I am still really happy with my dish drainer drying racks and would recommend this to anyone who is looking for an inexpensive drying rack solution.
However, in the comments section of my original post, a few people suggested other great simple inexpensive ideas that I wanted to share here.
Cookie Sheets
I can't believe that I didn't think of this when I was originally brainstorming ideas for my cards because I already use cookie sheets for a lot of my gluing.
There is no reason that cookie sheets wouldn't work well for greeting cards. I think that it just didn't occur to me because I was looking for something more compact that I could store right on the floor next to my card making table. For those of you who are interested in this idea, I purchased my cookie sheets from Wal-Mart. I bought a couple super cheap sets of 3. Almost two years later, they're still in great shape.
Filing Systems
There are several different small filing systems that can be used as drying racks. This is one of the cheapest options that I could find. Click on the photo to go to the product listing.
This is another good option. It's more expensive, but you may be able to rig up something similar yourself.
I inherited a filing system very similar to the first one with a used filing cabinet that my mom scored for me at a church rummage sale. If you go thrifting often and are in need of one of these systems, keep your eyes open.
Other Tutorials and Ideas
These were the two ideas that I got from my last post, but I got inspired to see what else was out there, too.
Why not use old CD/DVD storage systems for your drying racks? Genius! I donated mine when I got a new storage system back in Iowa, but I know that there are still lots of people who have them around and aren't using them for anything else.
I'm not sure how much I've posted about this topic here, but some of you know that when I started working with paper again a couple months ago, I didn't have a good place to put my drying paper. So I usually spread it all over the floor. I'll spare you a picture of what this looks like because I'm sure that you have a pretty good idea. Needless to say, this wasn't a good long term solution.
I briefly looked at options on Amazon. Most of them were $100+ and appropriate for art classrooms and other large studios. I wasn't in the market for anything that sophisticated. On a whim, I turned to Pintrest. I had such good luck with my ring display that I thought I might get lucky again. Pintrest did not disappoint.
How awesome and simple is that? I went out to Target the next week and picked up a simple plastic dish drainer ($13) and another simple plastic dish drying rack ($5).
I love how there's room to store pieces standing up or laying down.
The other drying rack is perfect for smaller pieces like my little button flowers.
I can store one right on top of the other to take up even less space when I'm done working.
For now, I'm keeping them on the floor there, which I know isn't ideal, but they are tucked out of the way under the edge of my table.
I'm not using the silverware drying rack for anything right now, but as the Pintrest photo shows, this is a great place to store some supplies.
Obviously, this isn't an appropriate set up for larger art work, but for anyone who does smaller gluing work or other art work that needs drying time, it is great!
Does anyone else have a DIY/alternative art drying rack? I'd love to hear about them and know that other readers would, too.
Finally, a number of people expressed an interest in the paper cutter that I use that I had in some of my photos yesterday. I had a cheap one for about a year and when the blade dulled, I decided it was time to upgrade. I've been using this new one for about a month and a half and really love it. I bought a cutting mat (remember my large Christmas boxes?) and replacement blades at the same time. I will need a replacement cutting bar at some point, but the rest of the supplies will keep me set for quite a while.
Do you have a paper cutter that you love? Share it in the comments!
