A few bloggers asked me how I keep everything organized so I thought it would be fun to post some pictures of my work shop:
The only way I can hand make everything fast is to keep everything really organized. I don't have any employees so I have to stay super organized and caught up. It really helps that I was a chef for many years before I got into accounting and eventually started this business. I run everything like it was a restaurant. All of my ordering and organizing is the same way I would do it in a kitchen. I can't make anything ahead of time because everything is customized, but I pre-cut everything I can and I do everything I can to make sure I don't run out of supplies. I bought two antique library card catalogs and they are filled with supplies (all of the drawers are alphabetized).
I have 7 of the Brother PR600 embroidery machines (my sister has three at her house because she does the wholesale orders). The trick is to keep all of them running at the same time!
Every other day I print all the orders (I ship on the other days). I then do all of the monogramming, then all of the sewing and gluing. After that I move on to ceramics.
After any ceramic orders are finished I make the jewelry. I finally bought a jewelry work bench and it keeps everything more organized. If I don't stay extremely organized I can't find anything!!
I have a separate room for shipping. I wait until everything is finished and then I do all of the shipping at once.
Once everything is packed and ready to go I haul it down to the post office. I clean my workshop every night so that it is ready to go every morning. If I don't clean it up every day it turns into a big disaster really fast.
The only way I can hand make everything fast is to keep everything really organized. I don't have any employees so I have to stay super organized and caught up. It really helps that I was a chef for many years before I got into accounting and eventually started this business. I run everything like it was a restaurant. All of my ordering and organizing is the same way I would do it in a kitchen. I can't make anything ahead of time because everything is customized, but I pre-cut everything I can and I do everything I can to make sure I don't run out of supplies. I bought two antique library card catalogs and they are filled with supplies (all of the drawers are alphabetized).
I have 7 of the Brother PR600 embroidery machines (my sister has three at her house because she does the wholesale orders). The trick is to keep all of them running at the same time!
Every other day I print all the orders (I ship on the other days). I then do all of the monogramming, then all of the sewing and gluing. After that I move on to ceramics. 
After any ceramic orders are finished I make the jewelry. I finally bought a jewelry work bench and it keeps everything more organized. If I don't stay extremely organized I can't find anything!! 
I have a separate room for shipping. I wait until everything is finished and then I do all of the shipping at once.
Once everything is packed and ready to go I haul it down to the post office. I clean my workshop every night so that it is ready to go every morning. If I don't clean it up every day it turns into a big disaster really fast.
31 comments:
OH WOW GIRL!!!
You are very organized- I love it!
I didn't realize that you don't have any employees-
You Rock!
you do a great job and thank you for my last orders, I'm sure I made life more difficult for you because I kept putting in additional orders. I'm sorry about that!
the card catalogs are gorgeous! where did you find them?!
No employees? All by yourself...WOW! How motivating. My Miss Preppy/Sporty Tween has crafting on her summer list and I am going to show her this post! She loves to make jewelry...but is far too messy! She would love that antique card catalog for her beads!!!! Thanks so much for sharing!
I used to work for a shipping company you probably do enough to get a discount through UPS I would call and look into it. They also send someone to your house to pick them up in the afternoons (free if you ship at least 1 item a day!)
ah amazing! I am so jealous! I have been begging for an embroidery machine forever, but I can't seem to get organized (or save enough money) your workshop looks fabulous!!
Very impressive! You are super organized.
Holy Crapamoly that is awesome!
If only I could be that organized!!! That is amazing:)
Oh!!! I want to run a business now so I can have fun organizing too!!! I swear we could be related after seeing how on top of everything you are!!! XOXO
Wow you are so organized. I loved having a look behind the scenes!
Looks like such a fun space to work in!!!! I can't wait to get my necklace and see your finished product!
Thanks for sharing. It was fun to see where you make all those beautiful things!
Denise - omg this is so cool to see. You are such an organized lady!! And I totally understand that you have to keep it cleaned up or it will snowball!!
So cool - thanks for sharing this!!!
Love, love, love it! You are so organized, and your work space makes me swoon. I really hope I can have a business like this one day! I love the library furniture, too - very cool.
I love the idea of using vintage card catalogs! It looks like craft heaven!!!
I think I want to live in your work shop.
So organized!
I love that card catalog. I think it would be a great addition in a home office.
How did you find that?
i love that you are so organized!
WOW!! Your workshop is so cool and soooo organized! I love it! Thanks for sharing!
Ah, this makes me so happy! I love organization. I'm crazy about it. But, I don't have my own space/studio for my art. So I am squished in the pantry with no room. This makes me want my own space. :c I love that it's so super neat and pretty at the same time.
Wow! You are super organized! I can't believe you do it all yourself.
You are more than welcome to come and do it here!!
I'm literally drooling over your workshop. My next house MUST have a craft room.
And congrats for getting organized and sticking to it!
WOW! I am in awe!
I am so impressed! How did you get into the business?
Wow!!! I am impressed!
Oh my word - absolutely beautiful! Fabulous organization. Very inspiring.
Blessings,
Marie
http://emmacallsmemama.com
I love it -- especially the card catalogs. I've been wanting one of those for my crafting supplies for a while now. Smart smart smart.
wow, this is such a cool post... thanks for sharing those pictures... its great to see behind the scenes!!
SIMPLY AMAZING! but definitely NOT amazingly simple!
I need some organization here!
INSPIRING!
I'm LOVING how you organized your space! I'm someone who actually enjoys organizing! :) I really like the card-catalog idea. That is genius.
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