Studio Changes:

BEFORE

AFTER

Not a lot has changed here on the desk where I make the beads.  I have a new torch & I've I relocated my fan to be closer to the flame for better ventilation.  I also took the plastic cover off of it because it was starting to contort from the heat ~ it ain't pretty but it does the trick.  I've reorganized my glass stringers (those thin, long pieces of glass standing up in containers are now all color coded.  In the middle is a stack of soap dishes that are color coded too.  I put all my small blue stringers in the blue soap container, white in the white & so on...  I've had this system in place for over a month now & it seems to be more organized than before (it's nice to be able to find what you're looking for when you need to).  I replaced the picture above the kiln because I think the size of the new picture works better & I have new curtains that love.

BEFORE

AFTER

This was one of the biggest jobs to do in the studio - reorganize my glass rods.  The before pictures shows a relatively neat area with some glass taken about 1 1/2 years ago, but before last weekend, I had so many new types of glass piled on top of each other all mixed together in a crazy, confusing mess that I had to do something about it.  We finally went & bought some more tubing to separate the different types of glass & I had the daunting task of pulling out & resorting all the rods & putting them back in a more efficient manner.  Now I know what & how much I have ~ this will save time with ordering new glass & will give me better access to my color palette for future beads - phew!  We also hung a curtain there so that I can close it when guests come over (especially curious little children... sharp glass & children do not mix).

Voila ~ out of sight, out of mind.

BEFORE

AFTER

This is probably my most favorite part of the room...  I'm really excited with the changes I made here.  I put up a "treasure map" of all the things that excite me or inspire me.  I have to add some more, but this is a good start.  This is the area where I dip my mandrels for making beads, where I clean beads, where I string beads & where I daydream!  Right beside it I have a great drawer system for my packaging & envelopes.

This thing has helped me out big time - when you're dealing with envelopes, tissue paper, bubble wrap, receipt books, business cards, customs forms, stickers, stamps & bags you need something to keep it all straight with & this does a perfect job for me.  It's also on wheels so I can take it into the office if I need to look up addresses while I wrap up beads. 

BEFORE

AFTER

I cleaned up this bookshelf quite a bit.  I replaced a couple of crazy plants with some of my favorite pictures & I bought some beautiful frames from Bombay - here's a close up of a few of them (you might see a couple of these pictures in future "Where in the World is Carrie" contests).

BEFORE

AFTER

This area was a bit of an eye soar with the cat condo.  We also found that with the hot tub we needed a place to store things like toques, sandals, hot tub pillows & chemicals.  So this piece of furniture worked out perfect.  It's great storage & if someone comes for a visit, they have a place to sit while I finish up a bead.  And because I felt bad about Maggie losing her perch, I picked up some cat beds that are under my one work table.  You can just make out a little black body in on of them, Nu has made herself right at home.  As for Maggie, well she's still adjusting...

I also got a new light & fan.  I would show you a picture but I don't have a before picture of the other light & fan which was really ugly so I won't bother, but the new one rocks!  That's it for the new & improved studio tour.  I am thrilled with all the improvements & plan to spend a lot of time in there working away & enjoying the new energy of the room.