{Living Big in 1200 Square Feet.}

This is the view at the top of the stairs (you can see the newel post in the lower left hand corner.) There is a little niche under the slanted ceiling and that is where I tucked my sewing machine table. It fit perfectly, which I took as a sign from the heavens to go ahead with my wacky idea. I made that skirt out of an old Shabby Chic shower curtain. I pulled it from my fabric stash so the cost was $0. Storage tip #1: Go under. That skirt looks sweet, but it also hides a lot of things that I need but don’t necessarily want out on display. If something is unsightly, mask it with a skirt and then use that area for storage.

The white shelf unit behind the sewing table was something I found in our shed and repainted. Now it functions as a handy place to store sewing notions.

I collect pottery, so I have a lot of it scattered around the house, which leads me to Storage Tip #2: Use what you have on hand. Shop your house. Pottery and china are not only attractive but can provide valuable storage space. You may not have lots of storage space, but some cheerful pieces of pottery that hold buttons or beads or paint brushes may just do the trick. This piece holds fabric for whatever project I’m working on at the moment.

This little creamer with my initials on it (that was a find!) holds fabric markers, paintbrushes, and seam rippers.

This mug holds my measuring tapes.

This piece of Roseville pottery holds vintage seam binding.

My craft and decorating books are in this bookcase that I bought for $30. Frugal. That vintage sewing basket also stores supplies.

Here’s the view as you turn the corner in the hallway. I bought this cabinet for $75 through an ad on Craig’s List. Storage Tip #3: Buy vintage, buy used. Not only will you get a great deal, you’ll often find something with much more personality than anything you would buy new. This cabinet, with its sort of deco-looking handles is wonderfully funky and I certainly wouldn’t have found anything like it in a furniture store.

Back to that bookshelf: I tried and tried to find a used bookshelf that would fit in my tiny space. It was a fruitless search. When I found this new one, I could justify it because it was so inexpensive.

The cabinet is not too deep, has shelves behind glass (for display,) shelves behind cupboard doors and a drawer.  I don’t know what I did without it. It provides valuable storage for this tiny space.

None of these jars cost more than a few dollars and they hold trims, thread, ribbons, buttons and embroidery floss. Storage Tip #4: Use Glass Jars for Storage. You can see what you have and they’re pretty to look at.

When it’s time to embroider, for example, I just pull out this jar and take it with me to my chair.

I already had the vintage glove boxes, which also provide storage.

Back to ‘Use what you have’ – this set of vintage Chinese nesting baskets is something I’ve had hanging around for years. I spray painted it white and now it’s in the studio holding fat quarters, trims and patterns. Because the baskets nest, I can get a lot into a tiny area.

Storage Tip #5 – Think Up. I use the top of the cabinet to display things. One of those things is a wire basket that holds trims. I also use the wall space next to the cabinet.

Hanging on the wall is this vintage feedsack shoe bag. Each pocket holds lots of supplies. It’s pretty and useful. Next to the feedsack is my mini design wall.

See? There it is, to the right. Before I got the cabinet, this whole wall was a design wall. When the cabinet came into the studio, I decided to get rid of most of it, but this one section has remained. It reaches the ceiling, so there’s a lot of design space available. Right now, since I’m not working on a quilt, it displays my embroidery projects and my mom’s baby dress. But the minute I need it, it will be available for design work.

Storage Tip #6: Have fun – add something whimsical (but useful) to your space. I treated myself to Letitia last year. She was found on eBay for $75. Since it was birthday money, the cost to me was $0. Her presence adds a lot to the studio and she also serves as a display for all sorts of things. Last year, she modeled some of my crocheted scarves for my readers. Beautifully, I might add.

Nothing in this space cost more than $75. (I’m not counting the sewing machine which I’ve had for years.) Most of it I already had on hand. By the way, my supplies are not all neatly contained in the studio. I have a closet in the guest room where I store fabric, yarn, and my ‘real job’ work supplies. I work on my dollhouse in a corner of the den. I sometimes need more space and spread things out on the kitchen table. But everything has a place and when I’m finished for the day, it all goes back.

Maybe these ideas will serve as a bit of inspiration. You can create a space for crafts and craft storage in a tiny space.

We’re hoping you’ll give us ideas for future posts. Share your thoughts and your solutions with us.

Stop by and visit Brenda, who lives with her 2 little dogs in 1010 square feet in Tulsa. She has some wonderful ideas to share with you.