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Storage Solutions

Crafters often talk about storage problems. I am the same. I have found a few things to make life easier:

Tool organiser boxes such as the Stanley in this picture are great for storing things like Punches, Eyelet setters and hammers. This one also has some longer sections in the centre for pens, paint brushes, glues and craft knives. The smaller sections on the other side are good for small tubs and jars.		Ordinary tool boxes are great from stamps, ink pads and heat guns. Unfortunately I have now got a large selection and I have to use an old tin to store the embossing powders separately. Small embellishments such as gem stones, wogglely eyes and die cuts, it is easier to put them in a sectioned tub or in the top of a tool box, which has small sections.
	Ribbons are one of my favourite embellishments but they can be hard to store. I use an old wrapping paper tube with a strip of double sided tape running down its length. Then I wrap each of my ribbons around and stick the ends down with a bit of tape. Another way is old jars, winding the ribbons up and taping up and then popping them into the jars. You can also use a piece of thick card and wrap them round. This can easily be stored with your paper and card in an expandable folder.
Old shoe boxes especially kids ones as they are a little bit smaller and therefore easy to store themselves, are good for storing odds and ends. I covered mine with paper and PVA glue to make them a little stronger and they look a bit nicer too!		Paper and card sheets need to be kept flat, but when you start getting a big collection box files and folders are not good enough. Invest in a good expandable folder. This way you can separate the different papers, which makes finding them much easier. If you are a scrapbooker too, they do ones especially for 12"x 12" papers.
	Beads and Accent beads are tricky to store as they are so small. Try using your old camera film tubs. Remember to stick labels onto them, as they are normally black which makes it hard to see what's inside when trying to find a particular colour.