Bead Storage

[Notsocleveratthisgirl]

Hi

Apologies if I am in the wrong forum! I hope that I have it right.

I am looking for some sort of organised storage for my beads and findings. I have so many now and they are just all heaped together in one giant box.

Does anyone of any suggestions or recommendations as to what would be a good purchase?

I appreciate your knowledge.

[bustagasket]

I have one of thiese http://www.cooksongold.com/Storage/Storage-Organiser-With-Bead-Scoop-And-Tweezers-55-Compartments-prcode-999-098L and i must admit i love it cos all the oxes are individual. I would like one with slightly bigger boxes too (hit hint cooksons) but its brilliant

[Di Sandland]

Hi sweetie - can't be bothered to type out that long name! I think storage is something we all do differently - it all realy depends on the space and money you have available!

For what its worth, I used loads of small to medium sized platstic boxes from staples. They're see-through and stackable but would be no good if I had to transport everything to some sort of gathering or workshop.

I also use a large toolbox - the sort that electricians and workmen use - a Stanley one.

[Notsocleveratthisgirl]

Thanks for your prompt reply. It does look good but I was thinking of something bigger. Sorry, I have just many beads!

[The Bijou Dragon]

I am just starting to use those tiny jam pots (for seed beads) and some larger hars for larger beads and my OH is going to make me some drawers similar to the IKEA versions that I can store entire sets of beads in:

Beads in jars: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stripypixiesocks/3680348198/in/set-72157616625991996/

You can buy these jars in bulk here: http://www.colouredbottles.biz/

Of course if you are like me and have a bah-zillion hobbies all involving tiny bits of stuff you can also use the same system for those things too :)

It also means if I drop a tray they won't send millions of tiny beads all over the floor as it's all carpeted and the jars shouldn't break!

[bustagasket]

No problem :)

[Notsocleveratthisgirl]

Hi

The jars seems like a good idea and I am intriegued to know what the Ikea drawer system is.

However, my beads are not something I can keep out, due to lack of space. I need to be able to put them away at the end of the day.

Sorry, I appreciate all your suggestions! I am not making myself very clear am I? Probably because I don't know what I mean.

[Di Sandland]

I think we do know what you mean, notgoodatthisgirl, its just that, to be honest, there isn't really an answer unless you invest in this sort of thing (http://www.storage4crafts.com/shopx/home.php?cat=93), which would be a problem with space anyways.

My small boxes do fit away in cupboards - hang on, I'll go take a pic...

Okay - the boxes in the cupboard are my lampwork beads and gemstones, with silver findings in the smaller boxes. Sadly, my seed beads and miyukis are all in bags in the old picnic hamper.

[mizgeorge]

My smaller beads and findings are stored in a set of about 10 craft mate caddies. I like these because you only open the section you want at any given time. Of these, about half are the jumbo version.

https://storage4crafts.com/shopx/product.php?productid=285&cat=57&page=1

It's also useful to be able to pull out just one tray at a time to work from or take with you somewhere.

[The Bijou Dragon]

These are the IKEA drawers I was thinking about: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60073300

They can be stacked as well but my OH will make me some that fit my bead jars in exactly so I can just take a drawer out, use whatever I want out of it and put it back again. That way I can use from tiny individual jam jar size right up to any size I like for larger beads or quantities!

Can also put in the likes of headpins, crimps, clasps, jump rings etc etc etc

It also means nothing will be getting light-struck either which can fade colours over time and especially semi precious stones :)

Of course being wood means you can also decorate them to match the room they are in and virtually make them dissapear if you so wish!

[Notsocleveratthisgirl]

Wow, thank you all for being so helpful! And of course spending the time helping me with my confused mission. I appreciate it!!

I love the stacker kit but think I am going to have to say up the old pennys for that. Thank you too for the photos of your system Moon Cottage. Perhaps it is time for me to clear at some cupboards and make some room.

I love the idea of Caddys too mizgeorge and think that this might be the answer for the time being for me. I means that I can carry them around easily.

Thank you for the Ikea link Bijou Dragon. I will definetly have a look at those, on my next visit to Ikea.

Again, thank you all for your suggestions. I feel a bit clearer about what I want now.

Best wishes

[Solunar Silver Studio]

I have all my loose rolly bits in plastic business card boxes. This is one site that has them on Ebay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/100-BUSINESS-CARD-BOXES-PLASTIC-CRAFT-BOX-HOLDER_W0QQitemZ290263834592QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_ BOI_Office_Office_Supplies_Stationery_ET?hash=item 4395129fe0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

They suit my needs can be laid out to suit the space you have for storage...are stable enough to stack - and at a push - you can seperate them and use top and bottom as seperate storage trays. This site doesn't seem to have other sizes - but you can get the same sort of boxes in all sorts of sizes up to A4 I think....but you'll have to go search for them yourself!! I must get back to my duties!!!

[AlexandraBuckle]

I use this kind of thing (http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/Plastic-Storage/Storage-Unit-Assorted-4-Drawer/invt/0196938) for tools etc and put my beads in smaller trays and boxes inside.

HOw about something like this (http://www.rapidonline.com/productinfo.aspx?&tier1=Tools%2c+Fasteners+%26+Production+Equipment&tier2=Storage%2fPacking+Equipment&tier3=Storage+Cabinets&tier4=Plastic+storage+cabinets&moduleno=79363&catRef=14-2082) though...?

Organising that would be fun!

[bustagasket]

I use this kind of thing (http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/Plastic-Storage/Storage-Unit-Assorted-4-Drawer/invt/0196938) for tools etc and put my beads in smaller trays and boxes inside.

HOw about something like this (http://www.rapidonline.com/productinfo.aspx?&tier1=Tools%2c+Fasteners+%26+Production+Equipment&tier2=Storage%2fPacking+Equipment&tier3=Storage+Cabinets&tier4=Plastic+storage+cabinets&moduleno=79363&catRef=14-2082) though...?

Organising that would be fun!

Those little pull out draws are great for a multitude of things, i have yet to see a set up that i would really like in my workroom when i get it.

[AlexandraBuckle]

Yeah, I might get one myself actually. I can go all OCD filling the boxes!

[Lindyloo]

It's a girl thing, isn't it. I just love storage and getting things sorted.

[Di Sandland]

I love storage and Staples. Really, really sad eh?

[Lindyloo]

Well how's this for sad. We've just had some cupboards built in our laundry, and I am so excited to have somewhere to put all my detergents, light bulbs etc. Oh, and I made sure that there would be room for some of my jewellery stuff. :Y:

[EmmaRose]

investigate your local diy store- storage for screws/ nails etc is great when you are starting out. cooksons have a few things too now.
Em

[Emerald]

Hi

I use 'the really useful box's' you can buy a box and then fill it with trays, the trays are seperated into compartments, so i have trays of findings, trays of beads etc and then the boxes all stack on top of each other you can buy them in argos and whsmiths, but my dream is one of those lovely stackers but oh they are soooo expensive.

[Emerald]

p.s how do you put photos on your reply have added some to my gallery but dont know how to add them to these threads?:confused:

[Di Sandland]

p.s how do you put photos on your reply have added some to my gallery but dont know how to add them to these threads?:confused:

In your messasge box (the one that you write in) on the top row of the tool bar you'll see the paperclip - that's the thing that allows you to attach thumbnails.

To attach a picture at the original size, you click on the little icon on the next row down that has what looks like mountains on a yellow background.

tbh, the paperclip one is the best - big pics make the forum slow to load for some folk.

[Emerald]

ah ha thanks Di x

[danny.p]

Hi

Apologies if I am in the wrong forum! I hope that I have it right.

I am looking for some sort of organised storage for my beads and findings. I have so many now and they are just all heaped together in one giant box.

Does anyone of any suggestions or recommendations as to what would be a good purchase?

I appreciate your knowledge.

If you are into DIY, you can always combine smaller boxes and attach them with duct tape. :)

That's what I do with cream and bottle packages - I simply connect them, either with glue or duct tape and then decorate the outer side so that they look interesting.

Works for me, so if you're into that sort of stuff, give it a try- :)