“Organizing is a matter of self-control: putting things back when you are done with them.”
Please note: There are many ways to organize your scrapbooking things, these are just a few suggestions, and an insight on how we do it at TeaLady Creations.
Photos
Inexpensive index card file boxes are available at most discount and office supply stores. These can make ideal photo storage containers. They are easy to tote to crops (just slide a rubber band around the box, and go), and can be stored quite easily on a shelf or within a larger box. For each album, purchase two boxes, one for “Needs to be Scrapped” photos, and the other for “Extras, Duplicates, & Already Scrapped” photos. Aside from being a great organizational method, it is also encouraging as you move each set of photos from one box to the next and can see the progress you are making on the album.
Other methods include specialty photo storage boxes (available at most craft stores), large plastic photo totes, and small inexpensive (acid-free) photo albums.
Paper
If you use only 8 ½” x 11” papers and albums, storage shouldn’t be too difficult. File cabinets, letter sorters, even a three ring binder with page protectors, can all be used for storing this size paper. However, if you are using the larger 12”x12”, the solution is a bit more difficult. There are several specialty totes and binders made for 12”x12” papers, or you can simply stack them flat on a shelf. Use an inexpensive 12”x12” album with a lot of page protectors, or invest in a hanging folder system. At TeaLady Creations, we use both a hanging folder system and flat shelf storage.
Pens
The least expensive method of pen storage I’ve found, has been a $1 plastic lunch box purchased at the local dollar store. Again, put a large rubber band around the box to take it to crops. The pens must be stored horizontally, so it is a good idea to take a pen with you when you go to purchase the box. Pencil holders also work well. Another solution is a cloth caddy with pockets which each hold one pen. Roll the caddy, secure with a ribbon and go. This solution is nice because you can easily see every color at once without digging. These can be made at home if you are good with a sewing machine, or purchased at specialty craft and scrapbooking stores.
Scissors
Scissor storage at home can be a plastic tumbler or mug (if you don’t have very many pair), or with hooks on a peg board. For travel to crops, either solution described for pens is appropriate.
Miscellaneous Tools & Toys
This is the tough one! If you have a shelf system, or a desk, try storing as many tools “the skinny way”. I use a small envelope / letter sorter to keep Coluzzle templates vertically and out of the way. The stacking drawers that are so popular now, are great for scraps of paper, punches, rubber stamps, ink, pens, scissors, etc. Regular templates can be stored in a 3-ring binder as most templates are already hole punched.
Finally, keep a notebook of ideas. These can be poems, layouts, helpful hints, anything related to scrapbooking. This is especially helpful if you do a lot of web surfing and print out the ideas. Simply hole punch the paper and file it in the notebook under the appropriate tab.
If you have a good storage / organizational idea – let TeaLady Creations know – we’ll post it for others to use!
Happy Scrapping,
TeaLady
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