Organization 101

I did a little re-org in the studio yesterday and swapped around some of my containers and such. I love seeing everything and having things close at hand. For about the last 10 years, I've been using those wooden storage cubes that you can configure a bunch of different ways. They've seen me through several moves and tons of reconfigurations (that's what I love about them!) and finally I think I've found a configuration that works. Here are a few shots of some of the organization...

I'm not sure what I originally bought this cube for, but I did a little happy dance when I discovered the dividers fit my ribbon spools perfectly!

Same applies for my twine & trim drawer. I just love opening these up and taking a peek inside.

This last pic is obviously not a drawer, but this container now sits inside one of the shelves. It was actually in a pile to give away and then I thought it would be a better embellishment holder for all my little do-dads. Now I can just open it up and use my little scoopers to pick what I want. Aren't those sooooo adorable?!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Embellishment Center

If you've been following me, you've probably come to realize that I haven't had much time for crafting. Well, a big chunk of my time has been dedicated to reorganizing, decluttering, purging, donating, selling & cleaning up my space! It was time!! Long overdue, actually. With the new catalogue launching soon, I needed to make room for the new stuff and let go of all the things I've been holding on to, but haven't used in more than a year.

I also had to do a major clean-up of my space. When I get creative, I get messy. It's how I roll. But, it was getting to be too much. Over the last several months I'd work until I ended up working in a 5" square space with piles all around me and then tidy up just enough to keep at it. Finally, that wasn't cutting it anymore. I was spending too much time looking for things and not enough time making things.

Today I wanted to share one of the areas I revamped in my space - my "embellishment center". I didn't change the way I organized my stash, but I did move things around slightly. You can read more details on some of my organization tips & tricks here, here & here.

You probably know that I'm a very visual person. If I don't see it (or if it's not labeled properly in a drawer that I can't see into), I don't use it. I especially like to see all my embellishments, paper & punches out on display and within reach. I previously had all my embellishments scattered around me, but now I house them all one area:

1. Four shelves that hold my ribbons, trims, twines & wooden embellishments. Thank you IKEA & Value Village!
2. Glass mason jars & wooden dowels hold all my baker's twine.
3. Glass jars from IKEA (that I repurposed from my kitchen) hold all my flowers, ribbon scraps, clay embellishments & my beloved Washi Tape!
4. My pride & joy. Repurposed embellishment rack that holds all my brads, buttons, do-dads & whatnots. Love, love, LOVE this spinning unit!

Hope this post helps you to reorganize or revamp a space in your house too!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

Organize Those Embellies!

I don't know about you, but I love to use embellishments and can never seem to have enough... but I have enough to last me for years! haha.

A couple of years ago I was determined to re-purpose a spinning rack that I had (used to hold 160 bottles of paint).  I just couldn't bring myself to get rid of the rack when I was no longer painting and thought there must be another use for it!

After I finally sourced out the perfect containers at Lee Valley (such a wicked store!), it did exactly what I had invisioned:

As I mentioned above, the rack holds 160 bottles, but because I organize by colour and style, it's not quite enough. :) At least, that's what I tell myself about my obsession anyway. Regardless, it works marvelously! Each square section on my rack measured 1-1/2", so I chose the 1" and 1-1/4" bottles to hold my stash.

I'm very happy with how I re-purposed this rack and perhaps this post has inspired you to re-purpose something... or maybe you have this rack and will turn it into an embellishment holder too!

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph