October 2023 Newsletter
Hello Friends!
Where did September go? Fast, that’s where! Fall is in full swing in my corner of the world, and the holidays, as I stated last month, are coming. 2024 is just around the corner.
Newsletter Topic of the Month
Hobbies!
Hobbies are great fun, good for your creative side, and can be VERY relaxing. They can also create a LOT of clutter. And with fall, a lot of folks are busy making crafts or hobby items for the holidays, so let’s take a look at ways to manage our supplies, make them easy to find and reduce the space they take up.
This month I will combine the topic with products! There are so many ways to make life easier!
I have a variety of hobbies, I paint, do collage art, mixed media art, bead work, encaustic, and lots of other stuff. I have L O A D S of supplies, and I am very fortunate to have a darling crafty studio about 9 x 7 feet and it is perfect. Not everyone can dedicate a space, but let’s tackle that first.
Many of us do our hobbies at the dining room table or kitchen island which are great spaces but make working around anything a little challenging. If you are lucky enough to have any kind of room or space, make the most of that area. If you don’t have a dedicated area, consider these options. A counter area in the garage can be great, and out of the way, even a table set up. An unused closet can be turned into a craft space. Leave the doors on or take off, build in a desktop (Box stores sell butch block blanks you can cut to fit or have them cut to length in store). Craft cabinets are all the rage and very pricey, but you can store a room full of supplies in it. Old TV armoires are all over local freecycle and buy nothing pages. Heavy to move, but EASY to modify inside for the perfect craft space. Search craft armoire on Pinterest.com. A simple folding table can also work, just put it way under a bed when done.

Check the product of the month section for more suggestions!
Have a topic idea? Area of struggle? A fun tip? Send it in and I may make it the topic of the month. Email me at hello@judygranleegates.com
Join in the conversation at Facebook group – Declutter and Resize – Bigger Living Smaller Space
Product(s) of the Month:
Hobby Organization! We covered alot of things above, so here is a whole sheet!
Hobby Recommendations
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