Craft Storage: Budget Storage Solutions for Embellishments Craft storage solutions for embellishments, bought on a shoestring budget!
Who’s in need of inexpensive storage solutions for their embellishments?
How about solutions that are also portable?
Well, we’ve got a super simple solution that’s both inexpensive and portable…and readily available!
Today’s spotlight is on a product that comes not from your favorite craft supply or storage solutions retailer, but from your local pharmacy, travel store, online retailer or even the Target dollar spot (where I picked up these!).
An overwhleming number of alpha, phrase and image sticker sheets got you wondering how you’ll keep track of them all and find what you need, when you need it?
Or, maybe you’re just starting your “collection?”
Well, whether you’ve got sticker sheets coming out your ears or you’re just now inspired to go find some for your papercrafting endeavors, we’ve got solutions to suit your current, and future needs.
And, they’re all super reasonable!
We’re sharing a collection of storage options that I recently spotted at Target and there’s a style and look for everyone!
And, I made sure to include the price labels so you can see how much each option will cost.
Don’t have a Target near you?
No worries, these types of containers are available at other retailers, both brick-and-mortar stores and online.
Now let’s take a look at each storage option…
Option One: Canvas Media Bin
Craftroom Organization: Storage Solutions Round-Up – Sticker Sheets – Canvas Media Bin
These stacking units are not only a perfect shape and size for sticker sheets like Thickers, they’re sturdy and attractive.
The grey bins are perfect for blending into most craft rooms.
Of course, you could also paint or dye them to match any decor.
I love the look of these – they’d fit in well in a craft room or most any other area of a home.
No dedicated craft space?
These could blend right in in a living room, dining room, den or guest bedroom.
They’re also very lightweight and could easily be hauled off to a crop of other crafting getaway and placed on your work area, keeping your sticker sheets or other supplies right at hand.
The only downside to these is that they angle in at the bottom, meaning only more narrow sticker sheets will fit in them.
Since my craft room is filled with black furnishings, with splashes of other colors (and soon some of my Disney memorabilia!), this was one of my favorite options.
I like the fabric liners and could use these not just for sticker sheets, but for embossing folders, stamp sets, large dies and small paper pads.
How about you – do you like this option?
And if so, how would you use it?
Option Seven: Media Bin Basket
Craftroom Organization: Storage Solutions Round-Up – Sticker Sheets – Media Bin Basket
These baskets are even nicer in person!
If you’re going for a natural, cozy look, these might be a good choice.
These could also be hung up and used for storing a variety of other supplies.
Create a few cute tags and tie them on to the handles and you’ll never have a hard time finding your favorite crafting supplies.
One caveat: I wouldn’t recommend these for storing delicate items, such as fabrics or fibers, because those items could get snagged.
Option Eight: Striped Canvas CD/DVD Box
Craftroom Organization: Storage Solutions Round-Up – Sticker Sheets – Striped Canvas CD DVD Box
The handles on these would make it easy to retrieve them from high shelves or cubbies, and the look is casual, yet polished.
If you’re crafting in a dual-purpose space, this style of bin would enable you to store your stickers (and other supplies) without the space having an “identity crisis.”
Keeping your clear or cling-mounted stamps in CD or DVD cases?
OK, this solution is a bit unlike the others in that it comes with a lid and is a bit wider than the others, but it would also work for storing stickers.
And if you have shorter sheets (or sheets you’ve cut down after using some of the stickers), you could store these with the lids in place and stack them, meaning more efficient use of space.
These come in several color options too!
Option Ten: Sterilite White Utility Tub
Craftroom Organization: Storage Solutions Round-Up – Sticker Sheets – Sterilite White Utility Tub
OK, this is a very simple (more utilitarian) bin style, but it does have a nice spot for labeling on the front (great for those who easily forget what’s inside storage containers).
And, it’s an ideal size and shape for sticker sheets, like the Thickers alphabet stickers from companies like American Crafts.
If plastic and simple are what you’re looking for, this may be a good option.
I love that these can be easily labeled and pulled out from where they’re stored.
Yes, many of the other options above have these same features, but the fact that these are clear means you can see, at a glance, exactly what’s inside, without having to pull them out or remove a lid.
And this company makes bins in a variety of shapes and sizes, meaning your room can be filled with a coordinated storage solution “style.”
That makes my heart happy – how about yours?
Well, that’s it for this round-up of sticker sheet storage options.
We’d love to hear your thoughts,
and see what you’ve chosen to use for storing sticker sheets.
Are you looking for something “unique” for your craft room or art studio?
A single item to add some character or to inspire the “theme” of your creative space?
Or, maybe a collection of items to create a fresh look and feel for your space?
Well, we’ve got more!
Craftroom Storage: Unique Items – Cigar Boxes
We’re sharing more non-traditional storage solutions, all in an effort to help you love your space and make you more productive when you’re in it.
How do great storage ideas help with productivity?
Well, when you love your space, you want to be in it, right?
And when you can easily find – and put away – your tools and supplies, you have more time for creating!
The following items were spotted at a Minnesota Hobby Lobby I visited during my travels and I thought you might like to check them out.
Perhaps they’re just what you’re looking for and you can find them at your local store.
Or, maybe they’ll spark an idea – perhaps a way to re-purpose something you have on hand, or to inspire you to start hunting for a similar solution, one that’s ideal for what you need to organize and store!
Now again, we know there’ll be at least a few of you who don’t have a Hobby Lobby near you, or who may not be able to find these exact items at your local store.
We’re sharing these simply to give you ideas about how you can use unique storage items and furnishings that are not specific to craft room and/or crafting supply organization, items that could liven up your space, give it a little pizzazz!
And if you do have a local store that carries one or more of these items, and it’d/they’d be ideal for your needs, well that’s even better!
Along with each item, I’ve again shared my thoughts on what would best fit in that type of organizational unit, as well as characteristics of the unit so you can look for these same qualities in products and furnishings you might come across where you live (and bargain hunt!).
I’ve also shared potential “cons” to using this type of unit for particular items, if there are any.
And, because we had a request from one of our readers (that’s YOU!) to include the prices when we share items such as these, the prices are also included.
Yup, we listen!
And now, let’s take a look at each storage idea and chat about how it could be used…
Option One: Wooden Storage Bench
Craftroom Storage: Unique Items – Hobby Lobby Take II – Wooden Bench Unit with Drawers
This unit is ideal for storing lots of different items, and providing seating, or a storage platform for crafting machines and tools (die cutting machines, cutters, sewing machines, etc.).
Craftroom Storage: Unique Items – Hobby Lobby Take II – Wooden Bench Unit with Drawers , Inside
The drawers are quite large and would be great for the following: folded fabrics and sewing or quilting patterns; idea or pattern books; tall stamp sets, embossing folders or die sets; small paper pads; jewelry findings in clear plasic containers; fibers and yarn; and, so much more!
If you’re limited on space in your craft room and need to “spread out” beyond your craft room walls, or you don’t have a dedicated craft space and you have to find a way to incorporate your stash into your living space, this could be great for stashing the goods in other areas of your home.
Potential Cons:
Now I will share that the drawers are a bit rough inside, so you’ll need to line them if you plan to store delicate fabrics or fibers in them.
And if you strictly adhere to a policy of only using acid-free papers in your papercrafting projects, then you’ll want to avoid storing your papers in wooden storage.
Price: $181.99 (That’s a bit steep in my book – you may be able to find a similar unit for less.)
Option Two: White Shabby Chic Wooden Drawer Unit
Craftroom Storage: Unique Items – Hobby Lobby Take II – White 5-Drawer Wooden Unit
This is another unit that provides quite a bit of storage – and it’d look great in a shabby chic room!
My first thought was to use this for dies and embossing folders, or small pads of paper, for papercrafting.
But it’d also be great for: fat quarters; jewelry-making supplies; supplies and tools for embroidery, cross-stitch or needlepoint; paints and the associated supplies and papers; drawing tools and supplies; and, even your photos, stored in sleeves or containers.
Of course you could also change up the look of this unit with a quick coat of paint – white’s easy to cover and the drawers slide out, providing you easy access to all sides of the drawers and the frame they slide into!
Craftroom Storage: Unique Items – Hobby Lobby Take II – White 5-Drawer Wooden Unit, Inside
Potential Cons: Just like with the bench unit above, you may need to line the drawers if you plan to store delicate fabrics or fibers in them.
And again, if you strictly adhere to a policy of only using acid-free papers in your papercrafting projects, then this isn’t the best solution for storing your papers.
Price: $209.99 (In person, this is a really nice piece and it could be re-purposed as a dresser or used as storage for linens if and when you no longer need it for your crafting supplies).
Option Three: Multi-Tier Basket Tower
Craftroom Storage: Unique Items – Hobby Lobby Take II – Metal Baskets Unit
The great thing about this unit is that it’s quite narrow, but could hold quite a lot!
Think about narrow, unused space that could house a unit like this – the fact that it’s mostly a metal frame means it won’t overpower a crowded space.
And, the front cross-bars could provide additional storage – simply use metal curtain rings to hang supplies for easy access.
The way this is constructed means you can easily see what’s inside each basket, which is perfect for those who need to see what they have in order to recall what they own and easily find it.
I can see fibers and yarn, rubber stamps and large ink pads, and cardmaking paper goods fitting nicely in these baskets.
What would you store in here?
We’d love to hear YOUR ideas!
Potential Cons:
I wouldn’t recommend storing items that would be harmed by light or dust in this type of unit, and I wouldn’t recommend this type of unit if you have small kids or pets – the easy access you’re attracted to is also attractive to little fingers, curious kitties and mischievous puppies!
Price: $83.99 (This unit appears to be very well made and I think the price is reasonable – what do you think?)
Option Four: Wooden Unit With Baskets
Craftroom Storage: Unique Items – Hobby Lobby Take II – Wooden 8-Basket Unit
This unit won my heart!
I love the size of it and the shape of the baskets – my papercrafting supplies would love to live in here!
I can imagine this as a die-cutting station, with the machine(s) living on top, the mats hung from the sides, and the dies, embossing folders and machine supplies stored inside the basket drawers – the drawers are the perfect height for most embossing folders and dies.
Into sewing or quilting?
Place your machine on top; scissors, rotary cutters and notions in the smaller drawers; folded fabrics or fat quarters in the larger drawers; and, cutting mats or quilting templates on hooks on the sides. Voila!
Creating “stations” for your crafting endeavors means everything you need for a particular type of project is all in one place – again, making you more productive!
Potential Cons:
I wouldn’t store paper in fiber baskets – it’s not “safe” (if you’re concerned about the longevity of your papercrafted projects).
Nor would I store fibers, yarns or delicate fabrics in them (they could easily snag your beloved treasures, making them unusable).
That said, you could line the baskets, or use plastic containers within them, to safely house your crafting supplies.
Price: $139.99 (This unit is well made and I think it’s a reasonable price – do you?)
Option Five: Wooden 11-Drawer Unit (w/Chalk-Front Drawers)
Craftroom Storage: Unique Items – Hobby Lobby Take II – Wooden 11 Drawer Unit
O.k., first let me apologize for the bad lighting on this picture – yikes!
The sun was screaming through the store window and, after several attempts at re-positioning this unit, this is as good as it got!
Shameful photography and editing, but I had to share it with you nonetheless.
What I love about this unit is that it’d be perfect as a Project Life® station!
The upper drawers are sized well for the 3″ x 4″ and 4″ x 6″ journaling cards, washi tape rolls (organized in narrow drawer dividers) and/or photos and smaller bits of memorabilia; the lower, larger drawers could easily hold additional PL-project supplies (journaling stamps and acrylic blocks, stamp pads, cutting tools, sticky notes, paper pads, etc.); and, the top is a great size for laying open a 12″ x 12″ album so you can easily work on your PL project whenever you have a free moment.
Plus, the chalkboard drawer fronts can be easily labeled, and re-labeled as your needs change.
Have quite a collection of stamping supplies?
These drawers would hold a lot of inks pads, rubber stamps and/or small stamps and stamp sets.
I can also see this making sense in a sewing room – great storage for all those notions!
Potential Cons:
Again, the wooden drawers could damage paper goods over time.
And, drawer labeling done with actual chalk (rather than chalk markers) could be accidentally erased.
Price: $118.99 (This is quite possibly the best bargain in the bunch!)
Option Six: Wooden 18-Drawer Unit
Craftroom Storage: Unique Items – Hobby Lobby Take II – Wooden 18-Drawer Unit
If you’ve long been lusting after a vintage library cabinet and it’s just not in the budget (they can be pricey!), then this just might suffice.
Like the unit above, this unit could be great for papercrafting projects like Project Life® and stamping, as well as for sewing notions.
But, it could also be a great place to store jewelry-making supplies, stored by type, size, style, color, price or manufacturer, and easily labeled using the nice metal frames on the fronts of the drawers.
I have a similar unit in which I store office supplies, business cards, small empty tins, zip-top baggies and metal findings (my Tim Holtz findings enjoy a dedicated row of drawers!).
What do ya think – is this one for you? And if so, how would you use it?
Don’t forget: a quick coat of paint could completely change the look of this little baby!
Potential Cons:
The drawers on this particular unit were a bit wonky – you’d want to check all the drawers in a similar unit to make sure they slide in and out easily.
I swapped a few around and was able to get a good fit on each drawer – an easy fix!
Price: $139.99 (Again, reasonable, but I would want a little bit better finish for the price, or lower price for the level of finish.)
Option Seven: Wooden 5-Drawer Unit on Casters
Craftroom Storage: Unique Items – Hobby Lobby Take II – Wooden 5-Drawer Unit On Casters
I would love a unit like this for my adhesives!
I have quite a collection of different types stored in a similar unit, but my unit isn’t mobile so I end up running back and forth a lot during project creation (not efficient use of my creative time!).
Ding!
Idea Time: I may just add casters to mine!
This unit would work well for anything short and/or that can be laid on its side, as long as you can quickly and easily see what’s in the drawer without a bunch of shuffling of items.
After all, we want to make it easy on ourselves and spend our time creating, not searching or rearranging, right?
These drawers could work well for supplies for embroidery, cross-stitch and needlepoint; or quilling; or, for pens, pencils and art markers used for art journaling and/or drawing.
They’d also be ideal for jewelry-making tools and beads and findings, as well as your finished creations and the supplies to price and display them.
How would you use this type of unit?
Potential Cons:
Because of the way the drawers slide into the frame, you’d need to make sure your stored items lie flat and clear the upper edge of the frame so they don’t get caught when you push the drawers in and pull them out – not a problem, just a consideration if you’re not neat in the way you replace items after using them.
Price: $97.99 (Reasonable considering the quality – comparable units may be available for less. What do you think?)
Option Eight: Multi-Colored Thin-Drawer Unit
Craftroom Storage: Unique Items – Hobby Lobby Take II – Multi-Colored Thin-Drawer Unit
Oh be still my heart…again! I so wanted to take this home with me!
It’s a good thing I’m traveling (and it wouldn’t make sense to pay to ship this) ’cause I’m a sucker for this type of drawer unit – you too?
I must have owned a print shop at one time because I love printers trays and blocks and this type of drawer unit.
This would be perfect for setting up “color drawers,” drawers in which papercrafting embellishments of all types are sorted by color, making it easy to see at a glance every type of embellishment you own in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink, etc.
This would also work for storing: wood-mounted stamps and ink pads; sheets of specialty papers; knitting needles and crochet hooks and the accompanying accessories (stitch counters, etc.); paint brushes; art pens, pencils and markers and accompanying supplies (erasers, sharpeners, stubs, etc.); tubes of liquid adhesive; adhesive runners and refills; spools or bobbins of thread (organized in drawer dividers or baggies); and, anything else that doesn’t require much drawer height.
And finally, how cool would this be for jewelry-making supplies and finished pieces? PER-FECT!
Wjat do you think – is this the type of craft storage unit you’d immediately fall head over heals in love with, just like I did?
How would you use this drawer unit if you had one?
Well, that’s it for another round of unique storage items.
We’d love to hear your thoughts,
and take a look at YOUR unique storage items.
Please share your thoughts and links in the comments below.
The following images are shots of items spotted at a shop specializing in vintage items, a shop called Flamingos Divine Finds (photo above).
I ran across this shop while staying in the Corcoran neighborhood in the Twin Cities (that’s Minneapolis & St. Paul, Minnesota, for those who might be wondering).
I found so many items I love in this little shop (a shop that’s only open five days a month) and most items were very reasonable priced – gotta love that!
Now, a few treasures did make their way back to my rental with me: a metal book rack, which was already given as a gift; a metal tackle box (pictured above), which I’ll use for art supplies; a vintage hatbox, which will be shipped to a certain birthday girl; and, an unused vintage scrapbook, something I shared on Instagram today and that I can’t wait to add to my growing collection!
As I told the shopkeeper as he rang up my purchase, if I lived in the Twin Cities, I would have brought my truck to the shop and filled it up – yup, their stuff was that cool!
Of course, many of the items shown below are unique to this shop (check out the cool stove above!).
But, that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to find the same types of items, or similar items, where you live.
So, let’s take a look at what I saw, and chat about how each item could be used (and maybe altered).
Again, the idea behind sharing unique storage items is to give you ideas about how you can use them in your space.
Please Note: Because the prices for these types of items can vary greatly from city to city, store to store or garage sale to garage sale, I have not included the prices of each in my description of them, but you can see the price tag on most of the items if you click on the image for a zoomed-in look. This will give you some idea of what to expect in terms of cost (again, most were very reasonably priced!).
This was one of the first items I spotted as I entered the store and I just fell in love with it!
I have always loved train | cosmetic cases and this one is in very good shape.
The stitching around the edges is awesome!
This would make a great case for storing sewing notions, fat squares, 6″ x 6″ paper pads or large papercutting dies,or perhaps all your stamping supplies.
It’d also be ideal as a storage case for on-the-go art journaling or mixed media supplies, don’t ya think?
Now before we get to the wooden box in the photo above, I have to call your attention to the old camera and pair of skates hanging next to it.
It took great restraint for me to not buy them both – I love these!
O.K., on to the box…
This divided box would be perfect for storing small stamps and stamp sets, small metal papercutting dies, and journaling cards for Project Life® and other pocket scrapbooking endeavors.
It’d also be great for storing tubes of beads and findings for jewelry-making, and small stamp pads for stamping and cardmaking.
This is a great solution if you need your supplies out in the open where you can see them, and could also be great for dividing up a deep drawer.
This table is perfect for the corner of a work area.
I’d use it to store my paints, jars of embossing powder and Stickle’s so they’re right at hand when I need them.
You could also stand wooden stamps on the two tiers, making a small collection visible (imagine how much more use your wooden stamps would get if they were on display!).
Add some small baskets to the two trays and you can store most any small crafting supply!
What other craft supplies can you envision being stored on a unit like this?
If you’re a Mad Men fan, then this little gem has likely made your heart skip a beat!
This mid-century condiment carousel is so indicative of that era and would make a great addition to any home or craft space.
I’m still seriously considering going back to get this (hopefully it hasn’t been snapped up already!).
How fun would it be to store loose buttons or embellishments, or filled bobbins, in the glasses?!
This metal and glass carousel would also easily hold collections of pens. markers, art pencils and other writing implements, as well as adhesive runners, sewing notions or small tools.
Fill the glasses with jewelry-making tools, findings or beads and you might be amazed at how quickly you can put together great pieces of jewelry, since everything would be right at hand!
This old-school spice rack will hold a lot of jars, jars that are perfect for storing small papercrafting embellishments (such as buttons and brads), sewing notions (pins and needles, etc.), and beads and jewelry findings.
Or use the rack to store your favorite paints or adhesives right above your work area – quick access means more use and faster creating.
Don’t like the color? A quick spray of paint and it’s got a whole new look!
These are perfect for storing twine – just drop in a spool and thread the end through the opening in the metal top and you can quickly and easily unravel and cut just what you need for your project.
Got a bunch of lengths of ribbon, like most every crafter I know?
Store them in this type of jar by color, type or manufacturer – they’ll dress up your creative space and make it easy to see whatcha got!
BTW: I’ve seen these for sale at places like HomeGoods | TJ Maxx | Marshall’s for only $1.99 each!
O.k., for those who may not know what a “frog” is, this type of frog is used for flower arranging.
It’s placed in the bottom of a vase or other vessel to hold the flower or plant stems in place.
This particular frog was made of white glass, similar to milk glass, and I immediately thought of using this for keeping my favorite art markers handy on my work area, where I can quickly grab them while creating.
It could also be used for short paint brushes or crochet hooks.
OK, this should bring back lots of memories for the over-40 crowd!
This rotating storage unit is made for storing cassette tapes, something some of you may not have ever listened to, but I sure did.
In fact, I had quite a collection!
Because the size and shape of cassette tape boxes is very similar to that of many popular brands of standard-sized ink pads, this could be a great solution for storing your stamp pads.
A quick twist of the carousel and you can see and access a whole collection of inks in seconds!
I have such a soft spot in my heart for this type of drawer unit – don’t ask me why, I just do!
I recently purchased a larger drawer unit and it will become a home for my small journaling stamp sets.
How do you envision using drawers like this?
Perhaps for Project Life® journaling cards, journaling or project ideas written on index cards, or small stamp sets or metal dies?
You can easily find these cabinets in larger sizes and they’d be great for storing patterns for sewing, embroidery or cross-stitch or other needle arts.
Once again, a quick coat of paint and you can give them a whole new look.
Or, decoupage them with fun images – personalizing them is half the fun!
Got some extra space in a corner of your craft room or studio?
This type of storage unit is ideal!
Small bottles of paint, embossing powder or other mediums would easily fit on the shelves, as would small glass jars holding ribbons, embellishments or jewelry-making supplies.
Leave the wood as is for a warm, natural look, or paint it to match any decor (and repaint it whenever the mood strikes you!).
I fell in love with these the moment I spotted them!
How fun would it be to use trays like these for storing embellishments or notions – lay them in shallow drawers and pull them out when you need to search for just the right embellishment.
Assign one tray to each color (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple and Pink) and mix all the different types of embellishments in that color together in its tray to make quick work of decorating your projects.
These trays, or trays like them, would also work well for storing beads, spools of thread, or small rubber stamps or ink pads, and a whole host of other items that work well in open storage solutions.
I know several crafters who collect vessels like these and use them for storing their craft supplies.
Whether you’re into this white Milk Glass or prefer a color like Jadeite, using your collection to store your craft supplies is a fun way to accomplish two things at once – displaying your collection and keeping your supplies organized.
This well-worn cash register tray may have served its usefulness as a repository for cash, but it still has great potential for dividing a drawer and keeping small supplies corralled.
This one in particular could use a good scrubbing and a coat of paint!
And this one is in great shape and only $20 (which is a great deal)!
These trays offer several usage possibilities: use them to show off favorite collectibles or photos; lay them flat under a piece of glass and fill them with small embellishments before adding a glass topper and making them into a work surfaces; or, hang them on the wall and display your favorite small rubber stamps in the cubbies.
Cigar boxes can serve many purposes and are great used individually or as a collection.
Leave them as-is or cover them with paper, fabric, paint or decoupaged ephemera, then store your favorite crafting supplies inside.
Because they’re lightweight, yet sturdy, they make great portable storage too!
I can envision using them for spools of thread or bobbins, embroidery thread, containers of beads, etc.
Just be aware that the odor from the cigars these boxes once contained may linger for a bit – stuffing wadded up newspaper in them for a day or two could help get rid of the smell if you don’t like the odor.
This relish tray is just one of many I’ve spotted at vintage and antique shops and events and I always gravitate toward them.
But because I don’t have much horizontal space, and I like to reserve it for the act of creating, I have always passed on buying any of these glass trays.
However, the more I think about it, the more I realize these are a great solution for the insides of drawers.
The design of this one makes it a good solution for keeping your favorite writing implements stashed – others, with more individual compartments, could be used to sort a variety of small supplies for numerous crafty endeavors.
These shopping baskets transported me right back to the days when I went with my Mom to the local five-and-dime for pieces of fabric.
Yes, at one time, the local “dime stores” sold fabric!
The fabric was relatively inexpensive and my Mom did wonders with it, including making most everything I wore as a young kid.
The shopping baskets that were used then were just like these and I have long wanted to find one of these for storing my yarn during the months when I spend my evenings crocheting.
These would also be ideal for storing small pads of patterned paper, in-process projects of most any type, fabric pieces, and crafting books and magazines.
Want to take your crafting with you on a road trip or just into another room?These would work great!
Well, that’s it for another round of unique storage items.
We’d love to hear your thoughts,
and take a look at YOUR unique storage items.
Please share your thoughts and links in the comments below.
Craftroom Organization: Unique Storage Ideas – Hobby Lobby Check out these unique ideas for your craft room!
How many of you are looking for something “unique” for your craft room or art studio?
A single item to add some character or to inspire the “theme” of your creative space?
Or, maybe a collection of items to create a fresh look and feel for your space?
Well, we might have found what you’re looking for!
We’re sharing some non-traditional storage solutions to get your organizing mojo flowing.
These were spotted at my local Hobby Lobby and I just had to share them.
Why?
Because they have character and each is a great solution for storing specific types of crafting supplies…and they’re on sale!
Now I know there’ll be at least a few of you who don’t have a Hobby Lobby near you, or who may not be able to find these exact units at your local store.
No worries!
The idea behind sharing these is to give you ideas about how you can use unique storage items and furnishings that are not specific to craftroom and/or crafting supply organization.
Along with each item I’ve shared my thoughts on what would best fit in that type of organizational unit, as well as characteristics of the unit so you can look for these same qualities in products and furnishings you might come across where you live (and bargain hunt!).
Let’s take a look at each option and chat about how it could be used…
Option One: A Shabby Chic Drawer Unit
Craftroom Organization: Unique Options – Shabby Chic Drawer Unit
This unit is ideal for storing the small stuff – papercrafting embellishments and adhesives, sewing and quilting notions, etc.
I have a similar unit in my craft room (mine is more narrow and taller and black) and I love it!
I use mine for storing small office supplies (in the top row), jewelry findings and metal items (in the middle rows), and small zip-top baggies, etc. in the lower rows.
It’s easy to label the outsides of the drawers so you know what’s inside them, and by removing supplies from their packaging and placing them in small baggies, you can fit a lot in each drawer.
This unit provides storage for a variety of different items.
My first thought was to use this as a die-cutting station. Any of the popular machines will fit on the top, with supplies stored below.
Add some hooks to the side and you can easily hang your cutting mats so they don’t get bent and are at-hand when needed.
Into quilting or sewing?
The drawers are perfect for smaller pieces of fabric (like fat quarters).
This could also be used for storing needle arts supplies (well, that is, if you don’t have a huge stash like some of us!).
Of course you can change up the look of this type of unit with a coat of paint and label the drawers with simple hang-tags.
Option Three: A Wooden & Metal Drawer Unit
Craftroom Organization: Unique Options – Wooden & Metal Drawer Unit
The great thing about this unit is that it’s small enough to be placed on a work surface and it still holds a lot.
I can see the drawers being used for a variety of crafting supplies: paints and short brushes; mediums for mixed media projects; embellishments, art markers or small stamp sets for papercrafting; etc.
Option Four: A Decorative Desktop Drawer Unit
Craftroom Organization: Unique Options – Decorative Desktop Drawer Unit
I would love to have a unit like this one for storing small adhesives and/or various small-sized liquid mediums.
It would also be ideal for sewing notions or even scrap papers (sorted by color, ROYGBP).
Just by changing out the drawer front decor you can easily indicate what’s inside – color-coding the drawers is a great way to quickly know what’s inside them!
Option Five: A Wooden Cubby Unit
Craftroom Organization: Unique Options – Wooden Cubby Unit
This unit could be perfect for storing Project Life® journaling cards, as well as small stamp sets or dies.
Depending on the inside finish, this could also be useful for fabric scraps.
What do you think – how would use a unit like this one?
Option Six: A Large Metal & Wooden Rack
Craftroom Organization: Unique Options – Large Metal & Wooden Rack
This large rack is ideal for storing skeins of yarn or fiber or for folded fabrics, and would make a great home for mixed media supplies.
Add smaller storage units (like divided trays or individual containers) and you could make it work for most any type of crafting supply (think about those projects that require a lot of supplies and for which you’d like to keep all the supplies together for easy access and increased productivity).
A little too “dark” for your space?
A quick spray of paint and you can quickly and easily change the look of this unit.
Option Seven: A Narrow Metal Drawer Unit w/Numbered Drawers
Craftroom Organization: Unique Options – Narrow Metal Drawer Unit with Numbered Drawers
I always fall in love with drawer units that are numbered.
Yes, I know I could number any drawer unit, but there’s something about those that are made that way that makes my left-brain-driven, organized self smile from ear to ear!
I know I can’t be the only one, right?
I would love to have a unit like this for a narrow space in my craft room that’s going unused.
It would be perfect for holding my journaling stamp sets and all my planner supplies (pens, sticky-notes, etc.).
Of course you could also use it to house your art pens and pencils by type or color or manufacturer.
Option Eight: A Wide Metal Drawer Unit w/Numbered Drawers
Craftroom Organization: Unique Options – Wide Metal Drawer Unit with Numbered Drawers
Oh be still my heart! It was everything I could do to keep from taking this gem home with me!
I love this unit – the colors, the numbers, the “peakability” of the drawers.
I love that you can keep things neatly tucked away, but easily see what’s inside each drawer without having to pull it out.
Looking for something specific in your large collection?
These drawers are removable, making it easy to grab them and lay them on your work surface while you locate just the right supply.
And, you can easily take one or two along to a crop or other crafting event – just place them in your tote bag!
I can imagine this filled with embossing folders and my smaller dies, with my Cuttlebug stationed on top – great embossing and die-cutting station option!
What do you think – is this something that makes your organizing heart skip a beat?
OK, this is another unit I had to tell myself to leave behind even though I REALLY wanted it!
I can see the openings filled with Mason (or re-purposed spaghetti sauce) jars and a variety of supplies (paint brushes, palette knives, tools, pens, pencils and markers, or knitting needles and crochet hooks), can’t you?
If you had this, would you leave it as is, or paint it? And, how would you use it?
