Art and Craft Room Organization: Organizing Paper and More

Have you struggled with craft room organization? I’ve been so busy with craft supplies organization in my efforts to finally get everything in place. I’ve been wanting more room to craft for a long time.

I’ve been so motivated by the creative art and craft spaces I’ve been seeing online.  My goal is to create a space that I’ll  truly love being in and creating in, whether I am journaling, lettering, drawing, painting, or creating little books or other paper creations.  A space with an aesthetic that’s warm and inviting and that will motivate me to create. 

So, of course, organizing and having designated places for everything is the first step! Craft room organization has always been a challenge for me. I’ve actually made some progress.

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Before starting on the room, I  purged a lot of supplies, and it has been so incredibly refreshing to get a fresh start, before organizing. There were items that I would never use but was hesitant to let go.  I’ve learned that when there are too many supplies, it becomes overwhelming, and I actually become less creative. 

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Craft Room Organization: Paper Storage

I love paper. All kinds of paper. Handmade paper, scrapbooking paper, watercolor paper, all the paper.

I had originally planned to store my paper vertically, in upright holders or horizontally in hanging files (I do have some 8 1/2 x 11 paper stored in hanging files, and I love that kind of system), but I already had some drawers that were the right size, and I felt that I’d be able to find what I needed easily enough, as long as the drawers were labeled. This has proved to be true.  I used labels that I could erase and change, if necessary. 

I put my watercolor paper, mixed media paper, and bristol paper in decorative boxes with the lids. (They’re not labeled yet! When I get the entire space finished, I’ll have photos of the finished storage, with the labels.)

I still haven’t figured out a way to store my really big sheets of art paper, but for now, they’ll be kept in rolls on top of shelves.  (I don’t think big paper drawers are practical in my space right now!)

This shelving unit is from Walmart.  It is sturdy and fits my needs perfectly. 

I keep my small pads of paper (6×6, etc.) in a little clear crate that allows me to flip through easily.

Craft Room Organization: Rubber Stamps Storage

Years ago, I started collecting rubber stamps when I was somewhat obsessed with collage and mixed media techniques.  I loved making little books (and still do,), and I loved the beautiful images that could become wonderful elements in so many kinds of artistic creations. (Even if you love to draw, as I do, rubber stamps can be wonderful artistic elements too.) 

I had them stored in a jumble in a storage cart, but they were hard to find, and over time I wasn’t using them much anymore.  Fast forward, and as I decided to start journaling again,  I began to love my rubber stamps again. I needed a better storage solution for them.

I fell in love with this glass topped wooden box  to hold some of my stamps. I have one now on the top of my workspace that holds my favorite stamps for journaling, making little books, etc. (I ordered mine in Brown.) It keeps the stamps dust free and has a pretty vintage vibe. 

I also found these slim project cases that are also perfect for storing rubber stamps. I use these for the stamps that I keep on a shelf. (Note: There are 2 different sizes at the link, so be careful to order the SLIM project cases, not the thicker ones that are used for 12×12 paper. The set of 6 that are shown at the same link are NOT the slim cases. The set of 6 are the ones designed for 12×12 paper. These slim ones that I use for rubber stamps won’t work for 12×12 paper, by the way.

I bought the set of 10 of them on Amazon (they are also useful for storing photos and embellishments), but you can also buy them individually at The Container Store.  

I  love having the single layer of stamps and the stackability of the cases. (You can do the same thing with clean pizza boxes.  The visibility is great with the the project cases, though.)  

I have a lot of rubber stamps…  And, this is post purge!  Back in the day, I fell in love with their beautiful designs and would sometimes buy them in lots on Ebay.  (They can be really expensive when purchased individually. But, sometimes I did that too, with coupons.)

 

Craft Room Organization: Stickers

I guess I’ve always loved stickers. As with rubber stamps, stickers can be lovely elements in your journal pages or other creations.  Years ago, I did a lot of scrapbooking and used stickers sometimes in those albums. My kids loved looking at those books, and the stickers were so colorful and fun.

I didn’t really use stickers much over the last several years, but as I began to journal, I revived that old love of stickers, although in a more organic, natural form.

I went through my stickers from years past and purged a lot. Then, I stored the ones I loved in this mini-binder that I picked up in the Target Dollar Spot a couple of years ago.  The stickers are easy to slip into the small page protectors (that I purchased separately),  and the pages are easy to flip through. 

Well, that’s the start of my art/craft room.  I hope some of these ideas have helped you with your own craft room organization.  I’ll be posting more as the area evolves, so look for part 2 soon!

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Linking to:

Thursday Favorite Things, Create, Bake, Grow, and Gather at Shabby Art Boutique, Snickerdoodle Create, Bake, Make at Eye Love Knots, Dare to Share at Pam’s Party and Practical Tips, A  Morning Cup of Joe at The Cottage Market, Happiness is Homemade at Decor, Craft, Design, Home Matters at Modern on Monticello, Inspire Me Monday at Create with Joy, Inspire Me Monday at Mostly Blogging, Handmade Monday at Sum of Their Stories, Love Your Creativity at Life and Linda, The Really Crafty Link Party at Keeping it Real, LouLou Girls Fabulous Party, Little Cottage Link Party at Love My Little Cottage, Wow Me Wednesday at Gingersnap Crafts, Happy Now at Jenerally Informed, Celebrate Your Story at The Zucchini Sisters, Tuesday Turn About at My Wee Abode, Traffic Jam Weekend at My Bijou Life Online, Artsy Fartsy Link Party, Creatively Crafty at Try It, Like It, Blogger’s Pit Stop, Wonderful Wednesday at OMHG, Grammy’s Grid