December 28th, 2025

CERF+ (The Craft Emergency Relief Fund) is an organization whose purpose is to support and provide assistance to artists and craftspeople during times of natural disaster. One of their programs is the CERF+ Get Ready Grant.

​The CERF+ Get Ready grant is a $1,000 grant to assist artists "to safeguard their studios, protect their practices, and prepare for emergencies". In December 2025, I was approved for this grant, which I intend to use to weatherproof my outdoor kiln area, and create a safe and comfortable space to work and teach.
One of the things CERF+ encourages grant recipients to do, is to document how they use their grant. My grant will cover enclosing my outdoor workspace, and provide much-needed storage and sinks. A small windfall I received in 2025 will allow me to complete this project in total.
I'm really excited to share my progress with you, and encourage other artists and craftspeople to apply for this grant.
​
So, let's begin with the current status of the outdoor (kiln) space, and the overall plan...

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CHAPTER !: In the beginning, there was chaos...

​My studio consists of a 15'x30' indoor space, and a 30'x30' covered concrete slab. The building came with plumbing and electricity (yay!).

​Because it is completely exposed to the elements, it's not only difficult to work in year round, but anything I store in that space gets wet, dirty, and buggy. It's certainly not a space I can comfortably hold workshops in, or work on anything other than clay projects (I also work with screen printing, laser etching, and 3D printers).
The outdoor area has a chimney, and ceiling fans, and I have a portable AC, and a patio heater so it should be comfy to work in.

The intended improvements are:

• Enclose the space and add doors to the exterior entrances.
  For this, my plan is to use siding to enclose the lower half of the area - I'll be using siding panels that match the siding on the enclosed portion of the studio, For the upper half, I'll be creating removable panels from clear, double-walled Lexan. These panels will allow plenty of light in, provide some insulation, and can be propped open or removed to allow fresh air in. I will be creating barn door style doors for the two large exterior entrances, again, using the same 4'x8' panels that the building is clad in.
• Sinks
  I currently have an old laundry sink that I use. It's OK, but too deep. Also, if I'm going to be successful with screen printing, I really need a separate, non-muddy sink for rinsing and washing screens. I managed to get two large stainless sinks at Ikea for $15 each, so I will have an ideal situation. I was also gifted a plaster/clay trap for the clay sink.
• Storage and Work Surfaces
  Ikea hacks! I found a nice shelving system at ikea that matches what I already use in my studio. Because I will be using it as under-counter storage, I was able to buy one unit, and cut it in half  to make one 68" high unit into two 34" high units. Yes, that's a little short of countertop height, but using my 3D printer, I will print feet and caps that will raise the height of the shelving units to 36".
  I also purchased 3 countertops - one for the sink area, and two for my storage/spraying/utility area.

So, those are the primary projects. My budget is $2,000, with half of that being the CERF+ grant.
Stay tuned for progress reports!
CMCK

Where I'm Starting From

The studio.

Before improvements begin - Spray area and workspace.

Before improvements begin - Storage and workspace.

Before improvements begin - sink and glaze area

Before improvements begin - kiln area.

New storage system - Ikea Hejne. Expandable and adjustable!

Score! 2 stainless sinks!

The new countertops.