Craft Lighting

I don't know about you. But I craft morning, noon, and night. I'm not lying!!! I have been a caregiver for about 7 1/2 years now. I had a completely different career before. And I would only crochet as a hobby.

These days, it has turned into a business for us. And honestly, a way to pay the bills. But at night, it's so hard to see. I avoid all dark materials. At all costs!

We live in an old house. 100+ years old. It's adobe. And the lighting is horrible! During the day, it's great. Open the curtains, and get to work. But at night, ugh!

So I've been researching lamps. I mean, we have your standard lamps. A floor lamp from our local furniture store. And a couple of table top lamps. But our overhead lighting...it's horrible!

Have you taken a look at lamps? Lately? How about craft lamps? They are expensive!!! But I was thinking, with a Joann's coupon...it's not too bad. So I got on Joann's website and did a little search. Here's what I found...

This is an OttLite Dawson LED Floor Lamp. Right now, it's on sale for $74. I like the simplicity. But at the same time, I feel like I can find something similar at Walmart or Target.

This lamp is an OttLite Dual Head Floor with Tablet Stand. It's currently on sale for $120. And I like that it has a stand for my tablet. More and more, I'm saving patterns on my tablet. And not printing them out. This would be a nice little number. You could even put use the stand for a printed pattern. I just think this one, is a good idea. And honestly, my favorite of the bunch!

The 24w 3-in-1 Craft Floor Lamp has lots of useful options. For $140, you get a few different things. There is the light. And a magnifier lens. There is also a clip, on a gooseneck. To attach your patterns and such. This is nice. But I wish it had some sort of shelf. 

The Daylight Flexi-Vision Floor Lamp is a little pricey. $200. And there are no bells or whistles. So to speak. Basically, it's a lamp. A heavy duty daylight lamp. I'm not too anxious to purchase this guy.

This lamp is my FAVORITE!!! Also the most expensive of the bunch. $287. But to me, it has everything you could need, as a crafter. It looks nicer. As in, goes with your home decor. The goosenecks. I LOVE the craft shelf. Sorta wish it had more of a tablet shelf. There's a magnifier lens. And a clip for patterns.

You have the option to put the wheels on. Or leave them off. I like that! Because I would leave the wheels off. I really do like this lamp. Any friends or family reading this...I have a birthday coming up. All Joann Giftcards are welcome! ;)

I don't know about you guys, but I really do need a lamp. I also need my own Craft Room. My Mom has a Sewing Room. And I've been considering a little redecorating. An addition of a comfy chair, some good lighting, and storage. We have a room that we don't really use. It's kind of the "Catch All Room." So who knows... 💕

Inspired to Be Organized

So I don't know about you. But when January rolls around, I ALWAYS have this deep desire to organize my life. Especially my crafty life. How about you? I think, all of a sudden, that every piece of craft supplies...needs a place.

Actually, for about 2 years now, I've wanted to make a space like this. My Dad passed away in March 2015. And by January 2016, I was ready to convert our old dining room. Into a craft room. It was a space we didn't really use. And it needs so much love!

You see, I take care of my Mom now. She got sick, almost immediately after my Dad's passing. We are the "Two Crafty Hearts." And we craft so much! Not just crochet. Although, that is what we focus most of our crafty energy on.

Our home is an old house. One that has been added to, remodeled, and is a little funky in layout and function. So we have this room. That was our dining room. It's purpose now? Well, that is tough to say.

My Mom's sewing table is in there. So are some shelves with craft supplies. Our large freezer. The dogs' food supply. And some containers with our "Craft Stash." It's somewhat organized. But not the most inspiring of places. I'd like to change that. Along with getting us organized.

So I took to good 'ol Google. And did a search. Just to pull up some images. I know, I could have found better on Instagram or Pinterest. But y'all, I'd still be lost over there. Probably looking up recipes or Summer crafts. Because that's what happens on those pages. So let's take a look at what I found...

I adore this frame! My Dad actually bought us, about 6 peg boards. About a year before his passing. Our local K-Mart was closing. And he wanted to buy some shelves. For his business. While we were waiting to talk to a manager, my Mom spotted the peg board.

It's sitting behind a bench. In our porch. One piece, keeps our dogs in the kitchen, when we need them to be in that space. Did we ever make a display for our crafts? No we didn't. This would be a nice use of that pegboard.

I'm thinking more for hanging tools, scissors, that sort of thing. Maybe a place for small baskets. Nothing too crazy. Or complicated. Just a space, to have things handy.

Isn't this the BEST??? I think it is! I adore those thread holders. My Mom has some built into her sewing table. And some smaller ones, in her sewing room. But nothing like this. I wonder where you'd find these...

As far as the buttons and ribbons. I swear to you, when I lived alone, my supplies was like this. Organized. Displayed for me to see. When I was working on a project, I could be inspired by my supplies. I had Mason Jars filled with buttons. Sorted by color. My ribbon, all hung like this. I used wooden dowels, and eye hooks.

We NEED to do this. Especially for my Mom's sewing projects. It just makes life so much easier! I think a couple of shelves, dowels, eye hooks, jars, and racks...could accomplish this!

This is the picture that got me started. I seen it on Facebook. I like the re-purposed furniture. I LOVE that it is white. And that there is open shelving. I just like the idea, of having my craft supplies, be the stars. You know, be the accessories of the room. 

Everything has it's place. From the hanging baskets, to the boxes. And all those cute containers. I just adore this picture! It's eclectic. But is still very visually pleasing. 

In this picture, I like the idea of all the storage. I once did interior design. Mostly for friends. But it was so much fun! When I look at this picture, I want to go to Lowe's. And buy cabinets. You know, the box type. They are a lot more affordable. I want to take them home, hang them, and paint them white. Total bonus, if they have glass!

There are so many things that I like about this picture. I like how they reused a kitchen table and chairs. I adore all of the cube storage. And the idea, that everything is white! For real. This picture inspires me. And the chandelier, just makes me smile. It's like jewelry for the room. Do you want me to tell you, about all the chandeliers I had in my home?

I like the idea of the open shelving. And the white furniture. It would be a perfect place to put all of our colorful supplies. I like the idea of keep all the furniture and rugs, black and white.

It makes the space feel open. And ready to be creative. I adore this chair as well. I'd like to find us something comfy like this. In a fun color. Craft rooms are supposed to be fun and colorful. A place to inspire creativity. 

I like this shelving. Here they are showing power and paint. But I think this would be a nice idea, for yarn. I like how you can color code your stash. And see it all. I mean, I wouldn't be able to put our entire stash here. But it would be a nice start. :)

These are just a few ideas. I wish I could completely redo this room for us. And then organize my Mom's sewing room for her. It's all in the plans. You know, 2018 just started. I have 12 months to at least get started. 💕