjoyed creating it," said Kathie.

Stamp-n-Storage products shown: 8.5x11 Paper Max, Drawer Cabinet, Mega Stamp Case Shelf, Stamp Case Shelf, Super Combo, Short 6x7 Drawer Cabinet, and Kickstands

Crafting is a journey, and it takes trying different crafts to find the one that is your favorite. Kathie found that in card making. Crafting can provide a relaxing and therapeutic time to escape from the busyness of everyday life.

“It allows me a little escape of calm and peace in a busy life, resulting in a papercraft project that is shared with others.”

Having a well-designed craft space can make a difference in how enjoyable your crafting experience is. There are so many different ways you can begin to organize a space, and Kathie chose to keep it both functional and aesthetic.

“I recently revamped my craft space, designing it functionally to fit my needs as a paper crafter along with making it aesthetically pleasing, while fitting it all in the corner space I had available. It brings me complete joy to look at my area and know I can sit down and begin to create my next birthday card or scrapbook page.”

Stamp-n-Storage products shown: 8.5x11 Max for IKEA, Three Ribbon Shelf, Drawer Cabinet, 2x2 Drawer Cabinet, Mega Stamp Case Shelf, and Short 6x6 Drawer Cabinet

Lots of craft spaces are shared spaces, creating a craft room that shares space with a home office or a bedroom is not an easy task. Kathie shares with us her 7 steps to creating a shared craft space.

“Since this is a multi-use space (bedroom, work-from-home office, and craft space),

1. I had to decide how much of the room would be dedicated to my craft area.

2. Next, I decided on a desk size.

3. Measure, measure, and measure!

4. Decide what I need in my space to create, like paper, embellishments, ink, stamp storage, etc.

5. I gathered lots of inspiration from Pinterest and Stamp-n-Storage.

6. I then decided on the IKEA Kallax units to display and store my supplies.

7. Finally, filling it all up with the pretty things.”

We have a lot of favorite supplies at Stamp-n-Storage, storage to hold stamps, dies, markers, and more! Kathie shared with us that she loves seeing it all displayed, whether it’s her stamps or papers. Seeing those colors not only looks beautiful but also makes it easy to find whatever color she needs for the project she's working on.

“I love being able to see all the colors displayed. It makes me happy and invites me to sit and start paper crafting. All my cardstock is displayed in the Stamp-n-Storage paper holders and I have all my ink pads/markers, blends, and ink refills displayed in the Super Combo holder. I Love it!”

Stamp-n-Storage products shown: 8.5x11 Max for IKEA, Lock-Down Punch Holder, and Ribbon Three Shelf

Many crafters find the IKEA Kallax unit to be a great storage solution for their craft supplies. Stamp-n-Storage created products with this unit in mind, and Kathie shows us how the two can be combined to create a great storage option.

“I started with 2 units of 8 shelves, but discovered I could fit more, so I added on 2 more single units, that can easily be moved if need be. The Kallax Unit has different sizes, which is perfect to mix and match to fit any craft area. I love that the Stamp-n-Storage products fit perfectly into the Kallax units, allowing perfect functionality while looking great and keeping me organized.”

Stamp-n-Storage products shown: 12x12 Paper Holder, 6x6 Double Paper Holder, 8.5x11 Max for IKEA, Lock-Down Punch Holder, Ribbon Three Shelf, and Drawer Cabinet

Having a well-organized space isn't just about tidiness; it's about creating an environment that fosters creativity. When everything has its place and is easily accessible, you're more likely to feel inspired and ready to dive into your next project. Functionality and organization go hand in hand, setting the stage for a productive and imaginative crafting session.

“Organization keeps chaos contained, and a chaotic space is not inspirational to me. I love grabbing a stamp set, looking at the colors on display, and creating. If I am worried about a messy desk, it prevents me from being inspired. We all have different creating styles, and mine starts in a clean and organized space.”

An organized craft space helps unleash a world of creativity for many of you! Getting creative on your own can be challenging, but with the right tools and storage solutions, you can create a space that fuels your creativity. If you are still trying to figure out where to start, Kathie gave us a great pointer.

“First, decide what type of crafter you are. Do you like everything out in the open or behind doors? What inspires you as a crafter? Strive to create that for your environment. If it makes you happy, you have found your creative corner.”

Stamp-n-Storage products shown: Mega Stamp Case Shelf, Stamp Case Shelf, Super Combo, and Kickstands

That tip is fantastic! Identify your craft and customize your space to suit your needs. By creating a space that aligns with your craft, you'll be able to craft more efficiently and create beautiful projects.

Thank you, Kathie, for sharing your inspiring Crafty Corner with us. We always love to see how our customers utilize Stamp-n-Storage products in their craft rooms. Kathie's 7-step process provides an excellent starting point for anyone looking to plan their own craft space. Her example demonstrates that regardless of the size of your crafting area, you can achieve organization and create beautiful pieces. Kathie's key to a creative space is maintaining cleanliness and organization.

If you would like to be our next Studio Showcase winner and have the chance to receive $75 in-store credit, here are a few hints: clean up your space, snap some photos (4 or more) from a few different angles, and include some comments about what you love about your area and your Stamp-n-Storage products. Then, you will be entered into our monthly drawing. Email your entry to: contact@stampnstorage.com.