Organizing Craft Supplies - Creative Tips on How to Manage Your Craft Clutter
If you happen to be like me and love making crafts, then you may find yourself with a drawer full of little craft supplies, with no organization. Things like ribbons, loose beads, jewelry findings, glue sticks, sequins, and scraps of decorative paper are things that can be hard to find a place for. A lot of craft supplies, like beads, come in tiny plastic bags that are stapled at the top. Once you open them, they are hard to keep closed again and things can fall out and get lost.
Not only can things get lost, but everything can become disorganized very quickly. When you sit down to do a craft project again, you may lack motivation since you can't find anything, or waste a lot of time looking for supplies. If this sounds like you, then read on because I would like to share with you some helpful tips on organizing your craft supplies.
The first thing you need to do if you haven't done so already is to designate a craft place to keep everything. The size of this space depends on how much you have. Perhaps a drawer in a dresser is enough room, or for those with larger collections you may need to designate a closet. Closets are wonderful spaces in which you can add several shelves within it to stack boxes of craft items. If a closet is unavailable, consider buying a dresser or bookshelf that will only be dedicated to storing your craft supplies.
Once you have your location, you will want to organize your supplies into different boxes. At home I use the clear plastic shoe boxes with removable lids, so that I can see the contents inside. Divide your craft supplies into categories. Using some labeling tape (or make some labels on your computer), clearly mark what is inside each shoe box. Here are examples of the boxes I have labeled in my own craft closet: ribbons and cords, glues and varnishes, paints, jewelry making items, felt and foam board, pipe cleaners, embroidery floss, hot glue gun and glue sticks, tissue paper and decoupage paper... and so on. Some items may need a different size box. For example, I use a shirt box for my felt and foam board pieces.
Paintbrushes and pipe cleaners can be stored in an empty coffee can or chip can. I keep all my scrap booking papers and templates in a portable hanging folder case. My scrap booking glue, scissors, markers, and stamps all fit nicely in a craft supply box (which resembles a fishing tackle box). I choose to have these items together and in portable since I don't always scrapbook at home.
Small jars are perfect for keeping tiny craft items. Begin keeping your eyes open and saving all small jars when you finish with them in the kitchen. Baby food jars are great, but other condiments come in perfect size jars too. I've kept some small jars from gourmet mustard, sun dried tomatoes, and capers! These jars can keep safety pins, sequins, seed beads, jewelry findings, or anything small. The jars can then be stored within a shoe box. For easy finding, label the top of the jar lid with what is inside. I even tape the item to the lid (such as the sequin, or the safety pin) so I know exactly what is inside by just opening the box and looking at my jar lids. Craft stores also sell organizational supplies for your small items. The plastic compartmentalized boxes are great for storing beads.
Getting organized helps you by saving time when you do your next craft. You will know exactly what supplies you have on hand and when you are getting low on something. Plus your craft area will look great!
Not only can things get lost, but everything can become disorganized very quickly. When you sit down to do a craft project again, you may lack motivation since you can't find anything, or waste a lot of time looking for supplies. If this sounds like you, then read on because I would like to share with you some helpful tips on organizing your craft supplies.
The first thing you need to do if you haven't done so already is to designate a craft place to keep everything. The size of this space depends on how much you have. Perhaps a drawer in a dresser is enough room, or for those with larger collections you may need to designate a closet. Closets are wonderful spaces in which you can add several shelves within it to stack boxes of craft items. If a closet is unavailable, consider buying a dresser or bookshelf that will only be dedicated to storing your craft supplies.
Once you have your location, you will want to organize your supplies into different boxes. At home I use the clear plastic shoe boxes with removable lids, so that I can see the contents inside. Divide your craft supplies into categories. Using some labeling tape (or make some labels on your computer), clearly mark what is inside each shoe box. Here are examples of the boxes I have labeled in my own craft closet: ribbons and cords, glues and varnishes, paints, jewelry making items, felt and foam board, pipe cleaners, embroidery floss, hot glue gun and glue sticks, tissue paper and decoupage paper... and so on. Some items may need a different size box. For example, I use a shirt box for my felt and foam board pieces.
Paintbrushes and pipe cleaners can be stored in an empty coffee can or chip can. I keep all my scrap booking papers and templates in a portable hanging folder case. My scrap booking glue, scissors, markers, and stamps all fit nicely in a craft supply box (which resembles a fishing tackle box). I choose to have these items together and in portable since I don't always scrapbook at home.
Small jars are perfect for keeping tiny craft items. Begin keeping your eyes open and saving all small jars when you finish with them in the kitchen. Baby food jars are great, but other condiments come in perfect size jars too. I've kept some small jars from gourmet mustard, sun dried tomatoes, and capers! These jars can keep safety pins, sequins, seed beads, jewelry findings, or anything small. The jars can then be stored within a shoe box. For easy finding, label the top of the jar lid with what is inside. I even tape the item to the lid (such as the sequin, or the safety pin) so I know exactly what is inside by just opening the box and looking at my jar lids. Craft stores also sell organizational supplies for your small items. The plastic compartmentalized boxes are great for storing beads.
Getting organized helps you by saving time when you do your next craft. You will know exactly what supplies you have on hand and when you are getting low on something. Plus your craft area will look great!
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