deB Perry

Hi I’m deB Perry and I’ve been invited to lay it all on the line for you…the Fiskars Design Team line, that is! ;-)  May Flaum has invited each member of our team to get personal and talk about our lives, our loves, and the spaces where we create. Apparently I get the honor of being her first guinea pig!

Organization, Color & Great Tools: Three things that keep me productive in a tiny studio.

I’ve always thought of myself as an artist, but not until a few years ago when I took up scrapbooking and amateur photography, did I find myself in desperate need of a creative space I could call my own. However, with a full house that includes 3 teens, a dog, and a husband that works at home, the only space left was a tiny little attic.  

As you can imagine, working in a 250 square foot studio is quite challenging. Not only is size an issue, but with steep angled ceilings, it looked more like a hobbit hole than a space I could be creative in. Since I had to make concessions on square footage, I decided not to compromise anywhere else.  As an artist, it is important that I stay inspired in order to create for weekly deadlines, so setting up a vibrant, organized environment that was also comfortable was vital. 

First, I looked for ways to make separate areas function as double-duty. For instance, this cute little reading/inspiration alcove also doubles as a nap area too. I think my hubby and kids use it more than I do though. 

This desktop is where I spend most of my time and since that time is often divided up between computer and paper desigs, it made sense to keep those areas connected. Such a small space forced me to think creatively, and utilizing the space underneath the desk was essential.  These drawer towers are home to a large collection of Fiskars tools, adhesives, stamps and paint supplies. Since each drawer has a theme…it only takes seconds to find the right tool for the job. 

Organization doesn’t have to be as boring as these plastic drawers though, so I decided to keep a few supplies on top as well.  Ribbon and button jars create a linear vignette, while pens, pencils and scissors stand ready in vintage caddies. Even my assignment clipboard and product catalogues rest in a colorful fabric bin.

Paper and large bulky embellishments provided a whole different challenge to organize. Since I like to keep various manufacturers together…I bought modular cubicles and fabric bins. Once again not only creating a system of order that is easily accessible but pleasing to look at as well.  Not pictured are small built in shelves containing vertical paper storage bins used for colored cardstock.  It used to take me along time to clean up after a project, but now that everything has a ‘home’, it only takes minutes.

Jazzy Cupcakes!

Now as much as I love all my tools to have a ‘home’, there is one tool that I recently found a new use for and it is not in my studio…it is in my kitchen of all places!  Have you guessed what tool I am referring too? A Fiskars Circle Punch and I used it to give this little cupcake some Pizzaz!  Using Fiskars circle templates, and the Ultra shape Xpress I created a circle. Then I used the circle punch to create a decorative edge. Then a smaller circle is cut from the middle, leaving a decorative ‘ring’ that is easily fitted around the cupcake and secured with tape.

Supplies:

12-2377-7097 Circle Border Punch – Antique Elegance

48007097 Ultra ShapeXpress

12-49107097 Super Sized Circles (6”)

4850-7097 Shape Template Tool – Circles 1 w/ Scallop Border

12-33897097 Tape Runner

95077097 No. 4 Mini Craft Scissors

Green Vellum

Instructions:

1. 1.Use 6” Circle Template and Ultra Shape Xpress to create circle. Then insert this circle into left side of Circle Punch. Punch around edge till design is complete.
1. 2.Cut a 2” circle out of middle, then snip circle in one place with scissors in order to fit around outside of cupcake with tape.

Border Punched Rainbow Mirror

There is yet another tool in my studio that has spent very little time put away.  I’m speaking of the hot new Fiskars Border Punch called Threading Water.  In fact, I’ve used this fabulous tool on so many projects recently I’m afraid it might wear it out. From journal pages to photo borders and home décor this little tool packs an incredible punch (pun intended). In this next project, an old flea market mirror gets a face lift with simple additions like borders, and a felt rainbow. Using Fiskars Circle Template and a few stitches, I was done in under an hour. Now that’s a project even a busy person can make.

Supplies:

Border Punch – Threading Water

4850-7097 Shape Template Tool – Circles 1 w/ Scallop Border

12-99027097 Desktop Rotary Trimmer

95077097 No. 4 Mini Craft Scissors

12-25967097 Foam Dots

27227097 Glue Stick

12 x 12 Black Cardstock

Craft Felt (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet)

Dark Embroidery Floss

Needle

Instructions:

1.       Cut 2 – 1.5” circles from each color of felt.  Match pairs and stitch around outer edge using any decorative stitch and 3 strands of floss.

2.       Use Border Punch across the entire width of black cardstock. Trim off at ¼” using Desktop Trimmer. Repeat in order to make 7 more strips. (You will have 8 strips total.)

3.       Trim strips to fit inner and outer edges of mirror and adhere with Glue Stick.

4.       Apply Felt Circles in a semi-circle to top of mirror with foam dots.

By deB Perry