I need help organizing beads?

Question

I have the beads and supplies and also a great big mess! When I first got my beads I put them into containers but didn't separate the different types. (Findings, crystals, seeds, etc.)
Now I have about 2 1/2 shopping bags full of beads and findings and I don't know where to start. I bought more containers but I'd like to seperate all of my beads but I don't know where to start. PLEASE HELP! I'm so overwhelmed and everytime I look at that pile I walk away. Motivational advice would be great also! Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

I started out in a clear plastic shoebox sized box and have now graduated to a MUCH larger clear plastic box (which I am now outgrowing as well!)



Start out by separating your beads by type - little by little. Pearls, crystals, findings, etc. Also separate out tools and strnging materials. To get started, pick up a few boxes of ziploc bags. They're inexpensive, reusable and very flexible until you figure out how many containers you really need. You don't want to buy too many containers and end up being overwhelmed. The sorting process will also help you see what you have and possibly enable you to get rid of things you really don't like (is that even possible? LOL) Group the beads together in smaller ziplocs like snack bags or sandwich bags, then gather up the smaller bags into larger bags by category.



Clear plastic boxes are a lifesaver with beads. It makes it so much easier to see what you have. Tic Tac type boxes are especially helpful. You can make your own, like this:

http://www.bloglander.com/jewelrymaking/articles/tic-tac-bead-box/

I found plain ones at WalMart in the crafting section. There were 20 little boxes in one bigger plastic box with a hinged lid. I've seen similar ones at craft stores like Michaels, but they always come with beads in them. THe ones at Walmart were empty. I like these because you can group beads together but still keep colors and/or sizes separate. I have one box for swarovski bicones, one for findings, one for silver beads, etc.

http://www.beadsbydee.com/Catalog/Images/Storage/CompleteCase.jpg



Also, I absolutely recommend individual storage containers over divided boxes. If something happens and your storage box is knocked over, you have a much better chance of not ending up with a HUGE mess of mixed up beads if they're all separated into their own containers instead of in one large, divided box. I also like individual containers because it's easier to pull out the few that you're working with instead of having five or six open divided boxes in front of you, and the small containers make it easier to rearragne in different boxes as necessary.



A good tip for these small boxes when you're ordering beads that come packaged in small bags is to either peel off or cut out the label that states the size, place you bought them and item #. I buy regularly from Artbeads.com and fusionbeads.com and they label all their bags like this. I usually peel off the label and fold the sticky sides together so I can still read the info, but the sticky part is covered. Then I slide that label in the little tic tac box so I know where I got them and what they are, and the container is reusable (no peeling off lables). Another advantage to using these boxes is the fact that the larger boxes will stack on top of each other in the storage boxes.



Here's a really cool display and storage idea:

http://static.flickr.com/78/186315337_454becf1ed.jpg



Convert a magnetic spice rack (or make your own). If you have a craft room or a work station, this would make a cool display and provide you with inspiration, plus it's a handy way to store your favorite beads or larger beads. You can buy the containers from most beading stores, or you can order them from a specialty company. We used tins for our wedding favors and ordered them from here:

http://www.specialtybottle.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=39



You can also try stack jars for working on projects. Mix and match beads and keep them together in a stack until you get to work on them.

http://www.dibeads.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/207A%20stackcontainerslarge.gif

Answer 2

i take advantage of sparkling plastic action picture packing containers for a lot of my beads. whether, those may be no longer elementary to discover now via fact of digital cameras. I additionally got here upon a handle container at wal-mart that has small person sections that i take advantage of for beads. you need to make useful that the beads can not get around the dividers and combine up nonetheless. Or, an regularly extra high priced decision is the bead storage packing containers interior the craft part of a shop. so a techniques as further organization, i think of it relies upon on what sort of bead paintings you create. in case you continuously use seed beads i could manage those by coloration of their very own section via fact those are used ordinarily by themselves. in case you employ greater beads i think of i could order them by coloration categories. Then, you will discover some exciting coloration mixtures and paintings from there. i could further separate them by sort in the event that they're significantly distinctive. which comprise an complex glass bead and a wood bead. desire that facilitates. it somewhat is relaxing which you have a great sequence to paintings with.

Answer 3

My favorite bead organizer is a tote made by ArtBin. I would start in small amounts at a time, a hand ful or a measuring cup ful or whatever you think you can handle. Sit down in front of a movie and just start sorting. I try to keep all the different beads in separate sections, but like beads together in specific containers. So in one multi-sectioned container I'd put all the cats eye beads, separated by color into each section. (Or all glass in one, silver in another...)

You can get little organizer kits that have tiny little tic-tac like boxes in them. These are ideal for little beads that don't need a big section.

Answer 4

I know how overwhelming this can be. I inherited a ton of beads, pearls, findings and jewelry, some of which was broken and could be recycled into new pieces. The autie I inherited all of this from never organized any of it and kept it in a variety of boxes, bags and even old purses. On top of that, she had a button collection that encompassed practically every garment anyone in her family ever wore in 40 years!



Take it slow and only work in specified time segments. I started by taking on one box, limiting myself to one hour at a time and chose one thing to find in each box. I used the plastic divider containers found at the Big Lots, hardware stores and craft stores. I labelled each box with what I wanted in that box, "pearls, jade beads, crystals" etc. I found the sorting a little easier when I was either listening to music or had the TV on because I could use either to keep track of the time and have somewhat of a distraction. Plus, by watching HGTV, DIY, craft shows I motivated my creative juices. As I was sorting, I got all kinds of ideas as to what I could do with all of this neat stuff I was sorting through.



It took me about 6 months to get it all sorted out and organized, but everytime I'm doing a new project, I'm so glad that I did it. It really keeps you from buying new stuff that you already have, too. And, what a time saver when you are in the middle of making something and know exactly the piece you need and where to find it. Having a "gift list" of things you want to make for people helps, too. As I was sorting, I saw elements that I could use to make say a pair of earrings for someone. I wrote it down on my Christmas list. It is a way to put a little pressure on yourself, if you say I cannot make these things until I have this all organized. You get so excited about wanting to make the new pieces that you start expanding your time segments, just to get started making the stuff your mind's eye has created.

Answer 5

And I'll swear by zip-lock bags of various sizes. I even use them *in* boxes with wee compartments. Imagine an open box with teensy items sorted into individual compartments, add an earthquake or a cat or even a stray Nerf ball, whoosh! If there are sorted varieties of items in a container, I have the varieties in individual zip-locks.



Bags for smaller beads are all marked with size and, if I know it, type and color number.



Groups of wee bags can go into larger bags if the floss-type craft boxes aren't used (have separate floss boxes for #12 and #14, etc.). Larger bags can go into even larger bags or clear shoe boxes or other modular storage.



Larger craft beads can be sorted by color or size or whatever, depending on how you normally use them.

Answer 6

I would get some drinking glasses and sort by color first.



then when the glasses are full I would sort by type. Put the glasses away when you're tired. But only work on like 10 to 12 glasses. Then it looks like progress.

Answer 7

its really a matter of how you work, do you work in bead size or by color more? i have a rolling bead case and it has 6 boxes of beads in little pill like boxes inside of plastic cases, then i have one container for bigger beads. a tool case, books, threads and needles, and findings and on the outside pocket i keep my little plastic bags so i have one handy when i have a finished item that needs bagging, simply dedicate one weekend to taking it all out , spreading it out and starting to categorize things, i do mine mostly by color. one box of greens, one of blues, one of reds, and so on.

Answer 8

I collect and paint all sorts of lead miniatures and am familiar with this sort of problem.



In your situation, I would store the sorted items in small glass or plastic vials and then store those in a large cabinet with plastic drawers. Also, use labels. Best wishes.

Answer 9

you can get takle box's from places like wal-mart and use them and keep it all organized. they have really nice ones with bins that come out abd still stay sealed. thay are great for all different kinds of crafts. i have a smaller one for quilts i make

Answer 10

using ziplock bag:

http://mybeadpoint.com/shop/osc/product_info.php?cPath=51_94&products_id=1101