A call for inspiration
March 16th, 2007 by CandaceFor those of you who don’t know, I don’t have an actual craft studio. As much as that bums me from time to time, I do have a craft corner which works perfectly for our house and for my crafting needs. I just recently decided to redecorate the dining room (which is where my corner is located) and switched around some of the artwork on the walls. I am now left with a blank spot that is located just above my workspace.
How can I be inspired to create when there is nothing to look up and inspire me? I love this idea from the Purl Bee, but I’m just not a fan of embroidery hoops adorning my dining room walls. I thought about covering canvases of different shapes and sizes of my favorite textiles and then hanging them there. I dont really want shelves, nor do I want just one basic piece of artwork. So I am asking for suggestions. What do you have hanging above your work space that inspires you? What would you like to have there?
March 16th, 2007 at 4:33 am
I have a similar space and I’m considering painting it with magnetic paint, and then covering it with the wall paint. Since my 5-year old is the best artist in this family, I’d probably put up some of her work; however, a blank magnetic board gives you the flexibility to put up anything that inspires you at the time (magazine clippings, flickr printouts, etc.) and change it around when it’s time for something new. As usual, this is not an original thought. This is the blog where I saw it first: http://www.myaimistrue.com/archives/2007/01/magnetic_poster_wall.html
March 16th, 2007 at 5:04 am
My desk is in my living room as well…I bought a memo board (the kind with the ribbon on it) from TJ Maxx for $7 (you could make your own too, and I’ve seen them at thrift stores) – and the fabric is really great and matches everything – but then I also add inspiration pictures to it. As I find cool pictures in magazines/catalogs I get our fun scissors and cut them out – then hang them on the board. I sometimes stay with a ‘theme’ (such as now is Spring and Flowers), and then when it gets full or the whim hits me I move the “inspiration” to a journal I keep full of inspiring images.
Good luck figuring something out! But I like that magnetic board idea too!
March 16th, 2007 at 5:35 am
First of all, I absolutely love the look of your place.
The colour of your walls reminds me of the colour of the walls at my work. It is a family counselling service for families with mental health problems. Above our cabinet holding our resources and books we have 4 giant letters – H O P E.
I love it.
I bet that would look good there too. At Micheals I know they sell letters, wood ones you can paint, white ones too- so you could do any word that speaks to you really.
March 16th, 2007 at 6:44 am
If you happen to have the latest Blueprint magazine, they have a spread on wall deco with wall pockets. I will scan a copy for you and email it to you. :*)
March 16th, 2007 at 6:44 am
I also have a non-designated craft s pace. I work out of my dining room. I don’t have a direct wall, rather I work at the dining room table. I have windows to look out and the living room, where my little guy usually is. Sometimes I have an old-movie on the TV which I can see. On the walls, I have vintage poster art (Cappiello).
Your wall colors look very similar to our living room wall color which is called Anjou Pear from Sherwin Williams. I love it!
March 16th, 2007 at 7:47 am
great suggestions so far!
maybe you can use the space for an inspiration board. put pictures and things that inspire you up there. you could do a board (with pins) or the magnetic idea, or the pocket idea. so many options!
let us know what you decide!
March 16th, 2007 at 8:04 am
I was thinking the BIG letters too.. SEW, CREATE covered in fabric (just because that’s what we do!)
However… I also love the fabric covered canvases. It’s already an inspiring spot so just a little something extra would be perfect. Love that yellow!
March 16th, 2007 at 8:13 am
Wow I love the suggestions so far!!
I always like to have inspirational things hanging up.. I have some small posters that I love sitting around, like 5×7. The big item is something I made that I just love the colors — it’s knitting wire attached to a blank canvas and then I ran several strips of different fabrics and yarns through the wires. It looks sort of crazy but I love it.
Good luck deciding what to put up there!
March 16th, 2007 at 8:27 am
Wow, these are some fantastic ideas!!
I love the magnetic/fabric board idea and keeping it with a theme. And I already thought of doing the letters, as well. I see in my mind what I’d like to have, so now it’s trying to find a way to merge it all together, and adding these new ideas as well. The main problem I’m running into is it’s also my dining room, and when you walk through the front door, you automatically look RIGHT into this particular corner, so I need it to have some organization, kwim? But I am loving these suggestions and now I feel like I have more direction – thanks SO much, ladies – you guys rock the kabash!
March 16th, 2007 at 8:52 am
Everywhere I go on the interwebs lately I’ve been seeing wall stickers/decals. Karkovski.typepad.com/karkovski blogged about them a while back (with a few links) and closer to home I found http://www.whatisblik.com. I’m also a fan of those ribbon memo boards everyone has been talking about!
March 16th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
My sewing table faces a big bay window, so I have a nice view of outside. But I’m obsessed with that magnet paint idea, and I’m already trying to figure out where I could use it….
March 16th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
You know, I made my own fabric covered bulletin board and then made my own tacks to match. Here is the link:
http://sassypriscilla.typepad.com/sassy_priscillas_craft/2007/03/fabric_covered_.html
Good luck!
March 16th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
Don’t know if this is your taste but I think printer’s trays are very cool, you can use them for all kinds of collections…for an example, see http://bp2.blogger.com/_WkSxKg77SeU/RfscATSc8vI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/abO6OMzp_Sw/s1600-h/IMG_1033.JPG I do like the memo board ideas too!
March 20th, 2007 at 10:11 am
i don’t know if you have read shim and sons blog…but, she makes these fabulous wall pocket organizers that you can tuck your inspirations into…i don’t think she currently sells online, but they are worth a look.
http://shimandsons.typepad.com/shimandsons/2007/02/my_little_busin.html
March 30th, 2007 at 5:33 am
OK…so it’s your dining room and your craft room. If you’re thinking letters you could always put CREATE on the wall and then when it’s dinner time take the C,R,andE off and you have EAT…heh
April 3rd, 2007 at 7:05 am
If you like the look of the fabric on the wall but not the embroidery hoops, check out what Bella Dia did in her craft room:
http://belladia.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/p1010012_1.jpg
November 13th, 2008 at 11:15 am
BY now you probably have taken one of the already submitted ideas (lots of creativity out there!) and the wall now has something that inspires you when your working in your craft area. My first thought when looking at the wall and surrounding area is that a quilted wall hanging woudl be fabulous there! Incorporate the colors from the room and even pull in others that you like to compliment. I have done this in my sewing “area” and every time I see my wall hanging I just marvel at the colors and pattern (Delectable Mountain) and want to sit downand create more!!