| For today's column, we're going to talk about storage | | | | Other storage possibilities exist with having customized |
| options for our scrapbook, paper and beading supplies. | | | | built-ins installed. If you're fortunate enough to have |
| If you're a regular reader of mine, you know I'm always | | | | these, I envy you! The pros and cons of these are |
| saying, "Go vertical!" And it doesn't matter if we're | | | | simple. The pros are that you have a professional, |
| talking about a craft room, kitchen, bedroom or garage; | | | | completely customizable storage system and work |
| to maximize space you must go vertical. | | | | area. The cons are that they are expensive, are not |
| I love the upright towers for storing scrapbook sheets | | | | portable (they become a permanent fixture in your |
| and stamp pads. If you purchase the plastic variety, | | | | home), and there's usually a lead-time of 6-8 weeks |
| there are pros and cons to them. On the plus side, | | | | between ordering and installation. Here in Arizona, I |
| they're inexpensive and the drawers are usually clear, | | | | work exclusively with Classy Closets ( and my clients |
| enabling you to see their contents. On the downside, | | | | have been very pleased with the results! Their closets |
| the drawers are flimsy when partially pulled out. Your | | | | are made from 3/4" thermofused melamine, which is a |
| other option is to reuse an old upright wooden chest of | | | | durable, furniture-grade material. They also use |
| drawers. You may already have something like this | | | | concealed Euro-hinges and hardware (which I love!). |
| tucked away in your garage or basement--go check it | | | | The drawers pull out smoothly, and there's the option |
| out now! (well, not right at this exact moment) | | | | of installing full-extension glides (how many times have |
| Anyway, I'll give you an example. The winner of my | | | | we pulled out drawers and been unable to reach |
| 2005 Messiest Sewing Room ContestTM also loves | | | | everything in the back of the drawer--very frustrating). |
| to scrapbook and make her own greeting cards. She | | | | The grand prize for the Messiest Sewing Room |
| had long ago purchased a couple of ugly (but sturdy) | | | | ContestTM is highly-efficient storage and work area, |
| narrow wooden chest of drawers at a yard sale and | | | | custom-designed and installed by Classy Closets! The |
| was using them to store her hundreds of stamp pads. | | | | 2006 winner has not yet been announced, so keep an |
| All I did was to have these chests painted, install new | | | | eye out for my future columns or check out my |
| drawer knobs, and use my handy label maker to label | | | | website. |
| the drawers. These towers looked brand new, and | | | | Now, let's quickly talk about beading. Coincidentally, I |
| were much more sturdy than the plastic variety. | | | | attended a class yesterday on how to use your |
| Speaking of scrapbook paper, I prefer to store them | | | | sewing machine to sew beads on garments or quilts. I |
| flat instead of vertically in a hanging file. Did I actually | | | | was a bit skeptical, because I envisioned glass beads |
| say, "Don't go vertical when storing paper???" In this | | | | shattering if punctured incorrectly with the needle. |
| instance, yes! Here's the scoop: Paper bows when | | | | While that can happen if you aren't careful, I learned a |
| supported on the bottom and standing vertically (those | | | | great technique that is much quicker than hand sewing. |
| of us who are former secretaries are nodding our | | | | All that aside, let's talk bead storage. I have found that |
| head emphatically). If you're able to stand your paper | | | | the easiest way to store beads is in small, stackable |
| vertically and have it compressed on both sides, then | | | | containers that screw together. You then have a long, |
| you're fine. Now, when I do store them horizontally, I | | | | sectioned tube that is portable to classes. I don't label |
| don't want them in a big stack. If you've got different | | | | the containers--I find it's easier to see at a glance what |
| types of paper in a stack an inch thick or more, of | | | | I actually have than to try and create a short labeled |
| course you're going to want a sheet towards the | | | | description. |
| bottom! Use a narrow drawer or slot instead. The | | | | Well, I'm on my way to the second day of class |
| great thing is that our storage options continue to | | | | learning to bead with the sewing machine, so I'll close |
| multiply. If you haven't checked out your local | | | | by asking to keep the suggestions coming for future |
| scrapbook supply store lately, stop in soon! | | | | columns. |