Studio Habits

Lisa Call posted last week about her studio habits. I thought it was an interesting post and she invited others to join in and answer the same questions. Here's my response to her questions.

My main studio is my sewing room and this is exactly how my table looks today.

Is your studio at home or a separate space?

Given the amount of space that I have in our home it would probably be more accurate to say that we live in my studio instead of saying that my studio is in our home!

 

How big is your studio?

My studio spaces are all filled with found, cobbled and otherwise functional work spaces. The aren't pretty but the work great.  I am lucky to have so much space and also some great views while I work.

I am fortunate to have multiple studio space. My sewing room is the room that was supposed to be the family room. It's about 14 x 17. I have a dye studio and longarm quilting room in our unfinished basement. Combined they are about 800 square feet. My office and store inventory are in another room on the second floor (former bedroom). But honestly, I use almost every room and surface in the house for some creative use or another!

 Typically, how many hours a day do you work in the studio?

I love my dye space with a dedicated sink. The most pristine surface in the entire house is this worktable that I use to prep my fabrics for dyeing. I keep it clean at all times.

If I include my computer work preparing shop photos, maintaining the blog and other marketing related activities, I work, on average, 6 hours a day, every day. 

How many days a week?

The longarm studio stays relatively neat. I can only work on one project at a time here so the clutter stays away. My longarm is named Willie after my Granddad.

I usually do something every day.

 
Do you listen to music while you work?

Here's my fancy shop! All of the shop inventory is kept in this closet so that it's protected from dust and light. It's in an office on the second floor away from the other work spaces.

When I'm in the dye studio I am always listening to Pandora (Motown, Classic Rock, Bluegrass, Jazz and a dozen other odd channels that I've created.) 

 
Do you watch television while you work?

When I am quilting or sewing I am usually listening to audiobooks but I do also watch TV. I suppose the point is that I generally don't work in silence. I always have some sort of noise to keep me company. 

Do you answer the telephone while you are in your studio?

I do but, fortunately, our phone rarely rings. The big time waster for me is checking email throughout the day. I'd like to be more disciplined about my internet time.

 
How often do you take breaks?

Frequently. I get side tracked easily. 

Do you have any over-use issues with your hands or any other body parts?

Occasionally if I am working on one specific project for a long period of time.  Mostly I just seem genetically predisposed to have muscle issues. It seems like some muscle on me somewhere is always seizing up. Most recently it was my jaw but my neck, shoulders. back and hip get in on the action too.

 
If so, how do you manage them or compensate?

Exercise and deep tissue massage. I started getting a regular massage (every 3 - 4 weeks) about 10 years ago. If I keep that up I will usually do fine. I also do yoga stretches in the morning along with push ups, sit ups and 1 hours of cardio. Getting an exercise routine has helped me a lot with some of my pain issues.

 

Be sure to Check Lisa's blog for tours of other studios. If you are not familiar with Lisa's blog you should consider reading. It's always informative and thought provoking.

 

Comments

[Carole]

Thanks for posting about your studio habit! Nice to know I'm in good company! Cheers!

[Marty Mason]

I don't know how I missed this post.....so thanks for including your link back in your July newsletter. Love all your space and am not the least bit surprised at how many hours a day you put into your passion.

[Linda]

Interesting post and great work spaces! I'm in the process of tidying and reorganizing mine - a major job.