How do you store your crafting tools and materials?

I often come across this question from other crafters, "How do you store your crafting tools and materials?"

I used lots of bead in my jewellery making hobby, so I use a rotating spice rack that comes with bottles to store my beads and head pins.  I like it that the bottle is clear so that I can see what is stored in it. It is neat and does not take up too much space on my working table.



The beads I bought came in small plastic screw top jar like this that I can slip into my spice bottles.




I keep my crafting tools in tool box with trays like this.



Here are some other condiment caddies meant for your kitchen that you can consider using.

This is a coffee storage carousel for K-Cup Pods to consider using if you already have bottles like the ones above for spice, large enough to slot them in.  There are also models available that can rotate.



This is meant for storing what you need for making coffee.  I use knitting needles and rods to roll my wires, so, I could use the space for storing cups to keep them.  I will have to put a container inside the slot to hold them neatly together.



I think it is good to be able to see what you use in your projects.  You would not want to be caught in a bout of inspiration to discover that you are short of the material you need to complete your work.

Here is another see through example that I like.  Since there is a cover, I will be able to carry it around with me.  I like it that the space meant for storing ice can be used to hold my tools.  The five containers are removable.  So, if I buy more than a unit, I should be able to interchange containers of beads that I need for my current project.



How do you store your craft tools and materials?

The products that I share here can be purchased from Amazon.

Midori Style Note Book with Pockets

I discovered that Japanese travellers carry with them Midori note book to record their trips.  Midori Traveler's Notebook is a leather-bound notebook.  Travellers can write down their thoughts and memories and also attached things of sentimental value that they have collected during their trips.  They can also customized their Midori note book by adding the following:

-inserts or sleeves

-different types of paper, such as, grid paper, plain paper, and colored paper.

-decorations, such as, stickers, trinkets and charms.

-string or beaded bookmarks.

These books also come with elastic bands to hold everything in place.  It can be a costly hobby to maintain if you are someone who is sentimental and enjoys recording everything in your life.   

This instructional video I found on YouTube, will give you an idea what a Midori note book is about. If you like what you see, you can consider making your own if you are not willing to buy one.

I like the concept and it inspired me to create my own note book as I have been trying to find ways to make use of old exercise books and papers that my children no longer use.

Here is what I used in this project:

1) Legal size printing paper (stained yellow over time).
2) old CD cover.
3) rubber band or thread and needle to sew.

I measure the the height and width from the inside of one side of the CD cover.

The width the paper is good enough for this project.   I marked on the paper the height that I would like my note book to be so that it sits neatly inside the CD cover.  For this CD cover, a height of 11.5cm is just right.  After marking the height, I folded the paper (horizontally) so that I have two sections of the same height.

There is a portion remaining which I was not willing to cut out.

As I did not want to waste that section, I decided to make sleeves or pockets out of them which I can use for inserting souvenirs.  To make it, I fold its corners at right angles to touch the edge of the 11.5cm section of the paper.

I then fold the pointed end by about 2.5cm so that its edge meet neatly in the centre as shown below.

Now I am ready to cut out one side of the 11.5cm section, as shown.  What I have now is a separate piece 11.5cm in height while the other piece has the angled flap to create the pocket.

Once I folded the angled flap towards the 11.5cm section of the paper, I will have 2 pieces of paper in the same height.

Once I folded the width of both sections in half, they should l00k like this.

I opened them up and arrange the pages, one on top of the other.  The first page is plain and I alternate it with the ones with pocket.

This is how the pages should look like with a rubber band in the middle to hold the booklet together.  I can now place the booklet in the CD cover.

If you staple or sew the pages together, you can add another set of booklet in the CD cover. However, it will not be a good idea to have too many of them in the cover as you will be sticking "flash cards" or souvenirs into the pockets.

I decided to make a cover for the CD cover since I have a cardboard on hand which is larger in size than the CD cover.  I glued both side of the CD cover to the cardboard.

I then wrapped the cardboard with leftover wrapping paper.  This is how my note book looks like with my flash cards.

You can check my earlier posting if you would like to know how you can make use of such a note book.

Midori style note book with flash card

I have been inspired by the Midori style note book used by travellers. Here is my version which I have created so that my children can use it with "flash cards" to study.

Material Required

- Paper from exercise books (I used my children's old exercise books).  

- File fastener or book binding ring.  The ring binder I used is 1.5cm in diameter.

Method

1) Cut strips of about 5.5cm in height out of each page.  That should give you 3 strips per page.  

2) Fold the paper so that the edge touches the line printed at the side of the paper.  

3) Gather folded paper and punch a hole to insert a file fastener to hold them together.

On each strip of flash card, my children can write the question to a topic they are studying on the folded top.  The answer can be written on the inside as shown.  

Now you can create a Midori style notebook with pockets so that you can slip the flash card in it. This is how my Midori note book looks like with a flash card inserted.  

You can read how I made it at the following link:

Midori Style Note Book with Pockets

I think this is a great way to make use of old exercise books or scraps of wrapping paper and cardboard you have on hand.

Following are other ways you can make use of this note book.

- Record recipes on the blank pages and write down the list of ingredients required on the flash cards.  Slip the flash cards into the pockets created.  You can then take the flash cards out when you need to go shopping for the ingredients.

- Use it as a travel/souvenir collection book.  Insert boarding passes, tickets of shows or events you have attended into the pockets.  Write your thoughts on the blank pages.
- Save cut out of images that inspire in the pockets.  Note what it has inspired you to create on the blank pages.
- You can also use it as a journal.

Do you know that journaling is good for your emotional wellbeing?  If you are feeling down and do not know how to start journaling, read this book by Lee Crutchley, "How to Be Happy (Or at Least Less Sad): A Creative Workbook". I found a review about it shared on VaneesBabySteps YouTube channel.  At the end of the video, she flipped through the book which will give you an idea how you can go about journaling your thoughts so that you can be less sad.

When you are feeling down, note down what caused you to feel that way on a flash card.  Over time, compare the notes you have written.  You can then write on the blank pages, your reflections or points you have picked up from books or articles you read that has helped you to overcome those feelings.

 

You may also find it easier to journal in bullet style.  I have pinned some articles on ways to do that on my Pinterest board, "Bujo" which is short for bullet journal.