Best Way to Organize Craft Supplies

Ramblings

Organize for your personality

I’m a lifelong crafter and have 2 kids that have crafted from todder to teen years. As a naturally unorganized person, I have tried many many methods to keep my supplies put away. Each time it worked for a short period and then the mess was overwhelming yet again. Finally, I came to a conclusion…after deep reflection and analysis (haha jk) I realized something…I was organizing for my ideal life, not my reality life. Here’s what I mean by that…i was making things work and look an ideal way…like “oh a clear jar full of pom poms on a floating shelf is so lovely”. Ideally, I would take the jar off the shelf, use it, and return it. BUT realistically, the jar was annoying to open, i couldn’t access the poms on the bottom easily so i had to dump it out, and the kids lost the top among the toys, Also, I had to dust around a jar of poms etc etc. On the other hand, glue sticks aren’t as pleasing in clear jars so they were in a different type of container and which one was that, I can’t remember. Don’t get me started on labels… I don’t get a kick out of labels like some fortunate people out there. So I had to start being realistic. Ultimately, I realized i will only put things back where they go if it’s super super super easy to do so.

Make it ridiculously easy

The easier it is to put supplies away, chances are way higher that I will do it. It has to be easy. For example, one time I made a beautiful ribbon holder with maybe 10 ribbon spools threaded on it. It was so fun to pull the ribbons off. The issue came when the middle spool ran out of ribbon which meant I needed to pull 4 spools off in order to replace it. This is about knowing your own capabilities…will you replace the spool? Some people say yes “that’s the easiest thing I’ve ever done” and it would drive them crazy to not do it right away. For me, I think “I need to replace that” every time I see it but then I get distracted (by crafting) and months go by before it gets done. My point is to make it so easy, you will do it. This is why I love the bins! I can toss things in and shut the door.

How are the boxes organized? Will things fit?

I feel like almost everything will fit into one of the two sizes offered. Of course, you will have craft items that are too large for this bookcase. This idea is meant for the tools and supplies used most. Every crafter will have different things but I’m betting these bins will hold most of it. For larger items, I also have a kallax with the square rattan boxes. This is also great but when the boxes are filled, I have to “dig” through it which I don’t enjoy. I do think the kallax is great with inserts for separating papers and I love the drawer inserts.

Small uppdatera Boxes

cordless glue gun and a bulk amount of glue sticks – I purchase a bulk amount on Amazon…it’s amazing and so worth it to never run out.
scissors – assorted sizes and ones that create decorative cuts – paper edge snips and circle punches (for journals)
pom poms
various types of glue and tape
clay and clay tools
fabric paint
embroidery thread
sewing supplies – thread and needles for mending and embroidery
decorative tape
glitter and decorative confetti – stored in ziploc bags
ribbons on spools
small lengths of ribbon stored in ziploc bags

Large uppdatera Boxes

fabric scraps – small pieces in rolls
pipe cleaners
fabric trims stored in ziploc bags
craft paint
small canvases
various wood crafts – popsicle sticks, shapes, balls, etc. things that can be painted = things that can be used to make wands
jewelry making supplies – a huge bag of mixed beads, smaller bags with various beads, cord, etc.
decorative papers
large yarn rolls separated into bags and a large pom pom maker

Blue Caddy with Handle

We have two of these. The handle makes it easy to take to other rooms. One holds over 100 paint pens of various sizes. The other is used for tools that are needed often. It holds scissors, cordless glue gun, glue sticks, a ruler, pen, pencils, etc.