How I Store Paper In My Very Small Craft Space 8.5 paper is stored in a file drawer, with enclosed file folder dividers holding scraps
12.5 paper is stored in cardboard storage boxes, with folder dividers I made from the cardboard backing from cardstock packs. [More details below]
Although we have a spare bedroom upstairs, I prefer to keep my craft area in a corner of our laundry room. The reality for me is that if I stored everything away upstairs in a closed off room, I'd never use it. With it down here beside the kitchen, I have quicker and easier access to it. I can have the machines cutting while I'm cooking, or folding laundry, and I can walk out to work at my desk for a few minutes without feeling like I have shut myself off away from my husband. It's what works for me - and that's the key, figuring out what works for you. There is no one answer, we all work differently!
In this small space, I have an old office armoire that I picked up at a thrift store. It holds two cricut machines, our printer, & all of my paper and vinyl. Baskets on top hold more supplies. I also have a desk and dresser in this area, and a closet where more supplies are stored - but the bulk of what I use is accessible right here, beside the ironing board, which is convenient not only for dropping all sorts of odds and ends as we walk through the back door, but also for htv projects, once I clear it off. :-)
The bulk of my 12x12 paper is in cardboard holders. I do keep one clear 12x12 box of "seasonal paper", that I rotate out. So right now I have spring and summer papers in the cardboard storage, and fall and winter [Christmas] are in a clear 12x12 box. Sometime around late August/early September, I'll switch those.
These are $6.49 for 4 at Hobby Lobby, regular price.
I thought I would try the cardboard folders, and then if they worked for me, I'd upgrade to plastic ones eventually. But so far, plastic ones are pricey, and cardboard versions are not. Also, many of the plastic ones appear to be a little flimsy... So rather than upgrade to plastic, when my cardboard ones started to wear out, after about a years time, I simply replaced them with new cardboard versions.
After about a years wear and tear, right before I replaced them...
I have plans to cut down cardboard [again, from the backs of the packs of cardstock] to reinforce the fronts of the cardboard boxes. That's where I tend to grab them to pull them forward, and that's where they began to wear out and tear last year.
But I did just see these on Amazon. This is very tempting to me. 6 for $35. I love the wheels - but I wonder how well the plastic will hold up, I don't know how flimsy they are... https://amzn.to/3Wdnoha
This is my very much not fancy divider system for the 12x12 cardstock.
It's a piece of cardboard from the back of a pack of cardstock.
I've glued on 8.5x11 cardstock to make "folders" to hold the scraps.
Then I put small tabs at the top to indicate the colors. blue is stored on one side, red on the other, in this one.
My 8.5x11 cardstock is in the bottom file drawer of the armoire.
To sort my 8.5x11 cardstock, I use accordion style file folders - the type with enclosed sides. I glued cardstock to the top of each to color coordinate. Cardstock scraps go inside the folders, full pages behind the folder.
I used to store my sticker and iron on paper here, but as I got more and more into paper crafting, those moved up to the 12x12 storage box, so that I have more room in this drawer
I keep a tray on the pull out drawer under my maker, where I toss all of my scraps
Every few weeks, I pull out my paper trimmer and trim up all of my scraps - both paper and vinyl - then I sort them and put them away. Ok, so it's not every few weeks. More like 3 or 4 times a year..
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My Favorite Cardstock Brands, & Where To Find Them
The replacement blades I use
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Reminder - as an affiliate for Amazon, if you click on a link in this post and make a purchase, I may make a small commission. It in no way changes the price you pay, either way.
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