large green...COILED BASKET

This post is about one of my passions; a coiled basket I wove. I love the hand-work of wrapping an element over and under and then pulling it tight to join the rows coils. I also enjoy the analizing and choosing the basket's shape, which color or fabric to put where and when to leave a strip to attach a bead.

This basket measures 10" high and 17" wide. It has a bound paper core which is coiled with fabric strips and yarns of cotton, wool and silk. One The picture is of the green fabric used to coil the basket. The fabric is randomly painted and then torn into strips. The paint serves the purpose of adding depth and additional colors which helps to tie in all the other yarns and fabrics also used to weave the basket.

Weaving this basket was part of my down fall at a previous job. My employers and I were not in agreement that basket weaving was a permissable activity to do when I worked 3rd shift EVEN IF all my work was done and all clients were safe and taken care of. It took time but I finally got it.

MORE TIPS…Maximizing Bedroom Closet

Here are tips to consider whether readying your home to sell or just organizing the closet for yourself.

1.       Remove Uneeded Items:

For example: clothes, shoes, and bulky jackets that are out of season or worn only on formal occasions.

2.      Apply the Two-Thirds Rule:

“…have closets no more than two-thirds full. Prospective buyers should be able to look inside a closet and think: I have more stuff than this. But there is extra room in the closet, so surely my things will fit.”  Terrylynn Fisher, Home Staging Expert

3.       Box It Up, Move It Out:
Pack, label and remove extra items. They can be stored under the bed, in the garage, or in a basement, etc.

4.      Use Space Wisely

If you have weeded out clothing items and closets are still packed then see if drawer space, hanger space, and shelving in the bedroom are being used wisely.  For example, Jeans and tee-shirts can be folded and stacked on shelves or put in drawers — if there’s space.

5.       Brighten Up Closet:
Experts say it helps to paint the inside of closet a bright, neutral color and clean the lighting fixtures so the space won’t appear dark and dingy.

6.      Use Only 1-2 Types of Hangers:

Take wire hangers to the dry cleaners and purchase similar hangers like  plastic hangers

7.       Group Clothing:

         Group like clothing items together  all facing the same direction; group  like items by color

Maximize Bedroom Closet Storage: action steps & tips

Why work on your closet?

Have trouble finding outfits because your clothes are packed too tightly? Are the closet shelves filled with things you haven't seen or used for years? Do you have trouble fitting everthing in your closet?

Hey, YOU ARE NOT ALONE! My own closet is a 'work in progress'. I continually refine ways to make it  ‘user friendly’ and eye-appealing. Also many clients I've worked with as a Professional Organizer start with jammed closets plus more clothing in dressers, on beds and on floors. With effort, we achieve  an organized, workable closet and dresser storage. My experience is that SORTING & STREAMLINING IS WORTH IT; a functional clothes closet can really help simplfy one’s life and add visual appeal when you are selling your home.

Maximizing Closet Storage; StepOne: DETERMINE PURPOSE

Begin by deciding the Purpose of your bedroom closet. Is it for work clothes first and casual clothes if there is room? Do you want only current season clothing within reach and out-of-season clothing in stored or on the top shelves? Do you need space for multiple pairs of shoes, hats or other non-hanging clothes items?

Maximizing Closet Storage; StepTwo: PRIORITIZE &DeCLUTTER

Take everything out of the closet. It is time Prioritize & DeClutter so the closet can serve your Purpose. Take a hard look at everything you own . Are you actually using and enjoying all the clothing items that you had in the closet? If you haven't used it for two years, do you really need to keep it? Separate  items into these suggested categories:

1.       Does not fit Purpose and needs to go elsewhere (Pictures, books, kitchen items, etc)

2.       To donate, sell or discard (May include clothing: not worn in a year, too small, too large, wrong color, needs repair forever,  several similar items, is out of style, extra hangers)

3.       Items to be stored in closet if there is room (Extra shoes, purses, scarves, etc)

4.       Items to put back into closet; items that serve your Purpose