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| Yes, I have more than one project on my beading tray in this picture. It's cluttered. I don't even know why that spool of blue Nymo beading thread is there! |
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I don't know if I qualify as a typical beader, but I always
find that I have about six or seven beading projects in progress at the same
time. I'm not sure why I can't just finish one beading project before I start
the next one. We're supposed to enjoy the time it takes to make each project,
right? But while I'm enjoying that time spent stitching beads, I'm always
daydreaming about the next project I want to do- and sometimes I can't help but
start a new beading project while the design is still fresh in my mind.
So with all these beading projects floating around in your
head, what's a busy beader to do?
First, I try to keep things as uncluttered and organized as
possible. (Those of you reading who have seen my beading table and my dining
room table when I'm in full-on "create" mode, stop laughing right now.) For me,
staying organized and uncluttered means putting the beads for just one project on
my work pad instead of trying to juggle multiple projects at the same time. I
also limit the number of work pads that I have out at one time so that I'm not
tempted to stack them up on top of each other, which always leads to disaster;
spilled beads and lost needles.
Since I always have more than one idea for a beading project
running through my little beady brain, I also try to pull the colors and beads
for each project that I'll need and store them in a plastic zip baggie. I'll
usually include a copy of the sketch from my sketchbook for each finished
piece, along with any other notes and sources for the beads in case I run out
and need to order more.
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These colorful, inexpensive pencil cases are perfect for organizing my beading projects when I have to travel. |
When I'm traveling with my beads and want to bring more than
one project along for the journey, I like the inexpensive pencil cases from the
office supply store. They sell for about a buck each, come in bright colors,
and have multiple pockets so that I can organize things such as beading thread,
needles, and findings in addition to the beads for each project. I also use
them just for storing beading project supplies since they are compact and easy
to tuck into a drawer or a tote bag.
How do you stay organized when you're working on a beading
project? Share your tips and advice here on the blog!
Bead Happy,
Jennifer