I am making a ballsy move today and tackling 5 tasks for Friday 5.
No worries, they are kind of smallish tasks and kind of need to happen for the rest of the project Studio Awesome to move forward. Okay so today I am going to:
Finish putting together shelves:
UGH!! Just get them out of my way already. I hope I can remember where the clips are…
Organize hall and studio closet:
If I can streamline these spaces I can get more stuff off the floor. For the most part, they are somewhat organized. I have a spinning add-ins cart that could use some help, and a plastic storage drawer thing that needs to move upstairs. Shelves mentioned above go in here.
Clear desk and table space:
Table is actually cleared. I needed the space to organize the bookshelf yesterday. It is a LONG wooden dining room table and an awesome space to spread out as I organize my shit. I also have a gigantic old skool metal drafting table. That is currently a hot mess. So I need to get that cleared off to be able to spread stuff out as well.
Organize Spinning Add-ins:
this is going to start as part of the organize the closet thing. It also very well might take WAY longer than a day to do. I think the shelf clips might be in there…
Inventory Fleece:
Also part of the closet task. This too may take longer than today. I kind of did this earlier this year when we moved. This time I will also need to get fleece weight, documented and put into a spreadsheet.
AND…the cats have a vet appointment this morning… But hey…Its Friday. I can stay up late, and binge watch movies while I work. And I have a new Instant Pot for cranking out some dinner fast (OMG y’all…).
Day 1 victory lap…
Ta-DA!!! I now have a perfectly organized reference library. I have it all organized by catagories that make sense for me. My knitting book are organized even further. Separated into categories that work for how I look for books: resources that help me design, old skool inspirations, Contemporary designs, Japanese patterns, socks.
Why long term goals are important for artists.
As you may know I am a BIG fan of Leonie Dawson. I have been working through her yearly planners for the last 4 years and they have helped me get clear on what I really want to do with my business and have the courage to reach beyond what is normally offered in the fiber industry to build something from my heart to serve other fiberistas. Her new workbooks are now available. Check them out here. I promise they will stretch to reach for dreams you never knew you had.
As artists, it is hard to think in terms of big long term goals when it comes to your work. Even if fiber art is just a hobby, having art goals will keep that hobby focused and thriving. It is just human nature to strive and grow. Just to be clear, I am not just talking about technique driven goals (like wanting to master weaving, or being able to throw a perfect pitcher, or paint perfect clouds). How do you want to feel about your body of work that is unique to you in 5 years? What terms do you want people to use when describing you work? What purpose does do you want your art to serve for you? There is no right and wrong answer outside of really listening to your heart as oppose to what you think you should say.
Write those goals down.
Don’t worry about whether of not they change will next year. This is what is in your heart right now. Writing down your goals provides a map for all the activities you will do to make your art. If your activities are not serving your goals then you may be wasting time.
The same also holds true for your art space. If you are creating a space to serve an activity that is not related to you art goals. Then you are taking up precious studio real estate with stuff that is not serving your high purpose.
Alright fiberistas, I am off to round up some cats for their appointment. See you tomorrow with a progress report.
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Fiber artist Stacey Budge-Kamison AKA UrbanGypZ lives and works in Cary NC. She can also be found knitting in public, hammering out her latest e-course at local cafés and spinning yarns in her booth at her favorite arts festivals. A designer at heart, Stacey has decided that her mission is to help fellow knitters, crocheters, weavers and felters embrace their own style and creativity by exploring fiber art as it is a part of their everyday life and helping them embrace the title of artist no matter where they are in their journey. 
hey stacey b k! how’s your day 2 challenge going? I don’t know…I think that some of your tasks seemed a bit overwhelming. like the fleece weighing and putting into computer blah! that’s a tall order and cats to vet…essch.
Im very interested in how to organize the add-ins. I’ve seen large jars used. And plastic drawers used. My problem is I’m setting up shop in the garage so everything I do has to be mouse proof.
Good luck!
Add-ins pix coming today! I think jars or storage bins would be the way to go if there is a mouse issue. I am using a cart with open bins.
Weighing and calculating the fleece is a pain, but necessary for tax purposes as well as to make sure I am pricing my stuff properly. Hopefully one day this can be something I can delegate.