We're Crafty!

My fellow organizing blogger Laura, aka the Organizing Junkie, is rounding-up craft organization ideas this month.  When she asked me to jump on board with some of my own ideas, I decided it was a great chance to share with you my own kids’ craft storage area. (After all, my Procrastination Challenge participants have been so generous when it comes to sharing their home projects, it’s the least I can do to show you some of mine.)

My two daughters and I enjoy crafting. My passion is mostly scrapbooking, but  Moody Judy (11) and Blue-Eyed-Jane (8) have varied interests, including painting, scrapbooking, clay, yarn, etc., etc., etc.  So as a result, I have craft supplies and my kids have craft supplies.  To keep the family crafting peace, the rule is:  Never the twain shall meet!

Okay, maybe it’s more about me protecting my “stuff,” but another way to look at it is, it gives them some accountability in both keeping track of and taking care of their own supplies.

We’re blessed to have enough kitchen cabinet space that I can devote one entire bottom cabinet for the girls.  However, even when we lived in a small town house and Moody Judy was only two, I was sure to keep a lower cabinet in the kitchen just for her.  I think kids take better care of cleaning up and keeping organized when they have a space, no matter how big or small, that they can call their own.

      

In our case, we split the cabinet down the middle in terms of what goes where.  The bottom shelf on the left side holds an organizer for Moody’s school supplies (writing paper, craft paper, school tools). She keeps her "How to Draw _____" books and her stamping supplies on her side, too.   Blue-Eyed Jane has a similar system on the right which includes crayons and "How To Be a Princess" craft books.  On the top shelf, each girl has a labeled bin with their own specific crafting projects and supplies. The two labeled bins in the middle hold “community” supplies.

This system has worked great since we moved into our home three years ago.  Some of the craft supplies have changed over the years, but with everything restricted to containers, they know they can’t get any new supplies until they use up their current supplies and have enough room in their bins (the old “one in, one out” rule).

So how do you organize YOUR crafting gear? Check out I’m an Organizing Junkie for some more great crafting ideas and inspiration.

Simply yours,

Comments

[Beth @ Blissful Blunders]

I am so jealous!

I love the containers! I want all of my cabinets and shelving to look that orderly!!!

[Wendy Cross]

Hi Debbie. I don't do much crafting anymore but I do still do beading. I keep my beads in those little plastic containers with the dividers. Then I keep all these little containers in one of those 4-drawer Sterilite drawer sets on rollers. I can roll it right up to the table when I'm ready to craft. And, best of all, the big bottom drawer holds my Ott Lite!

[Marcia]

I do love those colorful basket containers. :)

I was fortunate to add my craft room to the round up AND your procrastination! :) :)

[Laura]

Love, love, love the colorful bins!! Great system :)

[Debbie Jordan Kravitz]

Thanks, ladies! The bins came from Lowes a few years ago, not sure if they still carry that pattern. I thought it was a fun pattern for the kids, and the green and red go with my kitchen (sounds like I live in Christmas Land, but it's really not!)

I admire your patience to work with beads, Wendy. I've tried in the past, but the fine detail work was more frustrating for me than relaxing. Love those carts on wheels, though. Gives you many more options for where to work on your creations.

[Marcia Francois, Organising Queen]

Debbie, seeing that picture makes me do the happy dance.

I do some beading around Christmas (with BIG beads) - have a look here http://marciasbookmarks.blogspot.com but that's the extent of my "creativity" :)

[Debbie Jordan Kravitz]

VERY pretty, Marcia! I especially liked the purple ones. Great idea for stocking stuffers for the upcoming holiday season.

[Ginny]

That looks great, love it!

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