Scrapbooking organization help

[mindymin]

Hello,
I'm looking for frugal ideas to organize a "ton" of scrapbooking supplies, such as stickers, paper, embellishments etc. I have ADD and it's a struggle for me to come up with ideas. I just feel so overwhelmed! Any suggestions would certainly be appreciated. Help!!! Thanks.

[dearduckyducky]

How much room do you have?

I store all my papers, stickers, etc. in one bin. I don't have that much though. The photo albums and boxes live on a shelf above my computer desk. If you have a lot of each item, for now I would suggest seperate bins so you can see just how much you have. Then you can figure out what kind of storage would be best.

[Stitchwort]

I use a lot of shoe boxes--for, e.g. ribbons, ink pads, dies, small pads of paper, etc. The big, sturdy corrugated cardboard ones that my son's skates came in are great for 12 x 12 papers and cardstocks, if you're lucky enough to have them. Computer keyboard boxes work well for packages of stickers, because they're longer than most boxes. Now that said DS has become a dedicated long-distance runner I have an endless supply of boxes from his running shoes, all very similar and of a good size. Boot boxes are also larger than your average box, and take large flat sheets of stickers. Pizza boxes, if they're fairly clean, are also good, and I use them for my stamps. I usually put a sheet of either waxed paper or paper towel in the bottom to cover any remaining stains of pizza.

For small items, you can sometimes pick up clear plastic nesting containers from the dollar store or a craft store like Michael's. They're not expensive, but of course the dollar store ones are cheaper. Then they can go in a shoebox. Watch cases, which I get from Lee Valley, are available in a variety of sizes, each with its own box for easy storage--but they are a bit more expensive.

[Judivy]

I was looking for some ideas on organizing and a professional organizer said that she uses things, which had other uses,for new uses. She put things in an old eye glasses case, for instance and that would be good for brackets and small things. I was cleaning in the bathroom and I found a 2-rack corner organizer, which used to house store-bought lotions, bubble bath, soap, and things. I put it in my craft room because I'm going to put some things in it, like stamp pads. Yes, I agree that shoe boxes are great, too. Also, box lids, turned inside up can store things like stamps in them, in drawers or on a desk. If you don't have a craft room and you need to set up your crafting at a different table, such as the kitchen or dining room, storing things in a toolbox, makes taking things from one room to the other room easier and cuts down on trips. I think that a tray would work good, too, at storing things on it, too. If you have an old can or round carton, you can decorate it with paper or contact paper, to store scissors or markers in it, too. I use little wooden boxes that mandarin oranges come in, too. They're like a miniature crate. I store smaller papers in it, by standing them up on their sides. Glass jars would be good for storing some things in them, too, because you can readily see what's in them. If you have room for things like small wooden cabinets or bins, sometimes the Goodwill store has neat finds like that. Labeling things helps, too. I like little bins that have the square holes in them because you can see what's inside them. Baskets is a fun, creative way of storing things, too. Also, cookie tins, which you can buy at Goodwill sometimes and might be at the dollar store are good, too.

Do you have a desk with drawers or do you work on a table? Do you have wall space for shelves or a peg board? I've seen photos of peg boards, hooks or brackets, with scissors and things hung on them. I hope that helps.