Organization

 Sometimes organizing is just as rewarding as creating.  I have some ideas to share with you.

We all have bling and how we create determines the best way to store it.  If you are an at-home maker then the options are many.  I downsized my bling several years ago and have been storing them in the 4x6 plastic picture boxes that fit in the larger case.  I still have my ribbon stored that way.

But I travel once a month to create with friends at church and go to 2-3 weekend crops a year so my bling storage needs to be mobile.  

I finally decided on the Totally Tiffany Store N Go double sided pouch which measures 11.5"x9.5"x2".  This bag has two sides that velcro shut and each have a tray that is 8.5"x11"x3/4".  It was designed for wood-mounted stamps but I found these small plastic boxes on Amazon that are 2 1/8" square.  Twenty will fit in one tray.

I don't craft with ribbon much anymore so this is a practical way to transport bling.  Bonus, I can peruse what I have without even opening the pouch!  Those little plastic boxes didn't cost much but they stay closed.

Today I was buying my grandson's birthday gift on Amazon and was short about $2 to get to free shipping.  So, of course, I had to shop for something!  I decided I can always use a little more bling.  I'm a visual person so reading descriptions that gems were 2mm, 3mm, 5mm, etc. didn't tell me anything (even using my ruler to see the measurement).  So I created this cheat sheet so I don't buy bling that is too big or too small anymore.

Back to these pouches by Totally Tiffany.  I have been struggling with ink storage.  I use the ink cubes (mostly by Altenew - love their sets of 4 colors to help me when stamping layers).  I bought this case from CTMH a few years ago and loved it.  It has two layers of foam with notches for 80 cubes to sit in.  The box measures 10.5"x14.5"x2.5".  It is hard plastic and holds those cubes in place nicely.  But I can't find another box with two foam inserts.  CTMH still sells the cubes so why would they discontinue this great storage solution?  I contacted several CTMH sellers, checked eBay, looked through Marketplace and Nextdoor, and even messaged craft garage sales.  No luck!

As much as I like this box, it is a little big for travel.  The other night I was online at Scrapbook.com ordering Altenew mini stencil brushes (for my birthday) and had to add something else to get me to free shipping (yes, I hate to pay shipping when I could spend that money on something).  

A lightbulb went off and I decided to see if my ink cubes would fit in the TT Pouch.  Forty-eight fit in one tray so I can get 96 in the pouch.  I may have to go shopping for more inks!  The bonus is that the TT pouch is smaller than the box so it'll pack better when I travel.

Totally Tiffany also makes the same pouch as a single that would make a good project pouch or a way to travel with 8.5"x11" cardstock (I make cards mostly).

Got any good storage tips?  Feel free to share them.  And, thanks for stopping by.  Susan