Friday, March 15, 2013

Filling the drawers......



I thought I'd share a little peek into the ongoing project of organizing my printers cabinet. This is way too big of a job to complete in one day - at least for me - so it's been a gradual process. I clean out a few drawers, fill them up, clean out a few drawers, fill them up, etc.... To clean them I have used my little handheld vacuum to get any dust and dirt out. Then, I use a damp rag to wipe the inside of every. little. compartment. That is the part I hate! My fingertips are sore and I have a sharp pain in my shoulder from the repetitious motion. My fingernails are stained with ink. I'm definitely going to need a manicure after this!

I decided to stick with the organization that I've been using for years - sort by bead type. That means I have a drawer for stone, one for wood, one for glass, etc..... It works for me so why change it. Here are some random thoughts I've had - feel free to comment with what you do yourself if you are a beader.

Do I cut the strand so all of the beads are loose, or leave them strung for easier use? I've cut the majority of my strands during this process, as I had several trays full of them. I've only left beads on strands if they were particularly difficult to round up. And of course, the drawer of seed and delica beads are all still in their containers - lucky the containers fit in the compartments.
 
What do you do with the little beads that are often strung in between the beads you've bought? Often times, they are just clear seed beads. But what about the ones that might be matching stone or wood? I've found I tend to keep the nicer ones and toss the others.
 
It's a good thing I am only cleaning drawers as I need them, because I sure as heck am not going to do all 20 unless absolutely necessary! So far, I've used up 6 drawers. I am thinking I will probably need 4-5 more? Who knows!?!?!
 
The thought occurred to me about ever moving this thing, as we are fixing up the house to sell. But, I didn't want to delay the enjoyment of it for something that is unknown. But I wonder, would I have to put all my beads back in the plastic trays? Ugh, I don't even want to think about that! Put some kind of packing tape over each drawer so the beads don't fall out?

3 comments:

TesoriTrovati said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Wonderful! You have given me inspiration. I have almost all my drawers filled. I like to pull the beads off the strands. I have used a label maker in the past to indicate the company I bought them from and the cost per strand or even bead. But I haven't been very good about that in the past few years. And I have bins - bins, I tell you! - that remain on the floor and on the desk and table and toppling over. They really need to be put away. They aren't doing me any good sitting out. And then maybe I will need to do a destash! Thanks for sharing the peek. Oh, I forgot, I organize by color mostly - blue, red, green, white, brown, black, metals. Pearls get their own drawers by colors as well. And then there are at least 4 drawers of my bezels for pendants! Enjoy the day. Erin

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I take the beads off the string unless I have several strands or in bulk, then it's only what fits in the designated cubby. If I want or need to know where I found the bead and the cost, I'll put a small white label on the inside wall of the cubby. I also organize by type of bead, then size if it matters - like seed beads, then color. I have moved my drawers that are similar to yours by fitting a piece of stiff cardboard over the top, like a lid, and taping it down tight. Of course I also don't tip the drawer when moving, but it was for a move across town, not across the country or over the sea!

Liz said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Such a great piece. One suggestion to try for moving...plastic wrap. Great for moving furniture too...wrap round piece to keep the doors closed.