How to Make Your Craft Room Fit

“How do I make everything fit? What if I get rid of it and then buy it again? What if I make a mistake? I don’t want to be wasteful… But there’s just too much stuff. I can’t get to my work surface. Every time I organize, I need to create another new organizational plan again!!! These are common questions and thoughts for crafters, heck people. Here are some solutions and thoughts on how to make your craft room fit.

My Findings…

1. It’s okay to have a container of “just in case items“. For instance, I like mixed media, so I intentionally keep a file folder for envelopes, random types of paper, textures, tags etc. But it has to have a limit, and when it starts to get full, I pull out anything that I don’t love as much and recycle it. I’m always adding more items too it anyway.
2. By having some “Just in case item fixes” like this, I have the reassurance that there’s not too many “emergency’s” because I’ve created an “emergency zone” to look first. Where my “most realistic likely to occur” problems will happen.
3. Our brains are wired to be creative. If we ever truly need an item, your brain will come up with a similar substitute. (Prayer helps too. :)) Possibly a better option that you never would have considered before. The more you utilize this creativity muscle, the stronger and more resourceful it gets.

Helpful Questions to Ask

1. You honestly know yourself better than anyone else. Ask yourself, “Have I used this in the last year?” How many projects until I would get to utilize this item? It’s amazing how time flies. We juggle busy lives. And that’s okay.
2. If the answer is no, I like to ask myself “Why?” Personally, the answers have ranged from: that’s been an extra-busy season. Life without schedules, or I haven’t made time for crafting lately. Sometimes it’s “my desk is too full of stuff and chaotic. With bills and clothes on there too. I don’t have the energy to deal with it all.
3. I’ll ask myself in those seasons, “Is there an easier way and more simple way to create for this season?”
4. When everything feels overwhelming, I look at the big picture,. What’s my purpose in using my craft room? For me, it’s showing up. Having a fun, safe space to play and get creative. It brings me joy.

Honest Conclusions

1. If everything is overwhelming, I don’t feel like entering my craft room space and creating. (Which means I’ll never need the emergency item anyway.)
2. Is it worth it? Which is more important? To me personally, it’s having a space to create. If I make a mistake or have to repurchase something one day, I give myself kind permission. I only know situations I’m currently dealing with, and if something new happens, I’ll reevaluate then. New items can come constantly in our lives via recyclables, buy nothing groups, not to mention getting items second hand or gifted.
3. There are a few items that I’ve given away that I had second thoughts about. But I know I have other options which I can use instead. And I knew I wasn’t using those gifted items very often or at all. (which is why I felt safe to give them away in the first place.)

Something to think about

We have to admit to ourselves and others that we can’t be perfectly prepared for everything. Here or the future. By trying to, we are overcrowding ourselves. Out of our homes. Without space to live the life we currently need and crave. Your desire for crafting is wonderful. So is your desire to be prudent and careful. At what point does it turn into a problem?

An example, for me this happens in crafting, when I lose sight of the process and enjoyment of creating. By stressing out too much about the finished project, and a recipient’s possible negative responses. I lose sight of why I’m creating in the first place. My good intentions and excitement turn into dread. I make the mistake of trying to control something that I can’t. The same happens with our desire to never make a mistake in what we keep and let go. Or how we live our lives even.

You are smart, capable and allowed to make your best call and leave the rest in God’s hands. If you need wisdom, pray for it. Choosing to let go of overwhelm for your own sanity is, I believe, the best choice you can make. At the end of any day, you deserve a break and one less space that needs an overhaul.

Seasons and craft supplies change, and So do You

If occasionally you have to replace something, or buy a re-inker, or your season of life changes suddenly… invest in you. This happens in every other area of life too. And it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money either. I literally found a wonderful office chair the other day for $2.50. Keep an eye out for ideas and you’ll be amazed at what you can find. Also I had no idea when I started crafting, that my style would change overtime. The mediums I used to create with would change too. And it’s been an amazingly fun and educational journey to top it off.

Because while you might need or want that one thing, or even a few over the years… You won’t need everything that blocked the way to your crafting table. But you do need and want the enjoyment and fulfillment you can get from crafting with all those hours of fun ahead. 🙂

I hope this helps and honestly I’m still trying to work this sentiment out in my own life. I’m praying for you friend and believe in you. You deserve a happy crafting future. And all the joy that comes with it. Thanks so much for reading. You are the best!!!

Find out how to Organize Your Craft room in this post.

Watch the Youtube Craft Room Organizing Series