I'll Show You Mine...Nice Day Designs

Hi this is Ruth from Nice day Designs and Nice Day Supplies, and here is a peek into my studio. I was really lucky when we moved into this house last April, the recession was good to us in the fact that rent prices came down. So we were able to afford a second bedroom that I could use as a studio. Cheekily I took the large master bedroom, that uses up the whole top floor of our house. I really love the high ceilings and exposed beams, and all that great storage was already here when we moved in.
As you can see I have A LOT of stuff, I work in many different disciplines, so this means I need tonnes of supplies. I try to keep it somewhat tidy, but it's a contstant struggle to control the chaos. Since I've started selling supplies I now have loads of extra boxes in the space that I really haven't found a proper place for yet. But I'm hoping to take a trip to Ikea soon, and all my troubles will be over then.... hopefully!
I attempted to make the place look a bit tidier for the photos, but I realised I will never have one of those pristine spaces. It think this room looks a little like the inside of my head, lots of things/ideas going on, lots of colour, and a bit scatty, but with a strange kind of logic. Having said that it looks a lot better than during the start of January, which had the left over carnage from the Christmas madness. I also hung up a few extra drawings/paintings that I had lying around, left over from exhibitions. It's nice to have pretty things to look at, I must also get myself a notice board so I can make some cool collages....oh another thing for the list!!
I feel really lucky that I have loads of space to let the business grow, it's heaven working there all day. Most of the time I'm squirrelled behind my desk sewing and listening to my audiobook. I also have a second work desk set up, because over the past year I've had a few people come in and do work experince, which is nice to have a bit of extra company.
Hope you liked my little tour!
Nice Day Designs
Nice Day Supplies
Nice Day Blog

I'll show you mine...

I'm Jessamyn Sommers, the mixed media artist behind Homespun Ireland on Etsy. My work explores themes of Irish traditions and country life, and my studio in Ballinacurra, Co. Cork, is the perfect setting for my pieces, a step back in time.

I share a large studio space in Bennett's Mill, an old disused grain mill built in 1912. The mill comprises several structures and is largely dilapidated, but has one building which has been preserved and houses studios for several local artists. Our space encompasses two large rooms, which still contain many of the original features and machinery of the mill from it's working days.


Although I keep a sewing room at home, I find my space at the studio invaluable for spreading out, and combing over my stash of ephemera and found objects to experiment with composition, but still being able to come back to everything later, without having to tidy everything away, or find it...'collaborated upon' by my two-year-old!



Sharing a space also means that I am likely to run into one of the other resident artists, for a chat and a cup of tea, which can break up a long day. Mostly, though, it's a quiet place to get away from my busy life with my business and family, and lose myself in my work.


It's a luxury to have a dedicated studio space, but by sharing with other artists and reclaiming disused buildings, it can be made affordable. If you're in Cork and interested in sharing studio space, or would like to visit our studio, you can contact me at homespunireland at eircom dot net.

My sewing Nook-and some tips for yours by TwoBoos

Hi! I’m Hayley, half of TwoBoos. We moved to

Ireland about 10 months ago and part of that move was obviously setting up a new “nook” for my crafting! Back in Sydney I had a VERY small

area in a house that we shared with two other people.

I tried to think of the area as an opportunity to test me and make the most of the space, rather than the tiny hobbit hole under the stairs that it was!

I found a tall narrow bookcase in the junk room that tucked into the corner nicely and I got a VIKA AMON table from IKEAwhich slotted under the stairs. I used one end for my sewing machine and the other for cutting and laying things out.

I guess the point I’m trying to make is that no matter what space you have it’s possible to make the most of it with some clever storage and the right furniture!

Look at this great example that I found:

It’s a tiny little corner but they have fitted so much in!

Everything has a home but it doesn’t look to regimented or sterile!

I love that they are surrounded by colour!

Find a way of organising your area so it suits YOU and only YOU. You work there so make it personal!

When I came to Ireland we were lucky enough to have a spare bedroom, we decided that it needed to be a guest room, office, sewing room AND storage room… it’s not huge so we had to split it!

Whatever size space you have, think about:

What do I have?

What do I need?

What do I use?

I started by looking at what I had to begin with, a heap of fabric, my machine, findings, patterns etc…. and thought about what I’d need to store them. I hate rummaging for fabric in boxes so I chose to hang the fabric that I used the most on the rail, small pieces were folded into the SKUBB hanging shelves.

The fabric that I hardly ever use is under the bed in a big flat storage box so it doesn’t get too creased. Remnants and left overs are in the tub under my hanging rail.

All the little bits and pieces like buttons and zips I keep in a big chocolate tin (mainly because I like the idea that old ladies do that so it must be good). I also bought the HELMER drawer unit so I could sort my stuff easily rather than having it sloshing around in huge drawers. I have a draw for paper, one for cables and computer stuff, one for postage packets, one for sweets and chocolate (essential), one for brochures and books and the top one is just for junk. I use my laptop and sewing machine the most I make sure they both have a permanent space. (if I’m sewing something large my laptop sits in front of my printer).

So, stuff I have is stored in a place which suits it, stuff I need is easy to access and stuff I use is out and ready to go.

It’s also really important to remember that your space is for YOU! Don’t worry if it looks cluttered or messy, if that is what you like! Always surround yourself with inspiration and ideas, I have a collage above my desk that is constantly changing! If I see something I like I just stick it on there! Then if I run out of ideas I can sit and look at it, that usually gets my brain in gear!

There are some great storage ideas out there and I like to look at this great site called Apartment Therapy, here are a couple of their articles that I found inspiring!

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dc/flickr-finds/flickr-finds-sewing-room-brings-thoughts-of-spring-079101

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/workspace/diy-tour-marthas-crafts-room-076244

IKEA also has some fantastic solutions for sewing or craft rooms! (not to mention a FANTASTIC range of fabrics to help you spruce up your studio!!!)... You may even see both the Boos there!