STUDIO: Helen White of Helenka White Design

This week we meet Helen White of Helenka White Design, who proves that crafters do not need a workroom to create wonderful pieces of jewellery.  Helen shows us all of the different spaces she uses to create her jewellery and run her business.

I work in three different areas in our house. Admin is done in our guestroom/office. I have a workbench in our conservatory for metal work, but tend to use it more in spring and summer than in winter, although I have a small heater. It's just very cold in winter and not that comfortable. Plus I have to buy a better chair which has the right height. The chair I have at the moment is not appropriate to work on.

The workspace I use for beading, wire work,polymer clay and precious metal clay is the dining area in our living room. I think it wasn't a conscious decision. I just use the living room because it's got the table.

However last summer we improved the whole area by adding an Ikea shelf with doors to hide all my craft staff away in and a side board, which houses some of my jewellery items and also my two big photography lamps - they have big shades and take up a lot of space, even when they are folded away.

The living room table is also the place I take my photos on. Our whole house is very cat friendly and our cat, Bobby is very nosey and sometimes watches me at work.

I like our living room as a workspace, because you can look out to street and see people walking past. I also listen to music when I work. I don't think it's the space that inspires me. It's maybe more books and magazines and our cat. Though when I work at the bench in summer it's nice to look out into the garden and watch Bobby play and watch the birds.

Website: http://www.helenkawhitedesign.co.uk/