How to Organize Your ‘Treasures’ for Later Use

Not everyone is made to craft or repurpose old stuff. However, if you are that person, then sometimes you find yourself a little overwhelmed with your loot. We all know that being overwhelmed can lead to nothing. Absolutely, nothing. Ideas may flow so fast you can’t keep up and then nothing actually happens with those ideas. You may be on the other end of the spectrum, and nothing happens because your treasures are in such disarray. You can’t even start to be creative.

Don’t give up and throw it all out. To keep your ideas forthcoming and your motivation going let’s get you organized. Here are some creative ways to stay organized while still holding onto your treasures:

1. Sort and Declutter

• Categorize Your Supplies: Separate items into categories like fabric scraps, buttons, beads, ribbons, paper, etc.
• Purge What’s Not Useful: Keep only items that are in good condition or inspire you creatively.
• Create a “To-Use” Bin: Place items you haven’t used in 6 months in a bin. If you don’t use them within a set time frame, let them go.

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2. Use Creative Storage Solutions

• Clear Jars and Containers: Store small items like buttons, beads, and thread in clear jars for visibility and easy access. Tip: Clear containers are great for ALL your treasured items. This keeps you from forgetting about them.
• Drawer Dividers: Perfect for organizing tiny odds and ends.
• Pegboard Wall: Hang tools, spools of ribbon, or small buckets for easy access.
• Tackle Boxes or Craft Caddies: Use these to organize small supplies like sequins, needles, or charms.
• Over-the-Door Organizers: Great for storing fabric, yarn, or smaller tools.

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3. Label Everything

• Use a label maker, tags, or washi tape to label containers, drawers, and boxes. This ensures items are easy to find. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!

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4. Designate “Work Zones”

• Crafting Station: Keep essentials like scissors, glue, and tools in one accessible area.
• Storage Zone: Store less frequently used materials in labeled bins or boxes.
• Scrap Zone: Have a bin or drawer for scraps you plan to use in the future.

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5. Contain the Chaos

• Project Boxes: Store in-progress projects in their own labeled containers so they don’t get mixed up with other supplies.
• Limit Overflow: Assign a specific number of bins or shelves for supplies—when you run out of space, it’s time to declutter. This is one of the best things I have done!

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6. Make It Accessible but Tidy

• Stackable Bins: Use clear bins to save space while keeping things neat.
• Rolling Carts: Use a rolling craft cart for mobility and easy storage.
• Magazine Holders: Great for paper, scraps, or stencils.

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7. Display What Inspires You

• Create an “Inspiration Wall” or board where you display odds and ends that spark creativity. Photos from magazines of something that can be made from trash to treasure is awesome here too. I also love to keep color wheels on this board.

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8. Schedule Maintenance

• When working on a project, allow at least 10 minutes of clean up time. My worst enemy is not doing this and then coming back to a mess.
• When you find yourself with a few minutes, reorganize your area to keep it well maintained.
• Do a deeper declutter every few months to reassess what you truly need. I find that setting a reminder on my calendar to do this really helps.

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9. Repurpose Creatively

• Use unexpected items for storage:
  • Mason jars for small supplies.
  • Ice cube trays for tiny pieces.
  • Old suitcases for fabric or yarn. (I know this isn’t clear but if you have it use it.)
  • Teacups or vintage bowls for loose beads or buttons.