Space Issues? SOC DT Post

Hi Krafters!

Over the years it seems like I finally have ran out of space in my crafting area. Do you ever feel like that? We purge and rearrange our area but it is not enough! Not to mention the creative block that comes with a disorganized space! Well today, I am sharing three ideas I use that saves, maximizes, and organizes my space.  Also it did not cost an arm and leg either!

1. Shelving

I am a machine junky! I use three tier shelving units to store the machines I use the most. Since there is enough space behind each machine, I can leave the shelves and cut a full 12 inches or pull them out if I am using a larger mat. I can also easily access the machines and put them on  a portable table if need be. Since using the shelves, I have an extra 2 feet of space!  Shelves $19.99 each

 

2. Under Counter Storage

Kitchen items are great for craft areas! Very seldom do I use the underside of shelving. That is wasted space! I use this drawer under one of the shelves to maximize the space as well as for organization. It attaches on the wires with a groove and tightened with a screw. It's very sturdy. In this drawer, I store different blades, blade housing, and other machine components. The drawer slides out and I can grab what I need quickly and everything is in one area. The drawer is strong enough to hold ink pads, stamps, markers...anything! I should also mention, you can use this drawer on wood shelves too! Drawer $9.99

3. Cricut Cart Storage

When I first started out, I used to store my cartridges on a peg board. As my collection grew and I did not use the cartridges as much, I decided to store them differently. I use this small three drawer rolling cart. On the top of the drawer, I store unopened cartridges, my Gypsy and Imagine cartridges (they are in a binder). This adds more storage in a small space!

 In the top drawer, I store the physical cartridge. I used a thick chipboard and attach the cartridges with a piece of Velcro. Each piece of chipboard can store 20 cartridges on each side of the chipboard (40 in total). The drawer is deep enough to hold 5-6 layers of chipboard. In one drawer, 200-240 cartridges can be stored. Larger cartridges are available...it holds more!

The second drawer holds the overlays. They were in alphabetical order, but as I added more, I just put them in the drawer. I don't use the overlays too often since the Expression 2 and Imagine has a virtual overlay. I do keep the physical ones to refer to if necessary  or to use in an older machine.

The third drawer stores the booklets. These are in alphabetical order. I alternate the spines to maximize the space in the drawer. I am able to keep all of the booklets and skim through easily to find what I am looking for. Please note, since the books are the heaviest, place them on the bottom otherwise you can warp your cart because of the weight. Ask me how I know! Cart $11.99

For less than $50 I have more efficient space and storage! A lot of items in a small space huh?

I hope you found this post to be helpful! Do you have any storage or organizational tips you would like to share? Don't forget to stop by Scraps of Color for more project ideas and inspiration. Thanks for stopping by, Krafthead~

Poster Board?

Happy Friday Krafters!

I know you all are wandering what does foam core poster board have to do with storage?? Well let me tell you, foam board can provide storage for an array of crafty goodness! It is sturdy and can be altered to fit your needs!

 

 I have shared this storage tip before on my YouTube channel, but I thought it would be good to share it here during storage week. It is a great way to store your markers. All you need is foam board, pencil, hot glue, X-acto knife and long straight edge (T-square or yard stick)! It is simple to put together. Here I cut a top, bottom, back and two sides. I also added shelves for the markers which are slightly slanted to help the markers stay put. I also added middle sections to not only separate the colors of the markers, but to add support to hold the weight of the markers. It is not the prettiest thing to look at, but it does the job it was built to do!

Now I love the Making Memories Embellishment Center. However, I would rather spend my money on paper, supplies and whatnot! Again, using my trusty foam core board, I built a make-shift embellishment center. Again, all it takes is the board, pencil, glue, X-acto knife and straight edge. Add support in the middle so the shelves do not sag from the weight! I have a shelf that cost less than $5 to make! Both shelves has been up for over year and still going strong! My advice is to make sure you measure the space between the shelves to be able to accommodate all of your goodies; I miss measured on one of them *blush*. You can make one unit out of one sheet of foam board, but you may need two sheets depending on the size you desire.

There you have it J I hope you enjoyed today’s tip! Thanks for stopping by, Krafthead~

*DO NOT USE DOLLAR STORE FOAM BOARD, IT IS NOT AS STURDY AS ELMER’S*

Out of the Man Den~

Happy Wednesday Krafters!

Moving forward on the theme of storage tips, peg boards are a necessity IMHO! Pegboards are not just for the garage or “man den”! They can provide extra space for tools, ribbon and other crafty goodness. They are great in small and large spaces alike! They can also make awesome focal points in your craft space J

I know today’s post is very short, but peg boards are the way to go. Enjoy your day, Krafthead~

Negative Space~

Hello Krafters!

When I started this blog, I committed to share projects, tips, ideas and thoughts that are craft related. This week is all about storage ideas and tip! So with that in mind, I would like to share with you a storage idea. Many of us try to utilize all of the wall space, but we tend to forget about the space in the other parts of the room. Why not use the negative space in the middle? If you know me, you already know I am all about using every square inch on my space! The idea is not original; I saw it on cricut.com a while back. However, I customized it to fit my needs.

While at the home improvement store, there was a sale on shelving. Initially, buying shelving was not the reason why I went to the store, but I am glad I checked it out! As I walked down the aisle, I saw a build a closet set and thought about my craftroom. Long story short I bought two components. When got home, I built the shelves into a cube instead of as it was intended (as shelves). By me doing it this way, I was able to store the machines I use most on the table instead of having to pull them out when I needed them. For less than $25, I have added more space to my room and the machines are easy to access!

This idea is great if you have multiple die cutting machines, you have limited space or just want to maximize your work area. I hope you enjoyed today’s tip! Thanks for stopping by, Krafthead~

Nestability Storage Idea

Hello Krafters!

On several forums, I see a lot people asking about Nestability storage.  If any of you follow me on YouTube, you know I am all about saving money where I can as well as being functional more so than beauty. I know many people use binders and magnets to store theirs. This is great! It keeps everything in one place and it is organized. However, I don’t have the space and don’t want to spend even a little money on the magnets (yes I can be that “resourceful”). I rather spend money on supplies J lol!

Here is my cheap and easy solution:

I used my Bind-it-All to make holes in the packaging the Nesties come in. It has double sided tape on them already. Should the adhesive lose its tackiness, I just take my ATG gun and reapply. The good thing about this storage is the fact that the wires can be pulled apart and bound again as the collection grows. On this particular ring, there are 6 sets. I have since grown, and it takes less than 2” in width of space for easy storage. I just tuck them next to the machine.

Another option is to punch one hole in the corner and use a binding ring. Place them on a peg board or hook! They are organized and take up minimal space! Easy peasy!  Krafthead~