Thursday, January 19, 2012

Organizing Craft Supplies

I don't have a dedicated crafting space so in some way organization is even more important because I need to keep all of my supplies tucked away in limited amount of space but yet they need to be easily accessible so I can unpack and pack up before and and after a crafting session. Because the room I use doubles as a bedroom it's also important to me that it feels uncluttered when crafting isn't going on so I have most everything stored in closed cabinets and boxes. Fortunately organization is something that comes very natural to me.


This set of white cubes holds the majority of my supplies organized into clear plastic bins. Each cube measures about 17". Though the space is pretty small I've managed to fit a whole lot of stuff in there. Two of the large plastic bins hold the bulk (about 170 sets, mostly older StampinUp) of my rubber stamp collection that I unmounted from their wood to cling cushion and placed on index sheets.

 
Two other large bin hold 50+ punches, most of which are the EK Success Slim Line Design. Once I found OWH and started spending a lot more time crafting it was only natural to want to have more to craft with and I made some obvious choices like un-mounting my stamps and selling my older bulky style punces and replacing them with their slim line counterparts.


The smaller plastic bins contain Ribbon, Ink Pads, Acrylic Blocks, Adhesives, Embossing Powders & Heat Gun. For small odds-n-ends stuff I use some clear StampingUp clamshell cases that actually fit nicely into a bigger bin. I also find the clamshell cases are great for holding half finished cards in progress.



The basket and bin at the top contain some fine art supplies (I painted watercolors for quite a few years), some items like re-inkers that I don't need to get to very often and some a few items that I need to think about passing on to someone who will and can use them. My Tonic cutter rests between the two baskets.


This set of decorative boxes contain my Sizzix Big Shot, Embossing Folders, Dies, Clear Stamps, Pre-folded Card Bases, Pre-Cut Solid and Printed Papers. I am fortunate to have access to a large, professional style cutter  at my place of work (a print shop) and I have found that cutting paper down to 4 x 5.25 and storing them in these basic photos boxes works well for me. For the printed sheets I buy 12"x12" papers and can cut 6 from each sheet and so since I often make 6 of a card design that works out well too.




My Spellbinders dies are stored in their original sleeve with a piece of magnet (sold in office supply stores in sticky back 8.5x11 size sheets) cut and stuck to the inside to hold the dies in place.

The last piece of my organization puzzle is one of the multi-pocketed totes from Michael's that holds my most used supplies like my ATG Gun, Decorative Scissors, Cutting Mat, Rulers, Brads/Eyelets, Distressing Tools and more. It's amazing how much this tote can comfortably hold.

I do use boxes and small containers to organize supplies within this tote. A kids oversize pencil box holds adhesives for quick access. Three compartmentalized, plastic locking boxes hold eyelets, brads and other tiny embellishments. A small cardboard box contains my distressing kit I created from 3 small $1 ink pads, Colorbox Chalk Re-Inkers (in 3 shades of brown, a light, medium and dark shade) and Tsukineko Foam Daubbers each marked for it's corresponding color. Using these smaller cases within the tote makes it much easier for me to be able to grab for just the right item quickly.


I won't lie I would absolutely LOVE to have a dedicate craft room. It would be great not to have to set up a table and to be able to spread out all my goodies and not have to constantly pack and unpack but after finding my "crafting cause" in 2008 when I found OWH (then Cards for Heroes) I knew right then and there that I wasn't about to let a lack of space keep me from my appointed mission.

Happy Crafting Everyone!

15 comments:

Nancy Keller said...

Paula!!! I am drooling over your paper cut so neatly and stored in those boxes! What a great idea for scraps and what a cool way to make quick cards! I need to do this... Thanks for sharing!!!

Missy said...

Paula, I could your use eye for organization. This is a wonderful tour of your crafting area. I like the idea of cutting down the paper pieces to 4 1/4 x 5 1/2. Thanks for sharing.
Marianne
OWH Blog Team
operationwritehome.org

Jennifer said...

Love the photo boxes to organize things in. Miss the days of when I was near a Hobby Lobby and their 2/$5 :)

Ronni Unger said...

Paula - you sure have loads of beautiful things - and you are so organized - I am envious!

Ronni Unger said...

Paula - you sure have loads of beautiful things - and you are so organized - I am envious!

Donna said...

Paula, thank you for all the great ideas. I especially like how you cut your papers and have them ready to make cards. This would be a great time saver. I love all your ideas. Thank you for sharing!

Beth L. said...

I like how you have your papers cut and stored in photo boxes. You get a lot of space in a small area! Thanks for sharing!

Sherry Hickey said...

Hi Paula, it's fun to see how you organize your materials! I love the decorative boxes; I see them every time at Michael's and now I know I want a few! I just used your new Thank You digi on my MWT card. Thanks again.

Lee Mae said...

Paula, your organization of your crafting space is phenomenal! Thanks for the wonderful post.

Carol L said...

I admire your organization skills! I tend to leave everything out because I have a room dedicated to my hobby, but I know it would look a lot neater if I put things away like you've done!! Maybe some day..........*sigh*

Candy said...

My craft room is also my bedroom. If you see my blog you will seei have a lot of decoration. Vintage posters etc to soften the room. i like how you organized everything. Thanks for sharing.
Candy

Dixie Cochran said...

I think you win the prize for organization! I love seeing how people organize, and you've done a terrific job. I'm drooling over that perfectly cut paper!

ThePurplePlace said...

Lots of wonderful goodies and very organized! :)

Holly Iossa (Homeschool Homestead) said...

I am just seeing this. My mom Donna Murray keeps talking about your idea to cut paper. Now I see what she means. I will be adding this to my to do list. Thank you for sharing.

Unknown said...

Great job with using every inch effectively. Nothing like a handy professional cutter. It saves me a ton of time too.

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