Ways of storing craft materials?

Question

Hi,

I run a jewlery/ arts and crafts Business from home. I have Hundred of bits and pieces that i need on a daily basis but are having trouble storing them.

I just brought 4 really nice chest of drawers from Ikea.The drawers are really deep and if any customers pop in they look smart. The plan was to get some plastic drawer dividers to split up each drawer into compartments and store all my bits in the separate compartments. However, I can find any drawer dividers that are big enough, and I would need a lot of the smaller ones to make up one drawer and that would be too expensive for me.

Does any one know of something I could use or a better way of storing? I was thinking of trying to make something, but before I did I wondered if anyone else had any suggestions.
I have used the different multi-compartment plastic boxes but I some of the stuff is to big to fit in and there are so many of them it can be a bit confusing to find the box that has the right thing i need. I also have tried the multi tray boxes - like what DIYers use to keep all screws in, but they look messy and again same issue.

What I want to do is open a drawer and see all my bits neatly in front of me, all kept separate and not piled on top of each other.

My bits and pieces consists of various beads, ribbon, fabrics and the kinds of things you would find at hobbycraft etc.

Any idea would be fantastic,

Thank you.

Answer 1

I feel your pain... I'm struggling with the same thing and so far I find Snapware Snap 'N Stack boxes to be the most versatile. They unsnap and unstack so you can put them side by side in a drawer and see what you have. Then if you want to take a project to a different room you can stack up what you need (beads, tools, etc.), snap the box together and away you go. .



http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=snap+n%27+stack&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=2884086651&ref=pd_sl_571y7tccyr_b



But I have to confess I have a secondary trick that I can't provide a link for. I was in a dollar store one day and found these tiny plastic storage containers that look like miniature Gladware -- maybe 1 1/2 inches across. So I bought a ton of them and put individual types of beads and findings in them. They fit nicely on their side in the Snapware box and I can see what's in each box at a glance. Also, it's convenient to have one or two boxes of the beads you need rather than having to stuggle with one of those divided section containers. (I always feel my fingers are too bug and that one mistake will tip ALL the beads.)



One last note. The sets come with different colored lids, so I use them denote separate categories, e.g., tools v. supplies, beads v. findings.



That's my two cents. Good luck!

Answer 2

I would try desk organizers or small baskets. You can get those at the dollar store and arrange them the best you way possible in your drawers. Maybe with the help of foam core board to make your own compartments too. Measure your drawer and make the pieces big enough to wedge in so they will hold up by themselves.

Answer 3

you're staggering to grant (sp) cover mattress, the easy way, may well be Shears hung from the ceiling, around the mattress. To create one in any different case, the mattress might ought to have some sort of framing, or posts.