Help! and blog candy!

I hope you are having a wonderful Easter weekend!  Today is fairly low key and Cole is having a WONDERFUL nap so I'm taking some time to "revamp" my craft room.  Adam has actually asked me if I'd like something done with my room (gasp!)  A few years back we were given a bunch of dresser units that have done a wonderful job for me.  However, with the weight of the stamps and punches some of my drawers are a little bit "sticky".  SO, Adam suggested I redo my room!!!  How fun is that?  Now the shocker is I've agreed BUT I want to do it on a budget.  He has offered cupboards and a counter, but I'm the only one (with my kids) that crafts in this room.  So, I've decided to keep my costs down and look into storage options!

So, that's where you come into play!  I've got some questions and some blog candy!  ANYONE (demonstrator, new stamper, old stamper....anyone with ideas!) can respond to these questions.  If you respond (even more than once!) you'll be entered to win some blog candy that will be a clear stamp set (TBA) and five cards made by moi:)  Hope that entices you....or if you just feel like commenting, that's great too!!!

1.  How do you store your punches (NEW style of the Stampin' Up! punches....oh how I wish the punch shelves were available:)

2.  How do you store your clear stamps?

3.  How do you store your wood stamps?

4.  How do you store your Big Shot Dies?

5.  Do you have any tips or tricks on ANY paper crafting supplies you'd like to pass one?  I'd LOVE LOVE LOVE to hear them!!!

Can't wait to read your comments and then show you my "new" room or ideas I think may work for me:)

Have a wonderful afternoon!

Heather

Comments

[Nendy Kerr]

Some photo boxes are big enough to hold the clear stamp containers with the side label facing up. I found some $5 ones at Target (US) that work great.

[Aspen Peggs]

Hi Heather!

My favorite thing to store my cardstock is some wire shelving units that I order from a company in Winnipeg. I have a slot for each of SU's colors and I keep a file folder inside with my scraps. Then I always can see what I have for scraps and don't cut into whole pieces when I don't need too!

[Dawn Marie Donohue]

I'll have to look at the these ideas better for my craft space! I'll be honest, my space is a bit of a mess...but I still like my hanging folders for my CS and the DVD shelf unit for my stamps. I use rolling carts as well for "pieces" and embellishments. I love my ink caddy! I have a stand for my embossing gun so it is readily available and stays safe! Have fun!

[Deanna Maertz]

Hi Heather,
Hope you enjoy your new storage solutions. The best thing I have done for storage is to convert all my wood stamps to cling mounted. I bought cushion sheets on eBay, then I stamp the image on the cling side with staz-on, cut them out and adhere to the wood mount stamps I peeled off the wood blocks. My storage space went from about 5 drawers to 3 binders!

[Chriss]

I forgot about this desk for all those little things...
http://theoriginalscrapbox.com/catalog/ezview
And this desk if I'm really stuck for space (which when we mlve I hope isn't an issue) but just in case, it's my backup idea
http://theoriginalscrapbox.com/catalog/thecraftbox/thecraftboxblackbeadboard

[Chriss]

So jealous....I don't have anywhere to call my crafting spot....but I have lovely ideas of what I would want, and top of my list is this punch holder http://www.stampinthings.com/punch_organizer.html
They have other great storage ideas, but I really liked the punch holder. Good luck and hopefully one day I will have a space all to myself!

[De Williamson]

Here's a link to my blog and my punch storage rack...I LOVE it.http://theplainscrafter.blogspot.com/2011/01/punch-storage.html

[Sundee]

For the buttons, beads, glitter containers, I have a metal " bulletin board" and I hot glue a magnet from the dollar store to the bottom when I get them in and just stick them on the board.

For every thing else ikea is your friend. I have zero space. Literally just a wall about six feet long. The whole length is a counter style desk. The wall has three shelves the whole length. And I use the storage boxes from ikea for wood and clear stamps. A utensil rail from the kitchen supplies mounted under the last shelf for ribbon also have puck lights under there and six of their drawer units. Some of these are used to make the "legs" if the desk. All un the desk shelving rail and boxes are around 1200 plus tax.

[Sabriena Satchwell]

1. How do you store your punches
- Old and new punches are stored on Ikea's towel racks = http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/50072645(New punches are just left 'popped' open)

2. How do you store your clear stamps?
- I have a large bookshelf with all my clear stamps stored on the bottom 3 shelves in alphabetical order

3. How do you store your wood stamps?
- On that same bookshelf the top shelves are all my wood mount stamps stored on their side with the 'open tabs' on the top again in alphabetical order

4. How do you store your Big Shot Dies?
-My Huge dies are stored on my window sill and my smaller dies are stored in a 3 drawer rubbermaid rolling cart which fits right underneath my desk.

Hope that helps!

[HB]

I actually use a box-compartment wine rack to store my clear mount and wood mount stamps in alphabetical order.

[Becky]

A friend of a friend has this great studio with lots of ideas:
http://starrmercer.blogspot.com/2011/01/201117.html

I have this desk from Ikea that I love for the counter space and storage. I have a drawer cabinet on each end though.
http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/S79885498

The clear mount cases fit wonderfully in the larger bottom three drawers. Can fit 38 cases in each drawer.

The wood mount stamp sets fit into the drawers too but are all stacked up so it isn't the best method of storage for these if you want to be able to do a quick glance to check over the inventory.

Can't wait to see your before and after! Good luck.

[Jeannie Kilgour]

Heather you strike me as a well organized woman so your workspace must be organized already (considering how prolific a stamper you are). That being said I'm sure you are super excited to revamp your space. I, like many others, look forward to seeing your finished work space.
I have a couple of different suggestions for storage. When I began stamping I started storing my ribbon in those large clear family sized plastic lettuce containers with lids....you can store a lot of ribbon, you can quickly see it and the containers stack well on open shelving.

I also have a set of (12 drawers) map drawers in oak that my DH bought for me for storing wooden stamp sets and all those individual stamps I bought from Michaels prior to becoming a demo. The ribbon containers are stacked on it..very colourful
I store my old and new punches on an old metal stepped gum/candy rack that sits atop my map drawers.
All my stamp sets and DSP are stored on double-sided wooden shelves on wheels (that were rescued from a local school) They take up tons of room but my 'studio' which I call my rec room is an old store front so I have a lot of space.
I store regular CS in a filing cabinet in their family and all scraps are stored in file folders by family in a portable 'lided' box.
Thanx for all the sharing you do. You have so many people who love your ideas.

[Monika Davis]

Hi Heather,

How exciting that your doing a make over of your room! And especially that your husband suggested it!
Here are my thoughts on your questions:
1. punches - I have my new style punches in a craft punch hanger that I found several years ago - it is bolted to the wall and has pockets - the largest size fit in one large pocket, the corner and borders fit together in one large pocket, two mediums fit in the smaller pockets and four of the little ones. I have bars for the old style and I think if you didn't lock them the new style would probably sit on those too.

2/3. stamps? my current stamps including hostess and mini are in canvas bins on a shelf that has 8 sections - one for each bin. I have the wood stamp sets on end with the labels at the end so I can see. These are stacked front to back in one row and the clear ones and small wood sets are on the side to fill up the bin - you pull it out like a drawer and I just read the labels and pull the one I want. I sorted them by them - sort of like the catalog. One more thing my big background stamps are on shelves on my wall - like decoration and easy to see.

4. Big Shot Dies? I have a shelf with all my dies - the original and BIGZ are in the old clear storage boxes we used to sell (no lids on it) standing on end. The XL dies are beside them - they are about the length of my shelf. Although I'm almost out of room. I just put embossing folders in a clear stamp case - 4 to a case with the pictures on each side.

5. tips or tricks - I have all the little embellishments - pearls, paper daises, etc. in the clear stamp cases - these are working great for storage. My 12x12 card stock is in 12x12 drawers on shelves in a closet next to my craft room. 8-1/2 x 11 is in a file cabinet in my craft room. i have everything else sorted by item in buckets on shelves. I need to do some cleanup and re-ogranization of my stuff.
I also want to apply to Shelli's makeover contest - are you going to do that?
Have fun with your remodel project!
I have a few pictures on my blog but need to add some more.
Monika Davis

[debbie essay]

Heather,,,,, love your blog!
well as for storage.....I like everything not to be seen, so most of my stamps are in a hutch type shelving unit, punches and dies are in drawers, paper in you guessed it drawer type unit. That way I don't have to confess how much stamp supplies I really own. LOL

[Lesley]

Hi Heather
Re Storage
Wheels I bought the containers from Stampin Up great for both sizes. I have extra as I misjudged how many I needed. If you would like to try them I have two large and one regular container available.
Punches I have my punches in three deep plastic drawers.
DSP and clear stamps
I find had having a book shelf woth these items on it works well. I am still trying to find what works best for the wooden stamp sets I have.
Ribbon
I have the Stampun Up ribbon holders for the medium size and am planning to order the large and small. So far this is a great tool as I can keep like colours together.
Big Shot
I bought the large and med boxes for the Big Shot accessories and put them on the book shelf too but then I needed soem more filing space so just bought the inserts and this works so well as I can see what they are without taking off the top of the box each time.
Lesley

[lori s.]

HI, I store my clear stamps in a 3 inch binder, i stamp every image on paper and laminate that, then "cling" the stamps on the back of the laminated paper and slide them in to a sheet protector and keep them in a binder, on a shelf and then i open up binder and flip threw it. I also unmounted the wooden stamps and store them the same way.

[Peg Ireland]

1. I keep my punches in the basket stand from the Container Store. Love it as it is very sturdy.,
2. Ribbon--SU containers but just not right for me--I need so see how someone organizes them
3. Big Shot Dies and Clear Stamps--white wooden shelves from Target-I believe there are 12 or 16 holes and the dies and clear stamps work perfect in them
4. Wood stamps-have them stacked in a big wooden enclosed cupboard-would like to remove it as takes up a lot of space but easy to find your stamps.
5. Card stock--I have the nice white racks that I bought from a gal that was changing her room--Love them!!

[Chris Collard]

Hi Heather:

You are welcome to stop by and see what a great arrangement I have in my "studio". As we have 9 ft. ceilings, I purchasing a complete shelving combo from Solutions (by Maisonville Mall). There is one long top rail that is really well anchored into the wall and from that hang the long pieces which hold the shelf brackets. You can get as many shelves as you want and they come in various colours, widths and depths. I have about 15 shelves mounted at different widths and heights along the 8 ft width of wall. I did it this way as opposed to storage units so that I could store my file cabinets with 8 1/2 x 11 in the drawers under the unit. I have 3 other rolling cabinets with drawers under the shelves that hold all my ribbons, tools, embossing powders, etc, etc. I hang all my punches on the black kitchen racks from Ikea(I have 5 mounted beside my work space). I love the Solutions storage wall where I store everything from Big shot Dies, wood stamps sets and all my clear stamp sets, plus much more. It was all very reasonable, too. I have an amazing set up for well under $1,000. I'd love for you to stop by one day with your little boys if you have time while the others are in school.

[Amy Cook]

Hi Heather...I don't have my own room...but I do have my own closet..LOL..but I'm currently planning my corner of our basement reno with cabinets. I will have some open bookshelf cabinets for display too. Here are my plans so far:
Wood sets: very shallow drawers with them laid out so when I open the drawer I can see them..planning on having a cupboard with doors (room with be visible to everyone) but when opened has grooves cut on the sides with (probably)aluminum cookie sheets as drawers (can you picture that?)that allow for many sets laid out.

Big Shot dies: I bought the storage boxes from SU and do like them. I have the smallest and biggest..work and look nice

Paper: I love having my paper arranged by colour family in filing cabinets..will incorporate these into my cabinets. I uses clear 12 X12 plastic boxes for DSP not perfect but havn't come up with a better idea.

I need an idea for punches too...
Thanks and good luck
Amy Cook
PS..anyone have the colour caddy? do you like it for your ink pads?

[Karen Kerr]

It is fun to see and read how others store their supplies, but of course, we all have different resources, as well as styles, so one way will not work for everyone. The measurements I use here are "inside" measurements because there is always some extra molding or trim on the outside of the unit.
1. I store my new SU punches in a Sterilite 3-drawer plastic unit that is just over 12 x 12 inches square. It sits on a shelf.
2. My clear mount stamps are stored in their orignial SU cases in a wooden Ikea DVD shelf (I have 2) and are sitting on top of another shelf right now.
3. My wood stamps are stored in their original plastic SU boxes on bookshelves. I have them coded with colored sticky dots using the main catalog categories. They are on the bookshelves according to the size of their boxes because it is easier to stack them that way. I do keep the holiday stamps on a different shelf. I also keep my retired stamps on a different bookshelf, but still easily accessible. Since I am a hobby demo, I do not feel it is necessary to get rid of stamps I like, which is all of them!
4. My Big Shot dies are stored in Sterilite open top plastic boxes, 6.5 X 7.75 inches. I stand the original and Bigz dies on their ends in these boxes so I can see the label by just pulling the box out. They are sorted into 4 different boxes...shapes, seasonal, alphabet, and build-a-bear. I need a new box for nature (flowers/birds, etc.) I store the XL ones on their sides(lebels up) on the bookshelf with under the original dies.
5. Tips: I think almost everyone really needs a stamp-a-ma-jig. It is such a "waste" saver if you are one of those folks that likes to have words and images straight. I stamp the image when I use it for the first time on a piece of transparency that has been cut to fit inside the stamp box. You can use scraps from packaging, or SU's transparency sheets. After I have used all 4 corners, I simply cut another transparency for the remaining stamps as I use them. The pieces will not necessarily be the same size, but it is helpful to have 1 piece that will fit more than one image in order to save time and space. Then I just store the transparencies in the box with the stamp set and I am ready to use it again next time.
My next tip is how to decide whether or not to buy a set in clear or wood mount, assuming that you like both. If a set is "timeless" to me, I just automatically buy it in wood because I know that I will use it many times and will not want to have to mount it over and over. If it has a bunch of tiny pieces, I have to really think about it before deciding which to buy. If the tiny pieces need to fit together or be layered, then I will likely buy wood mount and make a transparency so I will know exactly where to fit each stamp. If it is a stamp that I like but will only use occasionally, then I can deal with the small pieces and will get it as clear mount. If the stamp set has coordinating punches and I know that I will use them in this way, I always get the clear mount because it won't matter how I line them up if I am going to punch them out anyway.
I keep a binder (divided into categories) with the catalog images of the stamp sets that I own. The front section is current sets, then I move them into the categorized sections once they retire. I also mark them with the retirement date.

[Wanda]

Hi Heather,
I store my punches (new style) stacked in plastic mini plastic DVD storage "cubes" that I got from Canadian Tire. I also store my clear mount stamps in these. The "cubes" stack and are all the same size so they look tidy.

[Betty-Ann]

...I store the 'old' punches on a couple of mounted racks from Ikea...they have such versatile storage options...

[Kristy]

Hi Heather!! I am always on a budget, and one of my favorite organization tools...is DVD boxes from IKEA. They come ready to be labled. I have even painte and/or stamped on them to make them a little more intersting. I keep my clear stamps and my SU! punches in them. Happy re-organizing! :-)

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90115469

[carole]

Hi Heather, Lucky you and how exciting! Something like this must have your mind racing. My suggestion is a pegboard on the wall as you can add the metal pegs into the hole to accommodate the different sizes of punches to hold. Also you can get different size containers, jars that could hold an array of buttons,pens,markers . There is also a twine/tape dispencer that may be able to hold ribbon! You can order them in different metal colours or just go with the original pressed wood style. The possibilities are endless!

[Tammy Bendel]

Dies and Accessories....I purchased some of the storage units from Zellers and Walmart that you can stack together to suit your needs. There are cupboards, cubed shelves and more. I use the 15 slot unit to store my dies, I think each slot fits 5-6 of the regular sized dies. This works well for me because I like my supplies to be visible so that it is easier and time efficient when picking what to use. I also store my ink pads on this shelf because I have yet to buy the color caddy.

Tammy

www.stampwithtammyb.blogspot.com

[Tammy Bendel]

Punches...My husband is very handy and he built me a shelf for on the wall where all my punches can hang, I had a hard time with the new punch design because all I could think of was 'where will all my new punches go,' but it turned out that the new design can also be stored this way. My shelf has three rows and the handle end slides over a dowel to hold it up right so that I can see the picture of which punch it is.

Tammy

[Dolly Gunter]

I would not be the best one to ask. My stuff is everywhere. I do keep my punches on a self all in a line, stacking the new type on each other to save space. The clear stamps are on another shelf, the idea about the DVD holder is a great one. I have take old VIDEO cases and made them into storage for markers and other small items. Using MDS to make covers for them to label them and again they are on a shelf. If I ever get to do a real craft room I would want the cabinets, so that everything would look neat and tidy. I love the thought of having my paper stacked like in the stores, they always look neat, and you can tell what you need more of. Can't wait to see the pics.

[Shanna]

That is wonderful that you get to redo your craft room. Mine is in desperate need of some organization right now. I found a year or so ago that a DVD rack works really great to store both wood and clear mounted stamps. You can buy some really cute (and inexpensive) dvd stands that don't take up much room and make it easy to find what you are looking for. My punches are stored in a drawer right now but I've thought about buying a hanging makeup/hair supply storage bag and putting my punches in them. Check out the bathroom storage area of a local Target. They have some great things that are inexensive that work wonderful for crafting storage.

[Monika Thiessen]

Oh that is great that you get to redo your craft room..right now i am storing my stamps in baskets...different occasions a different basket but it isn't a very good idea to be organized or if you have lots. Once we finish our basement i plan on having some 12x12 cubes and store them in there, that should be a bit more organized.

[Jodi Geers]

I am a new SU consultant so this idea may not work for someone who has tons of clear stamp sets but I purchased 1/2 cubes from Archivers to put my clear stamp cases in. (I have a cube storage area that my husband built for me.) I kind of use them as drawers. There are 2 in a package for around $8. You open them up, zip up the bottom and lay the cardboard bottom into them so they hold their shape and the dvd cases fit perfectly in them. I also keep some of the wooden stamp sets in them. The only thing is that they don't hold the really large ones and I'm not sure what to do with those yet.

I too would love a great idea for punches. Right now mine are laying on the counter. I'm not lovin' that! lol Good luck!

[Betty Handy]

My wonderful husband just redid my craft room for me and I LOVE IT! We did cabinets and counter and the counter workspace is the best. We did this on a budget by visiting our local Habitat for Humanity where the new, unfinished cabinets were purchased for $35 each! All we had to do was stain in my favorite oak finish. I store my stamps in the overhead cabinets; my Big Shot, Cricut and other "machines" in the lower cabinets and all the dies & embossing folders, etc in the drawers. We purchased a "pantry unit" (tall, slim cabinet) at Lowe's and hubby added extra shelving and that's where I put my vast quantity of paper. The only thing I didn't change is how I store my punches....I still have them in a "over the door" shoe organizer....works for me. Now the clutter is out of sight at least and I absolutely love the worksurface. GOOD LUCK on your project. Aren't good husbands a wonderful thing????

[Darlean Fitzgerald]

I think most of us could use help in this area. Your husband must be very thoughtful to want to re-do your space.
Clear mount stamps- I have my current most loved ones right in front of me on a small shelf for DVD's.
Try a canning rack- it's a metal shelving unit that is smaller than your typical ones. It is very sturdy because it's for storing jars of preserves. It's also narrow so it doesn't take up a huge amount of space. There is a lip on the front (so jars stay put) spacemaker makes the shelving unit.
New punches- get our hubby to make you something! Check out this one on an aussie site...http://traceyhanshaw.blogspot.com/2010/11/stampin-up-new-punchs-storage-unit.html
Big Shot Dies- Check out sizzix.com they have all the storage solutions.
Check out Mary Fish blog- she has pictures of her space- the storage for paper is fantastic...but it could be pricey.

[Theresa McK]

WOW! I Have to say your getting lots and lots of good Info Heather! My Punches are on a turn table type of thing my husband built for me... You said you want to do it on a budget right??? Well Then I suggest you make your storage as I do (well hubby does it for me) It's cheaper than the jetmax and will last much, much longer... My husband built me a Punch holder/storage and it turns 360 degrees either direction so I can always see what I want to use and the center of it is also hidden storage..... You take the top off and there you go... I can show you a picture of it if you'd like... and he also built me 2 bookshelves which is where I store the newest Stampin' Up Stamps and 12 x 12 Designer paper... I have another large box that was built by my 15 yr. old last year which is where I store my Wood Mount stamps... I want to say that my husband has built ribbon racks for me and other shelves as well... I always ask him first if it would be cheaper to build it yourself or buy it and put it together and he replies with "BUILD IT YOURSELF" it is cheaper and you know exactly how it is made! So it will be built to last! :o) Let me know if you want to see the picture of my Punch holder... I think he's planning on making me a bigger one since I've sort of out grown this one! LOL

[Lyn]

Oh, I'm so excited for you! I do hope we get a tour when you and Adam are done!
I'm such a novice and have so little compared to you and other long-time demos. But,
my punches are on their sides in a metal drawer unit (from Solutions which my hubby built into a rolling cart); other drawers hold adhesives, colour tools, embellishments etc. A smaller cart has drawers labelled by colour family for cardstock scraps. [These two carts easily roll out to my dining table for classes]/ My regular cardstock is alphabetically by colour family (coloured file folders)in my cabinet which he made too. Clear stamps are stored in compartments on top of the horizontal file cabinet. Wood stamps are on shelves in another cabinet (old ice box style) made by HIMSELF. Older stamps and items not used as often are on shelves in the closet. I'm loving all of the advice on here and will be using some of these ideas as I add more and more supplies.Finally, there was a great web site mentioned on Stampin'Connection for storage ideas, but I don't recall the URL right now, sorry.

[Nicole Leger]

How exciting for you! First off, I'd like to recommend a blog that I have recently discovered that features DIY furniture makeovers. It's called Shanty 2 Chic and she always posts amazing transformations. I hang my old SU punches on kitchen bars that are meant to hold spices. I got them from IKEA and you could purchase a hanging rack that I use to hold small jars of embellishments. They were super cheap and look great with all of my punches hanging from them. I store my dies in small wicker baskets that sit on top of the book shelf to house the rest of my supplies. I'm afraid that I am not as creative for storing my stamps and they are hidden in a drawer. I have seen others display them on narrow wall shelves that look like they would usually display books or magazines, which looks pretty cool. I hope this helps get you started! I hope you will post pics of the before and after for us!

[Wanda]

Always love organizing ideas. Here are some of mine for you.
For Clear stamps, Sizzix dies and background stamps I use a vertical spinning DVD storage tower from Sears. On one shelf you can fit:
22 unmounted stamp cases or
19 bigz dies, or
13 wood mounted background stamps (taken out of the case & stood on narrow end like a book)
The shelves are adjustable so you can adapt it to your needs, I also store 6x6 DSP on these shelves. This is a great solution for a small space & cost $130.

http://www.sears.ca/wcsstore/MasterCatalog/images/catalog/Product_271/std_lang_all/55/_p/601_14955_P.jpg

For wood mounted stamp sets, I have bookshelves from Ikea with some extra shelves in them. I store the stamps in their case on the side. Shelves are adjusted so they just fit the width of each case. This way, you pull out one set & the rest stay in place. I have about 22 sets on each shelf. I organize mine by case size then they are indexed. I use my "inventory catalog" that I created for each stamp set I own so I can go right to it. Makes it easy to keep sets organized.

For the new punches, I currently have them stored stacked up on one another in one section of my homemade foamcore ink pad storage system. It works really well and costs about $3 to make one if you get your foam core at the $ store. I have run out of space so I am looking for other options too.

[heather b]

Well.... isn't that always the issue for stampers?? How to store everything.
Punches I have on towel bars from IKEA... new style are in one of those rolling plastic drawer units, they take 2 drawers.
Paper, I have in hanging files in those milk-crate filing boxes, on top of the rolling units so they're all right there.
BS dies I have in the cardboard magazine holders from IKEA, turned on their sides, with the name of the die written on the 'short' end. The littler dies are just stacked on a shelf. Sizzlits are on a magnet bar on the wall.
Stamp sets are on 2 shelves that are right above my work area, with my ink pads attached to the wall (they 'slide' into cassette tape holder rails that I got at Lee Valley)
Older sets that I don't want to part with yet, as well as 'off season' stuff are in cupboards on another wall.
BS is out all the time on my 'cutting table', with my Carl.
Can't wait to see your new space!!!

[kristy]

4. How do you store your Big Shot Dies?
I bought a dish drying rack at the dollar store and in the spots were plates would normally fit, I put my dies and my embossing folders so they all stand up in a row and look nice

[kristy]

3. How do you store your wood stamps?

Again...I use both a bookshelf and drawers in a dresser...but I'm having the same problem you are having and my husband has offered to build me new shelves for them!!!

[Eileen McClean]

I have a desk set against one of the walls in my room, above the desk is pegboard and on this my hubby put some extension rods and I store my old punches there, under neat on the bottom of the pegboard he placed some soffit lengths and my ribbons sit in these and using little clips I have baskets haning on the rest of the pegboard. I used to have another desk and hutch but for Christmas got 2 bookshelves and I have baskets and the bigz dies fit in these and I have them in ABC order, I have the cd holder from Ikea and moved the shelf distance and store my clear stamp sets there;my hubby made me paper holders so they sit on top of a 6 drawer dresser and on top of each pack of paper I keep my scraps in page covers, the sturdy ones so they are always visible, hope this helps as there are so many great ideas out there.

[kristy]

2. How do you store your clear stamps?

I have two entire shelves of a bookcase devoted to clear stamps...so you can see the spines!

[kristy]

1. How do you store your punches (NEW style of the Stampin' Up! punches....oh how I wish the punch shelves were available:)

I store my in drawers in an old dresser! I have seen them stored in hanging shoe holders and on utensil hangers from IKEA though!

[April (mousekemom)]

I have been buying the Jetmax cubes from Michael's when they have the 50% off coupons or put pieces on clearance. It takes a bit of time, but it has been worth it. I have flat shelves for my paper, four drawer cubes for wheels, embossing supplies, etc (it also holds the acrylic stamps that come in square envelopes). I also have several three drawer sets for chipboard, rub-ons, stickers. I have hardware store peg boards to hang items I want at hands reach and gutter for ribbon rolls. I keep my punches (old style) on a towel rack and new style on a shelf, stacked on their sides like library spines.
I have a bookshelf (Walmart for $15-35, depending on number of shelves) that holds the DVD style SU cases for the clear mounts, and I have the wood stamps in their boxes with a label including title, status and a sample of what I have used it for inside the clear box.
April Davis
Marion, IA

[Ally]

www.kerryspapercrafts.com she did a video of her craft room with lots of great organizational ideas and purchases at IKEA. My craft room is tiny and it doubles as my work office (I work from home)
I keep my big shot dies in a long basket that I pull out of the Expedit shelving unit from IKEA. My punches... ugh... They are on rails by IKEA. The new punches don't fit that great that way as you know. But I make it work.
Wood Stamps are in thick cardboard paper boxes from IKEA and labeled on the front with theme (Holiday, Kids, etc) Clear stamps are the same way but in smaller cardboard boxes with lids from IKEA and the are stored in the Expedit shelf.

Can't wait to see your new set up!! What a great husband you have for offering that!!! My goal is to do a countertop and cabinets someday but its not in the budget with a brand new baby!

[Dawn]

Heather,
For my Clear stamps I found a wire DVD holder that I sit on my table that holds 90 DVD's. I found it at Target on Clearance for $6. So far that is working... at least until I reach 91 stamp sets!
For my wooden stamp sets I have the Wire Square Cubicles that some use for 12X12 paper sstorage that I hve divided into sections with zip ties to make different sized shelves depending on the stamp set size... I am almost out of room with the 3 squares I have but I tend to but clear so I am okay so far.
For my dies I have a antique buffet server that my dies store in the drawers and my big shot sits on top.
My punches are in an old metal cabinet that I spray painted that has 30 drawers and I have divided the drawers in classifications squares, circles, labels etc. There is also room for envies, adhesive and all kinds of tools and things...

Hopefully that will give you some ideas.. I used what I had or found at thrift stores and garage sales.

[Raquel Godinez]

1. How do you store your punches (NEW style of the Stampin' Up! punches....oh how I wish the punch shelves were available:)

>> new punch design - on their sides like books on a shelf; old punch design - on an over the door shoe caddy

2. How do you store your clear stamps?
>> CD or DVD cases (non SU ones), SU ones - in their own DVD case

3. How do you store your wood stamps?

>> inside a plastic shoe box with the designs all facing up, SU ones are stored in their individual cases with their names printed on the long side of the box and stored in a shelf like books

4. How do you store your Big Shot Dies?

>> the embosslits/Sizzlits are stored in narrow plastic baskets from that can be bought from the dollar store, those that have their own case, i.e. the alphabet sets are stored in the case that they came with, alphabetically sorted; for the Bigz, Bigz L/XL those are sorted by size then alpha like books on a shelf

5. Do you have any tips or tricks on ANY paper crafting supplies you'd like to pass one? I'd LOVE LOVE LOVE to hear them!!!

Used soup cans can be decorated, stacked together (or in a pyramid) and can be used to store all the Stampin Write markers and other markers/pens.

I hang my DSP in a rolling cart using the legal hanging folders that I lengthened using standard folder to them fit the 12X12 DSP. DSPs are organized according to theme then dominant color (by color family).

[Lisa Bohler]

LOVE what you do with MDS! You are a genious! Anyway, I have probably the same tips you'll hear from others but here goes:

1. Clear mount stamps are in DVD racks for now. (Got one of them on a garage sale for $3...best deal ever!) This system will be outgrown soon as I LOVE my clear-mounts. Eventually, they will go into the storage cupboards I got (unfinished) from a local store where I now keep my wood mounts. I'm assuming that those will retire sooner rather than later.

2. Punches! Yikes..I still have many in the old style. Those are on tension rods between two storage shelves. But, right now, the new style is stored on top of a bookcase in my stamp room. It's a shorter one so I can see the tops easily.

3. I keep many of the smaller accessory type things (sponge daubers, ribbon scraps, etc.) in preparation h plastic tubs! My dh was going to throw them but I quickly trained him to keep them! Works great! They stack by threes in a shelf right above my work area!

Good luck on your area. Most of the items in my area were purchased on sale, garage sales or given to me. I LOVE to brag about finding a deal!

Hugs!

Lisa

[Sarah]

Hello
I store my old punches on towel bars I purchased at IKEA and the new style punches I have sitting on their sides in a hori. CD holder. I also use these same CD holders for the clear stamp folders.

[Anne Granger]

Heather, how fun and exciting for you! I can't wait to see your new space.

As for storage idea's, I have 3 shelves that I got at Home Depot. One of them holds my stamps in baskets organized the way they are in the catalogue. This is great as I also know where to find them!!

My second shelf hold my paper and dsp. They are all stored in the paper holder that SU sells by colour families.

The third shelf holds all my big shot dies store in the boxes that SU sells. I like that they all have a spot. Plus I also use these boxes to hold my ribbon and punches.

I agree with the other ladies, that you have to see your product in order to use them!!

Enjoy the rest of your day!!

[Jackie W.]

Hi Heather! I'm happy to share some of what works for me, oganizationally speaking! My best item for storage I have to say is my library card catalog. Remember those? I found one in Syracuse, NY at the university there a few years ago on CraigsList and drove the 2 hours from Buffalo to pick it up. I LOVE it! It has 60 drawers that go way back, and I store all of my punches in there. The old style ones fit 5 to a drawer, and the new style ones fit even more, but they are very heavy. But those LCC's are SO sturdy, so no worry! I also store LOTS of other items in there. It looks nice, too.

I also have several white craft drawers and paper holders in different shapes I got at Michael's here in the US. Not sure if you have them in Canada, though. I have 3 stacks of them and my husband made a countertop to put them on top for one of my desks. My chair fits under it nicely.

I also have a great big storage cabinet in a light maple color. It has adjustable shelves and it's really made for a garage, which is weird because it looks SO nice. It's not your typical garage storage unit at all, so that's why I got it. It even has a lock on it, but I don't really use it.

Hope this helps! Good luck!