By looking outside the traditional sources for storage, a whole new world opens up – customizable solutions for the crafter in all of us. Take a look at your own storage needs. Decide what you have that your current storage isn't working for and remember those the next time you stop by your local craft store, thrift shop, or even garage sales. With those products in mind, browse through the unfinished wood section (and the rest of the store – there are often goodies tucked in here and there you might never find if you head straight to the scrapbook section and don't venture beyond) of your craft store and scour other inexpensive shopping venues. Don't look at the items for what they are meant to do; instead, look at what you can make them do for you. Try to ignore the current color or pattern – you can always change that.
Customizing your storage can be as simple as a coat of paint, or you can dig through your paper collection to find just the right look to Mod Podge onto your items. You can embellish a little or a lot, depending on how you would like it to look in your space. This type of storage is especially useful when your crafting space is in a public area of your house and you'd prefer something more aesthetically pleasing. With the selection of scrapbooking supplies available, you can easily find something that will complement your décor.
Two examples of this are my custom alcohol ink carrier and rub-on storage. I hated having my alcohol inks in a drawer or basket and happened to pick up a few of these wooden baskets. It turned out they perfectly fit my alcohol ink collection and were also easily portable. I found that a decorative chipboard circle frame attached with some ribbon was a great solution to the problem of what to do with the applicator.
Next, I turned to the problem of my long, narrow rub-on letter books. I had them originally in a little pail, but wanted something a little more structured to be sure they didn't bend by being jostled together. These little wooden gift bags turned out to be the exact width to neatly store the rub-on books upright and still keep them easy to flip through. The best part? After painting and decorating both pieces, I still only spent around $10 for the set!
Storage options for your unique supplies don't have to be expensive or clash with your décor. With a little planning and creativity, you can make your own custom pieces that will be both functional and attractive without breaking the bank!
Supply List:
• Adhesive: Mod Podge (Plaid), 3-in-1 Advanced Craft Glue (Beacon)
• Colorants: black Stickles (Ranger), glittering crystal Scribbles (Duncan)
• Embellishments: chipboard shapes (Zsiage), flowers (Doodlebug), ribbon
• Paint: white acrylic (Plaid), black glossy spray
• Patterned paper: Molten Madagascar (Zsiage)
• Wooden Basket
• Wooden Gift Bag
Jenna is a former scrapbook buyer for a distributor living in East Central Illinois with her son, Michael. She currently designs for Zsiage and enjoys sharing her creations on her blog http://alteredobsession.blogspot.com. Altering and beading are her favorite creative outlets and her work has been published in several E-zines and also in Bead Trends magazine. Jenna is addicted to Mod Podge and will cover anything she can with her favorite scrapbooking papers including birdhouses, storage items, and more!
To find the products mentioned in this article, check with your local scrapbook retailer. Browse our Premier Retail Stores for coupons to a store near you.
