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Suggestions for Organization by Steph Schirmer Happy New Year Everyone!!!!!! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and 2007 is even happier and a more creative year for everyone. When we think of January, we think of New Year resolutions and fresh starts thus resulting in us wanting to organize everything in our lives. Our studios or craft areas are probably in need the most, due to the heavy volume of Christmas cards and personal gifts we have made. Here are some helpful suggestions in all price ranges to help you achieve that goal. The best way to start is with a fresh palette, start taking things out of your area and grouping them together. This gives you a sense of what you have and what type of organizing equipment you need, to get your room into shape. Labeling: The most important thing to get is a labeling system of some sort. There are several different types out there to choose from. Just remember, you need to label everything as it saves time when looking for something.
Work Area: Depending upon the area you have, what you stamp on is another important item in your room. If you use a desk, table or counter top find one that fits your needs and is durable. They come in a wide variety of prices and sizes so shop around. If you have the finances to buy a combination area check these websites out they might be interesting. Magazine Holders: If you save all your magazines these are a must. They not only save your magazines, but if you rip projects out of a magazine they can be stored in these and labeled accordingly. Paper Storage: There are a wide variety of paper storage units available, from plastic to cardboard, wood to metal, there is something to fit everyone’s needs. A cheap way is to use pizza boxes and put them together to store your 12 by 12 sheets. Paper files are great for 81/2 by 12 sheets and you can stack several on top of each other, even add rollers for easy mobility. File cabinets give you plenty of storage for all types of paper. Try using hangers with clips for decorative paper, that way you don’t have to roll it up and it is always flat and easier when you have to cut it. Stamp Storage: Depending upon what type of stamps you have, stamp storage is available in a lot of sizes. Unmounted stamps can be stored in CD cases, notebooks, pizza boxes and iris carts. Mounted stamps can be stored in iris carts, Lucite trays, 3 drawer containers and shelving units. You have to pick the one that best suits your space and price range. Pencil Containers: Round Rubbermaid containers, coffee cans, plastic cups just to name a few are great for storing pens, makers, sharpies, scissors, brushes, everything that you work with and needs at your fingertips. You can also consider what you have and have a container for each and store them on a shelf or cart and get them only when needed. Iris Carts: These little gems comes in all sizes and store a multitude of things from, ink pads, stamps, punches, ink pad refills, beads, eyelets, embossing powder, just to name a few. Decide what works best in your area and pick accordingly, small ones might work on your desk top to hold your most often used tools. Stamp Pads: Everyone has more then one of these, there are a lot out there and we buy one in every color. You can store these in old cassette cases, iris carts, specifically made stamp pad holders, on shelves and even stacked on your desk. Dye pads should be stored upside down and pigment pads right side up, some mica pads should be stored upside down the keep the mica on top or take a Popsicle stick to activate the mica. A hint is to write the colors on the edge of the stamp pad that way you wont have hunt for the color. Ribbons: These can be stored on wooden dowels, a 9 by 13 cake carrier from Wal-Mart, and specifically designed ribbon storage boxes. Instead of a pin to hold the ribbon in place on the spool try a rubber band or a piece of tape. Shoe Organizers: These can be put on a back of door or on the wall to hold punches, glues, tapes all sorts of things Bulletin Board: Great for displaying things received, instructions, prototypes, pictures and ideas. Photo Albums: Stores brass stencils, pictures of ideas taken in classes. Pringles Cans: Stores stamp wheels and can be decorated. Tool Boxes: Tackle boxes, tiny nail and screw storage boxes, all of these hold a variety of embellishments and tools you use. Clips Boards: They keep projects current, swaps, ideas, future ideas, keep three of them for present, done and future swaps. Baskets: These work well for a lot of things. Look in the closet section of a home and improvement store and find a 4 drawer wire basket unit to put in your closet to hold fibers, ribbons and napkins all sorts of things. If the room where you work has a bed, look for under the bed storage and store less used items there. Before you jump into something be sure and look around for what is best for you. Look in places you wouldn’t normally look for storage ideas. Prices run the gambit and no one should have a hard time finding something to work for them. Best of all if you see something you like ask that person where they got it. Sharing ideas about storage can be very useful for everyone. Thanks everyone who contributed to the list and Happy Organizing!!! Steph Schirmer sschirmer@stampersmall.com
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