Organization is something that gets mentioned frequently when people visit my studio. Perhaps it is the abundance of matching 11 gallon bins, or 18 quart bins, or shoebox sized bins each with it’s own label? Searching for supplies when I really want to be creating is frustrating and kills the inspiration!
My goal is to segregate each type of supply to it’s own bin and group bins by task or category.
Calligraphy supplies and an area to work, Everything together where it is used.
Designated areas house supplies and have space for a specific task. Calligraphy supplies for instance are on a table with additional space to practice calligraphy.
Ironing happens at a specially topped station where all the related equipment and supplies are located as well as anything that is frequently used with an iron; starch, school glue, freezer paper, fusible interfacing, etc. Things are stored close to where they are used for easy access.
Shoebox bins fit together nicely on shelving. A label on each end means they just go back on the shelf, no need to look for the labeled end!
Shoe box sized bins hold small amounts of things like cording, paint sticks, unfinished class projects, silk embroidery floss in one, wool embroidery floss in another.
18 quart boxes hold things that with a greater quantity like spray inks, paints, lino cut stamps, etc.. Large bins, 11 gallons each, hold any thing there is enough of to fill a bin of it’s own bin; class kits, upholstery fabric, sheer fabrics, tulle, batting scraps, quilted samples, hand dyed fabrics, unquilted patchwork tops, etc. All of these three sizes of bins were bought in quantities to fill the existing shelves.
There is some specialized storage like 16 acrylic shoe drawers (from the Container Store) that hold my collection of Isacord Polyester Embroidery Thread. The cones are grouped by colour; yellow, yellow-orange, orange, red-orange, etc. It is easy to pull out one drawer and search for the exact colour I want.
Men’s Acrylic Shoe Drawers from the Container Store hold thread for the longarm. Sorted by colour it is easy to find that is needed.
The other reason for all the bins to match is they fit more efficiently together on shelves. Adhesives and tape are all in a cute acrylic box with hinged lid and a handle. It is always getting lost! because it does not easily fit with the other bins. It is getting relocated to a new 18 quart bin!
Because this box is the only one like it gets misplaced easily!
Let me know how you organize or what you intend to do now!
Storing finished quilts requires an odd sized space. Here a design wall on one side and bungee cords on the other keep rolled quilts on shelving and allow access from the end.