…building a business: clear space, full mind

There is something to be said about a clean, organized space in order to do your work and enjoy your process. It can be very frustrating to have to move pieces about, hunt for drop cloths and discover I don’t have the color paint I need to complete an order. I know this is the same in most creative endevors. I used to have my own pottery studio and keeping it organized was always secondary to the fun part of creating, but if the environment got a bit out of control I always felt blocked creatively.

I do wish I had a barn to work in and hopefully one day I will, but until then I have the garage that I completely highjacked from any cars or lawnmowers….and it’s still crowded!

Space. A full work space can be exciting & daunting at the same time. It’s always a relief to feel stocked and ready to go. The hunt is over for the time being and the work is going to begin. It helps to know where you are and where you need to go. Furniture is BIG so it’s a bit more tricky to sort as it takes muscle and some extra hands sometimes. I have a dear friend, Kris, that makes/sells the cutest little girl hair accessories and she has a corner of her home with  a desk, rolls of ribbon & sorted bits in drawers. It makes sitting down to work much more appealing.

Organization. I spent yesterday organizing my paints & supplies. I decided to keep a little piece of furniture that I believe was some type of washing table (truthfully I have no idea what it was, but it’s perfect for my purposes). Works perfectly.

Supplies. Every artist has tools that they use. It much easier to work when everything is clean & ready for use when you have set aside the time to work. We are all busy and sometimes creating fits in during nap time or those brief moments between life. Make sure your supplies are waiting for you.

Meet my funny, little gold lion that I found in a drawer of a purchased piece. He likes to hang out near the Country Grey.

Work Schedule. Decide what you are going to work on & in what order. It will help you accomplish your goals and finish your orders in the time alotted. You will feel good about being able to meet your demands on time. I have experimented a few ways in what the best tool to schedule is. I find that an enormous calendar at my desk with a bright pink pen is best. I write in drop off times, work times & delivery times. This Fall I’m going to be better at the work times so I make sure I’m fitting in time for what my own needs are too. Creativity minds need to be recharged. It is a battery that will wear out if you do not tend to your needs & take moments to relax & enjoy.