Among the many things that crafters share, is a love of STUFF.
Whether it’s paint, fabric, scrapbook paper, stickers, glitter or all of the above and more, crafters tend to collect a lot of supplies over the years (and I’ve been collecting for many years).
Of course, one of the challenges of using various supplies is finding ways to efficiently and effectively store them.
With that in mind, I thought I’d devote today’s post to sharing a few favorite ways I store my stash.
I’m the kind of person who is drawn to color and I love to be surrounded by the wonderful colors found in supplies. That’s why I keep my most vivid, colorful products out in the open and in plain view because it’s often a source of inspiration for creativity.
These wall units create such a fun splash of color when mounted side by side like this.
I found these wall units at Michael’s crafts store and they’re a great item to use up that 40% off coupon. I suggest you use toggle bolts when mounting for additional support.
Several years ago, when a few local scrapbook stores announced they were closing, owners put FOR SALE signs on all their fixtures. It’s always a huge loss to crafters (and the entire community) when a local scrapbook store closes its doors for good. That’s why it’s so important to support your local shops as much as you can. It’s the only way they can stay open.
Anyway, this paper storage unit was one of several commercial fixtures I picked up at the everything-must-go-sale.
With 120 paper slots, it really provides attractive and highly functional storage capacity.
Here’s another bargain from one of the store closings.
This swivel is another one of my favorite storage units because with four individual sides, it stores a ton of stuff.
While commerical fixtures are great to have, even simple storage ideas can be functional and at the same time, add character to a crafts space.
I’ve always loved this vintage looking, textured vase that I found at a garden shop. I use it to store my stencilling and stippling brushes.
Even everyday kitchen items can go a long way toward helping to organize supplies.
Perhaps you already have one of these tiered fruit bins. They’re great for fruit but they’re just as ideal to store frequently used rubber stamps.
I love pretty boxes and I found this matching trio at Target.
They’re ideal for storing small, loose supplies like buttons, clips and paper flowers and they stack nicely for a streamlined and space saving presentation.
I use this extra wide basket to house sewing supplies, scissors and other loose crafting items and papers.
With ten individual compartments, it stores a boat load of odds and ends and keeps various tools within easy reach when I’m sewing.
Speaking of sewing, if you sew then you probably have loads of thread spools. I do a lot of machine embroidery which requires multiple, subtle shades of threads and this thread board is a perfect, easy-to-make storage solution.
Click here to see my earlier post on how to make this thread board for yourself. It’s a super simple weekend project.
Here’s another major purchase from a store closing. Great deal but so sad that so many shops have gone out of business over the last few years.
At one time this beautiful armoire was filled with designer scrapbooking products.
I recall being really torn about buying this great piece of furniture as the store owner (and my friend) was suffering such a tough business hit.
I felt it just seemed wrong to benefit from her misfortune. The owner told me she wanted me to buy the armoire and was glad I wanted it. She added that even though she was giving up her store, she was comforted knowing that this piece would be in good hands and well used and well cared for. 
I ended up installing several shelf brackets mid-way on the back of the armoire so that I could add these three shelves to make it even more functional for me.
By the way, three-dollar photo boxes are also a good way to store small items and keep them organized and colorfully hidden away.
Whether you find deals on commerical storage fixtures or re-purpose everyday household items (like the glass cookie jars in the photo below) the most important thing is that you actually use your supplies in new and creative ways that make you happy and enhance the lives of those you touch.
I think when it comes to housing supplies you always have to keep your eyes open because you never know when that next great stash storage idea will come your way.
Crafters love storage solutions, so feel free to share your favorite storage tip too. ♥
I’m so jealous of all the fixtures you have! As much as I would hate for a local scrapbook store to close, I would love the opportunity to snatch up some paper storage!
WOW! you have a lot of stuff 🙂
Love you Lisa… but this post made me feel terribly inadequate…. ha ha ..
Here I am wishing I had a “craft closet”!!! hee hee
Hope you had a great weekend!
I want to live in your craft room! You have given me inspiration to clean my room.
Lisa, I got my wonderful Strawberry huller and LOVE it… so excited to use it….. and I LOVE these pics… SO JEALOUS
Oh my goodness Lisa you could open your own store, lol!!! What a beautiful, inspiring room! I too hate local stores closing. Here in my area, all you see are empty storefronts. It’s so sad.
OMG what a beautiful space and enormous stash. It’s like crafting in a store.
Wow, your space is beautiful! I love all the white with the pops of colour.
Thanks for sharing this! I’ve had my eye on those Michael’s organizer’s for quite some time now, seeing yours set up has proven to me I NEED to go get some!
Will definitely be taking some inspiration from this post, we moved recently and my craft room is horrifying right now…
Cheers,
Heather @ Lark & Lola
Your room is beautiful! Mine is pretty embarrassing. I better get to work!
So…where’s the fabric?!! Just kidding; your craft studio looks great!
You have a beautiful space!
An eye opener for me to admired how you keep your craft room and crafting supplies in such a beautiful and factional way! Thanks for sharing!
Gorgeous!
Love all your storage finds! It is almost as much fun to find cool storage items as it is to find great craft goodies. And when you do multiple crafts, you need good storage!
I don’t have the wall space for a neat thread caddy, but then I have a great little 10 drawer cabinet my daddy made me that is customed sized for thread spools 🙂 I love it’s usefulness and that I am reminded of my daddy, who is gone now over 10 years, everytime I use it 🙂
Wow! :-O Incredible space!
What a beautiful space – I would want to spend all my time in that room!
I got my strawberry huller in the mail today! Thank you so much – I can’t wait to try it!
Has anyone been able to locate the ribbon wall unit? I’ve searched everywhere and something tells me I need one. 🙂 Love you site–found its way into my bookmarks!
Dang girl…I’m coming crafting at your house! What a great studio!
I love it when you post pictures of your studio! I just bought a similar wall hung storage unit from Michael’s (yay 40% off coupon) in my daughter’s play area. She’s quite crafty, and needed the storage for all her stamps, glitter, stickers, pens, markers, crayons, beading…yup, like mother, like daughter I guess. I wonder how much craft stuff she will need when she’s 15? (She’s 5 now!)
Are you open on Sundays? If so, what are your hours?
I have had my eye on those wall units at Michael’s. I’m running out of floor space and need to start storing “up”.
Yowza! What a phenomenal crafting space. Can I come over?
Thanks for all the sweetness you always leave on my blog. You should know I’m one of your longest lurkers and biggest fans. You’re such an inspiration!
I love the way you have your supplies so visible and organized. My biggest problem with supplies is the “out of sight, out of mind” — so things are forgotten and thus unused. Since I’m planning a major studio overhaul at the beginning of the year, I’ll have to borrow some of your ideas!
Love all your storage finds! It is almost as much fun to find cool storage items as it is to find great craft goodies. And when you do multiple crafts, you need good storage.
Your post inspired me to revisit my studio and reorganize a bit to remember what I have. I’m going to make to your place one of these days.
OMG i can’t believe you live there! it’s like living in a scrapbooking store!
Cute stuff! for a great and cute storage too. Love it.
No offense, but i suggest admin adding a google+ button for easy share!
I hope it’s ok. I just pinned the spinning slatwall unit.
I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this post. I am hoping the same best work from you in the future as well. In fact your creative writing abilities has inspired me to start my own blog now.
I loved the spool storage thinga ma jig, but could not locate instructions for it. Can you help?
Hi Eloise, I’m not sure the spool storage instructions are listed in the post you saw.
It’s a simple board that I first painted. Then, I attached thread holders (purchased from Joanne’s). Use screws to attach the holders directly onto the board.
I did write a post many years ago and you can find it if you search “thread storage” on my site.
I am so loving your paper storage and armoire….wish I knew where she got them from…great score!
Thanks Gina, all my fixtures came from scrapbook stores that closed in my area.
When the store closed, the owner sold everything in the shop including shelving, etc.
Keep your eye out for store closings. It’s too bad when a store closes but it can also present an opportunity to score great fixtures for your own storage needs.