Show of hands,
How many of us like to know where our stuff is? I certainly do. Everyone has a different need for organization and it is constantly open for revision. Organizing a craft area is a challenge. I have a difficult time getting rid of stash that I just know I’ll need. There is a time to de-stash and a time to organize.
Organizing our stash is extremely personal. Some of us have spent hours perusing Pinterest and Googling organization. We’ve read books and gone to AA for Crafters and still, we are stymied. I believe that the best thing we can do for ourselves at this point is to forgive. Our goal is a happy crafter, right?
Now let’s get down to business and ‘Marie Kondo’ our crafting space.
DESTASH
I know this is the hardest part. Trust me, I know. How long have you been crafting? If you are like me let us say 30 years. And I am sure you have gone through lots of phases. I want you to just sit and think. Is there anything in your craft room that you have not touched in 10 years? Put it in a box and set it aside. That wasn’t so hard. Now to organize what is left.
THE BASICS
ANALYZE WHAT YOU HAVE & HOW YOU WORK
Here are a few things to ask yourself before you begin organizing anything
- Identify the space available.
- Do you like to see your stash (like I do) or do you prefer it hidden away? This is key when deciding on your method of storage.
- Do you work better sitting or standing?
- Do you like zoned work areas?
- Do you want space for others to craft with you? It is about the friendships we form while crafting together.
- How much are you willing to spend on organizing? Be honest and inventive.
MY SPACE
ANALYSIS RESULTS
HERE IS MY THOUGHT PROCESS: I like to see my stash. I forget where I put things so I label boxes, bins, drawers, etc. I prefer to stand and walk around from zone to zone. And most of all, I love crafting with friends so I need space for them. My craft space is in my finished basement and it is 10′ x 10′.
With all that defined I can get on to the next step. This is the ‘hardscape’ of the space. You are limited here. Most importantly, determine your workspace. Is it a table or a desk? That is the first thing you place. I put mine in the middle of my room like an island. And all around me are my bookcases. Then I realized that I needed a credenza or workspace behind me too. Don’t discount the light source. Place your desk where you get your happiest light.
Now let’s put those crafting supplies away so we can start creating.
STORAGE SOLUTIONS
PAPER 8-1/2″ x 11″
I use an IKEA Billy Bookcase (15 3/4″ wide) The wider one sags if you load it up with paper.
I stand the paper upright and use Avery Clear Heavyweight Sheet Protectors between each color. On the edge of the page protector, I put a label that notes the color and the product order number. Each page protector has a full sheet of cardstock to keep it rigid. All my scraps of that cardstock are placed in the page protector. I have found that I can make my cardstock go farther because I can use smaller pieces.
I arrange the cardstock in rainbow order on the shelf. This just makes me happy!
PAPER 12″ 12″
Because I have built in shelves along one wall that are 16″ deep, I can use cubes that I picked up at the craft store.
I put each collection of Designer Series Papers (DSP) in a clear bag (12-1/2″ x 12-1/2″ Crystal Clear Zip Bags with Euro Hand Hole from Clearbags.com. Each bag is labeled along the edge with the name of the DSP collection and the product order number. I also added a label with the coordinating colors that I print on a shipping label from my computer.
I then keep these in a divided cube on the 16″ deep shelves. One divider is for the current product and the others are for retired DSP. All these are kept alphabetically. My divided cube was made by Recollections or Ashland.
STAMPS
I love the IKEA Gnedby Bookcase (7 7/8″ x 79 1/2″) but unfortunately, it has been discontinued. It holds about 80 of the Stampin’ Up! DVD stamp cases. And you will have an extra slot for other things. I put my silicone craft mat in the narrow space.
STAMPS (PAPER PUMPKIN)
DIES
INK PADS & REFILLS
- IKEA Kallax units
- Slat Wall – comes in 4′ x 8′ sheets at lumber yard
- Slat Wall hangers from lumber yard
- Magnetic Cards for dies from Stamp n Storage
- Ink Storage Units from Stamp n Storage
- Advantus Cropper Hopper for 12″ x 12″ paper if not using the slotted cube made by Ashland.
- For embossing powders that are used most often: Sistema Klip IT rectangle containers (6.7 oz and 12.85 oz). I picked mine up at TJMaxx or Marshalls.
- Work surface
- NEW FROM Stampin’ Up! Storage trays and cubes for inks and markers. They take up less space than the Stamp n Storage product.
Alright. Now you want photos don’t you? Check out the various blog posts in the links below for current photos of my Crafting Studio.
SPACE AVAILABLE
I am lucky to have a basement that I can call mine. I have a 10′ x 10′ utility room that has built-in shelves on one wall. We put a slat wall up on the opposite wall. I have collected lots of the cube organizers over the years and created a credenza work area under the slat wall and under the egress window. I have zones to make it easier for me to clean up and find things: Die Cutting, Paper Cutting, Heat Embossing, Paper & Ink Storage and my working surface. My space is always in a state of improvement.
I like white walls that reflect the light in my workspace. In reality there is very little open wall not covered by shelves of lovely goodies.