Friday, April 27, 2012

My Messy Workshop(s) or This One's for You Brenda Sue

Let's start at the beginning, where all good stories start.  My mom taught me to do crafts, basic sewing and basic crochet when I was really young.  Then Aunt Alice taught me to knit and embroider.  From there, I was hopeless.  I have embroidery thread and yarn that I have hauled around with me to many houses and four states.  The beading thing started back in 1994 when I got my first issue of Bead & Button, it was around issue 9 or 10.  I was an old hippie girl, and still had a few stray love beads, but this was a whole new way of thinking, and that just made it worse.  Since then you will see all the places I have gone by the depth of my messes.

First - The Bead Room


This is short round me at my bead sorting table.  I don't work in this room, it is a spare bedroom, but I am supposed to put all my purchases in here, and then sort and sift and put away.  Naturally, there is stuff all over the house but mostly in here, waiting messily for me to put it away.

Here's a close up of the table


containing everything from bead boards, to twine to Future Floor Wax to seed beads, glass beads, stones, pearls and glue.  There are also stray findings, brass stampings and odd craft supplies.

Here is the sacred bead shrine


where on the right are seed beads, wood and shell beads, cabs and donuts and glass bead strands.  On the left are lampwork, pearls, semi-precious stones, precious gems, findings and throughout, there are other miscellaneous beady treasures.

Here are a few more patient, unorganized beads and supplies, waiting for someone to get off her lazy beading behind and put them away.


Now for the room we affectionately call "The Warehouse".


These are bulk supplies, paints, paper, wood, soldering supplies, polymer and metal clay and related tools and miscellany.  There are also several boxes of wire and jump rings for wire wrapping and maille work, as well as metal and acrylic sheet, just in case I need them.


Here is the other side of The Warehouse.



These are my favorite papers, glue, paints, pens, ephemera, printmaking supplies, etc.  And  peeking out from behind my favorites is my alleged workroom.  For most folks, this room would be a front room, a living room, but for me, it is the workroom.  I only work there when my health permits me to spend time sitting up straight.  When I am feeling icky, I just sit in my lazy boy and work as much or as little as I can.

Here's a better pic of my workroom with me actually in it!


This room contains my drawing table, my bookcases (all full), my often-used supplies, my metal work table and my sewing and fabric area.

The drawing table


Complete with baskets of ink, pens and stuff, and a little pink pig heat tool.

The metal work table (the book in the foreground is a drawing journal complete with a personalized floral cover)


The sewing area (as well as the unofficial observatory)


And finally (I'll bet you are ALL glad to get to this point.) the dining or photo room (this one will get cleaned first!)


As you may have figured out, there are only two of us in this big ol' house.  We have three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a front room, a dining room, a kitchen, a great room, a covered back porch and a giant garage.  So of course, we have spread out all over.  Hubby has a spare room and the garage, and some of the stuff in the Warehouse is his as well.  We also share some, but not all tools.  I am really picky about my hammers cutters and pliers, and hubby is cranky about his power tools and he claims ownership of the kilns.  (We all know that is sooooo not the case, but he has to claim some real estate for himself.  He is endlessly and endearingly indulgent of my craziness.)

So that's it.  Unfortunately, I didn't have anything on tap that I could display due to other pending blog hops, so stay tuned for those.  Here's the list of blog links with a big shout out to the wonderful Brenda Sue at B'Sue's Boutique!  Happy Hopping to all you Bloggers!

Messy Workshop Blog Hop Links

Brenda Sue Lansdowne, B'sue Boutiques

http://www.bsueboutiques.typepad.com/

Robin Delargy, LooLoo's Box

http://looloosbox.blogspot.com/

Kim at CianciBlue

http://cianciblue.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Jazwick-Smith, Hudathots

http://hudathoughts-jennifer.blogspot.com

Mary Shannon Hicks   YOU ARE HERE

http://www.uptwnsh-fallingintothesky.blogspot.com/

Tracy Swartz

http://tracyswartz.com/category/blog

Jacqueline Marchant

http://jaacquelinesjewels.blogspot.com/

Lynnea Perry Bennett

http://designsbylynnea.blogspot.com/

Terry Matusyk

http://pinkchapeau.wordpress.com/

Laurel Steven

http://laurelsteven.blogspot.com/

Dr. Brassy Steamington

http://drbrassysteampunk.blogspot.com/

Pamela Takeshige

http://www.crittersandthings.blogspot.com

Kris Lanae Binsfeld

http://www.cherishdesigns.wordpress.com

Outre Art

http://theartistspaintbox.wordpress.com/

Linzi Alford

http://www.magpieintheskyspoilheaptales.blogspot.com/

Deb Davis

http://naturaltreasuresbydeb.blogspot.com/

Tamara Jones

http://irrysistablejewels.wordpress.com

Harry Wood

http://www.oscarcrow.blogspot.com

Gerry Nickerson

http://gersgems1.blogspot.com/

Elizabeth Owens-Dwy

http://www.thepolymergeek.blogspot.com/

Georgene Lockwood

http://sylvanavintagedesigns.wordpress.com/

Charisa Sloper

http://www.blog.obsidiansoda.com/

Jennifer Justman

http://soulsfiredesigns.blogspot.com/

Beanzie

http://the-vintage-heart.blogspot.com/

Mary Deis

http://mdeis.blogspot.com/

Cheri Reed

http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com/

Sondra Kolner

http://scrappybydesign.weebly.com/index.html

Sonya Ingersoll-Stille

http://www.dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com/

Lori Anderson

http://www.prettythingsblog.com/

Sandra McGriff

http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.ca/

Shelly Joyce

http://www.aujourlejour-shelly.blogspot.com/

Joan Williams

http://www.lilrubyjewelry.wordpress.com/

Kashmira Patel

http://sadafulee.blogspot.com/

Deb Beechy

http://beetique56.blogspot.com/

Ginger Bishop

http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com

Kelli Jacobson

http://creativemoonjewelryandthings.com/

Natalie McKenna

http://www.grubbi.co.uk/

Andrew Thornton

http://andrew-thornton.blogspot.com/

Mary Govaars

http://mlhjewelrydesigns.com/

Kate Mulligan

http://mulliganstewjewelry.blogspot.com/

Lisa Lodge

http://pineridgetreasures.blogspot.com

Tami Luchini

http://ssprocketsmetal.blogspot.com

Monique Lula

http://www.moniquelula.com/blog/

Lee Koopman

http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com/

Jayne Capps 

http://mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com 

Susan Lloyd

http://designsbysusan-dbs.blogspot.com/

Cynthia Wainscott

http://www.exoticperujewelry.blogspot.com/

Stephanie Amanti

http://www.stephaniesjewelrybox.blogspot.com/

Alicia Marinache

http://www.allprettythings.ca/

Sam Hamp

http://hampgirl59.blogspot.com/

Lennis Carrier

http://www.windbent.net/



46 comments:

Beetique said...

WOW!!!!! I have never seen so many beads! How awesome!

Miss Swish said...

Blimey- you have SO much stash ! I am already starting to think that mine is a merely modest problem :D
Thanks for sharing, from Linzi of www.magpieintheskyspoilheaptales.blogspot.com

Robin Delargy / LooLoo's Box said...

My god, Woman, I don't think I've ever seen so many beads, and I really envy your organization! How nerdy is it to say that I envy all those bead boxes at least as much as the beads????

Are you in SoCal? I used to live in Poway CA, and I do know they don't build many like yours in WA State. :-)

B'sue said...

That's a lovely house, Mary Shannon, I just love the grillwork archway. You have actually a LOT of organization going on....and a HUGE stash of goodies. I'm most jealous of your sewing space, there is just nowhere for any of that in my Messy Workshop, it's just too dirty down in my workroom. I don't even have a place for it upstairs anymore. I do miss sewing. Maybe one day I'll figure that out! Thank you so very much for sharing!

Mulligan Stew Jewelry said...

I too love the grillwork archway! You and I have a similar trait...organizing and labeling all those beads! I love to have them stored that way! What a great Messy Workshop Blog post! Glad to meet you!

Deb said...

OMG amazing stash. Love the archway

Jennifer said...

WOW what a lot of containers of beads. I thought I had a lot but you have everyone topped! It is nice and organized as well. Very nice!

Therese's Treasures said...

Hi Mary Shannon,
Wow I am amazed at your spaces and that everyone of them has a purpose. I love your organizing skills. I am envious of all your beads, from the seed beads all the way to the semi precious beads. I need to get a system so I will know where to look when I need something instead of searching and searching until I finally find it. LOL!
Therese

Anonymous said...

Hey, if you ever need someone to come over and "help" you put away some of those pending beads.....well, just call me! What wonderful storage and space! Very organized. SIGH....I hang my head in shame!

Lori Anderson said...

Oh wow, and I thought I had a lot of beads! I would love to spend hours in there with you poking around.

Cynthia Wainscott said...

love the bead storage!, so cool. I think you are very organized, way to go!.

Anonymous said...

I'm with Brassy. We want in the sacred bead shrine.

Anonymous said...

Wow, Organized chaos! I love it! What a bead vault!!

Joan Williams said...

Love your bead shrine - thanks for the tour!

Linda Younkman said...

Oh you made me feel oh so much better. I thought I had a lot of beads but I think you could start a small store. I love the organization that you have going on.

Laurel said...

Yess!!! You are totally prepared for the post-apocalypse crafting!

Tracy said...

Wow! Look at all those creative treasures! Thank you so much for stopping by and the compliments from a fellow gourdy girl make me wall warm 'n fuzzy. :) Yeah the insides are nasty bidness. I'm addicted tho.. My Hubs and I share the basement and share power tools. We tease about you has squatter rights on what. ;) Wouldn't change it for the world because we both support our creative hootenany. Warmly, Tracy

Unknown said...

I adore the bead shrine. It's like having a bead shop in your own home. The baskets on your drawing table are great too. To read that you work/create even when you aren't well is inspiring.

M said...

The bead shrine. . oh my goodness. Oh my goodness. Words escape me right now. Thank you for sharing!

The Vintage Heart said...

Amazing collection! I feel like small potatoes lol! Great tour thanks so much for sharing!

Sarah Sequins said...

Wow, what a great setup you have! I'm drooling over it. :)

Georgene Lockwood said...

You have a LOT of inventory. I often kid around saying I have a bead store in my basement. Well you have me BEAT GIRL!

I loved your bead shrine . Like my Great Wall of Shoe Boxes. It's the only way I can keep things in order and not waste lots of time finding stuff. I drag it out, but I'm pretty anal about putting it back where it belongs when I'm done. Otherwise, I'd shoot myself.

FireStorm Designs said...

Oh my goodness! I am in complete awe of your bead stash. For how much you have in the way of findings and supplies, I think you've done an amazing job keeping it all organized. Thanks so much for sharing! :)

Gerry of gersgems said...

Wow, I love how your rooms seem to be full of natural light. Sound like you have a super hubby too. I love how you have used those metal shelves for storing your goodies. Gerry

gelfling50 said...

Thank you so much for sharing your blog and crafty room...Wow girl do you have stuff. I love the dedicated spaces for all the containers...ty again, bye for now and Happy Crafting

Kim said...

Wow, I have bead envy now. And I love your house. And - thank you, because the next time my husband says I have a lot of beads I have proof to show him that I really don't.

dreaminofbeads / SAS Jewelry Designs said...

I am just so amazed at the amount of bead stuff you have...and my Husband says I have a lot! I think I may have to show him some of these blogs :) Thanks so much for letting us see your creative space.
Sonya

Lynnea B said...

WOW... you could open up a store! I thought I had a lot of stuff..compared to you I am an amature

Lynnea B said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lynnea B said...

WOW... you could open up a store! I thought I had a lot of stuff..compared to you I am an amature

Moobie Grace said...

Good gracious!! Can you email me your address so I can come visit? LOL! Awesome!!

Creative Moon said...

Goodness Gracious!!! May I worship at your bead shrine???!!! Holy cow!!! I am in awe!!! LOL But, that's getting to be what I need - lots of shelves and lots of trays!!! LOL

LOVE the wrought iron entrance way to your work room! =)

Love all the beading mess, it was fantastic! Thank you for allowing us to see everything!!! =) It was a pleasure! =)

Pamela Takeshige said...

You could open a store or give bead classes. You have everything and the space to put it. Luck you. I like your work, and their colors. Keep on beading!

Pam Chesbro said...

Officially jealous of all that lovely light and space! Thanks for sharing. You have lots of organizational skills, I can tell. Come to my house to help?

Anonymous said...

Very nice !! YOur plastic containers are so neatly stacked and labeled...make me ashamed of mine :) Thanks for sharing!!!

Clarity Of PurpleSage said...

Now that is a nice stash!! :D
But I have never seen anyone with their own bead store!! he he!!
thanks for sharing! Liz/The Polymer Geek

Cindy Cima said...

Love you sacred bead shrine!
I also have piles of unorganized beads waiting for me to get off my .....

Patti Vanderbloemen said...

WOW! You have a home-grown bead store!!!! I'd love to get lost in there!!!! :)

Laura S Reading said...

With so many choices of beads I would have trouble deciding where to begin.

SoulsFireDesigns said...

*swoons and falls over at the bead shrine* I'll just be here... swooning.. for a while ;)

Anonymous said...

I am loving your bead shrine! I kept wanting to reach through the screen to see what beady awesomeness is in each of those containers!

Anonymous said...

I am no longer sure the place you're getting your information, but good topic. I needs to spend a while studying more or figuring out more. Thank you for wonderful info I used to be searching for this information for my mission.

Feel free to visit my web site: psn Code generator

Anonymous said...

It is not my first time to pay a quick visit this website, i
am browsing this web site dailly and get good data from here every day.


Look at my webpage pirater Un compte Facebook

Anonymous said...

Hello to all, how is the whole thing, I think every one
is getting more from this site, and your views are pleasant
in favor of new users.

Here is my site; http://Www.Dailymotion.com/video/xzjjwo_candy-crush-saga-cheats-hack-working

Anonymous said...

Hello, just wanted to mention, I enjoyed this blog post. It
was funny. Keep on posting!

Feel free to surf to my web blog: pirater un compte facebook

Anonymous said...

electronic cigarette, e cigarette, best e cigarette, electronic cigarette, smokeless cigarettes, electronic cigarette