Studio Progress: Crafty Storage Cart

I am so excited to finally be making progress in my studio!  I am at the beginning phase of adding in storage and problem solving some of the reasons the new/old built-ins weren't working effectively right off the bat.  The overall idea and shell of storage is grand.  But now to make the grand storage functional for the itty bitty items is where I really need to apply to some brainpower.

The first items to tackle were my cutting machine and all the vinyl and tools and supplies that comes along with it.  Since my Silhouette is used for many of the projects I take on, it is really important to address storage for the machine, and ensure that I keep it simple to access and use.  In the past, I would drag everything out of different nooks and crannies and set it up on the kitchen table or counter.  Such a mess and not the best solution for a quick vinyl label or craft project.

With my Silhouette cutting machine, I have accumulated quite a few items that need a place to call home:

• 12" Vinyl
• 9" Vinyl
• Transfer paper
• Cutting mats
• Spatulas, hooks, scrapers
• Specialty papers and finishes
• Glitter
• Sketch Pens

The built in cabinets have two drawers, but I quickly found they were not enough.  I was trying to store things below in the cabinets, in the drawers and in cups on the counter.  So, I cleared everything out and decided to start over, this time with a plan.

My gut told me that a special cart that the Silhouette could sit on, with storage below for all of the accessories, would be the most ideal solution.  I don't enjoy sitting at the counter height workspace because it is not comfortable or ergonomic for longer periods of time, it really functions better to stand and craft.  That is why we added a second desk height workspace for computing.  Therefore, I was on the hunt for something to tuck between the two base cabinets, with storage for the Silhouette and all the accessories.  Bonus points if I could find something that could roll out and then tuck back away when I was done.  Or, roll out if I wanted to sit at the counter, but also act as storage when I wasn't.

I searched and searched and given the dimensions, was coming up short.  I had a very specific space that needed to be filled, and I didn't want to waste any of that space.  I looked at nightstands, filing cabinets, printer carts, dressers.... even adding in a third cabinet...

Then, my IKEA strike came to an end and I ran there as fast as I could to soak up all the new items in the store that I hadn't seen yet.  It was magical.

And I found the perfect solution, in the oddest of places... the children's department.  The STUVA storage dresser was calling my name!

The dimensions were nearly perfect, I had a 24" wide opening and the dresser was 23" 1/2.  And the height was super close too!  And would still give me an opportunity to add casters to make it a rolling cart!  Win win, load it up honey!

Of course, I left you with a vision of all white cabinets and counters.  Did the studio really need more white?  I think not.  This girl looooooves color.

I don't get the opportunity to bring in girly colors too often, since I live in a house full of boys.   Pink blooms here and there are about as girly as it gets.  Oh, and I sneak some pretty drawer liners in there too, but it's really not the same.  My studio is the one and only place where I have the freedom to do whatever I want, for me!

And I kind of wanted pink.  Just a little.

So, I pulled the drawer fronts out, taped them off and game them a single coat of oil-based primer.

The primer would help my paint adhere, since the IKEA furniture always has a nice smooth finish.

I wanted to add a little visual interest, so I thought I would play with the oh-so-chic ombre effect.  I grabbed a paint swatch from the paint store, and had testers mixed of all the colors in each shade.

The shades I used were Behr's Arizona Sunrise, Pale Berry, Deep Bloom and Strawberry Rhubarb.  Wow, I got hungry and ready for summer just typing those names.  Sigh.

 
Each drawer received three thin coats of the paint, the tester size was plenty. 

Ohhhh la la!  I love me some pink!  The ombre effect gave the drawers some dimension that the back of the room needed.

The cart received a few more enhancements from it's original out of the box state.  First up, some Martha Stewart bookplates to label each drawer.

These bookplates rock! Just peel and stick and you have an instant label holder.  So pretty!

Next step was to use some washi tape and my label maker to label each drawer front.

Then, we screwed in some casters to the bottom of the drawers to turn it into a rolling cart, we found the casters at Home Depot.

As if the whole process wasn't already my idea of a good time, now it was time to fill up those drawers with my Silhouette goodies!

The top drawer is dedicated to 12" vinyl rolls.

Drawer number 2 holds the 9" rolls.

Third drawer down holds all of the specialty items such as transfer paper, chalkboard paper, metallic sheets, double sided adhesive sheets, sketch pens and glitter.  The little bins holding the pens and glitter are from the Target Dollar Spot.

The final drawer holds all of my cutting mats, tools and blades.  The tools are resting in the lid of a box that some gift tags came in, which I lined with a piece of pretty paper.

So pretty in pink!

I love that my Silhouette can sit on top of the cart and all of the items are organized nice and neat below. And because it is on casters, it rolls out, I link up my laptop, use it, and roll it back when I am all done.  Super simple and 100% clutter free!

And as I mentioned, I don't sit at the counter often, since when I did it wasn't comfortable for extended periods of time, however, the option is still very much there should I wish to pull up a stool because the cart can easily roll out.

The pink totally makes me smile.  Call me crazy, it's OK, it won't be the first time {or the last}.  But what I love is that should I grow tired of the color, it is as easy as a quick coat of paint to update.

I still have all sorts of other crafty items to think up storage for, such as stickers, embellishments, papers, punches, adhesives, etc... the brainstorming is commencing in 3...2...1...