Two organizational-purgy posts in a week. What is the world coming to? And more importantly, who am I?
We’ve received some questions recently, asking how we organize our craft supplies.
See: one of the hardest working rooms in our home:
Craft storage…
Laundry room…
Mud room.
And no, it doesn’t always look like this.
It usually looks more like this.
It’s not always this bad, but we have our moments. {See: awkward backpedaling.}
While I realized we’re blessed to have cabinets to hide our stuff, and everyone’s situation for their craft supplies are going to be different…
The one universal factor is making it work for you.
Craft supplies are probably the one thing I don’t purge very often. It’s one of my biggest ‘struggles’, as an artist in keeping things manageable. You literally don’t know when you might use that mini spindle leg leftover thingy from the dollhouse project… again. Or the little wooden pieces the kids used for that nativity scene last year. And who’s going to throw out perfectly good gold spray paint? Um no…
Yeah. Sometimes it’s good to purge. But here are a few easy tips and tricks I have for keeping it relatively reasonable.
1. Keep it all contained.
When we first moved into this home, I thought I could just stack my supplies in all of these purdy cabinets and have a nice day thankyouverymuch. But that lasted for about one year until I came out of denial world and realized that I couldn’t find anything. Ever.
I lacked a basic system. There was no method to my madness. The oil paints were mixed in with the watercolors, and I could never find an X-Acto blade when I needed one. I was constantly knocking things over, and I would dance in circles for an hour just looking for my scissors. The good ones. {Jamin once found my fabric scissors and used them for an Ice Pop cutting free-for-all. It made me stabby and he only did it once.}
So contain it all. Containers create space, they corral it all in one place and they make things easy to find. Divide them by categories, and try to stick to it.
Also, I keep all things crafty separated from our home improvement supplies… And that is a work in progress. We keep all things construction or DIY related, in the garage. It definitely keeps things simplified and straight {More on that, later}
That being said…
2. Use whatever you can
Your storage doesn’t have to be fancy. I realize if you see it every day and you don’t have the luxury of putting it behind doors, you may want something a little nicer. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years: It’s from giant pieces of cardboard for portfolios, to random plastic tackle boxes I grabbed at Walmart to hold all the little things… You go with what works in the moment.
Our “holders” are a hodgepodge: Two boxes that held baby gifts from Tiffany’s (I saved the boxes because hello, Tiffany’s) Random plastic woven baskets I used as our first toy holders (when I had one newborn infant child and all I needed were two small plastic woven boxes for the small toys. Good times) tackle boxes, Tupperware containers, baskets, canvas bins, and mason jars. Spending money on craft supply storage just isn’t a top priority for me. So I use what works, and roll with it.
If you want them to be seen, remember you still don’t have to spend a fortune on boxes. Cover some cardboard with contact paper, spray paint plain jane ones from an office supply store, or wait for some baskets to go on sale and stalk the stores for coupons. It’s doable and totally worth it.
{Pssst: these are some of the best little containers ever from Ikea. The ultimate little holders. We’ve used them for one million different ways over the years – from crayons to fingernail clippers- they’re perfect.}
3. Have rules
And try to keep them. As far as massive amounts of craft supplies: If you have a certain space for a certain supply like acrylic paint, try not to add to a massive pile-on of paint until you’ve sorted through the old. Only keep as much as your container will hold. It will probably help keep things reasonable if you set rules for yourself, and stick to them.
Also? Try to clean out once a year to every six months. Eventually, some things get old {like certain paints}. If you’re doing projects often, things probably get a little crazy when you’re in the middle of them. It’s also helpful because you’ll take inventory of what you really have, and what you’re running low on. You won’t do the whole grab-a-new-bottle-just-because-you’re-perusing-the craft-store-and-it’s-a-sale… never to really be used.
4. Place them based on function.
If you don’t use scrap wood that often, put it in a higher place. If you use your glue gun every other day, (see: you’re a freak like me) keep it down low in an easy to grab location so you’re not knocking over fifty things and then tossing it back in the wrong place out of sheer frustration. This should keep those corralled supplies neater, longer.
5. Labels.
They’re probably the best thing you can use for all those supplies. Because you may designate a container, and then won’t be able to see it from a shelf below. Just a glance, and you know exactly what you need and where it’s located.
Psst: Want your own? I’ve come up with a few for you guys to use as a free printable. (I just covered them in those little luggage tag holders like these kids clothing labels here, or you could laminate them.)
Get them here, here, here and here.
We hope them find them useful!
PS. Oh, It’s been an act worthy of a zombie apocalypse, and in honor of the actual snowpocalypse of 2014 I’ve decided it was time to part with some of my fabric I’ve been hoarding. From little clippings to fat quarters to a few yards… it’s a fun little assortment if you’re looking to grow your own collection. I can think of a million little projects to do with these… anyone game?
We’ll be having a giveaway this weekend – We just thought it was fun to destash some of our own stuff and give a happy in the mail to someone else! Stay tuned!
These are a few basic little tips + tricks we stick to, in an effort to keep in all manageable. We hope this helps! And we’d love to hear a few of your own!
Anna @ A Good Home says
Did I spy a glass loaf pan corralling brushes? Tee hee, that’s fabulous. š Way to work it, lady!
As a major sewist (I would say “sewer,” but, umm yuck.) I have MASSIVE problems keeping all my fabric scraps under control. Want to come over and help me purge? It’s still pretty warm here in Florida…you know you want to!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Oh yes, girl! Whatever works! So god this helps! And I am tempted… ;}
Christa @ BrownSugarToast says
Ooooooooohhhhh…a fabric giveaway! Something I should probably do myself… š Thanks for the great tips! Love your laundry/craft/mud room!
Donna says
THANK YOU! I love everything about these labels. I can’t wait to use them in my hobby room. The colors are perfect.
ashley @ the handmade home says
YAY! It always gives me warm fuzzes when I take the time to make something and people actually let me know if they can use them. Thanks so much! ;} Enjoy! ;}
Kyla F says
Thank you for sharing these ideas and adorable labels Ashley! I am going to tackle my craft storage today because I am now very motivated š Also, your fabric giveaway is super exciting! My quilt is made from all fabrics that you have shown here before, so I am pretty thrilled that somebody is going to be receiving some lovely pieces from you. Happy Wednesday!!
Tania @ Run To Radiance says
Yay for multi-purpose craft rooms!! Ours is a library and our office and our craft studio. We crammed a whole lot of function into that fairly tiny room! š Still a work in progress but I love, love, love being able to have all my craft supplies and paint organized! I blogged about our craft organizing system this week- I found these wire drawer units from ikea for $10 each on sale and LOVE them. I like being able to see all my crafting treasures. š
I am totally coveting your fabric!!!!
ashley @ the handmade home says
What a great suggestion! I can’t wait to see!
Lynne E. says
You’ve given me some great ideas for craft storage in my laundry room. And since I’m currently redecorating my spare bedroom, and have been scouring fabrics for paint color & accessories (pillows, shams etc.), I must throw my hat in the ring for the fabric.
Krystal says
I love that room! Mine is not near as large, doesn’t have as manu cabinets or half the counter space, but that’s where all the art supplies are. Except my yarn in a trash bag in my bedroom, and the fabric scraps in my closet… It’s inspiring to see how pretty and organized mine *could* be. Love the labels! Going to prit them off later. And I say any container is fair game. I use the extra diaper wipes dispenser that comes with my giant box of wipes from Sam’s to hold pencils, pens, and adhesives. They keep my markers flat so they store properly and they stack well with the shelf height I have – no wasted space!
Thanks for the inspiration, and if those are the fabric scraps you’re giving away then woohoo! I’ll be signing up for that one. š
Mary says
What color paint is on your walls? I love it!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thanks Mary! It’s Benjamin Moore’s Wedgewood Grey. And we just updated all our paint colors for you to read about here https://www.thehandmadehome.net/2014/01/paint-colors-the-handmade-home/ Hope that helps! ;}
audra says
Ashley, I am SO excited about the labels! I have some of our craft stuff contained in the laundry room, but a lot of it in my crap, er, craft room just begging for better organization! I also saw your post w/ the kids clothing labels last week and did a little happy dance because I’m reworking a closet for my 3 and 5 year olds (boy/girl) and these will be AWESOME…I love that they have words AND pictures and are adorable to boot! I read your blog all the time and just have to say that I love “stopping in” to see you. Thanks for being hilarious and real and helping me get on board the purge-my-house wagon. It’s a great ride. You’re totally awesomesauce.
amanda heaberlin says
Ooooh snap. a fabric giveaway!!!! (did I really say oh snap, well i’m a fabric snob and just a tad excited about your leftovers) Anyhow i’ll be stalking oh wait I mean checking back for details.
Elena says
I am in the process of organizing a new craft room and getting a bit frustrated. Nice tips and can’t wait to use your labels. Thanks for sharing.
Betsy Childs says
I always need more fabric!
Speaking of fabric, I use a shoe organizer to store my folded fabrics in a way that I can see them. This also serves as the base for my cutting table. http://www.flickr.com/photos/31304089@N04/5951475309/in/set-72157627102028101
Abbie (M is for Mama) says
Definitely going to be snagging some of those labels, Ashley! And can’t wait for that giveaway. After all, since I have absolutely no room left to stash any more fabric (hoarder, *cough), I definitely need to win some more. Great tips!
Mary Jane says
Ashley,
Yesterday, was the end of the fantastic fabric giveaway….
And I just wondered how do we find out who was the
LUCKY one to get all that wonderful fabric???
Mary Jane
Kathy says
I would love getting a little happy in the mail ! Heres to crafting!!
karen says
Do you recall where you purchased that sassy orange rug?
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Karen! We purchased it at Target. It’s red in real life. ;} Hope that helps!
Claudia Basinger says
You should see my mess. I am scared that if I throw something out I might need it later. Even if there is one of the object. I guess that I am a craft hoarder. I am going to try your method because this weekend my shoe box of glitters broke and fell-glitter everywhere.
Ps I made a version of your ENJOY sign. I referred back to you as my inspiration. I am a new blogger. I was amazed that it got 300 hits. I’m sending you the link.
http://buttonsandbowsonline.blogspot.com/2014/07/crafty-weekend.html
That was the most hits I ever had! Do you have any suggestions about getting more traffic?
Southern Gal says
I painted my sewing/school room this past summer and have slowly been trying to go through what to keep, what to throw away and what to donate. Now I have two pieces of Craigslist furniture I’m trying to decide how to paint. If I didn’t have to make decisions life would be so much less complicated…
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