Friday, June 18, 2010

Where Bloggers Create II Blog Party - A scrappy Organizer

My scrapbook "studio" is really just a small part of my overall studio which I shared on my mixed media blog
If you want to see it, it is also a part of the Where Bloggers Create Blog Party.

But I did want to share this easy to make paper storage rack.
You've probably seen these online here and there made by others but mine has a unique twist that makes it a multi-purpose organizer.
No doubt you have seen these wire storage racks before and may have bought them thinking there were about perfect, but the truth is they don't hold much and are very prone to breaking. The little plastic corner connectors are the problem. Once those break you are left with a bunch of useless flat wire mesh squares.
Instead of throwing them out or instead of using those worthless plastic connectors in the first place, reconfigure those wire panels into a completely different creature.
For my scrapbook paper organizer I used 11 wire panels. 
2 for the back, 2 for the left side, 2 for the right, 1 on top, 1 in the center and 1 on the bottom. Then another 2 as shelves for the bottom cube. Go to any hardware store and purchase heavy duty zip ties. Use the zip ties to construct your own shelves in any way you want them. They don't have to be stacked on top of each other you can make the same thing with a side by side version for a more horizontal space.
My top cube was left open so that I could hang clear stamps and rub-ons in it.
Instead of buying those pricey hooks that go on those metal ring organizers (yeah you know the ones)
I went to Wal-Mart and bought some I.D. badge clips. They snap easily onto the wire in the panels and you can clip up lots of packages in one clip.
See them hanging up top? Now I can see what all I have and can use it up instead of it being lost to the piles.
You can even clip things to the outside of your wire organizer. Oh yeah, I love Tattered Angels!
This is my Paper Crafts Magazine Stamping Royalty crown I won from 2007, proudly displayed on my vintage mohair hat.
This is my scrappy tote that I take to crops, it holds pages in progress as well as a few other things I want to keep track of.

Anyway hope some of this info is helpful, hope you have a great week!

54 comments:

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I swear, I thought I was the ONLY person who used those badge clips instead of the pricey ones from the high price name brand guy. I had a couple of friends tell me they wouldn't work as well, but I know better and now I have proof that I am not alone. Thanks for being a real inspiration and for the wonderful tip.

Janet said...

Thanks for sharing all these good tips. I'll be trying them out.

Lisa @ Perfectly Peculiar said...

Very nice! I'm going to take a look at the other blog, too!

Brynwood Needleworks said...

Wonderful idea! Thanks for sharing.
xoxo
Donna

Pam @ Frippery said...

Brilliant idea! Thanks for sharing.

Queen of Dreams said...

I love your idea...never would have thought of that myself!

Thanks!

Tina

Geralyn Gray said...

A very great way to organize your papers and supplies all in one place....nice tip!!!!

Sandy said...

Oh my goodness, this is a brilliant organizing tip, I especially love the badge clip tip and I think I have a use for it. Thank you so much for sharing your out of the box idea!

Lori said...

What a great idea! I use the cubes for my paper storage and you're right--it's those blasted plastic corner attachments! Thanks for the tips and inspiration.

vanny said...

hi
thanks so much for sharing some of your tips that help keep you organized as you create. I love how you describe that when you use the bag clips there is no more sifting. Excellent ideas--thanks and enjoy the party weekend!

vanessa
http://www.madstitches.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing about reconfiguring the shelves! I've used those for years and while I like them because air circulates freely - they are only fine as long as you don't touch them. And woe be to you if you try to move them LOLOLOL Very organized creative space! Love it.

Karen Valentine said...

Hi Thespa! Thanks for sharing this great idea. I think we all need great storage ideas! Thank you so much for participating in this years party. You've helped to make it a great success!
Karen
My Desert Cottage

Candi said...

Thanks for sharing the tips, they're some really good ones. I always have trouble with "small" items in baggies, now I know what to do. Happy Blogging, Candi

Uncanny Festoon said...

Thanks for sharing....great idea



Joy......always

Connie Eyberg Originals said...

Nice way to salvage something that wasn't working! It appears it would be much easier to find what you are looking for now also. Connie

craftyles said...

GreAT tips. Thanks for showing us!

Pellie / Penny said...

We tried those shelves and you are correct those corner pieces break so easy. My hubby also decided to go with the plastic ties.
We even took some of the extra shelves and by using wire holder and the plastic ties he was able to install them in the rafter of our basement for extra storage. and that worked out great,
Hope you have a great weekend.
Please stop by and visit my space.
http://palaverfrompellieghengiskhat.blogspot.com/
Hugs,
Penny

Petunia said...

What a brilliant idea! Love it. Thanks!

Creative Grammie said...

You have great organizing tips, thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

What a great idea to use the badge clips. Very innovative. Thank you for sharing your space.

Melly said...

wow so many great ideas, thank you so much for sharing them.
I hope you have a lovely weekend!
Melly:)

Gail said...

Great use of the wire rack, and I really like the idea of the badge clips, cleaver. I know about all those scrapbooking things in piles. LOL. I will keep those little organizational clips in mind. Ok, now to go see your other space.
Hugs
Gail

Cindy said...

Very clever to rethink that piece like that! Cool! Looks like a great place to work and I especially LOVE your Vintage Queen Crown! Gorgeous!

-c
http://yappingcatstudio.typepad.com/

Vicki Boster said...

You are a master at storage solutions! Thanks for your ideas!

Vicki

Unknown said...

Great tips. I really enjoyed all the pictures.

Hugs,
Janet
Janets Creative Pillows

Decor To Adore said...

What an amazing space you have created! It inspires me to add to my own crafting area.

I adore all of your storage solutions.

Karen Burns said...

Just wonderful!!!!

Char said...

I think everyone could use those for storage. What a perfect idea. I am off to read more, and want to thankyou so much for sharing some wonderful thoughts, Char

Julie Marie said...

What a great organizer and wonderful idea... thanks for sharing! xoxo Julie Marie

Julie Ranae said...

Great piece of inspiration to share with us all! Well done : )

Stephanie Suzanne Designs said...

How clever is that organizer! Thanks for the great tips..

I would love for you to visit with me and stroll through my studio..it's been a labor of love to put together and now after a year in our home putting everything together as it should be I feel like I can "spread my wings" and fly!

Have a wonderful day,
Stephanie ♥

Fleur de Bee said...

Loving the ID badge clips! Very clever idea. Thanks for sharing!

pixiegypsy said...

Great idea!!! I love that vintage locker bin look. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I really enjoyed yours.
Jane

Anonymous said...

Great storage! x

Just Me said...

Great idea! Thanks for sharing. Please stop by for a visit!

Live Creatively, Patti

Amy A said...

Oh thanks for the great idea!

Stop by my blog, I'm having a giveaway :)

Tins and Treasures said...

Your patterns and magazines look so organized! Thanks for sharing your creative space. Have a terrific Tuesday ~Natalie

Something Special said...

Love that Idea for story scrap supplies.

1CardCreator said...

Thanks for the tips! ~Diane

Jenny in Maine said...

Great tips!! Thanks for sharing!!

If you have a few minutes I hope you'll stop by and visit my studio.

www.ThisEverydayLife.com

Charlene said...

I LOVE the way you did the wire rack! And how very clever using the hooks & clips. Stuff does get lost & then I end up buying it all over again. I can't tell you how many times I find something (usually paper) & think "I must have liked this... I bought it 2 or 3 times". Sorry I was late in starting my visits but, we had to keep the GRANDS over the weekend. And thank you for sharing your studio. Hope you will come by to visit me too. Charlene

Unknown said...

Just running a little behind on my visiting. (HAHA) Love your space and your idea for storage is wonderful. Thanks for the inspiration.

Daphne Nicole & Lynda Cade said...

What a great ideal, thanks so much for sharing!!! I wanted to thank you for visiting our little studio, and for your sweet comments... hope you will visit again! Blessings~~~Daphne

Tricia said...

What a GREAT idea - yes, I have one of those sets in my basement and it is missing a few things. I am definitely heading to Walmart for the clips. I am so happy to have learned this tip. Thank you! And thanks for sharing a bit of your space with us.
Blessings,
Tricia

Rustique Gal said...

Wow, thanks for sharing your storage tips. These are great ideas-I never tried that grid unit, cause it looked wobbly from the start, but you have come up with the perfect solution. And hanging those packets is a great idea too. I have baskets of them and never can find what I want. Going to follow you as soon as blogger lets me in! Sherry

cindy-stitches-n-stuff.blogspot.com said...

Thank you for you wondeful ideas. I love you had with the jewel.

comevisit
cindy@stitches

jen said...

What a great space! I love zip ties! you are so creative.
luvs and glitter
~jen

p.s. i'm having a giveaway if you would like to stop by, but no pressure really just thought I'd let you know, there is vintage wallpaper and antique buttons involved:)

Kirsty Vittetoe said...

Thanks for sharing your crafting space, I love your tote!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Great storage ideas! I'm always looking for inspiration for myself and sometimes for clients spaces.

Unknown said...

You have a great space! :)

~Liz

Lisa said...

Awesome space! I love being organized! Great to see your space!
Hugs, Lisa

Beverly said...

I love what you have done with your racks. It is so much easier to find things that are hanging rather than stacked.

Thanks for sharing.

Cat Stegall said...

wonderful creative space and love your crown!I am a huge fan of graphic 45 and was excited to see the new papers!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this post. It could not have come at a better time as mine just started to break apart. I love the space that it gives me for my albums and my baskets though. I am also a scrapbooker but now call myself a papercrafter mostly because if its paper and its a craft, I'm on it! I may be a crafter of 10 years but new to the blog world (2 wks!) I get my inspirtaion from other bloggers who share in the same passions that I do. I want to thank you for the inspiration that you have given me this morning~ Sherry F.

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