What keeps me awake at night.....
Global warming?.......The plight of the people in Darfur?.....How I can pay for my kids' college tuition in leftover craft supplies and gift tags?....... No. What keeps me up at night is ribbon storage. Yes, that's right. The complicated, yet, oh so vital, ribbon storage. I think I finally have it all figured out. Now....I'm sure everyone remembers my embellished ribbon rack. (don't you love how I say that as if "everyone" here has been reading my blog as if it were a standard autobiographical requirement for life.... "Oh yes Karin....how we all love and remember that rack fondly"......)
Anyway, as pretty as that rack is, it just isn't very functional. I just end up taking everything down when working. Smaller ribbons get lost under bigger ones. And, I really feel like I need the ribbon color sorted. So, as time went on, it became clear that as my ribbon collection grew, I was going to need to take a new direction in ribbon management and containment. Well, I present to you my new solution.........
I got the little metal containers at Target. They're originally for cd's. However, they were just what I need for my ribbons. What I like best about them is that they are designed to be stacked. And, I can pull my ribbons out; yet, still be able to see how much I have left.
Now, if I can just figure out... for the love of dead brain cells....why they insist on coming back with a third season of "The Real Housewives of Orange County" (are there still that many unanswered questions about middle-aged women trying unsuccessfully to look and act like they're 20 year's old out there?).... I will be able to get some sleep!
Talk to you soon! Karin
Your ribbon that is hanging from the coat rack looks like mine, except I found ribbon tags. I put all my ribbon on the ribbon tags, then put the tags on the ring and hang the ring on the coat rack. The ribbon is super accessible and I always know how much of each ribbon I have. I got my tags from: www.ribbonring.com but you might find them in your local sb store.
They have pictures on their website too.
Posted by: Captain Kate | October 01, 2007 at 01:06 PM
What a neat work area you have!
Alison
Posted by: Alison Gibbs | October 01, 2007 at 03:09 PM
I can relate to your restless nights and storage of the creative necessities! I live in a fairly small home, so storage here is limited. Sometimes I actually dream that I find an extra corner or open wall--seriously, and wonder how I never noticed it before, and then, what can I put there. I enjoy your blog. Best wishes~ Cathy
Posted by: cathy nash | October 01, 2007 at 03:23 PM
Love your storage corner Karin and the great idea with the ribbon. I also checked out the suggestion Captain Kate made and those ring things look fab, I think I need to do something like this too! I'm in the middle of re-doing my storage and this would free up precious drawer space!!
Posted by: Natasha Burns | October 01, 2007 at 04:01 PM
how I can pay for my kids' college tuition in leftover craft supplies and gift tags?....... HA!! LOL!! if only!! OK, i am off to Target this week!!! great idea, and i LOVE your craft space/studio :)
Posted by: Lori | October 01, 2007 at 04:31 PM
My storage containers aren't nearly as pretty. They tend to consist of plastic bins and two gallon ziploc bags. Someday I will have a pretty work area. ~sighs
Posted by: Amy | October 01, 2007 at 05:31 PM
I remember the debut of the famous ribbon rack! And now .. the fabulous metal containers! What a great idea!
Posted by: Bejeweled | October 01, 2007 at 06:05 PM
I adore your ribbon!!! I do remember the ribbon rack you made!! lol. soo cute!!
Posted by: britt-sparkled vintage charm | October 02, 2007 at 01:18 AM
Well Done Karin!
I agree, it is important for several reasons to see our some of our supplies. You have done this beautifully again!. Hey! I just know thought of an idea..a divided box (like an old jewelry box insert or a sectioned box for the sox.) I like how you have the colors dangling out so you know exactly what is in there!
Hugs,
Mary
Posted by: Mary | October 02, 2007 at 07:18 AM
Love your ribbon storage. I'm embarrased to show you mine. It is pitiful!
Wait, "The Real Housewives of Orange County" is comingback for a third season? YES! I'm such a sucker for bad TV.
Posted by: beki | October 02, 2007 at 08:44 AM
LOL That Orange County show really makes me laugh. Horrible. I love your ribbon storage solution. It looks bright, modern and is completely functional - love that!
Posted by: Heather T. | October 02, 2007 at 09:28 AM
Oh if storage solutions were that simple! As my hubby often says if you wouldnt buy so much crap you wouldnt need to keep reorganizing and buying the storage stuff! So I guess I will suffer through the reorganizing. I am never gonna give up the shopping or creating part..lol!
Posted by: Monicaa | October 02, 2007 at 10:32 AM
Your ribbon storage looks great! I love all the colors of your ribbons...
Priscilla
Posted by: Flea Market Queen | October 02, 2007 at 11:21 AM
I stay awake thinking about craft storage as well! Mainly because it is taking over my house! I'm somewhat of a neat, orderly person and my husband is the opposite so between his blase attitude and my delusions of an orderly craft world - I may be out of my mind soon!
Karla
Posted by: Karla | October 02, 2007 at 12:23 PM
I love it! You are always so funny! LOVE your new organizational scheme for ribbon. These kinds of things are SOOOOOOOOO important..... ;)
hugs, cheryl
Posted by: Cheryl Dack | October 02, 2007 at 05:02 PM
Of course I remember the ribbon rack. Loved it. But, alas, the cats would have as well. But, this (clever girl) is very do able and not tempting to the fur balls. Great idea, I shall steal it immediately. LOL.
Posted by: Cindy | October 02, 2007 at 07:08 PM
I thought glitter kept you up at night -- applying it! Hope the new storage works. Isn't it terrible how we have to keep trying different things! It would be so much easier to have perfection the first time.
I'm still oohing and aahing over my tags!!
Posted by: Sherri | October 02, 2007 at 07:33 PM
I, too, can relate to being awakened during the night by thoughts of crafting. Last night I lay awake making a mental shopping list of embroidery thread colors!
Missy
Posted by: missy | October 03, 2007 at 12:44 PM
I love your ribbons, and your ribbon storage, and your studio!
Posted by: Tanya Whelan | October 04, 2007 at 10:31 AM
Ooooooooooohhhhh - love it!! Ribbon storage keeps me up, too and now I have a GREAT new idea! I knew I had a problem the other day when I realized I was avoiding using ribbon all the way down at the bottom of my tedious pile!! Thanks!
Sarah
Posted by: Joy For the Journey | October 04, 2007 at 04:59 PM
Karin,if you don't worry about ribbon storage, than who will stand for the rest of us!
You have taken a stance for all of us who have tangled masses of voile and silk clustered in our craft drawers!
Your organized ribbon represents hope for the rest of us who have not come out of the cluttered crafters closet.
The next rallying cry will be "no more wired polyester ribbon EVER!"
We all aspire to your neatly wound rolls of silk.
Your art area looks great! I truly am inspired by your constant creativity!
Posted by: Jennifer Valente | October 04, 2007 at 05:15 PM
oooooh, I need me some of those ribbon baskets! Awesome idea, Karin. As usual, you're so funny. XO
Posted by: Holly Doodle | October 04, 2007 at 09:43 PM
That looks so much better than my jumbled up drawer, boxes and bags that are scattered about.
Posted by: karla nathan | October 05, 2007 at 06:23 PM
Hey Karin!
OMG! I LOVE YOUR RIBBONS AND STORAGE!! Your desk area is so delicious!
*hugs*
Analise
Posted by: Analise | October 06, 2007 at 03:22 PM
Using those target baskets for ribbon is such a great idea. Would you believe I just started going through my stash of ribbons earlier this evening in an effort to organize them better. Perhaps a trip to Target is in my future!
Posted by: Jeanne | October 07, 2007 at 08:22 PM