Nothing entices me to work more than a magical space that invites me to play! So I decided that with the closing of Hazelnut Cottage, it would be a great time to revamp my little studio space so that I can move forward with gusto and make room to welcome in fresh, new opportunities for 2013!
Welcome to my art studio! This is the first post in a brand new series for 2013, on creative ideas for your art studio. I have lots of easy, simple projects and tips to share with you, ideas you can use to beautify your own creative art space!

Here is my new shipping, packaging and paper work area. These tansu drawers hold my sketchbooks, and things like paper clips, and odds and ends that usually clutter up an office space. I love all the little drawers and doors.

TRICK: Here’s a simple, neat little trick to show off artwork...just slip the piece of art under the lip of a basket lid and taaddaaahhh—instant display!

Opposite my new shipping and packaging area is my painting table. I have lots of my mixed-media materials, brushes, paints, inks and other messy stuff here and books and collections of things I love to look at on these shelves. In later posts, I’ll show you how to make your very own scalloped paper banners and my little trick for organizing paint tubes in the studio!

Here’s a sneak peek!

Along the way, I enjoy displaying artwork. Anything goes in my special space, the only criteria is that the things I include have to be things I love, things that make me smile and feel happy...a great criteria for decorating the whole house, yes?!
I
“COURAGE”...

...brayers...

...a special little lantern with heart shaped flowers...

...a super-duper easy chair cover, tacked in the back with a miniature clothespin...

...and Mr. Bojangles to keep me company when I’m at play in the studio!