Welcome, so glad you could stop by. I hope you enjoy what you see and can take some ideas back to your own craft space. If you came here from
Claire's blog then you are in the right place. If you would like to start at the beginning the please go to our hostess
Lluvia at
http://sweetbirdmemories.blogspot.com/
First let me say that while my space is not the smallest space by any means. I have seen craft spaces from those who have tiny spaces, crafts stored under a bed and who have to work on the floor and I really feel for them. While my space is larger than that is it still challenging to make things fit in a way that I will use them. Out of sight out of mind is my theory. I need to be able to see most of my stuff and yet I hate clutter. So this is what I have come up with and I hope you can use some of my ideas.
Please let me a comment and let me know what you think. I love comments.
Here we go:
The door to my space: Which I share with my husband as you will see eventually.
I love this saying, It is a Darcie Heater Original kit.
" I followed my heart and found you"
Once you open the door this is what you see.
This is my main work space above but before you get to it there is a closet with an over the door rack
I store items not used all the time but they are organized and I know where everything is.
Inside the closet.
Right next to this closet is my main work space where I do most of my crafting.
the work space continues around the corner.
Next to the pink baskets on the first shelf over the Cricut Machine is my Big Shot. I keep dies in the pink baskets next to it so I can just flip through them.
This photo below shows where my husbands space starts. He is not as organized but I am trying on that one. The room is 10 x 12, we love working together.
Ok so now that you have seen my space I want to show you how I organize some of the items, especially my embellishment. My desk space starts with paper storage of the paper I use the most all other paper is in my closet, under the paper I have two pink binders, one for metal dies and one for stamps I use a lot. All the metal dies are on magnetic sheets and in plastic sleeves with a velcro piece at the top so nothing falls out. They are organized by shapes.
Metal Dies Binder this method works best for me.
One of my binders with stamps organized by occassion.
Below photos: I have smaller pink binders that have stamps by type. Like Magnolia, Darcy, Lilly of the Valley etc. Those binders are on a shelf above my embellishments. I use a plastic holder that already has a velco tab on it. Not sure what they are called. I found them on clearance at Staples a long time ago. I also use pencil cases with the zippers on them.
I love seeing what i have to use for embellishments so this is what I have done and it works for me. I am fortunate that my husband builds shelves as I need them. Some of these are hooked to the wall while others are free standing which allows me to be able to move stuff around. If you click on the photo it will become larger and you will get a closer look.
Top shelf has small little snap shut boxes from Michaels 5 for $1.99 on sale and they are labeled, there are also small jars from Hobby Lobby for $.50 on sale.
Below that are cricut boxes cut apart, they hold smaller flowers and leaves and are also labeled by color. Below that are plastic boxes that come three to a set, snap I think they are called. I bought these on sale at big lot for $3 a set. I cut off the handles and get rid of the top. Then stack them and they hold my larger flowers, bling, pearls and stuff I use a lot. If you look just under the last shelf you will see my Mementos ink pads. They have magnet strips on the tops and there is a metal bar that my husband glued to the underside of the shelve. I love having my ink right at my fingertips and it saves space.
Below photo is the other spot right directly in front of my chair and this is my favorite storage bins.
If you click on any of the photos you will get a closer look. The top shelf has plastic food storage containers from the dollar store 3 or 4 to a set. I cut them down and get rid of the top. These are all labeled Wild Orchid Flowers and are sorted by color. Below that are the small tilt bins which can be closed but I leave them open. They hold all sorts of things , stickles, tools etc.
Below that are the large tile bins which hold my Copic markers, I made a cross piece out of foam board to separate the colors. Then I have other tools on the side in the rest of the bins that I use often, exact knife, sissors, and tools. Again below the bins is more stamp storage, stampin up ink with magnets on the tops and again there is a metal bar glued to the underside of the tilt tins shelf that they are on. It is a awesome way to save room and have stuff right at your fingertips.
I hope I am not sharing too much stuff, below there are more storage ideas. I reuse everything I can get my hands on, stamp'n up plastic boxes, CD cases, food container etc.
Just below the paper storage are Jet Max Drawers. This is how I store my embellishments and ribbons.
Embellishment drawer, seven compartment craft locking Craft Mates, turned on the side so I can see them at a glance, all with labels.
Second drawer below has charms and more.
Ribbon storage on 3 x 2.5 pieces of card stock. What took up three or four drawers and shelves now only take up one drawer. 140 spools of ribbon fit in here and it really does not take that long to do.
below I store my lace and twine the same way, container holds embroidery floss which I use for some cards.
Paper ribbon will be stored the same way once I get it done. It is just on larger pieces of card, what ever fits your space.
Last drawer are beads and pieces of material the my friend who is a Tailor gives me. I take off any beads and sequins and use them on my cards as needed.
Second set of drawers hold stickers. These are Jet Max units and the drawer is meant to hold cards. The dividers come out and you can use only what you need. Filed in alphabetical order by subject. This drawer is right next to my chair and easy to get at.
Another card drawer with small scrap card and more stickers.
In the rest of the drawers I store tools not used often but accessible.
Christmas paper when not in use. And below that are all my Christmas stamps stored loose so I can get more in the drawer. The drawers come out so I just bring it to my workspace.
Next to those drawers are two rolling carts, one with all the rest of my wooden stamps and the other with stampin up wheels, heat tools and yarn in the bottom.
Right next to the top basked are my Primitive dolls made by my talented friend Vicki. You can check out her blog at
http://paperandprims.blogspot.com/ she makes and sells wonderful Primitive dolls.
I love basket and the three baskets with labels on them I use all the time, Let me show you how.
I pre-cut out Lacey Labels and Elegant Labels from the Cricut Cartridges and store them in unused plastic containers that use to hold my stampin up stamps. Sometimes I use CD case or anything similar that will fit. I love the Stampin up cases they are awesome for storing this type of stuff.
They are usually stored by size and color
In the next one I store stamped images for future use.
I also have another basket with shaped in it.
The next Jet Max system are four cube drawers that hold all my cards and glue which is to the left of where I sit.
Glue dots, tacky glue and cards
More cards and more glue.
I really wanted a rolling cart for extra work space and they were too expensive so my husband purchase two $9 drawer units and bolted them together and then put a wooden top on it. So I can roll it out to where I am working and put my cutter or what ever I need on it. See the next photo below this one. When not in use it rolls under the desk. Thanks Hubby.
Scrap Paper Storage"
This is what i use for solid colored card. I just take it to my work space and I love it . I have each color in a plastic sheet protector so I can just take it out. This works best for me. They cost about $10 at Staples without a top, there are 21 compartments.
Pattered Paper Storage
Patterned Paper is still in my old system a binder with plastic sleeve. I will be converting that over to the same system as the solid card above. The binders are nice but it just works better for me in the file sorter above. On the left if you look close you can see I used zip lock bags since I ran out of the plastic sleeve and they work just as good. All about saving money to have more money for craft stuff.
On the shelves above the embellishments I showed you earlier are more shelves. Small pink binder with stamps, Magnolia, Lily of the Valley etc. Pink basket with small paper packs, and then to the left of that are the 8 x 11 papers. Above I store other supplies I do not use all the time.
Cricut Cartridge Storage:
I had the idea that if I could see all my cartridge images in a binder that I might actually use my Cricut Expression more. I printed out a copy of each cartridges images and put them in a binder in alphabetical order. Then when I need an image I just flip through the binder to find what I need in a hurry. I love it and it works great for me.
I took that one step further and also did lots of other pages of stuff I have.
Spellbinders Dies below.
Copic List of Colors:
I also have pages of all my stamp verses, stamps, ink colors, glitter etc.
Yes it does take time but the great thing about it is I know what I have and when I go to a show or on a shopping trip I take my binder with me so I do not buy duplicates.
Cricut Cartridge Storage System I use:
This container is meant to hold ribbon. $10 at Michaels $5 with a coupon
I used plastic canvas to make the small grid below which is in the skinny section of the container
The larger section holds the books in alphabetical order.
I now have two larger sections snapped together for the books
I also took out all the pages that were not in English that I did not need.
This cuts down on space also.
Now on to more of the room:
Small plastic drawers on the top shelf with extra supplies
Next shelf
Small 5 x 8.5 binders have stamps. Each binder is sorted by
Stamp Company name, Magnolia, Darcie etc.
Pink basket has small paper packs and then next to that are
my 8 x 8 papers and card stored in magazine plastic holders.
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| Everything is in reach of my usually crafting spot. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
More drawers directly in front of my space and over the copic storage.
Top shelf small plastic drawers hold, all sorts of paper shapes. Leaves, flowers, butterflies, balloons, tags and whatever I use on a regular basic. Sometime I make extra when I am cutting with the Cricut and just put them away in case I need to make a quick card for someone.
Lastly above my work space I have a wall hanging.
The Create sign my daughter and I made when I first started my craft space last year. Dream, and Create Memories. The buttons are all from my Mom's collection and that is very precious to me since she is not longer here, but it helps me to remember all the wonderful things she created for me. She loved to sew.
That is is for now. I hope I have not taken up too much of your time. I love to craft but organization is the key for me. If I have everything organized and in it's place then I can find what I need quickly and get things made quick. It has taken me a whole year to finally get my space the way I want it.
I hope you enjoy the rest of the hop. Please leave me a comment or ask a question and let me know what you think.
I currently have two giveaways, Ist year blog anniversary, a winner will be pick on Feb 2nd. Please leave a way for me to reach you in your comment. Also become a follower and post to your side by my 300 follower giveaway for a Cricut Cartridge Mini Monster and a surprise gift. As soon as I reach 300 I will pick a winner among everyone.
More BLOG CANDY Who doesn't like freebies.
If you
follow and
comment on
each posting and leave a
comment with "your best organizational tip" your name will be entered in a random drawing to win a $25.00 gift card from Michaels!!! Winner will be announced on Tuesday 1/24/12
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