My Stamping Headquarters

I got that title from my stampin' sister Linda V. :o)  I've been busy organizing. I am my mother's daughter - one of those people who believe that everything has it's place (my poor family). AND, I have to start with a clean area. Whether it is crafting a project or cooking a meal, I need a clutter free surface - at least to start with.

I'm including some photos and tips for how I organize.  I hope it helps someone. I've gotten great ideas from crafting blogs, YouTube, and organization books. It has taken me YEARS, lots of crafting allowance (I have not bought new clothes in three years), sales, and coupons to get to this point. I started with shoe a box of stamps, grew to a plastic drawer storage bin, and the rest is history. This is what works for me! :o)

Stamp Storage:  I have both wood mounted and unmounted. I started buying unmounted when I saw the cost and storage benefits. When available, I buy rubber only and mount the stamps on EZMount. I prefer the thin.  I even stopped mounting my Stampin' Up! stamps.  Click here for an idea of what to do with those wooden pieces. My wood mounted stamps are stored in plastic cases in sets by manufacturer, by size, in alphabetical order, on a CD/DVD storage case and also in drawers by stamp manufacturer.  It may be a bit much for some people, but it works for me. :o)  AND, that's the wonderful thing about having your own space - no matter how big or small, you can organize it the way it works for you! :o)

   

My unmounted stamps are stored in a few ways; Notebook binders, Plastic Bins, and Clear Translucent Enclosed Mini Binders .  In all solutions, I use storage panels.  They are made for cling mounted stamps. I also have several clear stamp sets and some cling mount sets that I keep in their original containers on the CD/DVD case.  Once I decided to go unmounted, I invested in a hot knife tool. You can also use non-stick scissors to cut out the EZMount foam.

       
 

Paper Storage: After digging through piles, forgetting where certain paper was, or what paper I actually had, I decided to invest in Jet Max storage and I love it!!  It took me several weeks, several Michael's coupons, and sales to collect the ones I have. Visit your Michael's store, or on-line, for unadvertised sales. Last week all Jet Max storage was on sale for 50% off! I am happy to share that I never paid full price for one piece. :o)  I store my paper by manufacturer and color. I also have a wire rack unit that I store my 12 x 12 paper in, by color. :o)  I set my Cuttlebug on top of one of the shelves, ready to use, and my Spellbinders dies right next to it. The dies are in a Clear Translucent Enclosed Full Size Binder.  I bought some self adhesive magnet rolls and sheets at Hobby Lobby and stuck them to same type panels I use for stamp storage. I can turn the pages and find the die I want.

   

Ink and Marker Storage: Several years ago I read a book called Clutter Control. It is a most excellent resource when you get ready to spring clean, clean out your basement or garage, closets - clean out anything.  One of the many good things I started practicing from it was, make things you use often easily accessible. A big light bulb went off for me. :o) Such a practical thought, but how many times have we had to dig through stuff we we don't use often to get to something we do use often? :o) Back to headquarters...like my paper, many of my ink pads and all my re-inkers were in a drawer. Last year I got this really cool wall unit from Organize More at a reasonable price.  I also have a Stampin' Up ink pad carousel right on my desk. It's so nice to glance up and grab the color I want. I use my markers on almost every project I do, so of course they need to be easily accessible. They are right in my face. I first found these X Cubes at Office Depot and only bought two. Little did I know how much of a 'romance' I would have with markers. :o)  I went back and got a couple more. Just recently when I needed more, I could not find them at my local stores. Thanks to Suzanne, who has a fabulous Stamping Headquarters (to see it click on All About Me at her blog site), I found them on line at Amazon.

       

Ribbon, Paint Storage, and more:   A few years ago I used a 50% coupon at Michael's to pick up a Making Memories Embellishment Center.  A lot of my ribbon is stored on that, as well as in a Stampin' Up ribbon keeper.  I have to admit, I have a bunch of ribbon in a drawer and piled up on top of the ribbon keeper. :o)  One year I got a gift card for Michael's (seems like I shop there a lot, doesn't it?) and picked up a wire paint holder. It's really nice and compact.   I keep my open bottles in a drawer.  On top of one of my Jet Max towers, I have area set up for Copic air brushing. I like having it at a standing height - I don't have to bend over and I can see. :o)  When I air brush, I put paper in front of the wall.  I got my cute little air compressor on sale at a large local hardware store.

   

I hope in some small way I have helped you with your organization. Have fun organizing your space!!

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

Comments

[sandy Mayfield]

This is beautiful! I love how you have things organized and at your fingertips. I think any stamper could just walk in and start creating. That is marvelous. I am the only one who can work in my art space because I have things everywhere. I can find it, it's organized in my mind. However, once I get going, I make a huge mess and HATE to clean it up. Thanks for all your suggestions. I would need a television clutter crew. lol.

[Debbie Reaves]

Hey Trena,

I thought I had a lot of crafty items but I think you have me beat. I just love your organizational items and ideas.
My 12x12 papers have been my biggest problem and now I think I'll get some of those Jet Max thingies if I can find them. Too Cool!
I thought I had a lot of stamps too and you've got me beat there too. I just believe I'll start buying more stamps so I can get some cool organization gizmos!
You are the best and I sure appreciate you sharing this with us. So much fun to see how you store things.

thanks again my stampin' friend!
Debbie Reaves

[Stef H]

wow! you must have some size room for all this stuff! i love to see how other crafters organize. sooooo many ideas. thanks so much for sharing - and for all the great links.

hugs :)