6 Tips To Avoid Craft Room Clutter

I often work with clients who are
creative, and some of these people
have an incredible amount of talent.
But multiple unfinished projects,
and the supplies needed for
proposed craft projects can create
clutter in a craft room to the point
that it is impossible to work
in that space. The following is
a list of tips to help you keep
your craft room organized
and avoid getting physically
and mentally buried in your
craft projects.

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Written By: Laura Coufal
Clean & Clutter Free
Professional Organizing Services

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1.  Resist Starting a New Craft Project Before Finishing The First One
So you have a quilt that was started a year ago, a half made scrapbook for a friend, and then there is that dress you were going to make that you bought all the supplies for but never got around to starting. Does this sound like you? It is tempting to start a new project when the one you are working on gets challenging or boring, but if you force yourself to finish one before starting or buying supplies for another, you will avoid the mental clutter of having too many projects floating around in your head.  Having too many craft projects going at one time can not only compound the physical clutter in your craft room, but can be mentally taxing because they morph into little voices inside your head nagging you to finish them once and for all.
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2.  Evaluate How Much Time You Have Before You Commit
Creative individuals often have inspiring ideas, but these ideas require a certain amount of time and energy to become a finished product.  It is so easy to get carried away with too many projects because if you are passionate about the craft, you also likely enjoy the work. You may need to pace yourself to avoid getting too far behind if you have a busy schedule.  Having too many projects going at one time and not being able to make progress on them can be frustrating and discouraging. Limit your projects so that you have a reasonable amount of time to complete them.

3.  Decide Whether or Not Your Current Craft Projects are Really Worth Finishing
If you already have too many unfinished projects going at one time, consider each project and ask yourself these questions: Why have you not finished it? Is it solely due to lack of time? Are you looking forward to the next time you will have a day off so that you can work on it? Or would you prefer to do something else? Did you put it down because you got bored with it? Are you still excited about it or has it lost its appeal? Are you only finishing it out of guilt because you spent money on the supplies? These questions should help you decide which craft projects are worth finishing or even starting, and which ones to give up on. 
 
4.  Give Yourself Permission to Let Go of Unworthy Projects
So what if a project that you were once excited about has lost it’s spark?  It has turned into a burden that you feel guilty about.  You were inspired at one time to do it but where did that inspiration go?  You feel bad because you have already invested money and time into it.  But it does not make sense to spend precious time and energy working on a project that no longer inspires you. Why force yourself to finish something solely out of guilt? Unfinished projects do more harm than just clutter up a room, they make you feel heavy. Life is too short to live with these burdens, and crafting is supposed to be fun!  It is okay to let a project go, guilt free. In the end you will be surprised at how liberating it feels to mentally let go of a project.  And a clutter free room will simply be an added bonus! It’s okay if not every creative idea that you think up comes to fruition.
 
5.  Get it Done Once & For All
If you have craft projects that you have decided to complete, commit to getting them done now instead of letting them linger.  Schedule time on your calendar to work on the project and stick to the plan.  Don’t let another activity take its place at the last minute. The best way to take action and beat procrastination is to get it on your calendar so that you make time for it in your schedule.  Also remind yourself that you deserve to have some time for yourself to do the things that you enjoy. We all need a bit of leisure time to do what we love. Too often we are guilted into replacing enjoyable activities with work instead.
 
6.  Resist Buying  Craft Supplies Before You Start
I frequently come across multitudes of craft supplies that were purchased for proposed projects that never materialized.  Resist buying supplies for a project until you are ready to start on it and have already put time aside on your calendar to do the work.  Because we are inspired by our new ideas, and because shopping is so enjoyable, it can be challenging to resist shopping impulsively before we are ready to start.  By being mindful and resisting these urges, you will not only keep your craft room more organized but you will save money. Also, once you spend money on craft supplies, you automatically lock yourself into completing a project. By holding off on shopping, you can avoid feeling guilty if you change your mind. As an alternative to shopping, try writing down your ideas in a craft project notebook so that you don’t forget them.  Then you can shop when you are ready to start the craft.