Clean-up Challenge

I want to thank Sharyl of  Sharyl's Jewelry & Reflections for hosting this hop.

What an interesting concept it is - cleaning up a work space! Who knew what a great feeling it would be to succeed? For a list of other participants, please go here.

I am lucky enough to split my life between Canada and Mexico and that means that I have two work spaces. The only "problem" I have is that, in Mexico, my work space is very limited. I use a small table in my bedroom, to lay out my tools and materials, rather than my large dining room table. This means that I will always have a place to eat, but it also challenges me to keep my work table productive. My life is also somewhat complicated by my downstairs neighbour who does not enjoy listening to the sound of me hammering before noon.

I signed up for this challenge while I was home in Canada, not even considering that I might be away for the reveal. My spacious home workshop (five large tables - round, square and rectangular) is still in the process of a major clean-up, but there is always lots of surface space to spread out my tools and my materials. Due to a flood last summer, my basement was completely gutted and I am slowly working through the sorting and the cleanup. That is my work space situation in Canada.

But cleaning my work space in Mexico is another story. In a much smaller space, I must be able to access my tools and supplies, but I must still be able to occupy my bedroom (having somewhere to sleep is just as important to me as having an organized work space and I have been known to lay out a project on my bed --- my husband is not always impressed  -  with the condition of the bed I am sure and not my jewellery).

I have always been a naturally messy worker, but my life saver happens to be Ziploc bags and a sharpie marker. Everything goes into a bag and is identified. (cost, supplier, etc....) And - I try to put things away after I complete each project. This is very hard for me to achieve, but it is a very important element of being successful. I think that is the single most important tip I subscribe to. It is important to be both disciplined and to have a clean work space!


Before



After

Only a few feet away from my work space, I have a large chest of four drawers that has served as a night table by my bed. It has now been requisitioned to hold many of my tools and supplies that are not in regular use. (And my Ziploc bag collection - of course.)

 

Thanks for visiting!