Artist Studio Feature - German Dolls

German Dolls "Studio" Tour, a member of the Etsy, Natural Kids Team

My “studio” space is located in the entryway to our house. The word studio sounds too grand really. My little happy sewing space is barely 7x10 feet. Part of that space is taken up by a large old radiator.

The location of my creative space is a good and a bad thing. The good part is, that it forces me to keep things more orderly, since this is the room people look at first when they come to our house. The bad thing, of course, is that I must always put things away and can’t leave a big mess. But you’d be amazed to see what one can do with such a small space!

For the longest time I played with the idea of building a table over the radiator. I don't know why, but it appears, that the family gets tired of my things spilling over into the dining room/family work table. I don't understand why finding tape stuck to a book or page of homework is such a big deal...Do you?

Luckily last year my husband’s crafty woodworker uncle came and helped me ameliorate that stressful situation. I am so thankful I could realize my idea of having a side table. Together we built a new table off to the left side from my sewing table/desk. This space that was once wasted since I could not put any shelving or a table there, now serves as shipping and, cutting table. I also use it for taking photos of my dolls and doll clothes.

In one corner of the table I keep an antique Pepsi crate which I found at a flea market. The crate holds note cards, business cards, tape, and lots of small odds and ends that I need all the time…Note the gnome sitting behind the roll of tape in my tape dispenser. He is the guardian of my tape to remind the children that they have their own tape…What used to be wasted space has become a wonderful work space!

The dear uncle also built me a handy dandy storage shelf for some of my materials and shipping supplies. It is located above the side table and held in place by the window frames and some extra supports through L-brackets.

Unfortunately, there is not enough room for all of my fabric. The fabric I use for doll clothes is spread all over the house in various bins and dresser drawers. Sometimes it can take me a while to remember where I put a particular piece of cloth I am looking for…I wish I could keep everything in one room. But then again it’s good exercise walking up and down the stairs to get your materials together…

Be sure to visit Ulla's shop, German Dolls.

Artist Studio Series - kats in the belfry

Hello, I'm Kat of kats in the belfry. My studio has become a pit of mess, clutter, storage, & (I feel it safe to say) doom. I want to stay out of there as much as possible, so have taken to creating elsewhere in my home. Let me then welcome you on a tour of not-my-studio!

This is a little breakfast nook next to the kitchen; where all my sewing takes place. I do mean little, by the way. Were I to lie back, whilst sitting in that chair, I'd hit my head on the wall behind me. Still, it's cozy, & the morning sun that comes in the window makes me smile.

Just inside the actual studio is a giant shelving unit that I rescued from my neighbor's curb. I keep a lot of supplies here; in baskets, boxes, bags, buckets, & jars.

Inside one of the black buckets are jars of teeny things.

I found this red basket at a thrift shop. It's for toting cutlery & napkins to the picnic table, but I like it for keeping my wood bits in order.

All small wips are stored in clear zippered bags. They are the kind in which bedding, baby items, & other things come.

On top of the shelving unit sits a fabulous old bucket. Sets of pencils, & gallon-sized baggies of muslin pouches keep within reach here.

Next to the bucket is my pride & joy: a giant enamelware pot. Its interior is chipped, so it can no longer be used to cook. My bolts of wool felt fit nicely, don't you think?

Hanging in the nook is an old picnic basket. As the tag says, it's for zippers.

Cheeky chickens are escaping!

I do all my handwork in the big room, so I can be with my family. Yes, that basket is shaped like a cauldron - i love it!

Blog & shop work is done during my wee guy's naps. He snuggles in my arms as I sit on the couch, typing one-handed.

A great deal happens at the table in the dining room. Cutting fabric, painting peg dolls & mushrooms, packaging, etc: it all takes place here. And here is where our tour ends. I hoped you've enjoyed the peek into my world. Pop over to my blog if you'd like to read more about my life, & do say hello. Thank you for visiting with me today :)

~peace, Kat

Kat can be found blogging at kats in the belfry & Hogwarts Homeschool. Her shops on Etsy are kats in the belfry & kat's belfry. Kat lives with her husband & 2 sons, in Southern California.

Artist Studio Series with Knecht Ruprecht

Another featured studio from a talented member of the Natural Kids Team ~

Knecht Ruprechts manufactory is dedicated to handcrafted treasures for babies and children made from natural, organic, ecologically friendly and pure materials.

~just a sampling of her beautiful work~

"I absolutely love my work as a dollmaker. Since my own Waldorf schooling, I have created handmade toys from natural materials. Since I had my daughter, I started to make her things just like my mother did for me when I was a child.

I believe very strongly in the importance of dolls and dollplay in a child's life, and it is a great pleasure and honor for me to create these important little friends for children who accompany them through the most significant childhood years."

Where she creates ~

You can visit her shop here and stop by her blog here.