Studio Re-Org
Your comments on tips and tricks to bead storage has really been helping me, and it's caused total mayhem in the studio-
see what I mean?
I had this brilliant idea yesterday to steal the book shelf from the office. Now, you should see the office. what a disaster, books and boxes everywhere. That's my next project to tackle after this is done.
SO I huffed and puffed and got the bookshelf up into the room, and wanted to try to clear off one of the tables so that I can eliminate it. That's my plan. So I get the bins of beads onto the shelf and then got distracted.
COLOR.
COORDINATION.
what a pain in the ass, totally tedious, but completely and utterly rewarding when done.... see what I mean?
I know, delicious, right??? It just makes my heart sing. I figured, that if I am going to have bins STACKED, where viewing them isn't as easy- I might better have them color coordinated so that when I pull out a bin I know I'm pulling out all the red, or all the blue.
Another task is consolidating beads... and getting rid of beads I don't need. That's still happening. I have to clean out the bead cabinet to make room- because if you see here, all these are art beads, and need new homes- or at least, I'll keep the big on out, and house the rest.
It's nice having these out because I can see them but as you can see, it starts to get really messy and disorganized after a little while. And I can't tell you how much I hate those little plastic zip loc bags. GOTTA get rid of them all! for GOOD!
Now let's talk about room set up. Here's what I know so far. The bookshelf there, with all the beads- that should be in close vacinity to my work space. For easy reaching, grabbing and replacing. The bead cabinet, needs to also be in close vacinity- if I can figure it out, it would be nice either on the other side of my work table or behind me, somehow. The large coffin sized window bench, HAS TO GO. it's too large for this space, but Joe and I cannot lift it so I have to wait for some other dude to come over to help him.
This table has become kind of the shipping area, and metalworking area- holds all my new little tools. Right now, temporarily the bead cabinet is shoved in corner, this will not stay there. Another thing that needs to happen is better, and MORE lighting. This room has no ceiling fixture and limited plugs. Any suggestions on lighting would be soooo appreciated. What do you do to combat this issue??
Mmmm, tools!! Thought I'd throw this pic in for good measure.
Then there's jewelry storage. My plan is to take that cool door I've been using as my photo prop and in my banners, bring it in to this room and prop it up on one of the free walls, and attach hooks to it, so I can hang jewelry there- spreading things out for easier viewing. Right now, all finished jewelry is hanging on that bird rack on top of the bead cabinet and I can't find ANYTHING!
So. That's where we're at, at this point. Stay tuned for the finished pics... I hope to get it done throughout the week. I am going through a small creative slump at the moment and I am hoping that this re-vamp of the studio, and bead organization, will help the slump. What better way to use this time, than to re-organize, re-arrange, and consolidate!!
I loved this post! Of course, I can relate because "distraction" is my middle name! I use an Ott light directly over my work area. I also have one for my sewing area which is a pole lamp. Joanne's has them on sale a good bit. Keep workin' it baby! You're almost there!
ReplyDeleteIt looks great! I love the colorized beads, I really should do that! I also love the space you have!!!
ReplyDeleteOh my! All those beads organized by color just make me swoon! I'm having a hot flash! I REALLY like the OTT light. I have a couple of different kinds, but my favorite is the flip up desk lamp. It gives the BEST light right where you are working.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ottlite.com/p-67-black-task-lamp-w-swivel.aspx
I also have this halogen floor lamp by Lite Source. What is really cool about this is the little light on the side moves around so you can direct the light where you want it.
http://www.lampsusa.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=22107
I have the same lighting issues you do and have yet to work them out. What I'm thinking about doing is getting one of those ugly long flat ceiling fixtures with the flourescent bulbs and suspending it over my work area. I've been thinking this for two years :-) BTW, I just reorganized and it was like cleaning cobwebs out of my brain. It'll be great for you!
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteFor your lighting issue I would recommend buying a ceiling fan with a light in it. I know it may sound gross but they make really nice ones now with remotes and the light is bright in the center of the room and you can still have plug in lighting but it is so much better to have one in the center and the fan to circulate the air is great. We had one put in and it is cheaper then you may think. Hire an electrician and it is done. Room is looking great! I love all your work surfaces.
Cilla
I was thinking that something similar to a Microwave cart would be good for your shipping area. This would be compact and taller and you could store all your envelopes, shipping labels, bubble wrap... whatever it is you use, in orderly fashion. You could also do a chopping block for the tools. Nice and sturdy and compact, free standing. It can be fairly compact, with a small shelf attached to the wall above to hold the tools.
ReplyDeleteGoodluck!!
Beads organized by color make me happy. I do the same with mine. If they get mixed up, I can't sleep very well. Kinda like if my DVD's aren't in alphabetical order.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see how you re-arrange the studio and make it functional again. I LOVE that color on the walls!
Wow, what a great post! I love to see how you are arranging things in your studio.
ReplyDeleteLove the beads by color-it did make me drool some! Lighting can be a problem. I have long plug bar and have several good floor lamps with goose necks that can be adjusted in height and cranked any way I want. I also have an Ott lamp. Good luck
ReplyDeleteyou'll get there:) lighting is always an issue for me. i got one of those slim fold over ott lights. it doesn't take up too much desk top and with my joann's coupon i think i paid under $30.
ReplyDeleteI'd be interested to see how you organize completed pieces that are for sale on your Etsy site, but not sold yet. Also, I tend to have about a half dozen necklaces or bracelets at any one time, that are about 50%-90% completed; I may need to purchase a clasp or another bead, or I may have set it aside in frustration because I'm almost "there" but can't figure out what it needs. Do you have unfinished projects, and if so, how do you store them?
ReplyDeleteI'll defnitely take a look at Ott lights today, if I can get to Joann's.
ReplyDeleteJenny- I don't really have a lot of unfinished pieces, if I did they'd probably just be on the table at my workspace waiting for the finishing touches.
Finished jewelry is hanging but it's all a mess, so hopefully my idea of adding hooks to that door, will help spread everything out and make it more viewable.
Oh yeah. That color org is to die for. I am up to my eyeballs in plastic baggies. I am starting the big re-org myself. My Hamilton is Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome and will be an excellent place to store everything. I will have to post pictures soon. I have two bookshelves that are in complete disarray right now. I need to clean them off and actually put books on them. I have this really funky shelf from the living room of our old house (or 2nd home since it is STILL FOR SALE!!!) that I plan to put above the computer to put busts with all my favorite pieces on. And I have a repurposed kitchen baker's rack that I use as a shipping station(not that I ship much ... yet). I found that I had these two magnetic white boards with four pegs on the bottom and half of it with these bungee cords that you can hold pictures in. I put both right above my work space. Much better than the old system of taping paper to the wall. And I can display notes from friends, Andrew's latest artwork gift and other inspirations. It will do until I can get my wall o' metal back (do you know anyone in the heating and cooling industry? that is the cheapest organizational tool I have found and I can't wait to have it again). Making room for my tools on one side is a goal, for the soldering iron, los station, resining, dapping and hammering and now my new etching system. I really want to work with it but can't find a space!
ReplyDeleteLighting is a problem. I scarfed the under cabinet lights from my last studio, hope to have them someday, but for now I have an Ott task light. It works for now.
It is looking great, Lori! Keep working at it. You are inspiring us all!
Enjoy the day!
Erin
I live in an older home without a lot of plugs, so I know what you are up against in the lighting department. I use the surge-protector power strips and have several floor lamps (cheap-o ones from thrift stores or garage sales) with full spectrum light bulbs in them. I don't generally use all the lamps at once, but it's nice to have light where you need it. The Ott light desk lamps are great for up-close work.
ReplyDeleteGreat organization so far. Can't wait to see the finished results.
Emanda
love love love the wall color. Lorelei, you are the best!
ReplyDelete~jealous of your dapping tools and cutters...
I have my table @ the north window w/ an ott light & all my outlets have multi plug strips for lamps throughout the room. (Michaels also has ott lights & they put a coupon in the paper pretty regularly) I am about to embark on a big studio revamp & clean~up, beads by colour is something I may have toadd to the list
ReplyDeleteoh this is soo inspiring..
ReplyDeletesorting beads by color..better go to HL today for more boxes.
your room looks pretty tight ..mine is also.
i have selves to the left and both tables along one wall, then another on the other wall..making a U shape.
i purchased a nice rolling office chair, which allows me to slide back and forth to shelves and all tables.
I LOVE LOVE LoVE that you've been able to organize your beads by color. I've been on the verge of doing that for a few months but know that it'll be WAY time consuming for me. You may have just sold me on the idea though.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck getting the rest of the room the way you want it!
Well that is interesting. I have just moved all of my beads into little ziplock baggies and they are all now organized by color.
ReplyDeleteI have been working with seed beads for decades and for most of those years I only had a smattering of larger beads, stones, and crystals. I bought a dozen spice racks from Ikea with 21 jars per rack and stored my seed beads in those jars and sorted the jars into each rack by color. I had a special spice rack for large bugle beads, crystals, and other embellishing beads. This worked great until I obtained a large selection of non-seed beads which would not fit into the spice jars, which is how I ended up with the ziplock baggies. I tried the trays you show, but it was too hard to move the beads in and out of them and they were not friendly when I wanted to add more beads. I settled for plastic boxes with ziplock baggies. I labeled the boxes because they are not easy to see through.
I loved my spice jars because glass is always transparent and does not distort the color or luster of the beads. Unfortunately, the size of the jars became an issue.
Love this post and apparently one we can all relate to. For lighting I use an Ott light and a swing arm task light with magnifier. Love the idea of the door with hooks to display finished work. You'll be very organized in no time!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Ive got a big way to organizing a studio! Thanks for the pics great shop you have!
ReplyDeleteWow! I'm inspired. I think I'll just head out right now and clear 3months worth of glass shorts, stringer ends, flaked bead release and random tools off my workbench.
ReplyDeleteSeriously. I'm doing that.
As to table arrangement - flow of the room... have you considered arranging your tables into a "U" shape and getting a rolling desk chair? (If you have, and I am restating a post I didnt read, sorry) Then you can scoot to the beady bookcase, or spin from the beading table back to the metals table.
ReplyDeleteI am a mixed media artist and have three tables in my studio. One is always beads/metals. The tools are stored on a 3 tier rolling cart that fits under the table when not in use.
Great idea for a post. I will do mine soon. (if you want to see MY tables...)www.jdaviesreazor.com
Good luck. I find a reorganize extremely cathartic!
I am in process or organizing my stash as well and I have a huge collection of small beads and seed beads. I found these wonderful tubes and flip top boxes and plastic trays to hold them in from Sova Enterprises. I love them and I am in process of labeling and filling them. They are great because you can organize by color and they have different sizes to hold your beads. I love your work space and you are making good progress
ReplyDeleteMy studio is in a bit of a mess again.I did try to tidy it up and re-organise things early spring but it is back looking like it has been ransacked.I keep pulling things out and do not put them back properly.I am working on some pieces for an exhibition and with working full time in my "real"job as well,I do not always have as much time as I could do with.The kids take up time as well.I will paint the walls when I have time and will add some new storage and shelves.We were talking about having someone in to convert the whole garage into a purpose built studio but I bet that's years away yet!Good luck with your studio revamp!Anne
ReplyDeleteLorelei, I was going to write the same thing everyone else did about lighting. You seriously need something on your table! I have two- one Ott light in the center for close-up light and another on the left edge. You're on the right track with the storage. After MANY years of re-organizing things I've found those plastic boxes work the best for me. I don't have the space you do so I have a shelf on one side of my work table ( with the boxes) and a small cabinet with drawers on the other side. I don't have to keep getting up to get things, they're in arm's reach! For a little more space on my table, I have a 6 inch deep shelf with legs on the back edge, against the wall. Love to see the pictures!
ReplyDeleteI am so with you on the wee plastic bags - I HATE them!! And my mum insists on saving the damn things for me, I can't quite bring myself to tell her I don't want them! Loving your colour re-org, gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI love where you're going and I think your idea about the door is GENIUS! Can't wait to see where you end up with this. AND, you may have actually motivated me to tackle my studio (aka the Disaster Area). If you don't hear from me in a few days...send help as I may have been eaten by the piles of crap in my room.
ReplyDeleteoh i forgot to add,finished jewelry is stored in those little plastic zips in a clear shoe box container, sorted into bracelet necklace etc...no dust or wear can occur while awaiting sales.
ReplyDelete3 drafting swing arm lamps from ikea are on the tables..
I am also trying to think how to recreate my very small work space (not as lucky as you to have a whole room).
ReplyDeleteLike you I plan to colour coordinate my beads in their storage trays and like you I want to find a more visual way to store them so I can see what i have at a glance. i thought i found the perfect cabinet for the job a few weeks ago at a charity store for a phenomenal price, only to double check the measurements to realise I wouldn't be able to get it in the loft through the hatch. Bummer it is still on my mind but is no longer in the store :(
Good luck with the studio reshuffle, i look forward to seeing how it turns out.
I like what you have so far. Right now (in our 1 bedroom apartment) I have a corner of the living room! I'm so jealous!
ReplyDeletehahahahaha. you crack me up when you write things like 'pain in the ass' (teehee..Im still giggling)
ReplyDeleteI love my ott-lite, I've had the same one for near 8 years and have never changed the bulbs.(I like economical appliances) ;)
Lorelei: Something to keep in mind when looking at OTT lights...I really think the flip up desk Ott Lite gives the best light. I also have the magnifier Ott light that comes out on an arm. It's great for magnification, but the light it produces is not nearly as bright as the other kind.
ReplyDeleteLorelei You are already a million light years ahead of me in the organization dept!
ReplyDeletepictures of other people's studios make me so happy!
ReplyDeleteLove it!!!! :)
ReplyDeleteYou've got a great studio! It looks waaaaay more organized than mine ever will.
ReplyDeleteI just love the blue paint on the walls--do you remember the brand and color? I'm thinking about a re-do in my bathroom and this looks dreamy. Not that I want to be dreaming in my bathroom....
By the way, if you need a quick and easy way to get rid of the beads you no longer want, I can help you out with that!
I'm totally drooling over your bead stash. I can't wait to see the finished work room!!!
ReplyDelete~ http://www.artfire.com/users/GlasstasticTreasures ~
I can only organize when I am in the mood and that like you is only when my creativity is so scattered I can't even start a new project. The sense of accomplishment from organizing and knowing where things are gets me right back in the swing. I bought one of those natural light Ott Lamps- not a huge one but a desk top size and it is my very favorite source of light for everything from tiny seed beading to photographing when the sun doesn't cooperate. It is totally worth the investment.
ReplyDeletePS The Ott Lamp has a tail like an alligator- I have a very long extension cord attached to it so I can put it wherever I need it no matter where the plugs are. Just have to look where I walk when I stand up so I don't trip on it!! Which I have done and it hasn't broken yet, nor have I. LOL
ReplyDeleteI love this post and all the comments made me think about my workspace. It is in the basement of my house in Amsterdam and has no window. For good lighting I use daylight lightbulbs. They are more expensive than regular lightbulbs, but they don't give of the yellowish light of other lamps and they put less of a strain on your eyes. I love them! I had to get used to them at first, but now I couldn't live without them.
ReplyDeleteAs to desks I have two of the Ikea Galant desk series. One cornerdesk and one regular desk which I put on the same side against the wall as the long side of the corner desk. So I have 3,8 meter of workspace which includes my laptop. I have two swivel desk chairs which I find better for my posture.
I stack my sorting (handyman) boxes (like Lorelei color coordinated) on professional storage shelves: see pic on: http://www.overtoom.nl/aanbouwstelling-combi-clip_M301002.html?WT.ac=totem_bestseller_stelling I ordered extra shelves so there is room for about 4 boxes on top of eachother. I find however that with the stash of beads I have I do not have the overview I would like to have. Also I hate it when I have 8 sets of those boxes temporarily stacked on my desk (I am a double Virgo). So I would like to have something with drawers and color coordinate per drawer. It is more efficient when it comes to using space and it gives the best overview as you can open a lot of drawers simultaneously. There is a supplier always advertising in the beading magazines: http://www.storage4crafts.com/shopx/home.php?cat=95 Does anyone have experience with their systems as it is rather a big investment?
Overall my starting point is practicality and ergonomics before esthetics.
I organized my beads by color last summer and loved the results. It makes me happy to find things so quickly, but I also thought the process was a bit of a pain in the rear. Worth it in the long run, however. I like your studio. May I suggest a "sun light" lamp for your studio? I was given one, and it is the only lamp that shows true color in my experience. I am currently living and working at the South Pole where it is completely dark for four whole months -- we block our windows, and other than overhead flourescents, my sunlight lamp is the only thing I trust to show true colors of anything. The brand is Lights of America, and it is relatively small -- small enough to fit on my tiny desk.
ReplyDeleteI have been admiring your work for a few years now. You are an inspiration!
Hope you're enjoying summer in upstate.
Kelly
Oh My! I wish I could help, I'm really good at rearranging a room to maximize it's potential. (sorry, I sound like I'm bragging)
ReplyDeleteI love your studio tours and pictures!
hi lorelei,
ReplyDeletei am barbara hopkins,new to the beading community,but,not to organizing.first off,the set up in the pics,tell me no way it won't work.and, i love the way you seperated all of your beads,did that.but you will find that when they are all over a table like that sooner or later they hit the floor.trust me,i know.and,i have evrything in my bedroon,because i don't have a studio.i have a corner for all my things.so,one day i was on my computer,and i had an email from catalogs.com,so i was looking through them,ever heard of a store called "living better"? they have all these neat things to help you stay organized and efficient,however,very costly.
but,while looking,i got this idea,so i went to walmart.they sell these,sets,each one is a different piece,but you can build
whay you are looking for,without breaking the bank.they come in black and white for sure[not sure on other colors].i bought 5 different ones,under $100!so,let's see,one is similar to an armoire[only not that big],you open it,and depending on which size[2],
it may have 4to6 shelves,where i
put my beads stackers,similar to the ones on your table,[i labeled
the front using a lg. sticker. i then bought one that is a file cabinet,where i put all my papers.
i bought 2 of the ones,to me they remind me,of cubby holes,i have my books in one,ideas in one,etc.they are flat against the wall and they
don't stick out a great deal.i have my desk in front of them,so i just spin my chair around,and anything i need is there. as for you,you could even buy more of them,than i did,due to you have more room.evrything has it's place,and you could even leave an extra table to put your completed projects on.i hope this helps,i will never go without mine.i also want you to know i am a big fan,i do my beading for art therapy,due to being disabled.maybe,i will be able to save up,and buy some of your pieces,in the future,i love alot of them.
have a great day...hope i helped ya!
barbara hopkins at
nanniespiperdayle@yahoo.com
hi lorelei,
ReplyDeletei am barbara hopkins,new to the beading community,but,not to organizing.first off,the set up in the pics,tell me no way it won't work.and, i love the way you seperated all of your beads,did that.but you will find that when they are all over a table like that sooner or later they hit the floor.trust me,i know.and,i have evrything in my bedroon,because i don't have a studio.i have a corner for all my things.so,one day i was on my computer,and i had an email from catalogs.com,so i was looking through them,ever heard of a store called "living better"? they have all these neat things to help you stay organized and efficient,however,very costly.
but,while looking,i got this idea,so i went to walmart.they sell these,sets,each one is a different piece,but you can build
whay you are looking for,without breaking the bank.they come in black and white for sure[not sure on other colors].i bought 5 different ones,under $100!so,let's see,one is similar to an armoire[only not that big],you open it,and depending on which size[2],
it may have 4to6 shelves,where i
put my beads stackers,similar to the ones on your table,[i labeled
the front using a lg. sticker. i then bought one that is a file cabinet,where i put all my papers.
i bought 2 of the ones,to me they remind me,of cubby holes,i have my books in one,ideas in one,etc.they are flat against the wall and they
don't stick out a great deal.i have my desk in front of them,so i just spin my chair around,and anything i need is there. as for you,you could even buy more of them,than i did,due to you have more room.evrything has it's place,and you could even leave an extra table to put your completed projects on.i hope this helps,i will never go without mine.i also want you to know i am a big fan,i do my beading for art therapy,due to being disabled.maybe,i will be able to save up,and buy some of your pieces,in the future,i love alot of them.
have a great day...hope i helped ya!
barbara hopkins at
nanniespiperdayle@yahoo.com
hi lorelei,
ReplyDeletei am barbara hopkins,new to the beading community,but,not to organizing.first off,the set up in the pics,tell me no way it won't work.and, i love the way you seperated all of your beads,did that.but you will find that when they are all over a table like that sooner or later they hit the floor.trust me,i know.and,i have evrything in my bedroon,because i don't have a studio.i have a corner for all my things.so,one day i was on my computer,and i had an email from catalogs.com,so i was looking through them,ever heard of a store called "living better"? they have all these neat things to help you stay organized and efficient,however,very costly.
but,while looking,i got this idea,so i went to walmart.they sell these,sets,each one is a different piece,but you can build
whay you are looking for,without breaking the bank.they come in black and white for sure[not sure on other colors].i bought 5 different ones,under $100!so,let's see,one is similar to an armoire[only not that big],you open it,and depending on which size[2],
it may have 4to6 shelves,where i
put my beads stackers,similar to the ones on your table,[i labeled
the front using a lg. sticker. i then bought one that is a file cabinet,where i put all my papers.
i bought 2 of the ones,to me they remind me,of cubby holes,i have my books in one,ideas in one,etc.they are flat against the wall and they
don't stick out a great deal.i have my desk in front of them,so i just spin my chair around,and anything i need is there. as for you,you could even buy more of them,than i did,due to you have more room.evrything has it's place,and you could even leave an extra table to put your completed projects on.i hope this helps,i will never go without mine.i also want you to know i am a big fan,i do my beading for art therapy,due to being disabled.maybe,i will be able to save up,and buy some of your pieces,in the future,i love alot of them.
have a great day...hope i helped ya!
barbara hopkins at
nanniespiperdayle@yahoo.com
Lorelei,
ReplyDeleteDon't know if you have an overhead light in this room. I've taken the shade off my ceiling fixture, put in two compact florescents of the highest lumins I could find, and tacked aluminum pie pans directly above them on the ceiling. The pans are good reflectors. I also have 6 of the Ikea swing desk lamps around the room, with two at my main workstation. I also use daylight bulbs (which you can find in compact florescent to reduce heat and energy use).
One of the greatest ideas is using the door for finished jewelry! That was a good one!
ReplyDeleteSue
Hi Lorelei, I know what you're going through, I can't tell you how many times I've reorganized my studio, not to mention relocated it in our latest house. I have three tables that I work at and it's still not enough. But for starters I'll tell you what I do with the dilemmas you have right now.
ReplyDeleteThe Bead storage, I have a five shelf bookcase that sits behind me and I just twirl around and pull out my bead boxes (but it has more shelves, see below). On the end of each one I have written with a Sharpie what colors are in there. I also have them grouped by findings and chain, gold, silver, bronze, copper, that way when I want a specific metal it's easy to find. Other findings that are not as numerous I have stacked in one of those craft modules you can get at many craft and art shops. I have the three drawer one with the sections taken out. In them I can fit many stacked egg cartons. These are the clear plastic kind that can be sanitized easily and clear to see what you have.
As far as finished projects? For inspiration and decoration I have taken what they call finishing nails or paneling nails and painted them to match my walls , Then I nail them in, they can't be seen and I use one for a bracelet, two close together for earrings and two further apart to hang a necklace so it sits like on a person. You can also take and use for your very special pieces here and there empty frames and hang them around the piece. It gives you inspiration, and artwork at the same time!
Lighting, never can have enough. I have two ott light portables at my bead and metal working table. These can be moved where I need them, I even use them for photography when the weathers not cooperating. On my clay table I have a wall mounted swing away light that saves table space and can be moved where I need it, this has a three way bulb in it. I also have a a swing arm magnifier light and these both give me what I need in that space. You can also buy just the bulbs and screw them into any lamp you have. I wait until Joanne's offers the 50% off Ott stuff or a 50% coupon off on one thing and use it for the bulbs as they are pricey.
More to follow it wouldn't let me write a book here!
Kate
For more space on my beading table which is 52x52 Square, I designed more space by going up. When we are creating we like to have as much at our fingertips as possible. This is real simple and can be made to fit any table. I figured out what I wanted and had hubby build it for me but it really isn't that hard. We bought three shelve widths of MDF. Cut to fit the length of the table minus 4". The boards are about 11" wide so he cut 'feet' that were 5" x 11". To this was screwed an upright piece about 20" high and I have two shelves on this. He used metal braces to give it more stability. it's great, I have my beading books and magazines on there, and stacked of drawers with various projects in it and an old plastic desk organizer for files and incoming and outgoing mail and such, that each have an old frame with the glass in them. I use these to store certain projects while I work on them, keeping all the components with them in recycled jar lids. One of the pieces left over I use for a movable workbench. On it I have my little vise (my bigger one is screwed to the table next to me) and it holds my hammers and other wire working things. When I am needing to use it I slide it out from under the shelf and then when done, slide it out of the way and have my beading space. Other ways to use the left over pieces or buy more MDF is to make more shelves for the unit behind me. It is one of those 39$ five shelf put together yourself ones, but you can buy separatly the pegs that fit in the holes that make them adjustable and then cut more shelves from the MDF (medium density fiberboard). this way I have many shelves on there, some only two inches apart, but enough that it allows me to slip in and out trays I pick up at yard sales which have many bead stands and projects on them.
ReplyDeleteOne other thing I use to organize, those plastic video boxes. They can be used for many componants, labeled on the sides and stacked like books on your shelves. I also have a couple of printers boxes, I keep them on a small shelve just under one of my windows and slide it in and out when I need it. I use some semi clear placemats on the top of them to keep them dust free.
Oh, and glass jars from jelly and such, are great to store glass beads in. Store them on your window sills to they make a beautiful art glass look and you can see what you need without searching through boxes.
Hope that helps a little bit! Have fun getting organized!
I am so envious of all your art beads. I am just now getting into them and there are some that are totally gorgeous!
ReplyDelete