TIPS FOR ORGANIZING PAPER BITS -

[@sth.777]

Here in Switzerland, we get Advent beer calendars in the local grocery stores; my husband gets the beer, and I get the box with 24 cubbyholes! I paper mache the dividers to stiffen them, then make drawers out of tissue boxes narrowed to the cubby's width. Then I put a dangle on the front representing whatever is in the drawer. So far, I have EIGHT of these treasure chests in my craft room... buttons by colour, threads, bead findings, alligator clips, paper ephemera, stickers, you name it - organized to within one "grab"! I guess they would be those little plastic drawers on steroids!🤣

[@annekenlon]

What a delightful surprise!! Delicious beer AND craft treasure chests! Thanks for sharing this wonderful system!

[@ericastannard2635]

That is so cool! What a great use of something that normally would be thrown away! ❤

[@raisdbywolvz]

Excellent video, Anne, and may I just say that the timely video is timely. I've been looking at those zipper bags. My space is small and I'm just past the "just starting out" phase. I've got some books, some field guides, maps, things like that. I'm cutting out cool stuff, and numbers and words from any place I find them. I didn't have anything small to keep small things in, but a recent hospital stay yielded a large stack of 3" square trays that are 1.25" deep that condiments came in. They're surprisingly sturdy. I just need a little cabinet to slide them into lol! One thing junk journaling has taught me is to look at everything from different perspectives, because you never know what can be an art supply or an art tool, or an organizational item.

[@annekenlon]

Isn't that the best about junk journaling?! It's like the entire world becomes a source of inspiration! Thanks for watching!

[@raisdbywolvz]

@@annekenlon So tonight I had some small, delicate florals that I fussycut, and I spent entirely too long looking around my room for something to put them in so I could see them and not lose track of them. Nothing was found until... I saw the pad of tracing paper. Huzzah! I made a clear envelope and found a good place for it on my bookshelf for that one and more as I organize better. I don't know if you are aware of how much good you do in the world, Anne, but you manage to do an incredible amount of it! Thank you again!

[@annekenlon]

@@raisdbywolvz You absolutely made my day with this - thank you! And I'm so happy you now have some translucent envelopes for your dear little florals!

[@lindabeckman3053]

Love videos like this! The little drawer units for garage storage of screws and nails are great for small item storage, and hobby lobby carries a larger drawer unit in the cake decorating section that I’d like to get for larger items, or items that I use a lot of, like butterflies and florals. If you look outside of the box, there are lots of storage ideas that aren’t as expensive as things marketed for artists& crafters. My husband has been admitted to several different medical facilities this year, and I’ve collected those condiment trays, clear plastic from food containers, and assorted needle caps and IV thingamabobs that have turned into great mark making tools! Don’t forget that some of these items have textures that you can use with ink or paint,or on the gel plate too. I stamped a bunch of patterns for future projects on the paper placemats that came on his meal trays. I even tried coffee dying for the first time on the foam trays they brought his meals on! Nothing like looking for the silver lining, right?

[@annekenlon]

@@lindabeckman3053 wishing a better year ahead for you both!

[@GrammasGoneCrafty]

Oh my gosh - I recently bought the same little organizer at Dollarama! I’m using it to organize my paper bits and bobs! This very encouraging lol I’m definitely organizing challenged 🤦‍♀️

[@annekenlon]

I am so thrilled you found the same product! It's really helped me corral all those little bits and I find I use them so much more easily now - I know you'll enjoy yours, too! Thanks for watching!

[@suzyallen1726]

Great ideas. I have my sorta organized but my brain still forgets what I have😂😂❤❤

[@annekenlon]

Suzy, I had SUCH A MESS here! It really felt good to sort it out and organize!

[@emmkaa2099]

Oh my GOSH I need this THIS MORNING! Anne, I have so much stuff! TOO MUCH stuff!! It's embarrassing! ...and containers? I have more containers than Carter has Liver Pills!! Looking forward to seeing what we're gonna do with our ephemera! Hugs, sweetie, MK 🤗❤️🤗

[@annekenlon]

Thanks, MK! It's so funny about containers, isn't it? I always let them become like junk drawers and then what's the point? I really hope this most recent sorting exercise will help me back to a more organized path. So far, it's working! I just have no time for any elaborate systems. Stay warm, dear MK!

[@JulieTorrens]

Excellent! I have items in bins. Each bin needs to be sorted now! I love your ideas for see through pouches. I started with gallon zip lock bags but they are too flimsy and fall over each other. 😒 Then I gave up. Now they are just dump bins. 😂🤣😂 Thank you for such great ideas. Very motivational 🙌 ❤ Love and hugs from Winter Storm Watch Grand Rapids. ❤❤❤✉️✉️✉️

[@annekenlon]

Thanks, dear friend! I finally reached the point where I just had to dump all those little bins and baskets out on my desk and start sorting. When thinking about "putting likes alike," it was really a lot easier and I ended up enjoying it! I was watching some of your videos as I sorted! Stay cozy!

[@faodail3913]

I had a (beginning!) Tidy up of bits and pieces. I got a number of open top A4 size plastic, 3" deep trays. Cellotaped basic labels like flowers, butterflies, animals, printed pages, etsy prints, blank pages etc, on the ends and added outlines to help toddlers recognize word labels, lined up 4 younger grands to help. Brought out a pile of stuff, dumped it on kitchen table. Picked up first thing, called out Butterfly and handed it to nearest kid. And so on, worked great, just had to keep an eye on toddlers, who almost put things in the wrong trays a couple of times. Now I have to repeat, many times!!!😂😂😂 I also use the big zipped pouches etc. I label everything and put pouches etc in wooden or plastic bins. Silicone stamps are in A5 sized plastic bags with card to stiffen them. Wooden rubber stamps are in flat tins and plastic contains and 3 sets of stacking plastic drawers.

[@mrscomarte3248]

Oh Anne! You made this video at the right time! For me, the end of the year is a time to organize our art supplies, our house, give away things we no longer use... Love organize and this video came to encourage us to make it! Love love the velum envelope idea. TFS!🩷🩷🩷🩷🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@annekenlon]

I'm so glad the video came along at the right time for you, my friend, that's the best kind of timing! ❤️

[@DanielleLajeunesse]

Thanks Anne, I do have same sort of an organisation for storing things, recycling mushroom , cookies and all plastic containers. I use birthday and mail enveloppes sticking words or pictures of what’s inside. Shoe boxes will never leave my house! I cut the big washing detergent containers to get more storage and this time of year you can get the clementine crates. I always enjoy seeing what other crafters use for storing.

[@annekenlon]

I love hearing about all the different ways crafters organize, Danielle - it's so inspiring! Thanks so much for watching and sharing!

[@ericastannard2635]

Do you have a KZbin channel? I would love to see all the different containers you use! Great ideas, thank you for sharing!❤

[@DanielleLajeunesse]

Hi Érica, no KZbin channel, I could send you some pictures maybe on Messenger.

[@shawnrobinson6718]

I can't tell you how much I need to do this!!! What great and cost effective 💡!!! I think I'm a better crafter when I go thru and organize my stuff because I forget all the stuff I thought was kewl when I bought it aannnddd, what happens 2 months later, I forget I have it or them!! Thanks for this video, after all the Christmas madness I'll be on this task yet again.❤❤❤

[@annekenlon]

Shawn, you most certainly are NOT alone in "Christmas madness!" I actually took a full day (gasp!) recently to just sort, discard, and organize - and I ended up having so much fun doing it. Was so happy to share few simple solutions. Take care, dear one!

[@Lorraine24_]

Great ideas! It made me smile to see that grocery store bag in the Mushroom project pouch😊

[@annekenlon]

Thanks, Lorraine! Mushroom art pops up in the best places!

[@lorifitzgibbon3085]

My craftroom is full of these. They definitely help keep me organized

[@annekenlon]

Being organized means more time for crafting!❤️👍

[@lyndarandall211]

Wonderful video Anne. I use the covered organizing trays with sections for my jems, beads and stones. For my paper ephemera, phrases, and images I put in noted window envelopes like you did the velum. Makes it so easy to find items. Thank you and blessings 🤗☃️

[@annekenlon]

Lynda, thanks so much as always! Yes, having something transparent or translucent is essential for me - otherwise stuff is lost forever! See you soon!

[@ericastannard2635]

This video really cracked me up! I thought I was inventing something new just for my craft room: I also folded vellum & used washi tape to seal the sides of little envelopes! I cut little boxes that medicines come in, in half & create little open boxes! I love the mesh bags, too! But I have the issue that I can’t grow out anymore, I don’t have any space left on shelves, nor do I have any wall space. I had to go up! So I bought little wooden boxes that have 4 drawers in each cube & stacked them on top of each other! Covered an entire window space with them! (Who needs sunlight?!). These are now labeled with many of the same things as your bags & envelopes: birds, butterflies, etc, postage stamps, Asian, beach, etc! I also use some of the drawers for things like glues, paperclips, TH ephemera, eyelets, etc! I am finally getting all the little collections corralled into one place!! I’m thrilled to know I’m not alone in collecting goodies for ephemera & the need to organize them! Take care, Anne! Erica

[@annekenlon]

Erica, it's like we're living parallel crafting lives! So glad you found a kindred soul here - I'm so happy to have you aboard!

[@ericastannard2635]

I wish we were neighbors! It would just be so fun to have somebody like you near me!❤

[@angelaprince3436]

I love these ideas. I'm a very visual organizer. If I can't see it, it doesn't exist!😄 I have 2 tubs of quart Ziploc bags organizing my stickers and die cuts and use Wal-Mart lunch meat plastic tubs for fussy cuts. Still trying to organize paper scraps.

[@annekenlon]

I"m with you, Angela, I have to see it! Ziplocs don't work that well for me as they're sort of floppy and slippery, and my personal tolerance is low for that, but in your tubs I can see they'd be great! Thanks for watching!

[@angelaprince3436]

I put my ugly scrapbook card stock in the bags to help the ziploc bags stay upright 😂

[@selinastephens5265]

Awesome organisation ideas ❤❤❤

[@annekenlon]

Thank you so much, Selina! Nothing brilliant here, but sometimes just chatting about the issue can be helpful. I am grateful to you for watching!

[@scrapcraftwithterri]

Good ideas, Anne. I'm in the process of organizing my stuff. Always on the lookout for new ways. 😊

[@annekenlon]

Wonderful, Terri! I don't know that I'll ever hit on the perfect system, but for me, this is a start! Thanks for watching!

[@SharonMiitchell]

ANNE YOU ARE SO CLEVER this is great just what I needed to see such a wonderful idea I really really need to do this thank you so much now I will be able to See what I have ya!

[@annekenlon]

Sharon, you're so kind - thank you so much! Yes, the vellum and transparent/translucent containers are essential for me. I just had so many tiny little cutouts! Argh! Thanks for enjoying the solution with me!

[@angelintx6809]

I’m definitely making the velum envelopes! I need to see things too. 😊

[@annekenlon]

Thanks, Angel! Another idea is to use a set of junk mail window envelopes, trimmed down on one end so they're all the same width, then sealed with washi or glued shut. Christy (from "Crafted by Christy") did that right after I did my vellum envelopes and I thought that was a great twist on the same idea!

[@leeannsutherland858]

Thanks for the ideas, my desk becomes a disaster with little containers full of bits just as you described….drivies me crazy!

[@annekenlon]

I hope this helps! You're going to love it when you see your desk organized! Thanks for watching, LeeAnn!

[@angelagarza3964]

I use those same zipper bags! They are so handy.

[@annekenlon]

I looooooooove them!!!! Thanks, Angela!

[@SandiMo77]

Great ideas Anne. I have an old nail and screw thing with lots of mini drawers that I spray painted a while back and can use that for storing ephemera. I like your idea of zipper pouches too. Will get me some of those! Always appreciate your helpful ideas. I still use the little boxes you showed us in a past tutorial.

[@annekenlon]

Sandi, thanks for watching and writing! Great idea on the painted drawer thing from your garage! Same principle as my 12-box thrift store find. I appreciate you!

[@LoreleiBell-n6m]

Actually, another thing you can use that's readily available are envelopes from mailings. I like to use the ones with the windows in them. I also write a word describing what is in them. I (re)use small boxes to store them in. I'm quite the thrifty person on things I can reuse around the house for storing all my cuttings. Thanks for the tip!

[@annekenlon]

Those window envelopes are so handy! Thanks, Lorelei!

[@bethbenson1931]

I use the same thing. We get lots of business sized envelopes in the mail that have nice large windows. I started saving them years ago, so they are perfect for storing all these little things. Also get lots of 5 X 8 envelopes for the larger items. For example, I have a bulging envelope full of pictures of hands. These envelopes are so easy to label just by printing the category up at the top. They stand upright in some boxes that I have. I also use those expanding file folders that already have the A to Z divisions. Not the big ones, but more like 5 X 8 size. Things get thrown in there first. Then when they get too full, they get sorted into their own large envelopes. I keep an ever-expanding list of the categories. And I do have a miscellaneous envelope for the really odd things. Works quite well. 😊

[@beckyriley2406]

My desk is exactly the same! Little things accumulate in my receptacles. Then I have to sort them out

[@annekenlon]

Becky, once I finally committed to sorting everything out, I really had so much fun. I just dumped each basket onto my desk and the categories soon made themselves clear! Have fun!

[@connielapp4209]

I think these ideas will help progress my organization efforts. I’ve started some but it’s the cutouts I have trouble with. Thanks for the ideas!

[@annekenlon]

Those pesky cutouts are a challenge aren't they? The vellum envelope idea is so very, very basic but in this case it seems to be working for me. I keep adding more categories!

[@sandikalin636]

Great tips, thx for sharing. I swear I’ve reorganized so many times I’ve lost track. It seems ongoing. My work desk is not large, my room is plenty spacious, I purposely keep my table small, that way I’m forced to be organized. I can’t work in clutter Another great video, 💙💙

[@annekenlon]

Thanks so very much, Sandi! Yes, my "bits and bobs" situation had really gotten out of control. I had the big things like books and stamp sets and inks well-organized, but the little cutouts were seemingly everywhere! Feels good to have some semblance of order. Talk to you soon!

[@sandikalin636]

@ love when things find a home 😊

[@Amaliel_Mirael]

Thanks for sharing 🙏🏻 so rarely videos about the organisation in KZbin.

[@annekenlon]

You're so welcome, and thanks very much for watching!

[@lindaellis1584]

Great ideas for organization. Thanks for sharing.

[@annekenlon]

Thanks for watching, Linda, I appreciate you!

[@estherwhitcomb6475]

I needed this video, I have so many bits and pieces that need organizing, cutting, and they need a home. I was so interested in junk journaling that I started collecting ephemera , cutting so many items, and not having a way to organize it. First they were in file folders, but I couldn’t see them, so that didn’t help. I was so overwhelmed that I put off trying to make any junk journaling. Thank you a different perspective on storage and organizing.

[@annekenlon]

Oh, Esther. I hope you found a kindred spirit here! These ideas aren't brilliant solutions, but for me they were a place to start. You're right, having a visual cue as to what is what is so important. I found when I started sorting things into "likes alike" pile, it made such a difference. When I finally started just dumping the little baskets onto my desk and sorting, I found I really enjoyed the process. I hope you'll be able to tame the chaos soon and get back to the joy of making!

[@judithjones6781]

New subscriber. Thanks for sharing. We'll be moving into our new home soon. Great ideas for sorting and organizing as I unpack. Happy creating.

[@annekenlon]

Thanks so much, Judith! I hope you'll find the ideas helpful, and congrats on your new home!

[@debrakranzusch6561]

Great tutorial. Absolutely mind blowing 😊❤

[@annekenlon]

You're too kind, Debra - thank you so much for watching, I appreciate you!

[@creativebeanart]

Great video. I've discovered what works for me is to sort my colour, because that's how I create.

[@annekenlon]

You hit the nail PRECISELY on the head - knowing how you create, and organizing around that! Brilliant - so glad you mentioned this. We're all unique! Thank you!

[@CraftedByChristyShop]

❤❤❤Anne this is awesome! I will be doing this. Thank you!😊

[@annekenlon]

Thanks so much, Christy! I'm finding just those simple little additions are making it so much easier to find what I need and clear away the clutter while keeping it visible!

[@CraftedByChristyShop]

@annekenlon is it OK to make a video about this, and mention you? I love this so much

[@annekenlon]

@ Yes, absolutely! Thank you so much!

[@susangazawaypapercrafting3749]

Great ideas!😊❤

[@annekenlon]

Thanks so much, Suzan, I appreciate your watching!

[@dianesmith4759]

I love the idea of the vellum envelopes!

[@annekenlon]

Thanks, Diane! Not groundbreaking, but certainly handy. I was crafting all afternoon today and found it so easy to reach for (and easily find!) the exact envelope I needed for a tree here, a butterfly there, etc. I appreciate your watching, thank you!

[@susansieber6189]

Thank you for sharing, I do some that you do AND I learned of new ways to incorporate also

[@annekenlon]

It's so much fun to trade ideas, isn't it? Thanks for watching!

[@susanjane4784]

If you have a cat you know the dangers of open baskets and bowls. Not to mention long sleeves and overloaded art tables. I've tried them all and finally invested in Rubbermaid Brilliance containers -- transparent, good locking seal, nice to look at, and even stack well. The Brilliance is not cheap. Keep an eye out for the Amazon returns option where you could save up to half. If you need to go with something more affordable, try a rubber seal and locking closure. A quality container will survive drops, and cat paws, and keep the contents safe.

[@annekenlon]

Oh, Susan, I know well the treachery that little cats can bring to a craft room! And it's so important, for their own good, to keep them away from the supplies, especially threads which can be devastating if they ingest them! Thank you for being such a great pet parent and investing in safety measures! Our little Betty, who lived to be 20, was a little scamp in her younger years and we had to stop doing jigsaw puzzles because she would not leave them alone! We miss her! Thanks so much.

[@CarolKnoles-c5m]

Great ideas❤

[@annekenlon]

Thank you, Carol!

[@susanmorgan5591]

Great ideas!

[@annekenlon]

I hope they come in handy! Thanks for watching.

[@peggywernecke1943]

I have got to know how you made that adorable bowl from paper. I love that it’s hard and keeps it shape. I made one but mine turned out very flimsy so I haven’t made another one. Great video by the way!!! I just subscribed to your channel. I’m so happy I came across it. ☺️

[@annekenlon]

Peggy, wonder no longer because you can see a link to the process right here! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rWXRmqegqZyaaqM I'm so delighted you have joined me here. Thanks so much for subscribing!

[@peggywernecke1943]

@ you are awesome!!! Thank you so much!!! ☺️

[@diedre58]

Very helpful, Anne. Thank you.

[@annekenlon]

Thank you so much for watching, Diedre, that means a lot!

[@sharronemerson2930]

The pouch idea is a great one. What is the brand of pouches that you use? There are so many listed!!!

[@annekenlon]

The batch I just ordered was under the brand name of EOOUT and I got a 30-piece set - but really I think you'd be fine with almost anything. I have a feeling they all come from a similar manufacturing source! Thanks for watching!

[@cherylsmith3291]

❤

[@annekenlon]

Thanks so much, Cheryl!

[@patriciagechei8145]

Thanks for the great organizing ideas! How did you make the mod podge bowl so it didn't stick to the base you used?❤😊

[@annekenlon]

Thanks, Patricia! With the bowl, I covered the plastic form with Saran Wrap and then the dried ModPodge layers peeled right off. I still use the bowl during a project, but then I have places to put things away afterward! Here's a link to the bowl project if you're interested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rWXRmqegqZyaaqM

[@patriciagechei8145]

@annekenlon thank you, Anne

[@bettylongshore9594]

Big help Anne!!!!

[@annekenlon]

Thanks, Betty!!! Have fun organizing your stuff!

[@theresaconway-hayes]

I'm a big fan of organizing my craft stash by category. A transparent container is optimal. The one in this video is awesome. I use a stackable from Amazon that has a handle on top and is all contained together which works best for me in my RV. It is amazing to have stash organized so that when you have a crafty idea, you know where to find what you need. Lately, I've been wanting to use my faux rust die cuts and I just can't find them. Just remember that no system is fail safe and to just keep trying because iti s worth it. Blessings! @theresaconway-hayes

[@annekenlon]

Theresa, thanks so much! Yes, categories are essential in any sorting system, to my mind. I learned as a kid from my mother how to "put likes alike" in any sort of system and that works for me - and as you said, being able to see what you've got is fantastic! So glad you watched, I appreciate it! (and I salute you for RV crafting! I always enjoy taking my kit along on summer camping trips, but it's not the easiest thing in the world!)

[@marie-pauleberthet4122]

❤

[@annekenlon]

Thank you so much!