Organizing Polymer Clay

After looking through different organizers, I realized that if I didn't want to spend a ton of money, I would need to figure it out myself.  I needed small containers that would fit a brick of clay, and containers that could seal well so the clay doesn't dry out.

Solution!  I used Ziplock 4oz square containers, printed labels with my Brother label maker, and stuck them all in a covered tub from Target. I used 24 containers for the different colors I had.

I turned them upside down to make it easier to see the color.  Of course, I had help!

Total cost?  Just under $12!

Amazing Hawaiian Cork Board

I've been wanting a cork board for a long time, but they are so plain and bland.  I finally decided I had to bite the bullet because I really need one in my craft room.  So after Googling cool boards, I decided to try a technique with scrapbook paper.  My daughter came with me to Hobby Lobby and helped me pick out the colors.

We were looking for a design that would look good with my hanging ukuleles and the vintage Hawaiian travel posters I just ordered.  Josie even reminded me of a cool way to turn buttons or scrapbook brads into tacks for our project.  We picked up the paper, tacks, buttons, and washi tape, ready to add to the craft room!

Here's what we bought:

We trimmed the paper and hot glued the buttons to the tacks (after cutting off the shanks).  I love what we have now!

*A Craft Room of One's Own

After many sessions on Pinterest and Google Images, I finally envisioned the way to set up my craft room.  It was a hodge podge of folding tables with materials stuffed in an overpacked closet.  Finding what I needed when I needed it had become tricky.

I was not willing to spend thousands on quality furniture.  Mine was an Ikea-sized budget.  Luckily, inexpensive, cubby-inspired pieces are even on Martha Stewart's radar.  A few trips to Lowe's and Home Depot yielded just the materials I needed to make my space much more manageable.  I love how it turned out!

The best part is the fabric bins, which hide the chaos of spontaneous crafting.  Plus, it frees up my desk so I actually have space to work with my polymer clay or string together a necklace.

I also discovered Harbor Freight, a store for usually known for it's inexpensive tools.  I discovered that the $40 organizer I'd admired at the craft store could be purchased for just $14.  The only difference is that it's construction-worker yellow.  It's the perfect place for crucial findings, like jump rings, clasps, and chain.

I keep it on the floor next to my desk for easy access.  Plus, it's portable so I can just grab it and go when I need to teach a jewelry class at Michaels.



*Virginia Woolf elevated women's role in writing by suggesting that women need the space and material with which to craft their art.