How to Keep Your Scrapbook Gear Organized | Hobbies

By AshleyKing
Total views: 1
Word Count: 569

You've decided to get started in scrapbooking, and you're very excited. You research as much as you can, then head off to the scrapbook or craft supply store and buy the tools and supplies you know you need. But problems begin when you get home and start trying to organize your numerous materials.

You'll quickly discover that you need to take steps to organize your supplies in order to have a successful scrapbooking hobby. This will ultimately save you time and leave you free to work on your projects and come up with brilliant new ideas, while at the same time allowing you more time for shopping!

One of your most important requirements is a shelf, or rather, many shelves. You'll have some boxes and containers and put the bits and pieces you need into these, but you'll also need shelves to arrange them neatly on. Otherwise your things will be everywhere, messing up your desk or surfaces you might need for something else. Your shelves should be strong and durable - you don't want all your stuff to collapse into an enormous heap!

Now your shelves will require organized storage space. Visit a scrapbook, fabric, hardware or craft shop for a range of boxes, drawers and other useful things to keep your scrapbook gear conveniently arranged. These containers will be handy to carry your stuff around in, too, without danger of them falling out all over the place.

If you're not looking to spend a fortune, why not use items you find around the house instead of expensive organizers and drawers you find at a craft store? You can use jars, small boxes, and even old baby bottles. You can also re-use old toolboxes, tackle boxes, or jewelry boxes. Just as long as what you're using has enough space for separating different items and is easy to get into, there's really no rule about what you can and cannot use.

For flat items such as paper, cardstock and so on, use files - they're really useful. You can get expandable plastic file holders that are extremely convenient, with a tough cover to protect your things, pockets to keep them separate, and a rubber band or other fastening device to keep the whole organizer secure.

If you go to scrapbooking meetings, or do your scrapbooking anywhere away from home, you need to have a convenient way to transport your materials easily and safely. Remember, you don't need to take EVERYTHING with you when you go, just enough to work on a few layouts.

Always purchase a bag that is bigger than what you think you may need, because there will always be things you've forgotten or haven't taken into consideration. You'll be glad you did when you're looking for some extra space. You should also attach labels to all your tools - this will make them easier to find when you're searching through your bag to locate something that you require.

The best way to keep your scrapbook gear systematically arranged would be to have a good system of organization and stay with it. You can use different parameters like size, color, patterns or themes, or even a combination of any or all of these. A system that works for one person doesn't necessarily work for another. But what's important is that the system you use should work for you, with you being able to locate what you need at any time with the minimum of effort.

About the Author

Ashley King is editor of the Hobbies Section at i-KnowHow | Information for Life, where you'll also find ideas and tips for family life, home and garden, personal finance, technology basics and much more.

You are here Articles > Hobbies