I've gone through many different storage systems trying to find the perfect way to organize my beads and projects. Here are my top 5 picks, how I use them, and where to get them.
1. Snap 'N Stack Organizer
These are the best project boxes I have ever used. I label the outside with the project name, and they all stack so nicely on my shelf. They are portable, and many ladies in the bead society use them to take projects and supplies to meetings. You can sometimes find them at Target, here at Jo-ann, and here on Amazon.
2. Screw-top Vials
I like these to hold accent type beads and strands. Without taking the lid off, I can see everything that's inside and it makes finding things easy. If I'm pulling beads for a project, its easy to take out only the vial I need. You can find them at Michaels, here from Jo-ann, and here on Amazon.
3. Bead Pavilion
These are perfect for holding many tubes of beads in a small space so you can see all the colors. I like to have my whole palette out to inspire my designs. You can find them here from Sova Enterprises and here from Beadaholique.
4. Photo Boxes
These come with 6 cases or 12 cases, and they are perfect for storing beads you have pulled for a project. If the project is small, you can work out of the case and makes great traveling storage. You can find these at most craft stores in the scrapbooking section, and here at The Container Store.
5. Design Save'n Go
These are perfect for storing work-in-progress, and I wrote a glowing review on Bead Circle. I like that the mats hold the beads in place so they don't roll around. It's perfect for bead retreats and classes. I work whatever I want on the first board during the free beading time. When its time for class, I don’t have to go through the hassle of cleaning it off and putting all the beads away. I can just grab the second board and use it for the class. They come in two sizes. You can sometimes find them at Jo-ann stores, but not their website. Fire Mountain also carries them here.
As soon as my new shelves are up, I will be sharing a new video tour of my studio. I hope this has been helpful for you, and please share your favorite storage item in the comments. I would love to learn from you as well!
Peace & Love,
Mandi
P.S. I will send an email newsletter when my video is done, and you can sign up here if you're not on the list yet. You also get my free Beaded Pen eBook. :)
I have the Design Save n Go as well as the Screw to valves and I love them both for bead work and storage. I recently bought some tackle boxes but I hate the storage departments so I am just using them for polymer clay and tools. I also just go into the sliding drawers and I am liking them quite a bit.
ReplyDeleteOh, wow, Mandi! I love, love those photo storage boxes! I may just have to get me some of those. Such a cool idea and inexpensive, too! Thanks for letting me know about them. :D
ReplyDeleteGreat post Mandi! I too use the Snap-n-Stack containers. I love how if you have more than one you can add as many layers to the container as you want! :)Great portable storage!
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your kind words! Also Jo-ann has an amazing sale going on at the time of this posting, so you can get a few of these items for half-off online :)
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas, Mandi! I use the Design Save'n Go boards too but I put an additional piece of velux in it to make sure the loose beads stay in place. Works great.
ReplyDeleteI use numbers one and four but also have others I use, Namely the ones that set on a shelf like a book by craft mates, they are perfect for small crystals and I can keep all in one spot neatly on a book shelf... They hold 56 colors!
ReplyDelete