Organized Studio Contestants Share Their Tips

How-To

Your studio is your haven, your cave of creativity, your "me" space! It is as personal as the work that comes out of it. One thing that studios everywhere could probably use is some ORGANIZATION, and thanks to Delphi's second annual studio contest we can all learn some secrets to keeping it clean.

In 2011, we featured those of you who had the Messiest Studios. We had 50 photo entries in that contest, and boy we really enjoyed seeing the functioning chaos. This year we explored the opposite end of the spectrum, hoping to gain some insights, tips, and methods to keeping an art glass studio neat and tidy.studio

Whether you have a large dedicated space for your studio, or like most you are repurposing a section of your home to accommodate your ever growing passion for glass, these tips will help you get organized.

Tips from the Contest Participants

  • Clean up before you start a project.
  • Use reclaimed building materials or upcycle old kitchen cabinets.
  • Repurpose vintage display or office furniture found at thrift stores. Example record album rack converted for glass storage or commercial baking racks for storage of slumping molds.
GlassStorageMoldsCabinets

  • Use labeled plastic containers on shelves and in drawers.
  • Pegboards are not only for holding tools but they can also organize glass rods.
PlasticBinsPegboards
  • Organize supplies inside drawers to help keep work surfaces clean.
  • Put wheels on your work and/or storage tables (locking of course) so they can move easily.
DrawersFritDrawers
  • Lighting, lighting, lighting....if you can't see you can't create!
  • Clean up after you finish a project.
Check out all of the photos from the contest and cast your vote now through July 28, 2012. The winner will receive a $200 Delphi Gift Card. We will announce the winner on Facebook on July 30th along with a slideshow of all the photos submitted. Hopefully you will be inspired to get organized too!

2 comments
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linda h.  •  July 22, 2012
I agree they all do appear very organized. I think the sign of real organization is the size of your work space. If someone has 1000 square feet as their workspace they will have the opportunity to have a studio layout with shelving, storage, kiln space and workspace. Perhaps in the future the contest will have categories of work space size. :-) All workspaces I can only dream of.... My kiln is in the garage separate from my workspace, glass is stored in the garage and my in house workspace. I would love to see how someone organized their space using various spaces within the house. :-) Thanks again for sharing this contest. I will be sure to vote. Linda
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Merry C.  •  July 22, 2012
They all look so clean! I don't see any work in the pictures, but the spaces are clean and organized.
ABOUT ME
Chandra Rusk Agostini

Chandra Rusk Agostini

Chandra currently serves as the Marketing Director for Delphi Glass. She graduated from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a concentration in stained glass. She studied under the direction of master stained glass artist  Frederick L. Leuchs. After graduation she continued her work in glass during a year long apprenticeship at Southern Art Glass studio in Lakeland, FL, under the direction of glass artist and designer Marni Johnson. She continues to pursue her passion for glass and hopes to broaden the spectrum of her expertise to include all facets of art glass. She her Delphi Artist Gallery here.