Today I am sharing some tips on managing your craft supplies. One of the best things about fall is that I love to craft. Something about the cooler weather and the holiday festivities just gets me in the mood to make more things.
Over the years I have accumulated lots of craft supplies. I have been through periods of rubber stamping, jewelry making, scrapbooking, crocheting, ceramics, embossing, and more.
Tips on Organizing Craft Supplies
I used to spend as much time collecting supplies that I spent actually doing the crafts. Isn't it ironic that too many items one purchases in a creative move can actually inhibit the creative skills needed to use them?
Several years (0k quite a few years) back I made some changes so that I would not feel so overwhelmed with all of the supplies.
I want to share these tips that helped me spend more time crafting and less time collecting.
Designate a space for supplies
If you are not lucky enough to have a craft room like me, designate a desk or cupboard or closet for craft items. Having a space that you can get to will make it easier to access.
If they are stored deep in a closet or garage, they are more likely to stay there unused. If you only have a small space, that is fine too, just make sure it is easy to get to so that stuff does not get buried or forgotten.
Decide What to Keep
Before you start to find storage for items, take a look at your craft supplies and see if you really want to keep all of the supplies you have.
More boxes just mean more stuff beckoning at you so keep them at a manageable number. The number will vary depending on space, time, money, and craft type. When we go on sites like Pinterest, we want to do all of the projects, but it is not realistic.
Craft supplies are like clothes. We tend to hold on to them thinking we are going to use them one day, but after a year or two, it is not likely. Pick the ones you really want to do and focus on those.
If just looking at the supplies or the effort required to make the craft gives you anxiety, you might want to consider donating the supplies to a worthwhile organization or sell them on eBay.
Once you have decided what to keep, think about storage solutions
Store like Crafts Together
Once you have established a place for supplies, store the supplies in containers by type of craft.
By keeping like items together, you can pull out one box/basket with all your materials instead of digging through drawers and closets gathering stuff in preparation.
Things to consider before you start storing items are whether you need large or small containers. Do you want a box with dividers or would boxes with layers help? Will clear storage be useful or do you like the more streamlined look of covered boxes.
Drawers or boxes? If you need lots of quick access, sometimes a drawer system would work better.
Can you use a spinning lazy susan type of system? These are great when you use a lot of supplies together.
Do your supplies need to be mobile? Keep items you use often (like scissors, glue, etc...) in a basket or in a bucket with a handle for easy access and transport.
Consider storing craft books and magazines in containers to keep things tidy.
Some of my favorite small item supply storage containers:
- small drawers
- toolboxes
- containers with lids
- magazine holders
- photo boxes
- acrylic holders
Small boxes from the dollar store are great for ribbons. They are not only efficient, but they are cheap solutions.
Now What?
Now that your supplies are all organized, schedule time to work on your projects. Call a friend and make a craft date. Or call several friends and make a recurring date and rotate the location. These sessions can be so much fun!
Putting those items to use will help you to keep them organized.
Want more organization tips? Check out these articles.
Inexpensive Storage Solutions
How do you store your craft supplies? What crafts do you love?
Lora
I wish I had a craft room!!!! A girl can dream I guess 🙂 Great tips!
Tamara
I love this. My husband eventually realized he needed a "craft room." Not that he calls it that, mind you, but it totally is one! I love order and organization myself.
Raquel
Oh how lucky that he has an entire room!
Elena
Hey there! I just wanted to stop by and say thanks for the linking up to The PINcentive Blog Hop! Hope you are having a fantastic week :o)
[email protected]
http://www.croppedstories.blogspot.com
Raquel
Thank you for stopping by! Hope your week is great too!
Lexie Lane
Wow! It's like being at a store! It's so organized! Luckily I don't do crafts or it would be an absolute nightmare to do this!
Raquel
LOL Lexie! I love doing this 🙂
Akaleistar
Great tips! I really do need to limit the number of projects 🙂
Missy
I do a ton of crafts with my kids and it can definitely take over the house! Thank you for your organizing tips!
I found your post through the Live Laugh Linky.
Raquel
Hi Missy - thanks so much for stopping by. I love that you and your kids enjoy crafts too!
Evelyn Kelly
Raquel, what a fantastic information you have here on this post. I just love things made of crafts and all your ideas are wonderful as I have the same problem of storing my craft things but you have solved my all the problems by providing these brilliant ideas.
Raquel
Thank you Evelyn, appreciate you stopping by.
soniabarton
Oh organization - it always eludes me. My husband and I switched offices his is back to normal and mine is still waiting for organization inspiration. I think I'll start with separating the types of crafts....then I might have a better chance. LOL
Raquel
Good luck with the project Sonia! You will love it once it's organized and ready!
Brittnei
I need to start with that last step! Schedule crafting time. I would love to get into more scrapbooking, sewing, etc. I think it is the time that I'm in and I know it will change as my son gets older, as I have more kids and they grow up, etc. These sound like great tips though for when I finally start some projects. 🙂
Trish - Mom On Timeout
These are such great tips Raquel! I always struggle with keeping my stuff organized - I need to get ON this 🙂
Raquel
Thank you Trish! Appreciate you stopping by!
Doina Gutuleac
Hi! Great post! Thank you for sharing. These tips are really useful. They will better organize me!
Raquel
Thank you Doina! Appreciate your kind words.
Pam@over50feeling40
I would love to live on organized island. I wish you would come to my house! Thanks for sharing with the Thursday Blog Hop!
Raquel
I would love to come to your house Pam! Thanks for visiting!