How to Organize Craft Supplies
Even though I have the coolest studio room/library all to myself, there are times when I need my art supplies to be a little bit more portable. Whether I want to be hanging out with Scott in the living room or if I am meeting up friends for a fun art party, I’ve finally found a great solution for how to make things a little more haulable. Plus—BONUS!—this is a great solution for renters or those who don’t have a lot of space to devote to housing creative items.
So, let’s start with the pile of stuff I drug into the living room this weekend to work on an art project:
As most organization projects go, it was a little daunting to get started, but to get myself going I grouped like items together in smaller containers. In this case stickers and other random paper items went into the mint green container from Ikea and the stamps (my newest re-discovered love!) in the metal container (snagged out of our garage!).
A basket I got from Target a few years ago has become the perfect place for storing all my washi tape. You never know when that stuff will come in handy!
Maybe my favorite storage I came up with is for my pens. First of all, I love writing utensils. I had a somewhat manageable collection until my birthday and Christmas when I got a ton of new gel pens and microns from people that love me and know me well. I just had them shoved into jars and random containers and was actively looking for a way to store them horizontally (most manufacturers recommend this) when I came across this scrapbook organizer
. It’s meant for storing 4×6″ photos, but pens fit perfectly! I super nerded-out and organized them (and labeled them!) by type and color. This way they are all together, can be stored horizontally AND I can grab one case at a time when needing a certain color/type for a project.
I originally had taken all these acrylic paints
out of their containers and had them in a basket, but rooting around 48 tubes looking for a particular color wasn’t working out very well. So back in their homes they went. 🙂 Sometimes the container something comes in really is the best place to keep it!
Finally, I corraled all of these together on a cart I got from Ikea several years ago. They don’t sell this particular one anymore, but here or here are similar ones.
On a slightly different note, people ask me all the time how to get started with art. The number one thing that has helped me the most is having supplies that are easily portable and ready to use whether I have five minutes or five hours. My favorite thing I’ve bought art wise (that I use daily!) is this portable watercolor palette
. It is small enough to stick in any bag, the colors are bright and it comes with this awesome water brush. You add water into the pen and you squeeze gently to release water. This little kit has changed the way I do art—it’s no longer some drawn-out, super formal thing. It’s easy and fun! I liked the water pens so much I ordered the three-pack of them
that come in different sizes. I’ve been using them daily for almost 6 weeks and I absolutely adore them.
I have this tote bag that I got from Target last year that I use when meeting up with friends for art meetings. I love being able to just grab what I need from the cart (or my studio), toss it in the bag and go. 🙂 My main staples to take are a mixed media journal, watercolor pencils
, water brushes and my portable watercolor palette of course.
I’d love to hear from you guys—what’s in your art travel bag? Or what would you pick up from the Container Store? Obsessed with that store—and with art! If you aren’t into art (yet!) pick up a watercolor kit and get started. SO fun.
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Tania Griffis is an accomplished writer, blogger, and interior designer with a Journalism degree from the University of Oklahoma. She started her popular blog, Run to Radiance, in 2011, demonstrating her design expertise through the personal remodeling of six houses to millions of readers across the globe.
Tania also owns The Creative Wheelhouse, a respected ghostwriting agency for bloggers, further showcasing her talent for creating engaging and informative content.
You are so organized! I love ALL of your craft stuff!!!
Thanks caroline!! It helps me a ton just to see what we have!
oh my gosh, i’d be embarrassed for you to see my craft closet – you open the door and then brace yourself because everything is about to tumble out and onto your head. probably time for me to get organized!
That’s how I felt before organizing stuff. It makes things so much easier to be used daily! 🙂
Ummm… can I just say, there will be rolling craft carts just like yours in heaven. Nuff said 😉
I think so too…and lots of glitter! Only it won’t stick to everything…or maybe it will and we won’t care. 🙂
This is fantastic! Thanks for sharing your organization tips! I need to implement that cart idea for my office! 🙂
Love the color-coded pen boxes! so cool!
Thanks Volta! I recommend the cart for sure–I feel like there’s a cart for every purpose!! 🙂
So much organization! I love it!
Thanks girl! 🙂 I’m trying to keep it tidy!
This post is so timely for me. I was just looking at how to better organize my craft supplies. Thank you for the inspiration 🙂
This is what heaven looks like! I would love be more organized, this would help out so much!
Yes! Crossing my fingers for your Allison!! 🙂
Hello – two of my favorite things. Art supplies and organizing. I love how your organized your pens! Such a great idea! 🙂
Two of my favorites too! So glad they aren’t exclusive from one another! 😛
OMG look at all of those craft supplies *drools* I may have to get that scrapbook organizer!!
Do it! 🙂 It seriously is so cool…I think I might get another to keep together my papers and other random supplies. I just like how tidy and portable it is.
So basically I have pen envy after reading this! Love all the ideas. I am a sucker for anything in Target’s Dollar Spot that could remotely be used for storage.
I love your tips and suggestions. I kinda wish that I had a craft room but at the moment I don’t have much time for crafts. I crochet and keep my stuff in a basket at the moment.
I need to stock up on containers like the ones that you have. My craft supplies are all over the place and drives my husband crazy!
Love love love it!!! Thanks for sharing these great ideas.
I love the idea of an art/crafts cart! I have found it is so much easier to sew/craft if I don’t have to put everything ALL the way away every time! I have also just gotten into watercolor and I love it! These are great ideas. 🙂
Hi Tania, Great ideas! My craft room needs some TLC & organizing magic! Thanks for sharing your ideas! Blessings, Janet
I love how you color coordinated your pens.
Thanks for sharing at the #InspirationSpotlight Party. Pinned & shared.
This is something that I definitely need to do. We have craft supplies, yarn, paper, and such all over the house. It drives me batty! Thanks so much for sharing at Funtastic Friday.