The chaotic mess in my work space, last week, seemed to indicate the state of my mind, it needed dealing with and sorting.
Three solid days of work and at least 12 black bin bags for the recycler later ...
and we have order. I have sorted and filtered every single thing...
the excess has been dealt with ...
For example... I had a whole bag of used envelopes, which I had saved, just because they have pretty blue patterns inside, huh???....
I have reacquainted myself with many items that I had forgotten I owned, buried deep in the clutter...
I feel like I have gained a little control and it has been extremely therapeutic. It may seem very silly in the grand scheme of things, but it has made me feel calm and much happier and relaxed.
I spend a lot of time in my work room and I am now able to gaze on things that give me pleasure...such as my collection of work from Amy
postcards from our travels....
my shell box collection...
fabric stash...
buttons... I like to keep a few ;-)
I know, I have a lot...
There is a lot going on in them there little buttons....design, shape, colour, type, make, young, old, form, specific function.
There is a lot going on in them there little buttons....design, shape, colour, type, make, young, old, form, specific function. Beautiful work from my very clever friend becky
So I hope you enjoyed my little tour of hens teeth HQ..... After the cathartic clear out, I did manage to make a new accessory ...a Cuff. It took a whole day to make as my hands are still a nightmare (carpal tunnel op in 2 weeks time ...ugh) but I have to do something creative with my time, otherwise I would go bonkers, that is, if I am not already :-)
Thanks everso much for all your great comments, new followers and for stopping by. x
So I hope you enjoyed my little tour of hens teeth HQ..... After the cathartic clear out, I did manage to make a new accessory ...a Cuff. It took a whole day to make as my hands are still a nightmare (carpal tunnel op in 2 weeks time ...ugh) but I have to do something creative with my time, otherwise I would go bonkers, that is, if I am not already :-)
Thanks everso much for all your great comments, new followers and for stopping by. xI want to leave you with this clip. I implore you to watch, it is incredible:
37 comments:
Thanks for sharing that clip it is amazing! Love your cuff, hope your op goes well, Russ has that too he is going to have to get it sorted but he keeps putting it off. Hope you have a great week xx
Wow! You have fantastic materials to work with and a lot of space. I hope it feels good to clear out the dust and cobwebs!
Hi, I am also a friend of Becky and have been following you for some time but never commented until now. I just did the same thing with my studio....feels like I can breathe now. So congratulations on a new view of your lovely collections, I do so understand.
And I didn't realize that you were going to have CT surgery. I have had both wrists done and am so happy with the results. I am sure without it I would not be able to be doing the things I do and that would make me a bit nutter than I already am.
Hope you don't mind my thoughts....I love your blog and always love to see another friend of Becky's collection of her works. The Olde Bagg, Linda
Very Feng Shui. Love those cuffs!
Hi dear,
Britain was a joy for us and I thank you for your suggestions. The only problem...not enough TIME! We enjoyed EVERY second and I invite you to drop by my newest posting to view Beatrix's garden. We were working in it for two days doing photos and drawings for an upcoming book project.
I loved this incredible clip. Wow, talk about creative. Also I totally understand the "gotta organize your studio syndrom." It puts everything right for me and then I can start new projects.
Hope you are well and take good care of yourself.
Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island
I recognize that "just burgled" look in the first picture.....You have now shamed me in to sorting my garage out. Pots of paint, brushes soaking in white spirit, dirty polishing cloths....I am indeed a messy worker!
I love your linen cuff, so much detail and the clip is quite amazing.
Julie x
Hi Viv, I know exactly how you feel, not being able to "work properly". But I'm not as far in that bad condition as you was. I've simply got a very bad back and can't sit, stand, hang around or keep any position for longer than 1/2 hour. Doctor's advice is "have patience". How can I? How did you manage?
I'm so glad you feel a little better now. I followed your blog but wasn't able to leave comment. But I thought of you quite a lot. Sorting out your studio must have been the best you can do. It looks fab now.
Looking forward to meeting you in Totnes?! Take care. Lots of love, Gertie
Hi Viv, thanks for sharing the clip, fabulous! I hope you enjoyed the clear out, I find cleaning very therapeutic. Sometimes I have some of my best ideas whilst hoovering (I would have said vacuuming but I can't spell it). I hope your recovery is speedy and although I haven't known you long you put so much heart into your Blog and your work I feel like I've known you forever! Take care of yourself and keep on creating! Emma X
What an amazing little vid. Love your new tidy work space and all your buttons. I agree you can never have enough buttons, but ones from childhood are the best. Hope you feel ok while you are waiting for your op dearest :o)
What a transformation! You have a lovely, LIGHT, workspace - no wonder you spend a lot of time in it.
Mine is my sanctuary, a bit darker than yours (smaller windows) and I love it - but I really, REALLY, must tidy it up too!
Hi Viv,you have a lovely place to sit and work although with a window area like that I imagine a little podering goes on lol the cuff is great,I love all the things you make they are very unique.Your room looks wonderful and so do your buttons,i am a button lover and have jars and tins of them I love to empty them on trays and just look at them especially the old ones although it is a long time since i have done that.Hope your hands get better soon and the pain goes for you.Carole xx
Love seeing the ( creative ) mess that other people make. How disciplined to actually throw stuff out!!
I would have loved a rummage in your bin bags (yes I am mad or sad or both !)
Sue
good luck with your surgery :)
those are beautiful cuffs!!
What a wonderful space. I like to see what creative minds surround themselves with.
Ooh the buttons.
I recently took over our box room, sorting all my stuff and finding space for it all was liberating.
chaotic? What do you mean? - I've also got boxes of old envelopes for the blue patterns...and my studio nearly always looks like your 'before' pictures! Love the video clip.
my goodness, I have a big hang up about even the slightest disorder - glad you got it all under control. The film clip was really fun, thanks.
Nothing wrong with a dose of chaos! I live with it at ALL times.
reading your blog today has made me think of several comments to leave. first if you think your workshop was a mess come and see mine! Second I can't believe how small your fabric stash is, surly you must have more squirrelled away somewhere, though the buttons make up for it. Third I too have a big collection of used envelopes kept for exactly the same reason, only I can't bear to throw mine out, you are very brave. fourthly, my Mum had the op for carpal tunnel years ago when i was a teenager, A looong time ago. Be careful to rest your wrists after for long old while or it can come back!
And finally I loved your description of the buttons. So beautifully poetic. Oh and the film was amazing
How lovely it looks all tidy and organised. The light is gorgeous. I'm glad you had a bit of theraputic sewing too.
Hey Viv, love your light filled work space. Bet you felt so much better after the clear out and tidy up. Did you happen to find your mojo?
Love the new cuff and the video is amazing.
Have a great week.
Oh Viv, the cuff is so beautiful!!
Love the idea , the colors, all of it.
xx
Love your corner windows! And those buttons? yummy!
You can't imagine how happy I was to see your article in Somerset Home! Yay you!
it is exciting when you find something you forgotten you had!!! or where it was if you had it!!!
Great work room, beautiful cuff and stunning video - thanks for sharing!!
How virtuous of you to clear your workspace. Oh, how I need to do this. All best thoughts for the lead up to your operation and ll fingers crossed it will relieve the CTS pain. Your cuff is truly lovely Viv.
It's sooooo therapeutic having a good sort out isn't it! As artistic creative people I think we are all guilty of stashing away heaven knows what just in case it might come in useful some day (you're not the only one to keep used envelopes 'cause they like the printing inside hehe!) and there comes a point when you can't see the floor anymore and then you just have to start chucking stuff out or you end up going bananas!
Sending good vibes to you over the blogosphere...... x x
Hi Viv,
I think I should sort out my thread mess after seeing your wonderful neat studio.
The best bit about a big tidy is all those items you re discover and it makes you even more creative!
I do hope you feel better soon and all goes well with your op.
M x
I need your will power to tidy things!
I love seeing all your stash and the video, best wishes for a successful op, Connie.
Lord, you have made me face the mess that is my sewing room!!! x
Thanks for sharing your creative space and thoughts. Loved it! One more thing, you can never have too many buttons!
Your craft spae looks wonderful!! I need to clean my combo craft space/office space. It's going to take a month of my free moments to get this all sorted out. I just need to start one drawer at a time....
I do love all your buttons!!! I need to post a picture of mine.
I feel compelled to tell you not knowing whether this will help, but when I read that you are having an operation for carpal tunnel, I wanted to share with you that I, too had it, and that I was talking to the docs about surgery. Then I chanced upon a tai chi magazine that talked about an exercise for the same thing. You hold your palm flat in front of you, as if to say "Stop!", and then push your thumb with your other hand as far as you can towards a parallel position with your forearm (on the affected side). Hold for 15 seconds. Do this as many times during the day as you can.
Also, find the sore spot by your elbow and place pressure on that as often as possible.
If nothing else, it might well bring you relief. Mine was cured & I never needed surgery. It was so bad I could not sleep at night and the pain radiated up to my shoulder. That was 10 yrs. ago, and no pain since. Hope this is something you can use.
thank you for your comment, can you come & tidy my work room please! xx
I have started saving envelopes that have the pretty blue designs inside -- I keep only one envelope of each design. Mine are all fairly new, and not as beautiful as envelope insides used to be, but I'm trying not to spend a lot of money on such things. Wish I had been around when you dumped them!
I just had to leave a comment! Just found your very interesting blog. Did you not know creative people are also hoarders - they need to be. The old saying: "You are only as good as your resources". It looks like you have the resources. Sandra
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