As an artist and maker, there is no worse feeling than having the urge to create but having no space to do so. What’s even more daunting is when you see all the tools and materials (waiting to be organized) as you walk by (for us it is the office and garage). Moving to a new home and having a baby in 2022 has kept our plate very full for sure, but we won’t blame our circumstances for holding us back.

One of the biggest struggles has been carving time out to organize what we do have and make the most of it, for example me drawing in my sketchbook at the dining room table while Luke creates a 3D drawing on his computer. Why does making all of a sudden seem impossible? We reached out to our Instagram followers last week in our story asking: How do you stay motivated when you don’t have a space to work? Here are some of their answers.

1 - Write Down Three Important Goals

Morgan Tayek of @captainsplanks Suggests to start with two, one of each and to “give yourself grace”. She also suggested to spend time in nature, which for me is always the right answer to recenter / feel grounded again. How did I forget such a big one? Thank you Morgan!

2 - Do the Tiny Things First

Kjell Otto @kjellski describes the idea of focusing more on growth and reflecting on what “lights the fire”. This hit home because it revealed to me that sometimes Luke and I can caught in the “big” picture oppose to acknowledging the little things (which in retrospect are quite lucrative).

3 - Listen to a Podcast

Said Linus Gustafsson @flinusgustafsson Oddly enough we certainly keep this in mind and encourage others to do so also. The trick is finding the right one that either meets your niche or is hosted by the Makers you relate to most. To learn more about podcasts we suggest read the previous post “5 Must-Listen Maker Podcasts”.

4 - Chat with a friend

Peter Capar @ptreesworkshop directs us back to good old fashion conversation. A short talk can lead to learning more from others than you think. “Start by sharing where you want to be in the next six months or even six years” he wrote. Great starting point. Putting thoughts into words is great practice for helping us process our ideas and uncover other problems we may be facing. Thanks Peter!

5 - Put Together Something Small

Gerry Hajduk @gehajdukcreations suggests (if possible) to whip up something small, yet functional. This could be something such as a shelf or a towel rack. He points to think of things we need our could use around the house (there are several that instantly came to mind). He shares how it has helped him get back into the swing of things. Great idea!

6 - Draft a Layout for Your Ideal Work Space

Josh Fick @joshfick hit the nail on the head of something that is feasible for us at the moment, since we are in the process of building a new shop space on our property. This task is the perfect excuse to take out a pencil and paper, and start scrolling through images on Pinterest of what what our dream space looks like. He suggests creating a layout for certain workstations, machine placement etc. Not only is this a great way to stay motivated, but it also helps us feel productive and proactive.

7 - Bring the ‘Workshop’ Inside

Andrew Verbovszky @limestonebasin turns the table suggesting to view the positives rather than negatives of working in your home. It is a big plus being able to work closer to family, as they are our main inspiration and motivation to keep on this creative journey. Even if it is a small corner in our bedroom or closet, it is at least “some place” oppose to “no place”.

8 - Shop Set Up Party

Ross Patrick Weiler @rpwcreations put it perfectly. What better way can there be to turn something gloomy into something celebratory! He suggests inviting some of our fellow maker friends to come help set up our future space. When the time comes and the shop is built, this idea is certainly one we plan to make happen.

These are all extremely helpful and valuable advice I think anyone stuck-in-a-rut could use (whether or not you are a maker or artist lacking space). The simple act of offering genuine suggestions based on personal experience is only one of the reasons why we love, appreciate and are so grateful for the Maker Community!

One last thing I’d like to add is that for the most part, Luke and I try our hardest to remove the word “can’t” out of our vocabulary. We aim to challenge the norm and not make excuses, especially when it involves something so important as pursuing our life passions. At the end of the day we must be realistic and understand that this is only a season. In closing, let this serve as reminder to take one day at a time. As long as you’re doing your best, that’s all that truly matters.

Much love,

P&L