How to Organize Scrapbook Supplies

Creative and organized are not two words that typically go together. It seems impossible, at times, to stay organized while working on scrapbooks. You want everything at your fingertips, and if it is all out on your desk, you know right where it is. A few organizational tips will keep all of your supplies within a quick reach and actually allow room on your workspace to spread out a layout. Whether your scrapbooking supplies are enough to open your own boutique or you are just starting out, organization is key!

Things You'll Need

• Milk crates
• Paper trays
• Paper towel holder
• Bead organizing boxes
• Desk
• Several plastic shoe boxes
• Shelving

Instructions

1. Buy a table or desk that can be your permanent work space. Designate this space as a "scrapbook only zone." Do not lay your bills, children's art work or mail on this table. You will lose your space quickly. It is very hard to be inspired when you have to clean up before you can be creative.

2. Buy shelves. Whether you purchase wall mounted shelving or a free standing book case, shelves are a must. Hang wall mounted shelves above your desk. Here you can put everything from grommets to paper. Place free standing book shelves near your work space so that you do not have to exit your seat to reach the items stored there.

3. Organize paper in plastic trays. Separate colored paper from printed paper. Stackable trays are available for various paper sizes. Plastic milk crates also make great storage for paper and are extremely inexpensive. If using milk crates, be sure to have a support on one side of the paper so that they don't bend.

4. Put rubber stamps in clear plastic containers. Plastic shoe boxes are great for stamps. Place a label on the front of the box that lists the stamps in the box. This will keep you from digging through every box until you find just what you're looking for. Place these boxes on the shelves.

5. Put pens and pencils in small containers that can sit on your work space. Pens and pencils are used frequently so you'll want them within arm's reach. Cute, small, metal or plastic buckets work great for this. Small terracotta planters work well for pens and pencils as well. They also make a great place to stash scissors.

6. Buy a paper towel holder to store ribbon on. A wall-mounted holder will be great. You can also use a paper towel holder that is free standing. Be sure that the dowel on the holder is not too big to hold the ribbon spools. If you cannot find a dowel small enough, use a utility knife to carefully make the holes on the ribbon bigger. Plastic shoe boxes also work well for ribbon. If the spools are not too large, they can be stacked on their sides so that the ribbon is facing up, making for easy selection.

7. Buy small containers for grommets, brads and other small pieces. Craft stores carry containers on the beading aisles that are perfect for separating these little buggers. The containers are generally about one inch high so it is possible to stack multiple boxes. Magnetic strips attached to a wall and small metal containers are also a great way to store small pieces. Be sure that the lids are tight fitting to avoid a jumbled mess of metal pieces.

8. Store other embellishments in the plastic shoe boxes and label them. Scrap paper also works well in these boxes.

Tips & Warnings

• Research before you buy.

• Measure your space before buying a table or a desk.

• Save your receipts. Once you get home, you may find that something is not working the way you thought it would.