Wow! It feels like forever since I’ve posted- and truly, it’s been over 2 weeks and that’s the longest I’ve ever gone without posting since I started CraftTestDummies in 2008. But in those 2 weeks, we have packed up our home in Ohio, loaded a huge truck and schlepped it all to Manhattan.

So I’m going to share with you my journey in becoming a New Yorker…but maybe even more importantly, I’m going to share with you my journey in setting up my new craft space.

For you video types…this 2-minute video is for you! 🙂

As you all may remember, I had a pretty good size room in the third floor of my house…

AND I’d just rented a warehouse space so I could make better videos, too.

I’m not gonna lie, I REALLY miss that space. And that lighting set up!! Now I have to squeeze my studio and my video production into one SMALL space. Here’s what it looked like before we moved in:

This is how it was used- as a small bedroom that fit a twin-size bed and ONE CHAIR.

Yup, it’s THAT small- it only fits a twin-size bed and a chair!! There was a closet with a dresser in it OUTSIDE of the room. The total size is about 12X9. About HALF of what I had before at home in Ohio.

But you take what you can get, right? so I’m lucky to have a space at all in Manhattan. I started by putting in one 47″ IKEA desk. (It’s the Linnmon, if you are interested.)

And then I decided to add another to make a longer workstation.

Then I decided I needed one more across the window, as it’s the best lighting option for videos.

So that makes three tables in all.

My son and I also installed a Kallax unit from IKEA. This one as 25 cubbies and measures just over 71 inches high and wide! Lots of room for storage.

IKEA Kallax Unit in the craft room.

AND… there is still 2 feet of storage on TOP of it.. The ceilings in my brownstone are *really* high. So I’m happy about that.

I also have my retail spinner from home, that I will be filling up…probably with some paints and such. (you can see it on the far right of the photo above.) But it’s such a sad off-white color that I feel compelled to paint it something bright and cheery first. So I’m debating what color to go with for an accent. I love the idea of teal or red for a “pop” of color.

Now… I did bring my on of my library card catalogs, so I’ve got 72 drawers of craft happiness there. Actually, a few less…because some are EMPTY! Can you imagine? I’ll be reorganizing and filling them up soon, tho, no doubt.

And allof my Creative Options boxes stack nicely on top- so I don’t need to fit them into the Kallax unit, after all. They can stay right there!

I still have one more wall to work on… it’s the angled wall near the door. I’m planning to put up picture ledges or a nail polish rack to hold more of my smaller paints. I’d also like to hang a rail with clips for my stencils. And of course, I have a little pillow for Ginger, my cockapoo. She needs here little spot too!

So that’s what I have done so far. Since we moved, I had six days to set this much up, shoot a video for Just Add Imagination (I’ll share that this week) and then we spent a long weekend in Atlanta for a family reunion.

Now I’m back, though, and I know I can pop into my studio and at least do a few things. I’ll be starting up making my One Little Tag Craft Challenge tags again, and doing weekly Periscopes. 

I hope you’ll subscribe to my blog and follow along on the adventure!

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About Jenny

Chief Craft Test Dummy, Craft Evangelist, Founder, Editor, bottle-washer, trouble-maker, and creative whirlwind.

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• Review and Demo of LDRS Hybrid Ink Pads - October 15, 2018
• Review and Demo of Nuvo Hybrid Inks - October 1, 2018
• Craft Studio Tour and Organization Ideas - September 20, 2018
• Wax Paper Resist Background Technique - March 20, 2018
• Comparison of Liquid Watercolor Markers/Pens - March 16, 2018
• SAI Japanese Traditional Watercolor Brush Markers- Review & Demo - February 23, 2018
• Rinea Metallic Foil Paper & Ghost Ink Review - February 21, 2018
• Jane Davenport debuts at Creativation 2018 & Watercolor Card - February 13, 2018
• Creativation 2018: New Product Showcase - January 20, 2018