As part of our effort to clean and organize our condo before we will most likely move in June, I have been organizing my beads. We have a lot of random things stored in shoe boxes. I'm trying to get rid of those. I used several large craft organizers in my classroom the first couple years I had my current position. I don't anymore so I took them home. My goal is to get all of my beads, buttons, and findings into proper craft organizers and throw my remaining current craft supplies (E-6000, extra pliers, etc.) into a couple small storage bins.
Needless to say, this is easier said than done, especially because I would rather be crafting than organizing. I'm planning to organize most beads as I go, filing them into their new homes after I finish projects instead of throwing them back into shoe boxes. I organized my findings first because they were honestly the easiest part of the task to accomplish.
The Czech glass and more specialized components (handmade ceramic buttons, etc.) will be pretty easy to organize, too. I'm going to keep working at it slowly. The buttons won't be too bad either once I get a color system going. I'm not positive how I'm going to sort my seed beads. I figure I'll save that for last and see how my storage space looks when I get there.
I organized my living room work space last weekend before my in-laws came for a last minute visit. This way some people can believe that this is how I normally have my current/next in line projects organized on that table. (Anyone who does any sort of crafting knows what a funny idea that is.)
You'll notice that we still have the castle walls on that same table. When we gave our second TV to my little sister-in-law this winter, I was able to relocate most of our smaller plaster pieces to the mantle, but I don't know where we're going to put the walls when it's time to sell our place.
Finally, here's a sneak peak of one of my current projects. I have so much finished, not yet listed inventory right now that I haven't taken too many "in progress" pictures lately, but the process pictures can be just as fascinating as the finished pictures. This is an idea that I've had for literally almost a year (although the metal shank button clasp was a more recent addition to the overall idea) and I'm finally using some of the beads that I bought almost that long ago to make it happen.
I'm also planning to remake
this bangle design when I've finished, which has an almost identical color palette.
Oh yes--those Plano or Plano-alike containers are a must! I just discovered I need about 15 more to be able to clean off my desk!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean- organizing is always on the list of things to do, but how quickly all of those plans unravel. Good for you for buckling down and doing it!
ReplyDeleteThose containers are perfect! I keep earrings in them :)
ReplyDeleteLove the in-process work :)
I'm organizing my fabrics and supplies right now too! Rearranged the containers, transfered some items to other boxes and got rid of empty boxes--still not enough space for my stuff!!!!
ReplyDeleteI recently cleaned out my supply closet and reorganized. I feel so much better!
ReplyDeleteOrganizing is not one of my strengths but I try. A friend of mine has all her crystals in labeled containers by size with the crystal colors all labeled too. She also has all her seed beads (she has literally every color available) in containers holding little boxes with the label for the seed bead on it so she knows the correct colors and each container is either all blues, pinks, etc. She said she found the boxes at JoAnns. She has more crystals and beads than the bead store.
ReplyDeleteI like the colors of your work in process piece!
Thanks for the encouragement and positive feedback! I'll keep everyone updated on my progress. :)
ReplyDeleteOk, maybe I'm strange but I love to organize my beads!! just playing with the lovlies can get the creative juices flowing!! and it's very meditative, esp when you want to spend time in the studio, but don't feel very creative.
ReplyDeleteI love those bangles! Good luck with all the containers - I have a few that look like that! {:-D
ReplyDeleteThis is how I organize my beads, too, but I admit some of them are in Ziplock bags, especially if they don't fit in those little compartments. You'll be glad when you're done...you'll be able to find everything!
ReplyDeleteKat, I LOVE playing with my beads when I put together new project ideas. Beads definitely make me happy! I'm just a little overwhelmed by all of the things that we need to organize and clean before we sell our place.
ReplyDeleteThanks Deb and Judy! A lot of my beads are still in Ziplocks in the organizers. The majority of my seed beads and cube beads will stay in Ziplocks as well.
Ya for organizing! I keep trying to organize and getting distracted :P I've been working on it some today though!
ReplyDeleteWe've been slowly working on little projects around the condo throughout the school year. As the clock keeps ticking, the more I get motivated to keep working haha.
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