Finding a place to make

Cleaning the basement is probably on everyone's Top 10 list of things they hate doing. Especially in a fairly old house where my parents have been living for more than twenty years, it's just awful down there. It's full of spiderwebs and the sucked-out carcasses of pill bugs underneath (because the spiders sucked their yummy insides out). The walls are ugly dark gray cinder block, with occasional spray paint shadows. There is all the junk that has accumulated from the decades, including little kid stuff like toys and games, and stuff from my brother and I when we went away to college and came back with a bunch more stuff. There's also all the tools and supplies from various home improvement projects. Oh, and all the files and college books my dad's held on to since the 80's. 

But, it's the only place that I can cheaply set up a studio space. I've tried this before a few years ago after moving back home after grad school. After a few weeks and not feeling like anything got accomplished I gave up. BUT - I'm back at it and almost there!

I've got a desk, two shelving units, and I'm unpacking all my ceramics supplies and tools. I've installed a fluorescent light so there's more than just a hanging light bulb to see with. I mopped up the floors and dusted all the spiderwebs and spider poops away. And stapled a big sheet over the ugly cinderblock walls and baseboard ceiling to make it more homey. 

Still need a wedging table/plaster block, oh and clay.

There's still a LOT more unpacking to do to make it my studio, but I'm way further than three years ago the last time I gave up!

The key is making it a place where I'll want to spend extended hours at a time. Ha, if you could see it you'd run back up the stairs. It is still not a place to spend any time - there's still too much stuff to walk or sit down anywhere. More trips to Salvation Army!