An Organized Crafty Stash: Day 1

Hey everyone~

Have you been wanting to get your craft supplies organized, but feeling stumped for ideas?  The design team from My Favorite Things has some terrific solutions to share with you, hopefully inspiring you to get your own crafty stash organized.  We're simply sharing storage solutions right from our own craft spaces..nothing too crazy, just some simple ideas that are working for us.  I hope you'll not only enjoy the ideas this week, but find yourself inspired to get organized!

Today, we're starting off with ways to organize your stamps.  After all, most of us began paper crafting because we fell in love with stamps.  When I first started stamping umpteen years ago, all of my stamps were wood mounted rubber.  You can imagine the space that took if you had a large collection!  I'm sure lots of you remember that well....and maybe still have lots of those wood-mounted rubber stamps yourself.  Myself, I have almost all polymer sets now, and probably far more than I used to.  However, I can store them in a much smaller footprint than before, thus my dear sweet hubby has no idea just how extensive my collection actually is. haha

Hey, did I mention there are prizes being offered this week as well?  What?!?  I didn't?  All you need to do is leave a comment on the MFT blog, and you're entered for a chance to win.  We'll have 2 winners each day on Monday through Thursday, and 1 grand prize winner (wait until you see that prize...EEK!!) on Friday.

Check out today's prize package:

Fabulous, right?!!!

Okay, here's a look at how I store my stamps:


I must confess the idea for this storage system is not my original idea, but rather came from the fabulous Jennifer McGuire.  I store the large majority of my stamp sets in the 12" x 15" Fridge Binz.  You can get them HERE or HERE.  The styles are slightly different at the two stores; so if you're like me, and you like things to match, you'll want to buy all of yours at the same store.

It's incredible how much you can fit in this one small space when you store your stamps this way!  They will fit approximately 160 stamp sets in them...best system EVER!

This bin has two rows, which perfectly fit MFT's awesome Large Clear Storage Pockets.  You get 50 pockets in a pack; so they go a long way!  Check them out:


Here's a peek at an individual pocket, once it's been labeled and loaded with a stamp set.


Inside each of the pockets, I have slipped a piece of Smooth White card stock to make it sturdier, as well as to divide the front from the back, allowing room in each pocket for storing two stamp sets if I so desire.  This pocket stores my very well-loved Birdie Brown You're Super stamp set.

I use my Brother P-Touch labeler to create the labels for the outside of each pocket.  ...more on that labeler in tomorrow's post. ;)

I have divided my stamps into sections that make sense for me.  In my case, they are the same sections listed HERE in the MFT store.  They are labeled using the same label system as the pockets.  The dividers are made from tear-proof and water-resistant plastic folders, which I purchased from HERE.   I rounded the top two corners with a heavy-duty corner rounder.  I chose assorted color folders, so I could color code each company, making it very simple for me to find what I'm looking for.  I may have a "few" MFT stamps; so I have a couple of bins dedicated just to them. :)  To create the dividers, I cut off the spine of the folder, and cut them down to the same size as the pockets, except for a bit taller.  

Since MFT has come out with such a fabulous line of Cling Rubber Background Stamps, I needed a storage solution for them as well.  At 5-3/4" square, they are a bit too wide to store with the rest of my stamps; but they are sized oh-so-perfectly to ink up a card background with one fell swoop!  

I found another Fridge Binz that fits them perfectly.  SCORE!  It is their Large Pantry Pulls Organizer, and is 8" wide by 15" deep.  They are just wide enough to store my large square acrylic stamp block right beside the stamps.  I love having everything I need at my finger tips.  They are sized perfectly to coordinate with the Fridge Binz I store the rest of my stamps in.

Another stamp storage system I have in my studio are these clear plastic shoeboxes.  I have unmounted stamps from various other companies in the boxes.  This is a great place for me to store sets from companies that I have several sets from, but not enough to start their own stamp bin.  They have little dividers in them to label the sections.  


Finally, I store some of my tiniest stamp sets in these sweet little tins.  I have stored them here for a very long time, and it works, so I haven't tried to change that system.  Here's a peek at them lined up on my shelf:


Super-cute, right?!  I found those little tins at the Target Dollar Spot.  I have quite a collection of tins from there...can't help myself!  For me, organizing isn't just about finding a perfect place for everything.  It's also about the aesthetics of it all.  A pretty, organized space makes me a happy girl.

I do hope you've enjoyed today's look at how I store my stamps.  Now, you'll want to swing by the MFT Blog to leave your comment for today's prize package, as well as to check out the links to the other designers' stamp organization posts.  Wait until you see some of their fabulous systems!

Have a beautiful day, friends!  ...and Happy Martin Luther King Day!

~Cindy

Comments

[doudou2106]

1.

Great storage ideas

[Amanda]

2.

Very neat and organised space, I think fridge binz has seen a huge increase in sales since jennifer McGuire showed her storage system. cant wait to see tomorrow's system. Hugs, Amanda x

[Selma Stevenson]

3.

Cindy this is a fabulous storage system. I just ordered the envelopes to get my stamps this well organized.

[F Bond]

4.

I am getting so much good information today! I love that you put your smaller stamps in those small tins! I have them (super cute) in the same color! Thanks for the inspiration!

[Fay Salkus]

5.

I have a question. Below your stamp tins you seem to have jars holding your markers. Can you tell me about that? I am currently just stuffing everting in an upright desk container. I like the way yours looks.

[Barb Mc]

6.

Love the jars stored on their sides!

[Susan B.]

7.

Love your stamp storage ideas! I have way too many and am always looking for a better way to store them. Thanks

[Nancy L.]

8.

I haven't been lucky to be able to buy any MFT stamps yet, but I would love to try MPD Winged Beauties!! Such pretty butterfly set and love Mona's style!

[Dotty A]

9.

Yes I did this same thing this past year before MFT came out with them.... and found it on Jennifer McGuire’s site too. Mine are finished and LOVE it!!!! I even finished removing ALL my SU and any other wood block stamps I had and placed them on sheets..... Now ALL my stamps are soreted and EASY to find!!!
Love your other ideas too!!!

[Joan VanCourt]

10.

Oh ,I am so glad this subject of stamp storage has surfaced. Whew, I have stamps that need to be reorganized. I just LOVE those storage pockets. I have been searching for something like this. Thanks for sharing your organizational tips.

[JoAnn B.]

11.

Love your storage ideas. Thanks for sharing them.

[NatQuebec]

12.

Thanks for all the tips

[Sabine]

13.

love it! fabulous info. thank you!

[Brenda Lee]

14.

Awesome storage solution...definitely need to start shopping the Target Dollar bins! ;)

[PARKER O]

15.

I liked every one of your storage tips, down to the itty-bitties. Also picked up on the jars that are on their sides that you use for markers, etc.

[Jennie Harper]

16.

Love the storage ideas and so need to take control of my stamps!! Going through a decluttering/purging of what I don't use so loving these ideas.

[Merrily Schulz]

17.

Love all your ideas. Am in the process of changing over and love all the things that you have done.

[Maria Rodriguez]

18.

Cindy, I just love those fridge drawers, they are clear so you can find your stuff at a glance. I really liked all of your storage ideas, my biggest issue is storing my Photopolymer stamps, I think I will give this MFT Large Storage Pockets a try. Thank you for sharing this awesome storage ideas.

[Donna Hitz]

19.

Thanks for the tip on the Oversize Pantry Pulls for the larger background stamps! I love using the fridge bins!

[Tracie]

20.

Good idea using the plastic dividers and a different color for each company.

[KIM A]

21.

Awesome storage ideas! I love your cute little tins!!!

[Jessica H.]

22.

Wow. Your stamp storage looks FABULOUS! Thanks for the link to the poly file folders you use to create your dividers! Love that you color-code by company!

[Doreen]

23.

Love the storage ideas! I need to go and pick some up to help straighten out my mess! Thanks for the great ideas.

[Iris Soscia]

24.

Great storage ideas.
isoscia at aol dot com

[Gretchen Wilson]

25.

Thanks for reinforcing Jennifer stamp storage, I am in the process of doing mine , but you also added more idea along the way. You can't get enough storage ideas. TFS

[Marcia Taylor]

26.

Thanks so much for sharing your organizational methods. Greatly appreciate MFT for doing this series!!!

[Jill Norwood]

27.

Thanks for sharing!

[Celeste Goff]

28.

What great tips! I love those pretty little tin tubs!

[Wendy Bond]

29.

I am with you on the tins, I can't top buying them and have no where to put them! LOL

[Tami]

30.

So happy I found your blog! You're awesome! Love your organization!

[storageshootershill]

31.

Wonderful organization ideas! I love them!