Time to Organize!

I said I would start off with a quick overview of what I've already done, but I lied. Instead I'm going to do what I've needed to do for awhile: organize! I think I'll make this a process blog. I'm going to start from the beginning to hopefully find a successful way to create a successful Etsy shop. Let's get going!

First I just have to point out that March is National Crafting Month as well as the month of my birth. Hurrah!

Anyway, let's start with the before pictures. I love to organized, but I never really create a system that will help me stay organized. It's usually out the window within a couple days...

Since my entire living space is one room (on-campus residence is required at my school) this is the entirety of my craft room. As you can see it runs right into my food storage area, which means the desk often gets used as a counter. In fact, it did that just this morning (recipe here: yum!) Clearly there is absolutely no space for crafting here. Yikes!

The hutch is attempting to be organized (note the box marked "papers"). It's failing pretty miserably.

The drawers are pretty sad too...

And my felt stays in a thing under the desk. If anyone has found a good way to organize felt please let me know!

Time to organize. Luckily, while talking to my grandma on Thanksgiving I recalled that she (like me) is a keeper of random things. She is also an occasional drinker of fancy coffees that come in little rectangular tins. She, of course, had several and I gobbled them up!

Step 1: Acquire small containers that fit your materials. Make sure your containers aren't stuffed full so you can add to them later. You could potentially leave your containers as they are, but I pulled out my hot glue gun (new best friend) and construction paper and made cute little labels.

Step 2: Decide what materials you need storage space for and label your containers appropriately. I made tins for hot glue sticks, clothes pins, google eyes, etc. Then put those materials in their proper containers.

Step 3: Set your nice new containers aside. It's time to start clearing the junk off of your space. I like to take everything off before trying to organize it. Once my entire desk was clean I started lining up my labeled containers. Then I added the junk I cleared off, creating new containers as needed.

Step 4: THROW THINGS AWAY!!! I am horrible at this, but it is key! 'But what if I need that 1/2'' strip of blue construction paper?' Unless it's the last scrap of blue construction paper you have it's probably best to toss it in the recycle bin.

Step 5: If you need to, run to the store and get a couple organizational things. I have a paper stacking thing that I love (it's in the picture later). Once you've put most of your things away you'll know what else you need. Tidy as needed and you should be done!

After a couple hours of work I had a lovely new desk!

Labeled tins

Paper stacker

Big coffee cans for bigger things

Nice clean desktop. The coffee can here is an inspiration from Amy Sedaris. Poke a hole in the top and pop your yarn inside. Instant dispenser!

I already had that finished work container (empty kleenex box covered with construction paper), but I find that a lot of my clutter comes from the projects I haven't finished, but still want to work on. Hence, the unfinished work box.

I had quite a bit of room behind my labeled tins, so I put a few things behind them. I made sure to put labels on the wall behind them so I can remember they're there.

Not a ton of change here. Just a little straightening.

I had a few things in bags that needed a place. I've learned I can't have my tackle boxes of thread out without making a mess of them. Learn from yourself folks!

Lesser used things go in the bottom.

Use hooks or pins so your wall space isn't wasted! If you're in a dorm like me you'll have to skimp on that a bit.

In the end I couldn't find a place for my silk screens, but they'll just have to go to the closet. They're not something I use frequently at my desk anyway. I also couldn't find a place for the felt. It's still under the desk, but I put the lid on the container!

So let's recap and look at a little inspiration (I wish these were mine, but they aren't):

1. Get containers. Be creative! You can use almost any container for organization. Shoe holders and blank CD containers? Brilliant!

2. Throw things away!!! Better yet, recycle!

(this is almost too organized for me!)

3. Know yourself. Figure out what you do that ruins your organization and do something to help you change that!

4. You can be creative while organizing too! Have fun and make it pretty. If it looks nice you'll want to show it off.

Thanks for reading and good luck organizing!

Alie

Please feel free to share your tips for organizing your crafting space in the comments section!