re: Top Organization Tips from Readers

Gyspy Mary — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:00:10 GMT

I discovered, I can erase permenet marker, on my plastic containers by using a 'Red School Eraser". Cost much less than a label maker. I still use the label maker for my Larger storage containers.

re: Top Organization Tips from Readers

LaVonne — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 07:14:49 GMT

Lori S was looking for a good way to store her pliers and hammers. I've been using a metal container from Michael's, that I bought a few years ago. It looks like a bread pan, except the sides are a little higher, and it has flop-down handles attached to both long sides. It looks like galvanised metal, or maybe zinc. I'm sure it wasn't expensive, but it works well for holding my pliers and smaller hammers. I put the pliers in with the handles down, stradeling the sides of the container, so the points are up, and I know which one I'm grabbing.This container is wide enough to be stable, and works better than the wooden rack that was included with my expensive tools. I would encourage everyone to be careful about the magnetic strips. You don't want to magnetise your tools. I use specimen jars for my beads and findings. If you have a friend in medicine, just ask if he/she has access to such containers that come in procedure packs. If they happen not to get used for the patient, they will be discarded. Taking them home beats tossing them in the landfill. I am looking for some slightly larger containers to hold my longer headpins. I like the 3 inch size, and they are too long for my cups. Thanks, LaVonne

re: Top Organization Tips from Readers

LORI S — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 22:33:08 GMT

I also use those banks of drawers intended for screws and nails. I have six at the moment (15 little drawers in each one) - they stack, so I have 2 across and 3 high across the back of my worktable. Beads are sorted by type - one box is all stone beads, which are sorted by size and then color. One box is crystals, furnace glass and lampwork. One box is Czech Firepolish or pressed glass. I leave stone beads and pearls on the strand they came on to reduce the possibility of spills. As for reusing - I save ALL the tiny ziplock bags, vials, tubes and "tic-tac" type boxes that I buy beads in. If I buy beads that don't come in a good container, I have plenty to choose from. Seed beadsI kep almost always in tubes or tic tac boxes, if I happen to buy them in bags I transfer to tubes. I am also a little obsessive about using just the "right" size container, so there is no wasted space. One of the best tips I ever heard was to put your bobbins of Nymo or Conso in a clear prescription bottle - they just fit! what I do need is a good way to keep the pliers, cutters and crimpers handy. Also, I am doing some metal work, so I need a place to stash chasing hammers, rawhide mallets and other larger tools.....

re: Top Organization Tips from Readers

IngridS — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 02:42:34 GMT

I like to re-purpose things, especially stuff that otherwise gets thrown out. My brother is an electrician, and electrical tape comes in these nice 3-1/2 inch round plastic boxes. They're almost transparent, so you can see color and shape through them. Also, my shop is full of office file stack trays with clear acrylic photo box frames as drawers. You can often find both items in second hand stores. Way cheaper than tackle boxes or craft storage products.

re: Top Organization Tips from Readers

BethS — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 00:36:23 GMT

baby food now comes in small plastic containers. They are rectangular in shape with snap on lids. They stack nicely, and athe lids stay put.
I use them to store small findings; they can be labelled using permanenet marker. Another terrific use is to put all the beads, findings etc for one project in a container, and just take it out when I wnat to workl on it, or take it with me!

re: Top Organization Tips from Readers

ChristinaD — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 16:51:23 GMT

You can find lip balm containers and other small jars at Majestic Mountain Sage (www.the-sage.com) or Brambleberry (www.brambleberry.com)... two of my favorite sites for one of my many OTHER hobbies. ;) Think MMS is cheaper but couldn't tell you off the top of my head.

I find that the best storage method is one where the containers take the size of what they're storing so there's no wasted space (i.e. zippy bags!!) I sort my zippies by type and color and put them in the plastic tupperware-type shoeboxes.

re: Top Organization Tips from Readers

Elizabeth — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 01:54:27 GMT

I received my book today - thank you SO much!
I love the Retro Rosette Brooch project!
Thankyou!

re: Top Organization Tips from Readers

CindyS — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 04:15:58 GMT

I love books and magazines such as Beadwork. The magazines are full of inspiration and projects. When I find a project I know I will do, or an inspirational picture or ad, I pull out the 1" wide masking tape.

Pull of about 1 1/4" start at the top (vertical) of the first page and attach the tape to the page so it will look like a tab. Write on the tab what the project is and what catagory you would put it in. As you continue to wander through the magazine or book adding tabs, move the tabs 1" from the previous one so you can find the projects easily.

Remember when you were in school doing a report that required tab seperating pages between sections of the report? This is what the end result should look like.

If you find an advertisement that you want to investigate further, make tabs on the horizontal portion of the magazine.

I also take it one step further by keeping all magizines in upright storage containers. They are sorted by magizine and date. The books are sorted by catagory and title on my studio shelves.

Before storing them away, I input all the data I deem meaningful into an Access database. Now I can readily find the project or information I need. You could also do a simple Excel spreadsheet to create an accountability of your craft sorce projects.

It will take some time to get things started, but when it is all done and you continue to MAINTAIN your database with new information from a new book or magazine, your creative life will be 100% better!

Happy Crafting!

re: Top Organization Tips from Readers

CindyS — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 03:33:15 GMT

Craft store storage products can cost a small fortune. While wandering through our local Home Depot I happened to come upon the nuts, bolts, and tool storage products. I found an orange storage box with four plastic storage boxes with attached locking lids on them, within the unit. The boxes have dividers in them which you can move to accomodate your personal preferances. The entire unit has a handle for carring and they may be stacked and fastened together.

I use a labeling device to make a label of what is contained in each box, such as crystals, sterling, gold, bali, semi precious, focal, pearls, findings and many other things.

I also use one unit as a composition craft and go unit. Take one of the plastic storage boxes and load it up with findings, your intended focal point, thread, wire, and tools, then pull out the storages which contain the beads, pearls, gems etc. Assemble the containers in one of the four compartment units, take hold of the handle and off you go. Our church has a 'Craft and Gab' get together once a month. I love taking one unit with all my stuff in it to our get together.

The best part of this great little unit is the price...less than $11.00. Purchasing the plastic storage compartments at a craft store would be around $32.00.

Happy creating!

re: Top Organization Tips from Readers

DeniseG — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:23:43 GMT

I went to lowes and bought these organizers cabinets that have 60 drawers in it that men put screws and nut in and I have put my beads in them.I have bought 5 of them and could use a few more.The drawers are clear plastic so you can see what is in each of them.And when I go some place with my beads I bought a tackle box to cary with me.

re: Top Organization Tips from Readers

KristinaS — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 04:11:52 GMT

I purchased the magnetic strips but have not yet used them and I have the magnetic dry erase boards which are great for magnetic spice containers and watch makers cases. My best project was lining the walls of my craft room with pegboard. You can arrange hangers of all sorts on them to hold tools, supplies, bead strands, etc, I find the best prices for the pegs through harbor freight tools. Thanks to everyone for your great ideas. Now if I could only find the time to organize with all of the resources!!!

re: Top Organization Tips from Readers

Elizabeth — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 02:16:10 GMT

Another tip I have is to use / buy (i bought mine for $2 from a second hand store) - a tie rack. The one I have has black rubber tips over the ends of the hooks - so the jewellery doesn't tarnish.
It is a great way to display as many or as little necklaces and bracelets as you want.
I hang mine on the side of my beading desk (ex computer desk!) so that I can see my favourite pieces every time I sit down to bead.

There are so many great tips, I haven't even read through them yet!

re: Top Organization Tips from Readers

MarshaJ — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 02:00:45 GMT

I Loved Myra Fox's idea, open a store. Wish I could. Thanks to all of the folks, great ideas. Marsha Jones

re: Top Organization Tips from Readers

Capitolagirl — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 01:46:13 GMT

Hi Michelle, Just wanted to say that Laura's book arrived and its fabulous! Thanks again :-)

re: Top Organization Tips from Readers

Joanne — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:36:21 GMT

I'm glad Elizabeth Gorman shared her idea for using little plastic bags for small bits of trash. Because I am trying to be more "green" I recycle the little shopping bags the bead stores put my purchases in. I also have used the clean paper Starbucks cup when they have "double cupped" my beverage. Joanne