Creating my creative work space

Ever thought about where you work? I mean, the space you occupy is your place of occupation and it's more important then that you customise it to suit your personal needs. Even shared space necessitates that you create a working environment within the greater whole: a place of functionality if you will, that allows the placement of all things so that the positioning affords optimal accessibility.

This is my personal work area at Penrhyn Castle workshop where we have the woodworking courses. I have another workshop in my garage at home where I have a different set up, but have replicated the same tool choices so that I can work in both places.

Creativity involves the place you work. I am often inspired from just seeing the tools and the wood in their rightful place. Every workshop I've worked in has quickly evolved into a workplace that carried within its walls an essential sense of belonging. Those who have never had a workshop or developed it will never truly understand the value and impact this has on the work you do. I'm often dismayed when woodworkers create a sterile artificial environs that look more like kitchens than woodworking workshops. Real always works best and it has nothing to to do with ideal size but working with what you have.

A workshop should of course feel as comfortable as possible to work in; good light, tidy, tools to hand, wood in its place and all of this surrounding the central hub of a solid workbench. A craftsman's 'space' reflects who he is and of course what he produces, so watch out for my next article on Creating My Workspace.