Why You Always Need More Room: The Real Maker's Guide to 'Space for Growth’
So here’s the first lesson in choosing a workspace:
You need more room. More than you think. And yes, I know what you're thinking—"I'm a minimalist! I keep it tight!" My dear friend, it’s only a matter of time before that tidy vision morphs into a chaos so complete it’s practically sentient. Let’s walk through some key reasons why "space for growth" is less of a nice-to-have and more of a survival tactic.
1. Tool Envy Is Real
Listen, it starts innocently enough. One day you buy a basic set of screwdrivers. A few weeks later, you’re gazing longingly at your neighbor's floor-to-ceiling rack of power tools, realizing that your life won’t be complete until you own an air compressor and a very specific type of hammer called a "dead blow mallet." And that’s not even mentioning the 3D printer you suddenly need for that cool thing you saw on Instagram. In short? Your tools will multiply like rabbits, and they don’t care about your dreams of minimalism.
2. "Temporary" Storage Is Never Temporary
In theory, we all think we’ll sell every piece we make immediately, and our finished works will fly off the shelves. Reality check: they might need a home first. Finished projects tend to linger, and you’ll need places for curing, drying, varnishing, and possibly a whole section dedicated to "thinking about it" pieces that need a few days to "settle." Without proper space, you’ll end up holding classes on top of half-sculpted statues.
3. Because One Workspace Leads to Another
So, you’re a jewelry maker. That’s fine. And then, one day, inspiration strikes: "Why not start electroforming? Or… maybe some metalwork?" And suddenly, your jewelry studio needs ventilation, soldering tables, and a few metal anvils because obviously, you're one welding class away from being a full-on blacksmith. Trust me, the "just one more thing" rule is undefeated.
4. Safety (and Sanity) First
If you work with heavy equipment, sharp tools, or materials that are flammable (looking at you, painters and welders), space isn’t just nice to have—it’s a need. Having enough space means that when Janine the intern wanders in at the wrong moment, she doesn’t get a face full of sawdust or paint fumes. Plus, elbow room lets you set up safe zones, which makes the fire marshal happy and reduces your own odds of a workplace injury.
5. Room for the Unexpected Muse (and the Unexpected Mess)
You may start off with a tight plan and a clear path—until inspiration hits, and you’re suddenly working on three oversized installations and two “experimental” projects you’re not ready to talk about yet. Not having the space to spread out will put you in a constant state of “wait, where did I put that one thing?” It’s an artist's existential dread—and not the cool, artsy kind.
6. Workshops Are Inevitable
Maybe you’re thinking, "Nah, I’m here to work solo." Well, I hate to break it to you, but workshops, collaborations, and team projects are coming for you. Having the space to spread out materials, showcase examples, and let others join in is a must for the moment you inevitably decide to “just host one tiny workshop” (that will later turn into a regular thing).
7. The Future "Oops" Factor
You never know when your side project will become The Next Big Thing. Imagine, five years from now, looking back and saying, “If only I’d had enough space to take that opportunity.” Not having enough room to grow is like putting a glass ceiling over your own business. Give yourself the room to stretch—and who knows, maybe you’ll even need a mini showroom one day.
Closing Thoughts: Go Big, Or Prepare to Juggle
Choosing a studio space is a rite of passage, and you might think going small will keep you disciplined. But take it from someone who’s balanced a pottery wheel on top of a shelving unit to “make it work”: dream a little bigger. Give yourself room to grow and avoid the jigsaw puzzle of rearranging your setup every time you need a little breathing room.
So if you find a place with a bit of extra room, go for it. Your future self, buried under a mountain of new tools, project prototypes, and craft-show inventory, will thank you.
4o