Storage solutions for crafters

Published 3:18 pm Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Everyone I know is trying to find enough time in the day to get everything done and still carve out a little time to express their creativity.

Unfortunately, it’s all about time. Whether you’re a scrapbooker, card maker, quilter or painter; organization is key.

With proper organization, you can take advantage of even the smallest chunk of free time, making it possible to spend all of that time creating, rather than gathering up supplies from around the house.

The thing is, organization can be so easy. Many everyday products can be transformed into storage containers for various craft supplies:

Paint cans are inexpensive and make great storage containers. Paint cans have been turning up in craft and container stores with clear, acrylic bodies, making it easy to see what is stored inside without the need for labels.

Plastic pill-storage containers are perfect for storing itty-bitty items such as colored brads. Simply drill a tiny hole in the lid of each segment and attach a brad that signals what color or shape is inside.

Garage tool chests are available in home-improvement stores and can be used to hold any number of small embellishments. I use mine to hold all different styles and colors of alphabet letters.

Book shelves are convenient for storing full-sized paper sheets vertically, and I use hanging files to store paper scraps that are divided by color.

Cosmetic travel bags work well to store smaller tools such as scissors, tweezers, rulers, craft knives, adhesives and other often-used items such as a camera and memory cards.

Import stores offer baskets aplenty, and baskets are great for holding stickers or other craft items.

Sandi Genovese hosts “Scrapbooking” on the DIY — Do It Yourself Network. For more information visit www.diynet.com.