MY CRAFT CORNER
"In my own little corner, in my own little chair, I can be whatever I want to be." -Richard Rodgers
Julia Xiong | September 30, 2020
As COVID cases continue to multiply during this pandemic, so has my art supplies and tools.
I have a very tiny bedroom (8ft x 9ft) and closet (3ft x 4ft) and so I had to Tetris everything in and out of my closet whenever I wanted to get to my supplies and tools.
This summer my housemate and I were able to reconfigure our living room furniture so that I could use this space right outside my bedroom. I wanted this to be my craft corner, but also be visually pleasing as my housemate sometimes hosts parties (pre-covid, of course).
Design, Measure & Source
My original plan was to upcycle the bookshelf we already had. It was a leftover item from a previous housemate. I wanted to add cabinet doors with that popular cane front.
Since this was a tiny shelf, I wanted a tiny apothecary dresser to match it. I also move a lot, so I wanted furniture that I could lift by myself. The shelf I had my eyes on was Ikea's RAST dresser.
Ikea was a mess during the pandemic. Given, many businesses had to reevaluate how they were going to reopen safely. And with everyone wanting to re-decorate during the pandemic, Ikea was very behind.
After looking far and long, I found a listing on Facebook Marketplace for TWO Ikea Rast Dresser for $60. So I scrapped the shelf/cabinet idea for a double dresser.
Upcycle Dressers
These dressers were NEEDY.
I have a separate post that will cover all the details: Two-Tone Midcentury Apothecary Dressers
Long story short:
Step 1: Take off handles.
Step 2: Sand all the visible sides.
Step 3: Add 2x4 to the bottom for legs
Step 4: Paint the frame white.
Step 5: Add furniture legs
Step 6: Add new handles
Step 7: Add metal label holders
Once I got the legs on the dressers, I was finally able to decorate the gallery wall.
Decor on a Budget
Check out my Pinterest board!
Thrifted Items
It's not a new revelation, but thrifting is one of the most budget-friendly decor options. You're recycling and saving a buck or two. I never buy baskets or frames from the stores (unless there's a good sale).
I intended to use the round basket with a flat bottom to cover the thermostat and carbon monoxide alarm, however I didn't think my housemates would like that. So I left it alone and was able to use it as a makeshift plant shelf.
I wanted my gallery wall to be made up of different shapes and textures.
Seasonal Sales
I live by a Walgreens, so that's my preferred place to stalk sales. From their summer sale, I snagged all my faux plants for this corner for less than $5. (The 3 succulents were actually $.15 each, which I got my money back.) It's better than thrift store prices and you get more modern styles.
Repurpose
What's better than free?
This rainbow canvas was left by a previous housemate. So I decided to paint over it and add fairy lights. I also found a thrift store frame that fit over the canvas perfectly.
This artwork was inspired by Mr Kate (who I'm obsessed with.) She made a similar art piece in this video where she decorates Lily Marston's living/dining room.
DIY
What better way to showcase my craft corner than with my actual craft?
I think I made these wands in 2015. They've been sitting in my pencil cup for YEARS. So I thought, why not display them? I used gold C-hooks to hold them up.
The quirky text art and kraft fan was also DIY.
AND VOILA...
Before
After
I'm very happy with the overall look. It won't ever be as clean as I want it to be and that's okay too. I will eventually add my embroidery art to the wall adjacent to it, but that's for another day.
If I ever move again, I'm glad that these pieces can easily move with me and fit anywhere in my space.
It feels good to design and create again.