Organizing your crafts with Lisa Lelas

Posted July 19, 2008

(WTNH) - With high gas prices and a shaky economy, a lot of people are opting for stay-cations, instead of vacations. That time at home might be perfect to finish up a quilt, family scrapbook or paint an old chair. Here with some tips on how to do that is Organizing expert Lisa Lelas.

Information provided by our guest:
www.LifeStylingwithLisa.com

With more people opting to stay at home this summer, why not carve out some time to finish up that quilt, family scrapbook, or finally paint that old chair you bought at a flee market last year! Whatever your hobby, passion or craft ability...you'll enjoy your crafting and be even more productive with a few tips to help get your craft nook in order!

First, make sure you have adequate lighting, good ventilation and ample workspace. If needed, place a plywood board on top of an old desk or table to create a large worktable. Position the worktable in the center of the room rather than against a wall, so you can get to a large project from all sides. Near a window, for natural light, is ideal.

Keep all like items together, just as I say for all the other rooms in your house. All your stamping supplies should be in one labeled bin/basket, glue gun supplies in another, etc.

Keep all your craft supplies handy in open bins or baskets for quick grabbing. And label all the containers!

Tape an open paper shopping bag to one end of your worktable to simply brush in scrap paper or other throw-aways.

For painting big projects, try this: place a large rubber band (such as file bands) around an opened paint can through the center of the opening, giving you a tool to rub your brush against for squeezing out excess, drippy paint.

Even just one small piece of peg board on the wall near your worktable with hooks and clips or a fabric covered piece of foam board on the wall will allow you a place to quickly hang fabric swatches or pattern pieces rather than laying them out on your worktable.

Hang a corkboard or a few corkboard squares for pinning reminders, craft instructions or finished photos of your project.

Baby food jars are perfect for keeping samples of various room color paints throughout your home. This makes touch ups very easy. They can be hung on the wall in a spice rack

Hanging a narrow 2" shelf somewhere on the wall near your worktable is good for holding smaller items that might tend to get lost in your project, such as glue sticks or a jar of pins or paper clips, etc.

Be resourceful. Even an old empty pizza box can serve as a quick portfolio, keeping all larger crafting projects in a safe place to store or even dry.

Use a simple accordion file to separate and store scrap-booking supplies like background paper or even letters and stickers (size them accordingly).

A fishing tackle box works great for small crafting projects...to hold painting supplies, knitting supplies and more.

So get busy...start organizing your craft supplies today for a very creative & productive tomorrow! *Tips compiled by professional organizer, Lisa Lelas www.LifeStylingwithLisa.com