Pliers / Tools Holder

"Necessity, who is the mother of invention" ~Plato~

The other day I was looking for something to hold/organize my jewelry pliers and tools. I first searched the internet to see what I could find. I found different ones ranging from $9-$25 (+ shipping).



These are some pliers holders I found.  Besides the cost, I also had to deal with having to wait....and wait...and wait...for it to arrive *big sigh*. Have I ever told you that I am impatient specially when I an on a mission? Well, this day I was in one of my "organizing missions" and I did NOT want to wait...no siree bob!
Sooooooo... I looked around my craft room for something I could use for this purpose. In the recycled containers area, I found this large margarine tub and ding ding ding...*IDEA*!!!! this is the pliers holder I came up with. In case you want to make your own, here is a quickie set of instructions below.

Supplies:
- Recycled large plastic tub/container shape and materials are up to you. I used an "I can't believe is not butter" margarine tub. I prefer a round plastic container because I want to place it on a Lazy Susan on my work table. And, the plastic in this tub was very easy to cut with the scissors.
- Recycled small glass jar that fits inside the tub and lets you close the lid. (the one I used holds mushrooms)
- A circular object/template. Approximately 1" (2.5cm)
- Sharpie or maker
- Small scissors
- Hot glue gun (not shown)


Directions:
1. Remove the lid from the tub and draw small circles around the edge. Leave 1/2 - 3/4" space between each circle.
2. Draw a larger circle in the center of the lid. Use the lid from the glass jar or the jar itself (the lid will not be used in this project).
3. If you choose to, paint the outside of your container and lid now. Wait for it to be completely dry.
4. Hot glue the glass jar inside the tub, in the center.
5. Place the lid back on the tub and VOILA! you have a pliers/tool holder....Enjoy!
Cost: $0 or if you choose to paint your container and don't already have some on hand (I did), the cost would be that of the spray paint.

Storage Rack

I found this pot rack at a Goodwill store (brand new YAY!) It occurred to me that it would be perfect to hand over my work table. It allows me to have tools and materials and arms length but totally out of the way.

I did need to make a cover (with fabric found at the thrift store) to prevent smaller items I placed in there from falling through. It works perfectly and I LOVE IT!

Studio - (another) Makeover

Since my last post, I have done a bit of reorganizing in my studio. I have been rethinking my space and have been moving stuff around. As usual, I've visited the local thrift stores and found a couple of cabinets and shelves(modular used mainly for closet organization) and lucky me, they were the same color of some I already had. So now I have put them next to my desk. I was planning to put shelves in this area but I figured I already have some on top. I decided to use the modular cabinets because they have drawers and doors which looks neater.

Last week I tried to install the other half of my L-shaped wall shelves but I had cut them too long and a little crooked because I used a jigsaw. That's what happens when you don't have the right tools. I did get me a circular saw this week. I hope It will do a better job and I can get the shelves finally installed.

My Creative Space - Where did the light go??

Why would anyone want a nice uncomplicated life right? In my last post regarding this subject (My Creative Space) I know I said I was almost done but then, yesterday, the more I looked at the workspace/desk area the more I realized that although it was a huge (11'x4') working space, it was not very practical. When I first created it, it served it's purpose because I needed a large enough area to work in and to keep two computers so I put together one massive surface which took up the whole wall. (Did I mention I was on a very tight budget?). I created the surface using scraps of material I had which did not make for a very even surface. As I said, it did serve it's purpose at the time. However, now that I do not have a need for two computers, I do not need such a large desk.

Some of the inconveniences of such a large area are:

• It always ends up being a catch all area and becomes a catch all surface instead of a workspace.
• Because I made it so wide and it only had minimal support underneath, it made it impossible for me to finish installing the other part of the corner shelves I've had cut for months and waiting to be put up.
• Because I used call brackets to attach it and support it, it was very hard to work with the numerous cables I constantly need to plug and unplug.
• Because the surface was put together using several pieces of wood, the surface was not even and smooth so I needed to figure out how to create that smooth and even surface (which I still never figured out how to do inexpensively).
• I had no functional drawers for office supplies and filling. Everything ended up "ON" the desk. cluttering it.

Some of the conveniences are:

• It is a large area to work on (once it's been made smooth, even and uncluttered)
• Ability to keep all your tools and materials at hand (when it's uncluttered)
• It was cheaply made (and it showed)
  

After having my studio organized for a whole three days, I could not take so much organization and order so, yesterday, while my husband and I brainstormed try to come up with a solution for the uneven surface, it occurred to me...HEYYYYY...how about if I just find a desk with drawers at Goodwill or a thrift store! I can use that for the computer area. On the other side, for additional workspace, I can use a good size rolling table I already own. And if I need it, I can always get a shelf!

This morning, bright and early I headed to the Goodwills in the area to find me a desk. I did find one at the third store I visited, bought it and brought it home.

I took apart the old workspace/desk and my clean and organized room now is a war zone AGAIN....*sigh*

Hurricane Lily was here....

Found Object Robot Assemblage Sculpture

Turner By Brian Marshall

For a very long time I have been enjoying Brian Marshall's creativity. He makes the most amazing and clever Robots assembled from found objects. I definitely recommend taking a tour of Brian's Flickr (just click on the image) and if you MUST have one of his bots you can find his shop on Etsy.

My Creative Space - I can see the light!

This week I got really inspired and I have organized and cleaned most of my work areas. For the most part everything is where it should be but I am sure I will still make some changes and adjustments as I figure out the most convenient place for tools and materials.

Since taking this picture a couple of days ago I have managed to organize my desk.







I still have some small organization projects to finish in this room:

• Install the other side of the corner shelves above my desk
• Finish desk surface
  
• Attach corks to the edge of the shelves. This will be used instead of a bulletin board. I got the idea from the Do It Yourself Magazine as seen HERE
• Organize my dolls in the curio cabinet
• Install some storage shelves in the bathroom
• Organize my workshop area
• Determine what to hang in the wall next to the bathroom. I will probably use this area for a bulletin board when I can hang more dotees and knick-knacks as the one above the sewing area is full to capacity

Maybe , while I do my online clay and cloth doll class I will have some time to tackle this projects :)

My Creative Space - Work in progress

Soon after moving into our house, I had to put a makeshift office together because when I came to Georgia I continued to work as a contractor for my old employer and needed to get to work right away. This did not allow me to slowly put the room together as I would have liked so for the past year I have been working to make this the perfect work area. Of course, this is still a work in progress and on a tight budget. Since I love shopping for bargains I specially enjoy browsing though thrift and antique stores for that great deal! I so enjoy collecting wonderful and useful items.

My Creative Space - The beginning

This project has been a long time coming. It is still a work in progress (is it possible to be ever done?). It all started last year when I got married, and I told my husband I had two conditions. One he had to buy me a GPS. I still venture out and with out it I would never find my way home! The second was that I HAD to have a craft room when we bought a house...and of course, my wishes are his command. I must say, my hubby hubby is a very smart man and one of the numerous reasons I love him! Soooo...to make a long story short, I got my wish, we bought a house and I got a WHOLE ROOM for my crafts (a dream come true!) The room is in the basement and although I was no crazy about it because of the weird shape and lack of light, it is the room that makes the most sense. The bathroom is in this room, it has a door leading to the yard. AND...did I mention I got a BONUS work room? YESSSSS!