Space is a funny thing. A room of one's own is such a privilege, so contingent on a million little unspoken rules and things that sometimes I wonder how I can have a space at all. I'm lucky, the crafters I like are lucky to be able to not just afford to do what we do, but to have a dedicated space to put it in.
It may seem, on the surface, that there's nothing as "feminine" as domesticity, that the entire house is "womens' territory" (antiquated, offensive notions, but still powerful tropes!). If, according to that (il)logic, the house is "mine", why is a private room so important?
I truly believe that for a woman, privacy is radical. A space where you can do your thing, whatever it may be, and you don't have to be anyone but yourself. 2012 and that's still a shocking thing! I don't know what I'd do if I had to spend every moment of my life in company, or at least view, of others. As much as I love Husbandpants and the dog, I need to have at least a few hours a week where it's just me and my tools.
To make my craft room a refuge, a truly creative space, I've been trying to make it more homey. I envision it as an extension of my house, rather than a place merely to "contain the chaos". I tried the utilitarian approach years ago and found myself stalled and uninspired. After that, I said no more! I started looking anew at blogs I was following, like Ulla Milbraith's and Where Women Create. Instead of just zooming in on their creations, I started looking at photos of workspaces, decor, and lighting. And I rearranged my craft room into a really lovely space. It's undergone some changes over the years, and will continue to evolve as life does, but I'm happy to say it's a place of sanctuary now (and always!)
The entire room is a bit shaggy, and in need of a vacuuming, but here are a few details from the walls and worktable:
