How To Set Up A Hobby Space On A Budget

As many people already know I have a definite obsession with arts and crafts.  Some people are sports fans, but I am the ultimate hobby fan.  So how do you set-up a hobby space on a budget?  In years past I actually just did my arts and crafts at the kitchen table, but that can get kind of gross pretty quick if you accidentally get paint or glue on the table.  Even when I put down newspapers this would often happen, so I finally decided a couple of years ago to set-up my own hobby space on a budget.  In one corner of my bedroom I have a card table that is stocked with many of the supplies that I use for my projects.  Look at the pictures and descriptions below to see how easy it is to create your own hobby space on a budget.

Since I did not want to spend a lot of money on a desk for my arts and crafts I settled on this card table.  It was on sale for about thirty dollars, and you can buy a similar table at many stores such as Target, Wal-Mart, Lowes, and the Homedepot.  I love how you can fold up the card table if you need more space, but I actually just keep it open all the time.  I heard some people even use card tables when they have extra guests over for dinner, so these sturdy little pieces of furniture can have many uses.  I keep my card table free of paint by places down newspaper, but occasionally a little bit does seep through.  Since I am not eating off this table I am not as worried as I would be with a dining table, and I simply use a dampened cloth to clean up messes.  Unlike a desk there is room under a card table, which lets me store some of my canvases and other supplies.

This particular desk organizer was purchased at a local second hand store. I love this organizer because it allows me to store all of my oil paints, and I can spin it around to look at the contents. In the center of the container is a spot for some of my paint brushes. Thrift stores are a great place to find desk organizer and other items needed for your hobby space. To save space I set my organizer on top of paper plates, which I use as disposable palettes.

Here is another crafting organizer that I found at the thrift store. This type of organizer is great for those who before something more stationary, but still very convenient. In this yellow container I store my wood burning pen, markers, pencils, paints, ruler, and extra paint brushes. Organizers can be used for anything and everything under the sun, so go pick up one if you need to get your crafting space in order! Next to my organizer I keep my collapsible easel, craft glue, and mod podge stored in an old Christmas mug.

Old mason jars are ideal for storing paint brushes. When I am painting I can use the mason jar for cleaning my brushes. When I am done painting I rinse out the jars and simply store my brushes there. My mom loves to garden and cans fruit and vegetables for me every fall, so I enjoy recycling the mason jars rather than simply throwing these away. Cleaning my brushes with The Masters' Brush Saver is much easier than using the smelly old turpentine. Any jar or old cup would make a great place to store your paint brushes. I hope the ideas above help you think of a few ways to create a hobby space on a budget.