the art of quilting

You must have a big enough container to hold everything for your craft. Don’t use many small boxes or containers as they cause more clutter problems than they solve. The space you need will depend on what crafts you are doing. Some crafts, like painting or small wood carvings, can be contained in small boxes; others, like large wood carving or building big model airplanes, can require a whole room to themselves.Small cabinets with drawers are excellent crafting containers. You can buy relatively inexpensive ones in the “big box” furniture stores, or at garage sales (you might have to paint or otherwise refinish those.)

Containers on wheels are great if you need to keep your supplies in a different place from you use them. I love using clear plastic drawer units in different sizes, which I get in the hardware store.

You can sometimes put up shelves just in the area where you craft. Just make sure you put all your supplies in good looking containers that fit the shelves. Untidy cluttered craft shelves can ruin your whole room.

What’s your best craft location?

As with containers, this depends on the craft. Big model aircraft, for example, need a whole room. Don’t try to cram this type of activity into a small corner, or you’ll give up in frustration.

With some other crafts, you’ll just need a corner or small area of a room. The space should be comfortable, or you’ll never go there. Drafts and low lighting are not conducive to crafting. If your craft requires electrical outlets, make sure they are readily accessible so you don’t trip over the cords.

Here’s an idea that’s a container and a workspace combined: an armoire or a big spacious wardrobe. One woman uses one large wardrobe to accommodate two crafts: knitting and beadwork.

The magic word for organizing a craft work area is containerize!

Click here to claim your free 7-part mini-course and get organized today.

Toilet Paper Crafts: 60 Papercraft, Sewing, Origami & Kanzashi Projects

1 Square Adhesive Rubber Magnets $3.96 Peel-and-stick magnetic squares are twice the thickness of magnetic sheeting and twice the strength. Affix to calendars, signs, memos and crafts to make them magnetic. Package contains 24 – 1″ Squares….

OXO Good Grips POP Rectangle Storage Container …

Wilton Clear Treat Bags – 50 Count $1.11 Once you’ve made candy or cookie lollipops it’s time to hand them out. You’ll need an easy and hygienic way to wrap them; may we suggest these clear plastic bags? Simply slip over the treat and use curling ribbon or some other fastening to tie them closed….

Singer Assorted Safety Pins, Multisize, 50-Count $0.74 SINGER-50 safety pins made of steel in assorted sizes. Sizes 1 2 and 3 are included. 1-1/6 to 2 in length. Warning: this is a sharp product. Keep away from children….

Aunt Martha’s Iron On Transfer Patterns for Stitching, Embroidery or Fabric Painting, Patterns for Tea Towels/Kitchen Decor, Set of 5 $1.50 Insert bills this as “the world’s first ever Queen shaped picture CD featuring a Brian May interview.”…

BirchHearts Happy Holidays Snowman Ornament $10.00 This lovable line of snowmen feature original Birchwood accents and are trimmed with a signature dangling snowflake. The carved sentiment and snowflake detailing on each item also adds a special touch. The Birchearts are sure to warm your heart and home. Each Snowman comes in a beautiful gift box which make it easy for gift giving or storing….

Handwoven and Quilted Garments: Power Sewing – Video #12 [VHS] $8.92 Construction and finishing techniques for garments in handwoven and quilted fabrics….

Baby Lock: Serger Essentials – Instructional Video for Model BL4-428D and BL5360ED Welcome to the exciting world of sewing with your new Baby Lock serger. You’re going to love the professional results it brings to every project you undertake. It’s easy to learn the basics of overlock sewing and then when you combine your professional finishes and new creativity you open up a whole new world of sewing possibilities….

Suddenly You’re Sewing! – SKIRTS & PANTS The Video and Pattern Kit That Will Actually Teach You How To Sew!…

SE Pottery Tool – 11 Pc Set $5.45 An 11-Piece Set of Pottery and Sculpture Tools ideal for any creative project. The tools are made of metal, with wood handles for an easy grip. Each tool has two shaped heads (one on each end) providing a variety of different carving shapes to give you more flexibility for your designs. They are ideal for detail work in carving, sculpture, and jewelry making. Design your prototype and create model…

Silhouette Cameo 12-inch x 10-inch Die-Cutting Machine with $35 Gift Card $279.99 The Silhouette Cameo is an electronic cutting machine that is great for light-duty, creative use. This die cutting machine plugs directly into your PC or Mac and uses a small blade to cut a variety of pre-designed die-cuttable materials.

Brother LS2300PRW Limited Edition Project Runway Sewing Machine (Refurbished) $49.99 Create fashionable trendy clothing and more with this Limited Edition Project Runway sewing machine by Brother. The sewing machine features 20 stitch functions and an easy bobbin system to get you creating those fabulous pieces for your wardrobe.

Silhouette Cameo 12-inch x 10-inch Die-cutting Machine $269.99 The Silhouette Cameo is an electronic cutting machine that is great for light-duty, creative use. It uses a small blade to cut a variety of pre-designed materials such as paper, cardstock, vinyl, fabric, and more.

Brother LX2500 Heavy Duty 17-Stitch Free-Arm Sewing Machine (Refurbished) $59.99 17 Built-in Stitches, Including an Automatic 4-step Buttonholer38 Stitch FunctionsBrightly Lit LED Work AreaFree Arm for Sewing Cuffs and SleevesEasy Automatic Bobbin Winding SystemEasy-to-use Blind Hem StitchJam Resistant Drop-in Top Bobbin