Where We Create: Inside Muddy Heart's Studio

Who are you? My name is Melissa Paxton, but everyone calls me Meli. My pottery shop is called Muddy Heart; I picked this name because for some random reason I see heart shaped things everywhere!!, and when doing pottery, being muddy and dirty is a given!

Where are you located? I live in Cary, NC with my supporting husband and my baby yorkie named Chloe.

What do you create? I make all sorts of pottery pieces, from delicate jewelry, to mugs, to vases, to pretty dishes and wind chimes!. I do try to keep my pieces small....mainly because my studio is soooo small.

How would you describe the space in which you create? ADORABLY INSPIRING!-- I open the door to my closet..ahem, STUDIO, and I immediately feel like I have to be there making something!. It is tiny, but it is very accommodating and serves its purpose, plus it is so shabby chic cute, I love just looking at it!.
What is your favorite thing about your space? I actually like how tiny and secluded it is, and also how much I manage to create in there!.

How do you keep your space organized? Ok, any artist/creative person knows that when you're in "the zone" all sense of order and organization goes out the window (I hope I'm not alone in this). When I am working, my space is a little chaotic for some, but everything is kept in labeled clear storage containers, where it all goes back in neatly after every working session.
Do you have inspiration pieces in your space? I have an inspiration board right in front of me, where I keep all sorts of pictures I am drawn to. Most of them have nothing to do with pottery, but I love the colors, and that is enough to get my mind going in creating items based on that!. Aside from my inspiration board, I look at tons of things at antique shops and at flea markets; old is new again, and I feel that craftsmen/women back in the day had an amazing talent at making everything more intricate, and I want to emulate that as much as possible.

Is there something else you'd like to share about your space? My actual working surface is only 32 inches wide by 16 inches deep ^_^. Tiny is right!

After ogling this tiny space, you'd better swing by Muddy Heart on etsy to see the beautiful creations that come out of it. While you're still in a Muddy Heart mood, don't forget to catch up on the Domestiquette blog. You can also find her on facebook under Muddy Heart, on twitter as BDOMESTIQUETTE, and on Pinterest as Domestiquette.

NCTriangle Team members that would like to be featured, please contact ShoreDebris.

Where We Create: Modoro1957

Today we join Modoro1957 in her sunroom...

How would you describe the space in which you create?
Well, I really do carry my green yard bag everywhere, so the concept of "my space" is a little vague for me. This room I've shot here is our sunroom, which has both the first starfish afghan I made as well as my basket of yarn. I think I've always had a basket of yarn in my home, even when I wasn't making anything. It's just a beautiful sight for me. Lots of potential, even if no time!

What is your favorite thing about your space?
This room has loads of light and air, and a high ceiling with a fan. It's also painted in beach colors, so when I'm in here, I'm actually on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. (I made the sofa cover, too, which has a repeating pattern of tiny beach cabanas.)


Do you have inspiration pieces in your space?
That first afghan. I had never crocheted before and figuring out how to make those starfish was like Einstein hitting upon E=MC2.


Is there something else you'd like to share about your space?
I'm happy as long as I have my yarn bag with me. You never know when blank time will present itself.

Where We Create: The Salty Cat Co.

Today's crafting space visit is to the studio of The Salty Cat Co....

How would you describe the space in which you create?
My studio is fairly organized, except for the table on which I create. That's usually full of the supplies needed for whatever project I'm working on at the moment. When I'm done with that project, I'll clean up and start the mess all over again with a new project!

What is your favorite thing about your space?
It's all mine! (Well, that, and all the storage space!)

How do you keep your space organized?
Lots of cabinets! I also organize by craft type, so all my jewelry supplies are together, sewing supplies are together, rubber stamping supplies are together and so on!

Do you have inspiration pieces in your space?
I often display items that I've either created or discovered for inspiration. Sometimes it's pieces of jewlery, sometimes a card I've created, or something I've sewn!





--If you're a NCTriangle team member and would like to share the space where you create, please contact DinnerTimeChimes.

Where We Create: AnnaKayCreations

A peak into the space where AnnaKayCreations created her lovely jewelry...

How would you describe the space in which you create?
Two words- simple and comfortable.

What is your favorite thing about your space?
The lighting is the best part, it hits right in the middle of the dinning room. Lighting is very important in the jewelry making process.

How do you keep your space organized?
I like to keep things really organized. All my beads and findings are sorted by color and organized in storage containers so I can easily find what I need. If the beads are no longer in use the storage containers are stacked in my pink jewelry craft bag, it stores up to 12 of these containers and it's very convenient. When my jewelry creations meet my expectations I package them in resealable storage bags and securely place them in the jewelry bag, a separate compartment from the storage containers. Everything else such as the shipping supplies, thank you cards, brochures, jewelry boxes etc are neatly organized in separate boxes for future use. Keeping my space organized keeps me focused on what I'm doing.



Do you have inspiration pieces in your space?
hmmm, not really. Can be anything :)



Is there something else you'd like to share about your space?
For now it's comfortably small but I could use a much bigger space.




If you're a NCTriangle team member and would like to share the space where you create, let DinnerTimeChimes know.

Where We Create: Fancythatcookies

This week we are given a sneak peak into Fancythatcookies' kitchen... if only we could smell what was cooking too!

How would you describe the space in which you create?
Counter space! Big window! I have pretty good counter space in my kitchen, and a really big window. I have just enough counter space that I won’t run out space when I bake, or knocking off stuff while I am baking. That big window in my kitchen is a great backdrop for most of the pictures from my shop. It lets sun in on a sunny day, and I can see my lavender flowers, garden and blue birds from where I am working.

What is your favorite thing about your space?
Just big enough, not too small or big. Easy to keep them clean and organized.

How do you keep your space organized?
All my sugar, chocolate, flour, spices and herbs have their own little home in the pantry.


Do you have inspiration pieces in your space?
The big window that’s in the kitchen. Standing in front of it with a cup of hot coffee makes my normal morning even better.

Is there something else you'd like to share about your space?
I have a few pictures that I would like to share with everybody.


The big window!

The counter space!
The Best Rich Chocolate Torte!
The pantry!






--If you're a member of the NCTriangle team and like to show off the space where YOU create, let me know.

Where We Create, Behind the Scenes of NCTriangle Etsiers

This week we are given a glimpse into the craft room where Rabbithollowprims are created...

How would you describe the space in which you create?

I would have to say cluttered with an attempt at organization LOL.

What is your favorite thing about your space?

My dollies.

How do you keep your space organized?

I try to keep everything together in sets. Like all vintage linens go here, rusty items there, etc.

Do you have inspiration pieces in your space?
My favorite piece is a snowman my son made this past year. He drew up the pic which hangs on my bulletin board and then I helped him make it into a doll. The other piece i absolutely love is the butterfly skeleton because I bought that piece and it has shown me I can sew on paper and seal it to make new piece of art :)


Is there something else you'd like to share about your space?
The only thing else is that it needs to be bigger so I am going to revamp this summer and see if I can create more space out of what I have.





--If you're a member of the NCTriangle team and like to show off the space where YOU create, let me know.

Where We Create: Behind the Scenes of NC Triangle Etsiers

"Where We Create: Behind the Scenes of NC Triangle Etsiers" was a weekly series on our team blog in the past. With the many new faces on the team, I'm hoping that the team members (both new and old) will be willing to share their "space" (couch, kitchen, table, closet, basement, etc.) with the readers so that we will be able to keep this weekly series going.

This week we are granted a glimpse into Hillary's craft room where she creates the beautiful pieces that you'll find in purpurin!

How would you describe the space in which you create?
My guest bedroom has been set up as a craft room. It has a desk for my sewing machine and a large table for laying out projects. My laundry closet is in that room, which makes it easy to pre-shrink fabric and iron in the same room as my sewing machine. I try to keep my crafts contained to one room.

What is your favorite thing about your space?
My favorite thing about my craft room is that it has nice natural light coming through the two windows in the afternoon. One window looks out on the forest full of pines and kudzu behind my house.

How do you keep your space organized?
My laundry closet has sheets and towels, but also has a lot of space for craft supplies. It helps that I have lots of storage boxes, drawers and shelves. The top shelves of the closet are filled with boxes of items I have already finished and my fiber and supplies. I sewed a hanging organizer for the back of a door to store circular knitting needles and odds and ends of yarn. I also have shelves and rolling carts to keep mailing envelopes, boxes and bubble wrap scraps that I could re-use. It’s also where I keep my collection of little cards to send personal notes with each item I sell on Etsy.

Do you have inspiration pieces in your space?
I have a silkscreen print of bright orange leaves hanging above my sewing desk. There are also two little framed postcards by Yoshitomo Nara, a Japanese contemporary artist.

Is there something else you'd like to share about your space?
It’s probably the most organized room of the house. I try to keep the room cleaner than any other room of the house so that I am prepared if I ever get a call to do conservation or restoration work on a painting. I have to remind myself that the space is intended to be dedicated to my “day job” as an art conservator.


--If you're a member of the NCTriangle team and like to show off the space where YOU create, let me know.

Where We Create: Behind the Scenes of NC Triangle Etsiers

"Where We Create: Behind the Scenes of NC Triangle Etsiers" was a weekly series on our team blog in the past. With the many new faces on the team, I'm hoping that the team members (both new and old) will be willing to share their "space" (couch, kitchen, table, closet, basement, etc.) with the readers so that we will be able to keep this weekly series going.

This week we are granted a glimpse into Cathy Spargo's studio where she creates the beautiful pieces that you'll find in earthboarjewelry!



How would you describe the space in which you create?
Accessible and dedicated! No more dragging boxes in and out of a cabinet. It is easy to sit down and get something done.

Funny this article should come at this time. I have finally organized my space. I was married about 2 years ago and my husband works from home, so he needed a home office. We decided on a house addition to create that space for him and it also morphed into some space for me - yoga and jewelry. Ironically I had more table space than my husband: one large maple table ( a smidgen over 7 ft long and 3 ft wide) and one large desk (almost 7 ft long) that my mother designed when I was a child. I had sentimental feelings for the old desk and had trouble letting go even though it was time. A friend helped me find a good home for the desk and it is still being used for crafting. Anyhow, now I just have the maple desk and a tower from craigs list I’m trying out right now. So far so good.

I have a very good light with a magnifying element that my husband gave me, room for a computer on the corner, and a printer. Unfortunately now I have expanded into our screened in porch because I am using a drill press and belt sander occasionally. I’ll have to figure out an alternate space in the garage this summer because I’m sure my husband will put the brakes on that - and rightfully so. It is a great porch. Another problem looming on the horizon - I am currently going to local metal smithing club meetings and so I am expanding in what I need for tools...torch, maybe some ferric chloride and who knows what else. So I hope I don’t regret giving up that extra table!

I do wish that I faced east instead of west. I’ve always felt like I’m facing the wrong direction - maybe a plug for that feng shui thing. Couldn’t get my hubby to switch sides with me though

How do you keep your space organized?
A continual struggle. About once or twice a year I have to do a major house cleaning. I am always looking for the perfect bead organizers but am judicious about what I decide to try. Everything you buy cuts into your profits and ability to buy new shiny beads. My most recent buy was a Bead Pavilion from Sova-Enterprises.

I continually thumb through organization magazines and visit stores. I found some nice leather CD organizers and boxes that are holding various things. Those have worked well.

Fortunately, with our new addition we built a large closet in which I store show set up items. Having a Canvas Rolling Bag (AB Fixtures, Raleigh) that carries jewelry trays keeps my made inventory neatly organized and lives in my closet. I can also use these black trays in shows.



Do you have inspiration pieces in your space?
I am working on my “inspiration corner” by collecting objects. I have enough now to begin some type of arrangement. Oddly enough these are not jewelry pieces. They are quotes, professional and nonprofessional works of art, found nature objects and cards created by my friends. Just things that make me feel good or I identify with in some way. Eventually they’ll be hung around my space to add to the loving and warm aura.

Is there something else you'd like to share about your space?
Just that usually, for completeness, it has to contain a couple of dogs and cats preferably with the cats NOT sitting on a current creation.

--If you're a member of the NCTriangle team and like to show off the space where YOU create, let me know.

Where We Create: Behind the Scenes of NC Triangle Etsiers

Welcome to Where We Create. This week is the space of Karen's Soaps.



How would you describe the space in which you create? My workshop (a.k.a. the Soap Shop or the Bat Cave) is in an unfinished part of my basement. The previous owners had used the room as a workshop, so I got lucky. It already had counter space, cabinets, a peg-board, and shelving when we moved in. Since, it is an unfinished part of the house, for about 2 weeks in the Winter and 2 weeks in the Summer the elements keep me hesitant to create. Half of it is designated for all things Bath & Body. The other half is designated for sewing and any other craft of the moment.

What is your favorite thing about your space? My favorite thing about my space is that it is all mine (selfish, I know). My cat joins me most days, and she sits on a little kid-sized chair and watches me. It is an escape for me, and a place I am comfortable and happy. I have a little electric tea pot, so I drink tea and make soap. I also have a TV/DVD combo and I watch a lot of movies.

How do you keep your space organized?
Was I supposed to do that? Well, actually my mother is to thank for the organizational kick-start. I host Thanksgiving every year, and last year was the first year I was selling on-line. November was my highest sales month, and Thanksgiving week was especially busy. So Thanksgiving weekend consisted of cooking, eating, a little sleep, and making soap. Who invites people for a holiday and puts them to work? I do! All weekend, my guests wrapped, labeled, and put together orders. My mom was frustrated with my layout, and after the holidays, we stripped the room and re-organized everything. Now the soap is all on one side of the room, instead of all over. We brought in a 6 foot table with chairs and that doubles as a soap packaging area, and a place to cut out sewing patterns. We also brought in some shelving to house all the completed bars of soap, perfectly organized by scent and color in plastic bins. I do spend a lot of time trying to keep it nice and neat.

Do you have inspiration pieces in your space? If so, what are they? I have a world map. I mark each state and country that I sell to. It is fun to track where my soap goes.

Is there something else you'd like to share about your space? As much as I love my Soap Shop, I think my husband loves it more. When we lived in our last house, I literally had soap supplies in every room of the house. He hated opening the kitchen cabinet and finding a block of Aloe soap base, or finding soap molds in the bathtub.

Check out Karen's soaps at her Etsy Store, Karen's Soaps.

Where We Create: Behind the Scenes of NC Triangle Etsiers

Welcome to behind the scenes of NC Etsier JoeiReed Hats


How would you describe the space in which you create?
I've taken over most of one of our spare rooms. It doubles as an office when I'm not sewing, and my husband also has his computer in there because he likes to hang out and play computer games while I'm sewing, so we can be in the same area. I've had a dedicated sewing room in this fashion for the last decade and I could never go back to having my sewing things shoved into a corner of another room! It's so much harder to find the time to create when you have to take everything out and set it up. This way, my sewing table and my sewing machine are always ready to go. I have a large cutting table of adjustable height, covered with self-healing mat so I can use a rotary cutter on it, and a lamp clamped to it so I always have good light. I have a separate shelf with my sewing machine set up on it. Most often, I also have my ironing board set up on the other side of the room. I have two dressforms, one my size and one smaller. I have several hat stands set up for finished hats and ones in progress. I have two full-length mirrors. I also have a corner set up covered with black fabric and a stand with a mannequin head on it that I use to photograph my hats to send to customers or post in my store. The great thing about taking over a room is I get a whole closet in which to store my costumes and hats and wigs. And of course, I usually have music playing on my computer while I work.

What is your favorite thing about your space? My cutting table. It's at a great height to stand and cut fabric. I can move it out so I can walk entirely around it. And I had it custom covered with self-healing mat so I can cut on it with a rotary cutter without damaging the table.

How do you keep your space organized? My late stepfather was very good at interior design, and he was the first to suggest that I put a shelf way up near the ceiling, all the way around the room, to get all my supplies off the floor. It's a really great idea, as it really opens up the floor space. It means I have to use a stepstool to reach everything, but it's a small concession. I am big into bins - I have about 20 plastic bins with lids. About a dozen are dedicated to fabric, one color per bin. I also have two for patterns, one for feathers, two for ribbon and trim, several smaller ones for fabric flowers, and several with ongoing projects or miscellaneous notions.

Do you have inspiration pieces in your space? If so, what are they? I try to keep my fabric "filed" but I often have several pieces out that I'm dying to use. I also have some patterns out that I really want to use. But for my hats, most of my inspiration comes from my materials. If I get any time when I'm not making custom orders, I'm pulling out a color of veiling or feather I haven't had the chance to use yet.

Is there something else you'd like to share about your space? When I'm making hats, I use my cutting table as a work space, and it's usually overflowing with bins of feathers, veiling and ribbons. I am usually pulling out different colors that are buried down in the bins, so they get disorganized very quickly. The only way I completely clean up is when I'm switching to a sewing project, so I have to clear the table for cutting fabric. It lasts until the next time I have to start making hats!

Check Joei out at her Etsy store, see more pictures on photobucket and read her blog about hat care and tips.

Where We Create: Behind the Scenes of NC Triangle Etsiers

Behind the scenes of Etsy shop Metamorphasis, aka Sonya Coulson Rook, handcrafted jewelry.











How would you describe the space in which you create?

Small. My workspace is in the kitchen in the space between the stove and the washing machine. My workbench is right by the door to our screened in porch, which I open for ventilation when soldering. I also have a small station set up on the porch for forming metal and another one for sifting enamel.

What is your favorite thing about your space?
Convenience. In addition to making jewelry I have a full time job, which limits my creative time. Having a workspace at home is great because it allows me to maximize my free time.

How do you keep your space organized?
I am a very messy person by nature, so staying organized is difficult for me. I cleaned up my space just before I took the pictures. It rarely looks like this; normally everything is in a huge disheveled pile. I am trying to work more efficiently though, and I am making a conscious effort to stay organized. I have lots of storage bins and systems that work great when I remember to use them. I have several containers with compartments for storing beads and small found objects, buttons are collected and stored in glass jars, wire and sheet organized by metal type in a plastic tower. I keep hammers, and small mandrels on a shelf in my bench, and pliers and hand tools in a wire basket on the side of my bench. I also keep extra inventory of handmade supplies organized in a container with small plastic drawers.

Do you have inspiration pieces in your space? If so, what are they?
I am a pack rat and am always collecting various objects that inspire me. I have a bulletin board where I post pictures, sketches, post cards, even seedpods and twigs, basically anything I can attach with a pushpin. I also have several tins with collections of found objects; buttons, coins, pottery shards, hardware, shells, etc. Sometimes I use these objects in my work, other times I just like to look at them for inspiration.

Is there something else you'd like to share about your space?
I am happy to report that its been over a week since I took these pictures and my studio area is still quite clean. This is a huge accomplishment for me.

Where We Create: Behind the Scenes of NC Triangle Etsiers

Behind the scenes of Etsy seller Crafts by Alice, aka Melissa Zbikowski












Describe the space in which you create:
I have two spaces where I create, my guest bedroom which has been turned into a craft/computer room and my bedroom. My guest bedroom is still a work in progress. While I finally got around to getting a craft table, I have yet to put up any shelves. I am working on that. My bedroom mostly serves as my crochet nook. I sometimes sit in my papasan chair to crochet, but it is usually full of skeins of yarn!

What is your favorite thing about your space?
That it is an actual room. Last year I moved into my first home from a one bedroom apartment, and I absolutely love the extra space I have. Plus, I was able to paint it the color I wanted, pink.

How do you keep your space organized?
It is bad, but I usually don't. I try to organize/clean both spaces at least once a month.

I do have a few plastic drawers for my felt squares, bottles for my buttons, plastic bins for my fabric, and a rack for my ribbon. I think once I get a few shelves up that will help too.

Do you have inspiration pieces in your space? If so, what are they?
My store is very focused on Alice in Wonderland, so I try to keep everything that I make centered around that theme. I have a few Alice related items in my craft space like my Mad Tea Party paperclip holder, Alice and Mad Hatter movie cell, and Alice photos. I draw inspiration from those, plus my black cat always inspires me as well.

Is there something else you'd like to share about your space?
I am just so happy that I have a craft space to call my own. I have so much fun opening up the windows, cranking up the radio, and crafting in there. I am truly blessed!

Where We Create: Behind the Scenes of NC Triangle Etsiers

Behind the scenes of Etsy seller Flowershop Mosaics, aka Paula MacLeod

How would you describe the space in which you create?
It began as a "nook" off of a shared computer/office space we created in our basement. Over the years I began spilling out of the nook into the shared space as I amassed more tools and materials. Eventually we moved the computer out and the whole space is mine now. The original "nook" is more like my supply closet at this point.

What is your favorite thing about your space?
It's mine and I don't have to share!

How do you keep your space organized?
Honestly, not very well. I have to force myself to put things away right after I use them. I teach in my studio too, so that is a great motivator to be more organized.
Do you have inspiration pieces in your space? If so, what are they?
I always have music playing, which is one of my biggest motivators.

Is there something else you'd like to share about your space?
Because it's an interior basement space, I'm never sure what the weather is like outside. I would love to have a big window for natural light, but I wonder if I would be distracted by a beautiful sunny day. I get lost in my work and lose sense of time and place. When I have to leave the studio, I sometimes get the sensation of walking into a new world!

Where We Create: Behind the Scenes of NC Triangle Etsiers

Behind the scenes of Etsy shop SydneyAustinDesigns aka Robyn Bourne, handcrafted jewelry.




How would you describe the space in which you create? My space is a tiny corner in my 2 bedroom apartment located in Greensboro, NC.

What is your favorite thing about your space? Although it's small, it's cozy. I also have a floor length mirror near my corner that allows me to "model" my designs.

How do you keep your space organized? My husband will tell you it's not organized. I'm working on it! I have wire racks that allow my stack my bead trays. I also have small baskets that holds my shipping supplies.

Do you have inspiration pieces in your space? If so, what are they? Yes, my daughter, Blake, made me a poster that says "Dear Mom, You are the Best! Love Ya!" When I get down in the dumps because: sales are down or my creative juices aren't flowing, all it takes is one look at my poster... and all of my sadness is washed away! My kids appreciate my hard work and effort that I put into my business.

Is there something else you'd like to share about your space? Oh yeah, did I mention that the bathroom door is right behind my chair! Sometimes my kids forget I'm there and they swing open the door really hard and whack me in the back!

To see more behind the scenes, Check out Robyn's store and her flickr pictures.

Where We Create: Behind the Scenes of NC Triangle Etsiers

Behind the scenes of Etsy shop Jennerosity, aka Jennifer Nelson




How would you describe the space in which you create?
In a word, INSANE!! Since the birth of our second child, my craft space, which formerly occupied my darling son's bedroom, is now a corner of our master bedroom. I try to keep it confined to my craft table and tall metal wardrobe that's absolutely crammed with supplies, but somehow things start to meander, and I've got works in progress collecting dust on my dresser, a kid oven for baking clay pendants in our bathroom, extra crates on the floor for those extra things I might need to use soon, etc. Since I'm the mother of 2 young children who like to play alongside me, I've set up a card table next to my craft table where I try to keep them occupied with a "kids' craft", in order to keep them out of "Mommy's crafts." It's a crazy way to create, and my little one often gets pulled up onto my lap while I'm making things, which really makes things interesting, but I cherish these days with my kids, because they won't always be little, and I'll always be able to make stuff.


What is your favorite thing about your space? My favorite thing about my space is also my least favorite: its closeness to my living space! I have to admit, as crazy as it is, I love being able to run over to my craft table immediately after stepping out of the shower, for the times that I'm inspired while washing my hair! I love the multi-tasking aspect of stooping down to play with my son and his "Little People" toys, and then jumping back up and finishing a project while he's engaged in play. One day we'll be able to finish off our attic and I'll have my own space upstairs to create in. Even then, it will also be part of a family area, a playroom, so I'll always enjoy still being part of the family interactions, even while "working".

How do you keep your space organized?
Every now and then, before starting a new project, I do a thorough clean-up of my area, even wiping down the craft table, and usually will find one area of my supply wardrobe to organize too, while I'm at it. Somehow the act of organizing things helps turn on the creative juices and gets me ready to go again. I use tons and tons of cheap plastic shoeboxes to store my things in, inside the metal wardrobe. Another plastic chest of drawers holds inks, pens, adhesives, embellishments and other things that I use frequently.

Do you have inspiration pieces in your space? If so, what are they? I keep pictures and other finished pieces on a bulletin board near me, but it badly needs to be refreshed! What inspires me most in my space is also a storage item: this kids' hanging organizer for small toys, that I converted to a place to hold many of my favorite treasures for creating: different sizes of dominos and bamboo beads just waiting to be decorated, kits of various ephemera to add to pieces, and all sorts of fun doo-dads, all housed in little see-through pockets so I can get inspired to try new things, just by looking at this thing.

Is there something else you'd like to share about your space? I keep a boombox underneath my craft table. Listening to music while creating is important to me for staying relaxed and inspired. (except when my toddler crawls down there and starts messing with the buttons, cranking up the volume or switching the channel dial on me!!)

Please check out Jennifer's Shop!

Where We Create: Behind the Scenes of NC Triangle Etsiers

Behind the scenes of Etsy Shop: Katie Carolina Designs and Start to Finish

Describe the space in which you create. What is your favorite thing about your space?
I live in a small one bedroom apartment in North Raleigh. My craft room is approximately 4'x6' and closely resembles my couch!

What is your favorite thing about your space? It is very comfy!

How do you keep your space organized?
Due to my confined area, organization is a must for me. After the disorganization took over and made me crazy, I called in a reinforcement: my mother!

I have two wire shelving units left over from the days of living in a dorm. At Lowe's I found some great color coordinated fabric baskets that fit perfectly into the shelving units. Now I use the units for storing the supplies for my "Start to Finish" business (covered buttons, fabric, etc.). I moved a piece of furniture from the dining nook and use that to store jewelry supplies. Everything that is related to my "Katie Carolina Designs" business is stored here. I have two five hook coat hangers on the wall and that is where I hang all my finished necklaces

Do you have inspiration pieces in your space? If so, what are they?
Hmm, the TV is an inspiration piece. Every time I see something on TV and think I can do that, an inspiration hits!

My cat is also an inspiration, he inspires me to create faster and to not leave supplies sitting around! If I do, he snatches them up and a week later I will find them in his latest "hidey-hole"!

Is there something else you'd like to share about your space? Lack of space is definitely my least favorite. I spend a lot of time taking supplies out and getting set up to craft and then cleaning up and putting my supplies away. I often think about how much more crafting I could get done if I had a room where I could leave items out. One day maybe!


Check out Katie's Shop:
For more info and behind the scenes, check out Katie's blog and her two shops, Start to Finish and Katie Carolina Designs.